Gifts of the Greeks

by Edmund A. M. Batara

  Dionysus cleared his throat.

  “One word, young man. Troy. That single experience was seared into the minds and perceptions of those up there. You could say it was even traumatic,” he said while pointing up with a finger.

  “I understand it was a long and bloody conflict. Deities took sides. They fought each other. Demigods died. But was it that bad for the Greek pantheon?”

  “Unfortunately, yes. Children of deities died. Some badly suffered. Deities were tested. No deity wants others to know his or her limitations. And of all the deities, Ares was the most affected. Being defeated by Athena and by mortals during that war, I don’t think he would forget that conflict.”

  Maybe Ares merely wants revenge on Athena. But a Hellas campaign goes beyond that. Or he's so brilliant he figured the Greek pantheon wouldn't openly take sides anymore in a mortal conflict. On the other hand, Ares and the word brilliant really don’t go together.

  Tyler thought more about the situation. For now, it appears as a mortal campaign of conquest. Unless it gets seriously derailed along the way, the real players won’t reveal themselves. Or they could choose to wait and plan again. Somehow, he felt that he had to get the actual players on the opposite side to show themselves. A clue or two to who they are would do.

  Athena's absence was also a puzzle. One would think she would be very concerned about the situation. Tyler wondered about it. But then again, a shrewd goddess, particularly a deity of calculated war and strategy, wouldn’t be a noticeable player in the game. She already had a pawn in play. Him.

  Though he preferred to think himself a knight if it were a game of chess. Maybe a knight-pawn. If anybody would introduce a new and different piece in a game everybody thought they knew how to play, then that would be Athena.

  Two months. To adopt the Greek way of fighting would mean a ratio of at least three to one, in favor of the enemy, in an open battlefield. Against better soldiers. There's no way to win that match.

  “Your Highness,” he addressed Pappo, “what exactly does “running the show” mean? What did Athena say?”

  “Easy! You tell us what to do, we follow.”

  “No questions asked? Or protests, in the event I ask you to wage war differently?”

  “Nope. A different way of war? That would be interesting! I am tired of that othismos. One side pushes, and the other side pushes back. Can go on for a very long time,” the King replied.

  “Your help will be greatly appreciated, High Mage,” commented the general.

  High Mage?

  “To be truthful, all we have been doing in the recent past were skirmishes. No phalanx to phalanx warfare. I even doubt if our Akrotiri hoplites do remember how to fight in such a formation,” the general continued.

  Tyler turned to Jorund.

  “You do know what I am going to propose, Jorund?”

  “I think I do, Sire. Defensive warfare does change the odds in a significant way. Scarburg would be an example.”

  “Do you have some experience in defending a fortified area?”

  “Some, Sire. I really didn’t command the entire defense during the Ujevnby siege. Only a section of it. But I believe I have learned enough.”

  “I guess “enough” will have to do. I don’t think the cities here remember how to prepare for a siege. Even Troy was a very long time ago.”

  He looked at the two in front of him.

  “Your Highness. General. We will fight a defensive war. We will prepare for a siege while we find a way to stop their campaign. Jorund here will be my man in this matter. What he says is also my word.”

  To his surprise, the relief was evident on the general's face.

  “What else can we do to prepare?” asked the general.

  “Let’s start with the city itself. One, eliminate spies. Not all of them, we need some to feed misleading information to the Dorians. The king can have fun with what to tell them. The key words being "mislead" and "delay." Two, we start stockpiling food and water. Try to buy first from the usual suppliers of the Dorians. That way we deprive them of some essentials and hopefully delay them. We need to prepare for at least three to four months. Additional wells in the city itself would help. Three, training and fortifications. I’ll leave it to Jorund to prepare the city and its soldiers. Your city does need a moat around it. Enough to deter or delay rush attacks.”

  “Sire, a question,” said Jorund.

  “Yes, Jorund.”

  “Would my task include improving fortifications?”

  “Yes. Please check if any existing defenses need repair or improvement. Add more if you deem it necessary. I gather there won’t be any cost issues?” Tyler looked at Pappo.

  “No, of course not. Your man and my general do need to be constantly in touch.”

  Tyler nodded and continued.

  “Habrok will work under Jorund to train the scouts and determine their deployment. Aggressive patrolling is needed to remove any observers from around the city. Jorund, ask Habrok to improve the bowmen’s skills and try to recruit more. Even javelinmen, if they have that here. See if you can convert some slingers to bows or javelins. Fourth, a watch over the priests of Aphrodite. Given the previous relationship between the two deities, I would like to be certain that Ares doesn’t have admirers among her priests. The fifth will involve Master Dio here. If possible, hold festivals in cities which are sure to join the Akrotiri invasion. Festivals close to the dates of their soldiers’ departures from their respective cities. If we can reduce the number of soldiers immediately available to Dori, that would help. Drunken soldiers don’t usually join long marches.”

  “How about the incoming mercenaries?” asked the general.

  “That’s a good question. We don’t know what their loyalties really are. They may turn against us or run at the first opportunity. Set spies on them. Try to break up their formations and mix them with Akrotiri regulars. That may help in avoiding unpleasant surprises. No mercenaries at or near the city gates.”

  “How about the gods?” asked the general.

  “Well, constant prayers at the city temples wouldn’t hurt. A helpful divine nudge here and there will be very welcome. Anyway, that’s all I can think of for now. Any new instructions will be through Jorund. If you can send me a map of Hellas, that would be very helpful. Any new information, please refer to Jorund first so he can compare it with news from his sources.”

  The King and his general stood up. Tyler, Dionysus, and Jorund followed suit.

  “If that’s all for now, I better get to work. This is exciting! I haven’t been part of a war for a long time now!” exclaimed Pappo.

  “Your man can leave with us. We can start immediately,” commented the general.

  With a neutral expression, Tyler shook the King’s hand as well as that of the general.

  These deities really can’t relate to the coming deaths, he sadly thought. The blood and gore. All the miseries of war. For many of them, it’s just a momentary distraction. A pastime. Or a chess move in their Great Game.

  “Sire, I ask leave to go with the general. As he said, we can start already. I also need to have Habrok with me, but that would leave you without a guard here.”

  “Oh, just go and bring Habrok. Your master will be perfectly safe,” said Dionysus.

  Jorund looked at Tyler.

  “Go and bring Habrok. Master Dio is right. He has his means of protection.”

  “By your leave, Sire. My thanks, Master Dio.” The huskarl then left the room, leaving Tyler and Dionysus alone.

  “I know that expression, Tyler. Don’t blame Pappo for his attitude. He can’t help his nature. Unlike me, he doesn’t have a mortal origin.”

  “You seem to know me that well already, Dio. Incidentally, how come you knew my real name?”

  “Regarding your first statement, being part mortal and talking to you had already given me some insights into who and what you are. You appear to be a decent sort with a moral compass. A bit dense sometimes. A nice change fr
om many other visitors who easily got overwhelmed with the power deities gave them. Don’t change. But then again, as Athena said, you may be one of a kind.”

  “So, it was Athena who gave you my name?”

  “She did have a long talk with Odin. That answers your question?”

  “I think it does. And many other unsaid inquiries. We do need to have another long talk. Away from prying eyes and unwelcome ears. For now, rest calls me. It had been a long day.”

  “This room is protected from uninvited busybodies. We can talk here when you want to have that long discussion. And I agree. A long day. Have a meal first.”

  “Thanks, Dio. For everything.”

  “Just tell me if you need the comforting company of a maenad or two, or three, or more,” smiled the deity.

  “Oh, that. Thanks for the offer. I'll think about it. But a good nap now is preferable.”

  “Your loss,” laughed Dionysus.

  Maenads? With their bloodthirsty traditions? I may find myself torn to pieces! While in ecstasy probably, but no thanks!

  After his meal, he went back to his room. His bed never looked so welcoming. The Ismenian drakon encounter, the meeting with other deities, the hostile revelation of the Incan god Supay, and the surprise His Royal Highness sprung on him made him look forward to a long and comfortable nap. He earnestly desired the oblivion of sleep and for a time, not let his mind think about the events of the day.

  The coziness of a luxurious bed embraced him as he crawled into it. Head resting on a comfortable pillow, he fell asleep almost immediately.

  And woke up near Scarburg. He remembered the spot. He was facing the tree where the one-eyed old man sat, waiting for him as he left the foothills of Fossegrim Forest. And sitting there, in that familiar place and the same pose, was Odin. The father of the Nordic pantheon gave him a friendly wave.

  This again? Another dream? Can’t I have some rest?

  “Havard! Come! Sit beside me.”

  “Hello again, All-Father. I can call you that here, can I? This is but a dream after all,” asked Tyler as he walked towards Odin.

  “Of course! Come, young mage. Do hasten. I can’t stay long.”

  Tyler sat down beside the old man.

  “You know, this is becoming frequent. I can’t even get a good nap. You guys are bound to wear me out,” said Tyler, looking at Odin.

  “I do apologize, young mage. But I do have to talk to you. Materializing in Hellas would attract too much attention. You already enjoy my favor. No sense rubbing it in their noses.”

  “What’s so urgent that we needed to talk now?”

  “Things are moving, my boy. That Ismenian drakon incident did have a lot of witnesses. Now some pantheons are talking about you. Wondering if they ought to take action. I can’t really tell what they are going to do, but even the Nordic pantheon’s blessing and Athena’s protection won’t protect against a powerful spell while your back is turned.”

  “That’s all?” Tyler sarcastically replied.

  “No need for that tone, young mage. You already enjoy the privilege of talking to me in a normal manner. And I do enjoy talking like a mortal once in a while. Don’t push it.”

  “Sorry. I think I am very close to my breaking point. There’s a saying back on Earth: no rest for the wicked. But in my case, I think the pace is ridiculous.”

  “I don’t think you’re wicked, Tyler. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be talking right now.”

  “It’s just an expression.”

  “Not a nice one, if you ask me. Now to the matter at hand. Unlike almost all of the other deities, I have seen what happens when you get pushed too hard. But I suspect Athena saw what happened back at the Gap.”

  “Maybe that’s the reason I got drafted?”

  “I’d bet on it. She may have a healthy appetite when it comes to young and powerful men, but she is one cold and calculating goddess when she puts her mind to it.”

  Tyler’s guts tightened. To be the object of a possible divine stalker was not a comfortable thought.

  “And about the other deities? You were saying?” he asked, deftly changing the topic.

  “To be honest, I don’t think they’ll believe me even if I told them. They’ll probably say I am protecting you. But we can’t have that monstrosity of a whirlwind coming back, do we? And with the attention you have attracted, Jorund and Habrok won’t be enough to watch your back. Deities do have human minions and followers. Or enough gold may tempt a group to start something. There’s plenty of those groups around. Remember your Maljen entrance?”

  “Wait! That reminds me. The Incan god Supay admitted that one of the groups was theirs.”

  Odin’s eyes immediately narrowed, and his expression changed. From a fatherly mien to one contemplating battle. Or revenge. Tyler couldn’t tell.

  “Supay. That name had been on my mind for a long time now.”

  “Something to do with Tyr?”

  “How did you know? Don’t answer. I think I know. Loki told you.”

  “Yes, he did.”

  “If not for the prohibition imposed during the last Divine War, we would have hunted him and his ilk.”

  “What happens now?”

  “I have arrangements to make sure any confrontation with Supay doesn’t result in a Divine War. Hellas is considered neutral ground and defending a Favored against another deity is allowed. Within some limits. The so-called fine print. Unless it happens in the attacker’s territory. I am sure Athena will be agreeable to my suggestions.”

  “You’re going after him in Hellas?”

  “Not me, young mage. Heads of pantheons can’t do that. Thor. He would love the opportunity. Though I may have to remind him of the restrictions and how to go about it.”

  “And I end up as bait for a revenge ploy? With a war on my hands?” Tyler’s voice was already rising.

  “Calm down, boy. You won’t notice the Thunder God. He will only be able to act if Supay takes direct action against you. At least, he’ll be there if that Incan moves against you. I doubt you can prevail against the death god.”

  “Why do I get the feeling you hope Supay will take direct action against me?”

  “Can you blame me? Tyr was ambushed. He was invited by Supay to discuss peace terms. And they killed him. We have never been able to recover any of his personal items.”

  “I can’t do anything about it, can I?”

  “Think of Thor as a guarantee against Supay. You’ll feel better.”

  Tyler could only shake his head.

  “Now, young mage. Don’t be that despondent. Let me go back to the reason why we are meeting like this.”

  “Go on.”

  “As I said, Jorund and Habrok are not going to be enough to watch your back.”

  “I did assign them to shore up Akrotiri’s defenses.”

  “That makes things worse. I think you are safe from mortal attacks when inside the god of wine’s inn. Or while in his company. But you need another pair of eyes to guard you.”

  “Same terms as those two?”

  “For the duration of the task, yes. She is a special case.”

  She?

  “Astrid is a Valkyrie in waiting. Half-Norse, half-Greek. Excellent in weapons. Her favorite is the throwing axe. Some battle experience. Born of minor royalty. Very devout.”

  “Experience in the field?”

  “A regular campaigner. Hunted jotnar and dokkalfr . Not much conventional warfare. But a swift warrior. Unbelievably quick.”

  “You foresaw this, didn’t you?”

  The deity gave him a wide grin.

  “You have to give me some credit, young mage.”

  “How can I be sure she’s not there to keep tabs on me?”

  “Put her under a geas, by all means. One which will last even after her stay with you. She only has one task ahead of her. To keep you alive. After Hellas, she would be free from her obligation. You are her test. Athena knows about it and had consented. She can’t be active in you
r favor as the battleground is Hellas. If she does, she may inadvertently set off one of the things she wants to avoid. A pantheon war.”

  “How will she reach me?”

  “I’ll take care of it. Expect Astrid at the inn one to two days from now. With all that activity around Akrotiri and Dori, a magical transfer wouldn’t attract attention.”

  “Time for me to go, young mage,” Odin said as he stood up.

  Tyler also rose and shook the deity’s hands.

  “Our dates are becoming too frequent,” he told Odin.

  The deity laughed. The fatherly and friendly face now back in his mien.

  “I believe so. Oh, and one more thing. Astrid doesn’t like men. Warn Habrok, or he’ll find his balls cut off.”

  Chapter Lore:

  Nea – Greek. Meaning “new.”

  Miletus - Greek. The name of an ancient Greek city located in present-day Anatolia, Turkey. Considered to be at its height to be the greatest and most prosperous Greek city. Used in the story as the name of an Ionian city in Hellas.

  Manarga - Greek. An ancient settlement site in present-day Anatolia, Turkey. Believed to be one of the early settlements belonging to the Ionians. Used in the story as the name of an Ionian city in Hellas.

  Othismos - Greek. One of the stages of phalanx warfare. Comes when both sides have exhausted their supply of spears. Effectively, a shoving match.

  Jotnar - Old Norse. The plural of Jotunn. A mythological race living in Jotunheimr, one of the Nordic nine worlds. Usually enemies of both the Vanir and Aesir but non-hostile interactions are instances.

  Dokkalfr - Old Norse. Meaning "dark elves." They dwell underground and are mostly swarthy.

  Chapter VII

  Killing a Rhumba

  With those parting words, Tyler’s dreamscape slowly shimmered and vanished. He woke up and silently cursed all the beings who have intruded into his dreams. Then promptly fell asleep again.

  It was dark when he woke up. Judging from the hubbub he could faintly hear, it still must be evening. Making himself presentable, he went down to the main hall. It was full of guests and merrymakers. Finding no space among the tables, he went to the bar where Dionysus was sitting and looking over the merriment. One of his servants was acting as the barkeep.