Tomb of the Lost

by Julian Noyce

  “When you say the whole world what was the extent of their knowledge?” from Hutchinson.

  “Imagine the Mediterranean world as it is now. It hasn’t changed much. The coastline is still the same. For the Greeks of the fourth century B.C. they knew little or nothing of the outside world. The discovery of the American continents was still almost two thousand years away. The Japans years after that. When Alexander’s army arrived at the Caspian sea in the North of Iran they ran into it to drink only to find it was salty. They then believed that they’d reached as far North as they could go. That this was part of the great sea that encircled the entire earth, that they could get into their boats and sail around India and all the way around Egypt and up the Nile and back to Greece. “

  Natalie shook her head smiling.

  “The whole of Russia is above the Caspian sea and beyond India is China. Their knowledge really was limited wasn’t it.”

  “Yes they knew nothing of these countries East. They knew of Italy, Spain, France, though the Greeks seldom, if ever, traded that far West. You know there was even talk among Alexander’s confidants about a campaign to Britain, though of course that would never take place, not until Julius Caesar arrived in 55BC.”

  “The Greeks must have heard of China though.”

  “I’m sure they did. To them India was the biggest country in the world. It was even feared that the great King of India whoever he was had an army of over one million, riding Elephants!”

  “Did this deter Alexander?”

  “Not him. Not the lion of Macedon. His army paused by the Beas river, India, while on the opposite bank thousand upon thousand of Indians lined the other side and challenged the Greeks to cross. They didn’t. It wasn’t that they were afraid Far from it. But it was morale. Some of them hadn’t seen their homelands in ten years.”

  “What did Alexander do?”

  “He got in among the ranks, reminded individuals of what he’d personally done for them, accused others of treason. His lifelong friend Coenus was the only one brave enough to stand forward and speak. He reminded Alexander of personal sacrifices. Every man there that day had bled for their King. Coenus named those that had fallen, Black Cleitus, Parmenion, his father Philip. Alexander continued to rant and rave but his army had had enough. Finally Alexander returned to his tent where he sulked for three days. He hoped they would give in, but on the fourth day Alexander realising they weren’t going to budge an inch re-emerged from his tent, performed a sacrifice and announced that the odds weren’t favourable. The army cheered. They would return home.”

  Each of them sat in the car for a minute silent.

  “On the return journey Alexander made a grave mistake. He led them into the Makran desert, the most inhospitable place on earth. Without water in plentiful thousands of them died of thirst. There is a famous story to come out of it though. A helmetful of water was found and presented to the young King. He took it and looked down at it, his parched throat agony, as were the others. He raised it to his lips and then stopped looking out over his thirsty men. Then he tipped the helmet and emptied the water into the sand. “I’ll drink when you drink!” he said to the amassed ranks. Of course they cheered such bravado by their King.”

  “There were other such stories weren’t there?” Natalie asked “I remember something about a horse.”

  “Bucephalus,” George added.

  “Bucephalus was Alexander’s favourite horse. He even named a city ’Bucephala’ in India after the animal when he was killed in the battle with Porus.”

  “That’s sad.”

  “Yes Alexander was inconsolable. He and Bucephalus had been together for over twenty years.”

  “I remember now. Something about Alexander being the only one able to ride him. How did the story go?”

  “Alexander was just a boy of ten when he attended a sale of horses with his father and mother. Philip had just become engaged as it were to Atalus’ niece. They were all there. Alexander’s mother sat away from them with the nobles. Philip as usual was drinking when a beautiful black stallion was brought into the show ring. Philip instantly bid a high price for the beast which nobody offered to raise. Philip was applauded as he left his seat and went down to greet his purchase, the show ring being open air, the sun shining strong and hot. But as Philip approached the horse became panicky and reared up several times while lashing out with its hind legs. Philip tried a few more times then swore and gave up. “This animal is too wild to be tamed. He will kill anyone who attempts to ride him. Sell him for meat” he ordered.

  Alexander suddenly jumped in.

  “Buy him for me father!”

  “That animal can’t be tamed,” Philip shouted back.

  “I’ll buy him.”

  “With what?”

  “If I cannot ride him I’ll give you ten times his worth.”

  Philip laughed “You don’t have the money boy.”

  “I’ll not need it,” Alexander replied.

  Philip not wanting to see his son hurt was about to order the horse’s slaughter again when Parmenio stepped in.

  “Let the boy try Philip. Surely he’s too good an animal to waste.”

  Others took up the shout now. Philip turned a complete circle looking at his friends.

  “Very well,” he said, leaving the show ring to a great applause. Alexander now stepped into the ring as the crowd fell silent. Slowly with no deliberate movements he approached the horse which was still skittering its feet.

  “Shh! Shh!” Alexander called soothing to the animals ears. He reached for the horse’s rein and held it gently. The stallion now calm, he was able to reach up and pat his neck. Alexander while watching had noticed that the horse was afraid of its own silhouette.

  “You don’t like your own shadow do you,” he said turning the horse into the sun, so the shadows were now behind. Alexander continued to soothe the horse. Then to the shock of everyone present, he deftly swung himself up onto the horse’s back and as the crowd cheered he trotted the horse from the arena and galloped across the fields and out of sight. The crowd waited anxiously and roared with delight when he re-appeared and galloped back into the show ring and brought the animal to a halt. Alexander jumped down and pressed his face against the horse’s neck.

  “I shall call you Bucephalus,” he said stroking the beast’s nose.

  Philip came limping into the ring now. He grabbed Alexander and lifted him onto his shoulders.

  “Aha! My boy,” he roared with delight “Find yourself another kingdom! This one isn’t big enough for you.”

  Natalie clapped.

  “That is a beautiful story.”

  “Yes and not far from the truth. Unlike some of the other propaganda we’ve heard like the one about the Gordian knot.”

  “The Gordian knot,” Hutchinson said “I don’t think I’ve heard this one.”

  “I know it,” said George.

  Dennis smiled.

  “Perhaps you would like to tell everyone about it,” Hutchinson said to George, only too happy to include others into the tale.

  “No. Mr Dennis tells the story better than I.”

  “You tell it,” Natalie said, reaching out and touching the journalist on the arm. Dennis made no reaction but Hutchinson saw an intimacy there between them, certainly from his beautiful archaeologist. Hutchinson also saw a reaction from George.

  “Ah! Was that jealously,” he asked himself. George Roussos had always had a natural, instinctive, protectiveness over her.

  “Very well if you insist,” Dennis said. Suddenly he was holding her hand and Hutchinson had to hide an embarrassed smile.

  ’Now there could be no doubt’

  ’Natalie desires him,” he was thinking, ’But what about him? I can’t tell….But wait….What was that look about? Does he fancy her back….I can’t tell but what man wouldn’t. She is beautiful. She is out of my league and George’s and anyone on the team for that matter. But what about him….Ah well no matter they’re bot
h single. I just hope it doesn’t distract her from her job or I may have to intervene’

  “Gordium,” Dennis began “Was an ancient city in Northern Turkey. There was an old farm cart here that centuries ago it was said that Gordius the father of Midas arrived in….”

  “King Midas who everything he touched turned to gold?” Hutchinson asked, caught up now like a child at bedtime story telling.

  “The very same. Anyway the cart was fixed to the yoke by a large knot known as a Turk’s head. It was said that whoever could undo this knot would be the ruler of all Asia. Alexander must have heard of this story before he came here but what now? His men urged him to try but at first he just studied it, checking from all angles. Surely he had to have a go or be accused of avoiding the issue, the opportunity…..But what if he failed?”

  Dennis paused like great storytellers do, to keep their audience guessing. Finally Natalie asked.

  “What did he do?”

  “Well….” Dennis continued the story “Surrounded by his men and followers and even Arrian the famous biographer said “And I quote, I speak on this without confidence” Alexander stood for a minute studying the knot of cornel bark. Then….Some say….he pulled out the pin and thus undid the knot that way….Others though….Say he drew his sword and raising it two handed above his head and yelling “It doesn’t matter how it’s done!” brought the sword slashing down and cut the knot exposing the ends within.”

  Once again they lulled into a silence. Then Hutchinson said.

  “Which of the two stories do you believe are true?”

  “Knowing Alexander and the times I would say that most definitely he used the sword.”

  “I believe that too.”

  “You know the story George. It would have been more like Alexander wouldn’t it.”

  “I think so.”

  “What sort of a man was he?” Natalie asked.

  Dennis had prepared himself for this question but now it came he wasn’t sure where to start. Then he said.

  “Young. Ambitious. Zealous. A great warrior, leader, King, a man who loved his men. He spoke coarsely, as a common soldier, unlike the Persian King. Alexander ate with his friends, lived with them, loved them. Twenty when he inherited his father’s kingdom, not quite thirty three when he died. Almost certainly an alcoholic at the end of his life. A borderline megalomaniac believing himself to be the son of the Gods. Sometimes superstitious. Always confident. Short tempered, no doubt fuelled by alcohol, often leading to treason trials, deaths of his associates, murder, revenge. Like the time when he and his father’s friend ’Cleitus the black’ got into an argument. Alexander drinking heavily as usual, Cleitus loose with his tongue. Cleitus never afraid to speak his mind. Accusations began to fly. Cleitus reminding Alexander that his achievements were dull compared to those of Philip. Alexander smarting under the insults, warning Cleitus to watch his mouth. Cleitus then ushered from the room only to return with one final insult. Suddenly Alexander was on his feet and he ran Cleitus through with a Javelin. Cleitus dying in Alexander’s arms. Alexander wept over his dead friends body for two days.”

  Dennis stopped for a drink.

  “As to his enemies though they fared differently. If they surrendered or openly accepted him without a fight he would reward them with gifts, land, titles, wealth. They more often than not ended up richer under Alexander than they were before. But if they stood against him. He would come against them and….” Dennis punched the palm of his left hand with his fist….”Smash them! He just didn’t know when to quit, when to stop. If you said to him that mountain can’t be climbed ….” Dennis continued pointing out of the window to the highest peak he could see. The vehicles occupants craning their necks for a better view…”Then he would climb it with ten thousand men just to prove you wrong. They say that his limit of endurance knew no bounds and he pushed his enemies until the very blood in their veins ran cold….” Dennis looked at each of them in turn….”I’ll bet it did,” he said.

  “Why did you call your article the Lion and the Wolf?” Natalie asked.

  “Why? Because Alexander the great was known as the Lion of Macedon. Hitler was often referred to as the ’Wolf’. His secret headquarters was known as the ’Wolf’s lair’. So as you can see it was easy to come up with a title.”

  They fell quiet again. This time the silence went on and on. After ten minutes Dennis tapped Hutchinson on the arm.

  “How much further?”

  Hutchinson spoke to the driver.

  “About another hundred miles.”

  Dennis leaned forward and took his jacket off, rolled it up and placed it between his head and the window.

  “In that case, if you don’t mind, I’m going to have a nap.”

  “You carry on,” Hutchinson said.

  Dennis closed his eyes. In minutes he was asleep. His mouth slightly open, his breathing deep and slow. Natalie watched him.

  “Even in sleep he’s sexy,” she said to herself. Then feeling tired herself she closed her eyes and thinking about the story he’d told them she drifted off to sleep with her imagination taking her back to ancient Greece and the world of Alexander the Great.

  CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR

  PORT OF GABES, TUNISIA

  The sound of the car door opening woke her up. She had been sleeping with her head on Dennis’ shoulder, who was awake.

  “Oh sorry,” she said slightly embarrassed.

  “Not at all,” he replied smiling.

  She looked around out of the windows at the bustling port, trying to familiarise with her surroundings. The sound of tug boat horns drifting through.

  “You were comfortable so I left you and besides you kept my shoulder warm.”

  It was the truth. Dennis had been tempted to slip his arm around her and allow her in closer, to sleep against his chest. He wasn’t sure, but there had been times when he thought she was as attracted to him as he was to her. He just wasn’t quite sure and he didn’t want to make a fool of himself. She was still looking around, almost dazed, her senses dulled by the sudden wakening.

  “Where are we?” she asked, running her fingers through her long hair.

  “Gabes port. You slept all the way through the town, which wasn’t much.”

  “Where are the others?”

  “Your boss and George have gone to speak to the harbour master. They told me I could wait in the car with you. The driver is over there smoking.”

  “Oh.”

  Natalie rubbed her eyes.

  “I can’t believe I fell asleep. Are you sure you didn’t mind me resting against you.”

  “No. Not at all. Although your snoring did annoy everyone after a while.”

  She looked up into his eyes.

  “I was snoring.”

  A grin spread itself across his lips.

  “Oh you!” she said, playfully punching his arm, “You had me worried then.”

  It was chilly in the car. She had goose pimples on her arms and she rubbed them.

  “I didn’t think I snored. It’s cold in here.”

  Dennis opened his door.

  “It’s warmer outside,” he said stepping out for some fresh air. Still tired and half asleep Natalie slumped back in her seat and closed her eyes. Dennis pushed the door to. The sound of seagulls cawing woke her again. She yawned, rubbed her face, moved across the seat to open the door and climbed out into the bright morning sunshine.

  The dock was bustling with activity. Cranes were lifting nets of cargo from the holds of ships. Lorries were being loaded and unloaded. Men passed each other on foot. Some stopped to speak, exchanging pleasantries with other sailors. An American style refreshments van was selling sandwiches and drinks. A group of black men in jeans and T-shirts and wearing building site hard hats were gathered around it enjoying some breakfast. Nearby Natalie could see a construction site. Tower cranes reaching to the sky. One of the construction workers spotted Natalie as she was stretching by the car and he nudged his fellows to eithe
r side. Soon they were all looking at her and whistling and calling out. She stopped stretching and glanced over towards them. One of them made the shape of an hourglass with his hands and finished the gesture with thrusting of his hips. She tutted and turned to face the car. She continued her stretching exercises and stopped as she noticed Dennis standing by the waters edge. An old rusty fork lift drove past. Its forks rattling and banging at every little bump. Its driver was drinking bottled water. An old radio was shoved in the front playing music at full blast. Natalie, only in jeans and a vest, reached into the car for an extra T-shirt, slipped it over her head and wandered over to Dennis. He had just bent down to pick up a handful of loose stones. One by one he was skimming them or just throwing them into deep water.

  “Having fun?” she asked joining him.

  “I haven’t done this since I was a kid.”

  She watched another stone as it arced and fell with a plop.

  “Can I have a go?”

  “Sure,” he said emptying some of the stones into her hand.

  She took the biggest one and threw it almost as far as he had. He whistled.

  “Wow. You throw it good for a….” He stopped as she looked at him open mouthed.