Alexander's Legacy: To The Strongest Read online

  Antipatros looked across to the rebel army and then up and down the length of his line, as if counting numbers. ‘I would say, Leosthenes, that I have more cavalry than you, a lot more, in fact, seeing as you have hardly any. That, along with the superiority in the quality of my infantry, gives me the edge.’

  Leosthenes face brightened as if he were pleased to be reminded of something that had almost slipped his mind. ‘Ah, yes, I was going to come to that.’ He signalled to one of his companions who raised a horn and blew a series of rising notes.

  Out to Antipatros’ right there was a stirring and then, to the jangle of thousands of harnesses, multiple equine snorts and the stamp of many hoofs, the Thessalian cavalry began to move forward.

  Leosthenes looked at Antipatros, a picture of surprise and innocence. ‘Oooh, and how did that happen? It looks like I’ve got the most cavalry now.’

  Antigonos took a few moments to comprehend just what was occurring, before turning back in fury to Leosthenes. ‘You treacherous bastard!’ he spat as the Thessalian cavalry crossed the field followed by their supporting light troops.

  Leosthenes looked wounded. ‘Come, come, Antipatros; it’s not my treachery we are witnessing here, surely you can see that? It’s the Thessalians’; they’re the ones changing sides, not me. I merely negotiated with their general, Menon, and he seemed to see the logic of my argument. I’m sure it will please you to know that had I not garrisoned the pass in time to block you they would have remained loyal to your cause. At least, that’s what they said. But, well, that’s Thessalians for you. If you want loyalty, get a dog, I always say. Still, I should know because I’ve been a mercenary ever since I killed my father when he raised a hand to me just one too many times when I was fifteen. Now, enough of pleasant reminiscences and back to business: if your army is still here in an hour, I’ll sound the attack.’ With a cheery wave he spun his horse around and trotted back to his lines with one hand on his hip.

  ‘Well, what do we do?’ Magas asked as Antipatros turned his mount in grim silence. ‘The bastard’s got us by the scrotum and is working up to quite a vigorous squeeze.’

  ‘We attack,’ Iollas insisted, ‘with or without the cavalry.’

  ‘No we don’t,’ Nicanor said, looking about the field, ‘the Thessalians will get around our flanks and take the phalanx in the rear and that will be the end of us.’

  Antipatros sighed his deepest sigh of the day. I really am too old for all this; all I want is to lie with my wife on a rug in front of the fire with a jug of wine and the knowledge of a fine meal being prepared and instead, what do I have: a crisis. ‘So what can we do? We’re five days’ march from Macedon through now hostile territory and then a further four days to the safety of Pella. We have no supporting cavalry and they now have five thousand to harry us with all the way; we’ll lose hundreds, if not thousands and our retreat will be a shambles and a humiliation. And then at one point, Leosthenes will force us to fight, tired and outnumbered. It’s unthinkable.’

  ‘What about the fleet?’ Magas asked.

  ‘The Athenians’ ships will prevent us from embarking; no, that’s not an option.’

  Magas grimaced at the mental picture of the disaster. ‘So what to do then?’

  ‘We make a fighting retreat, step by step. I left a few trusted men in Lamia, three leagues back up the road; as I said: prepare for all eventualities. Although, I will admit that I did not really think that I would need spies to open Lamia’s gates for me; it was just a possibility that I foresaw.’

  ‘We’re going to take Lamia? What for?’

  ‘So we can tighten our belts and endure a winter siege until help arrives in the spring. This is going to cost me a lot of daughters; I had better get writing letters. They need to be on their way before we’re completely closed off.’

  EUMENES, THE SLY

  ‘REMIND ME AGAIN, Eumenes, what was Antigonos’ reply to Perdikkas?’ Leonnatus said as he and the little Greek stood on the ramparts of the port of Lampsacus looking out over the Propontis to the European shore; below them a trireme approached the harbour, its oars beating in time like the slow, majestic wings of a swan. Salt tanged the air; gulls circled the waterfront, swooping down on any discharge from the dozen ships already in dock.

  Eumenes stopped straining his eyes, trying to get a glimpse of the city of Kardia, his home town, somewhere away across a sparkling azure sea, speckled with trading vessels. If he thinks that he can annoy me with such childish behaviour then he has even more beauty than brain than I’d originally imagined. He looked up at the dandy general, an expression of mock-concern on his face. ‘Oh, Leonnatus, don’t tell me that you’re losing your memory; I believe that I mentioned his exact words at the beginning of this conversation.’

  ‘Perhaps you did; I have other things on my mind.’

  ‘Do you mean to say that you haven’t been giving me your full attention, Leonnatus? In Kardia, where I come from, just across the water, we consider that to be quite rude; mind you, Kardia is quite a distance from Macedon. I believe his reply was: “My arse”.’

  Leonnatus checked the flick-back of his fringe, patting it into the optimum angle. ‘And what makes you think that my reply won’t be any different to that?’

  ‘Well, for a start, I imagine Antigonos’ arse to be a hairy, sweaty sort of affair, much given to the cultivation of boils, whereas yours is undoubtedly fragrant and smooth and thus wouldn’t offer the same sort of insult as Antigonos’.’

  ‘Don’t try to be—’

  ‘Clever with you? I can assure you, Leonnatus, I wasn’t trying.’ Eumenes indicated to the beach, to the right on the harbour, where his cavalry escort was making camp; neat horse-lines and tent-lines signalling the professionalism of the troops. ‘I have but five hundred companion cavalry; not nearly enough to secure somewhere as large as Kappadokia. Now, are you going to help me take the satrapy from Ariarathes, as Perdikkas has requested—’

  ‘Ordered!’

  ‘Alright, ordered, but in a nice way. Or are you going to ignore the nice order as Antigonos did?’

  ‘He didn’t ignore it; he said “my arse” to it. I don’t call that ignoring, do you? I call it refusing.’

  I have to admit, that is a reasonable point. Eumenes took a breath to try to stem his growing frustration with the bouffant aristocrat. ‘You know perfectly well what I mean, Leonnatus.’

  ‘Do I?’ Leonnatus looked back out to sea and appeared to be enjoying the soft breeze despite the fact, Eumenes noted, that it was playing havoc with his coiffure; the trireme slackened its stroke as it passed the mole protecting the port from the ravages of winter seas.

  Eumenes decided upon a different tack. ‘Since Alexander died, do you think that you’ve been treated fairly? I mean, at one point you were named as one of the four joint regents and then, for Perdikkas’ convenience, you were dropped from that position so that Meleagros could be regent. And now he’s dead and yet you never got reinstated.’

  ‘Which is why I’m minded to say “my arse” to Perdikkas. Who is he to think that he can go around giving me orders; me, who has more royal blood in my veins than he has in one finger.’

  ‘You meant that the other way around but, even so, it’s not strictly true, Leonnatus, is it? You both have a reasonable claim to royalty and this is just my point: he’s giving you orders. But let’s just put that aside for the moment and consider why he feels that he can do so.’ Eumenes waited a few moments for Leonnatus to ponder the matter before supplying the answer. ‘Because he thinks that, in receiving the ring from Alexander, he is the natural leader; that’s why. Now the problem with this is that leaders need to earn the respect of the led, something that Perdikkas definitely has not done – witness Antigonos’ reply. So how does a Macedonian soldier earn respect, Leonnatus? Give me an insight into the military mind.’

  Leonnatus glanced down to check that he wasn’t being mocked to see Eumenes with an expression of genuine and unreserved interest. ‘By gaining v
ictories.’

  ‘Ah! There you have it: gaining victories. Now tell me, are you gaining any victories sitting here on your fragrant and smooth arse and enjoying a sea view?’

  Leonnatus’ silence was eloquent.

  Got him! ‘Now, I would be very happy to serve as your second-in-command and add my paltry five hundred companion cavalry to your army, should you decide to bring it to Kappadokia. In that way, when you finally acquaint Ariarathes’ sphincter with the well-sharpened tip of a stake, the glory will be all yours. And then, together – although, with you firmly in charge, obviously – we can go onto Armenia and that’ll be two great victories in the space of one year whereas Perdikkas will have had none; then, perhaps, you could think about giving the orders. But if you don’t, then it may well be Perdikkas who has those victories and that might well give him the respect he needs to carry on giving the orders.’ Eumenes watched the thought travelling across Leonnatus’ handsome face, counting down backwards in his head from ten.

  ‘Very well, Eumenes, you have convinced me; I shall bring my men and pacify your satrapy for you. I’m in sole command and you defer to me on every level, agreed.’

  ‘Agreed.’

  ‘And there is one other condition.’

  ‘Name it.’

  ‘That you agree to support me in my endeavours afterwards.’

  ‘What endeavours?’

  ‘That I can’t tell you at the moment; but let us just say that should I succeed, and I have every reason to expect that I will, then those who have served me well will have reason to be thankful.’

  He’s going to try for the throne, the fool; how can he expect to take it when he’s only a distant relation to Alexander? ‘Of course, Leonnatus, I will have every reason to be grateful to you; of course I’ll support you in your endeavours.’

  ‘Let’s drink on it; I’ve just received a shipment of wine from my estate outside Pella.’

  Eumenes’ smile was fixed. ‘Ah, Macedonian wine at its best; how super.’

  ‘I’ve had it chilled,’ Leonnatus informed Eumenes as a slave filled his drinking bowl.

  They were seated by a huge fire for, despite the relatively warm early-winter air, the palace’s stone interior had already grown cold. Eumenes did his best not to wince as he took his first sip; he had already resigned himself to the most brutal of hangovers the following morning. ‘Delicious, Leonnatus, what an extraordinary palate you must have to create a vintage of this quality.’

  ‘I like to think so.’ But Leonnatus’ further opinions on his palate were interrupted by shouting from down the corridor.

  ‘I don’t care if he’s in conference; I have come across the sea from Kardia to see him and, although I may not look it in these travelling clothes, I am a king and am not used to being denied by people as lowly as you.’

  Now, this will be interesting; I mustn’t let my loathing show, Eumenes thought as he braced himself for an old acquaintance’s entrance.

  Within a half-dozen heartbeats a towering, full-bearded, broad-shouldered man stomped into the room. ‘You!’ he exclaimed, seeing Eumenes and halting in surprise. ‘What are you doing here?’

  ‘I think that I should be asking that question of you, Hecataeus, seeing as I was here first. However, that lowly fellow you were so polite to was right: I’m here conferring with Leonnatus. Oh, and by the way, Kardia doesn’t have a king, just a tyrant, so don’t get ideas above your station.’

  Hecataeus made to lunge at Eumenes who sprang back, putting a couch between him and his assailant.

  ‘That’s enough!’ Leonnatus shouted, throwing down his wine bowl and jumping to his feet. ‘I don’t know who you are but that is no way to treat my guest.’

  Hecataeus scoffed. ‘Guest! Since when have treasonous weasels been treated as guests?’

  ‘Since murdering tyrants started pretending to be kings?’ Eumenes suggested in a helpful manner.

  Hecataeus looked with a venomous hatred at his fellow-countryman, fully two heads shorter than him, and then spat at his feet.

  ‘I’m very pleased to see you too, Hecataeus,’ Eumenes said, judging it safe to now resume his place. ‘It’s been fourteen years, I believe.’

  Leonnatus raised his hands. ‘I don’t know what there is between you two, nor do I wish to as it is evidently bitter and personal.’ He looked direct into Hecataeus’ eyes. ‘Now, do me the courtesy of introducing yourself formally and stating your business with me before you go attacking my guest again.’

  The big man drew breath. ‘My apologies, noble Leonnatus. My name is Hecataeus, the Ki— the ruler of Kardia and messenger from Antipatros to yourself.’

  ‘From Antipatros.’ Leonnatus contemplated the news for a moment before inclining his head towards a spare couch. ‘Sit, please, Hecataeus, pour yourself a bowl of wine, it is from my own estate and will, I hope, calm your nerves.’

  Enrage the beast even further, I shouldn’t wonder.

  ‘Now tell me your message,’ Leonnatus said after Hecataeus had taken a couple of sips – he had not caught the big man’s pained expression at first taste, having been patting his fringe-flick back into order after all the excitement.

  Hecataeus nodded at Eumenes.

  ‘You may speak in front of Eumenes; he is my confederate.’

  That’s the first I’ve heard of it.

  ‘Very well,’ Hecataeus said, looking like he meant the exact opposite. ‘Antipatros bids you know that due to the treachery of his Thessalian cavalry he has suffered a reverse against the Greek uprising and is now besieged in the town of Lamia. The knowledge that one of Macedon’s greatest generals is so close gives him heart and he prays by all the gods for you to come to his aid. In return he would offer you one of his daughters to make a bond of kin between you.’ Hecataeus turned and beckoned down the corridor. Two slaves came through the door struggling with a chest between them. They placed it on the floor and Hecataeus threw the lid open; it was full of gold, silver and jewels. ‘Antipatros has sent you this to cover your expenses; he hopes that you will be in sight of the walls of Lamia well before the spring equinox as he will be desperately short of supplies by then.’ Looking pleased with himself for such a fluent rendition of his message, Hecataeus sat down; without thinking, he took a large gulp of wine and dissolved into a choking bout.

  Leonnatus failed to notice his guest’s distress, so deep into thought had he fallen.

  The bastard’s going to take up the offer, Eumenes thought in alarm, completely ignoring the gasping for air that Hecataeus was attempting. I need to do something. ‘How can you be sure that this is a genuine appeal for help, Leonnatus? It could be a ploy by Antigonos to ensure that he is not the only one disobeying Perdikkas’ orders.’ Gods, that was weak; I can’t stop him. Saving Macedon is far more prestigious than subduing Kappadokia; I’m defeated by my own argument. What hideous bad timing; and to be thwarted by this murderous old crook, into the bargain. I’ll wager there were two chests when they were delivered to him.

  ‘Hmm?’ Leonnatus gave Eumenes a brief glance, evidently disinterested in his argument, before turning back to the slowly recovering Hecataeus. ‘A daughter he says? Which one?’

  Hecataeus, still gasping, looked lost. ‘He…did…not…spe… spe…specify.’

  ‘Didn’t specify. Hmmm. Well, I suppose it doesn’t really make any difference. Tell me, if he is besieged, how did he get this message out?’

  ‘His son, Iollas, left the town soon before it was completely circumvallated. However, he awaits your reply in Kardia as Antipatros wanted me to deliver the message; he felt that it would carry more weight than if delivered by a mere boy.’

  Or that mere boy had other messages to deliver in a hurry; I don’t suppose old man Antipatros is going to be touting just the one daughter around in return for his deliverance. The old fool; well, that’s what you get for trusting Thessalians.

  Leonnatus looked down at the contents of the chest. ‘Very handsome.’ Taking another sip of wine and savour
ing its bouquet, his face resolved itself into a mask of heroic resolution. ‘Very well; I shall come to Macedon’s aid since I’m all there is to prevent abject defeat at the hands of lesser men.’ He put a hand on Hecataeus’ shoulder and looked down his nose at him. ‘Tell Iollas to say to his father that Leonnatus will come.’ He gave his coiffure a couple of strokes, making sure that he was looking his best for this announcement. ‘And I shall bring my army and the wrath of Macedon with me.’

  Well, you certainly won’t be bringing me; that I can promise. I’ll be slipping away at the first chance I get; preferably with the contents of that chest.

  ‘Eumenes, will you accompany me?’

  ‘It will be an honour, Leonnatus; but first, I would like to speak to you in private.’

  ‘What? You can talk in front of Hecataeus, surely; he is a part of this glorious venture.’

  Another reason I won’t be coming along; he’d slit my throat as soon as he has the chance. ‘It’s concerning Macedonian politics.’

  Leonnatus frowned and then nodded. ‘Very well. Hecataeus, would you give us a few moments, please? Join us for dinner an hour before sundown, won’t you?’

  ‘My pleasure.’ Hecataeus looked with pure loathing at Eumenes and strode from the room, bowling aside his two slaves who waited just beyond the door.

  ‘So what is it?’ Leonnatus asked as Hecataeus’ footsteps faded.

  ‘Has it occurred to you that Antipatros is probably offering his daughters around to anyone with a following of over ten thousand men?’