Chapter II: Rebellion
One year later..
I awoke in the middle of the night in my bed, hearing shouting outside. Within moments, the distinct smell of smoke filled my nose. I jumped up and ran to the balcony, from which I could clearly see fires spreading all over the city. On the streets, men were running all over armed with knives, sticks and pitchforks, basically anything that would look like a weapon.
I ran downstairs, grabbed a knife from the kitchen and joined with the men on the streets. I tried to orientate myself in all the chaos, and I tapped a man on his shoulder.
'What is going on, in Athena's name?'
'We are overthrowing the Seleukide yoke! We shall drive them back to their eastern ratholes!' He looked at me with a euphoric glare in his eyes.
I turned my head away and started running. As I ran through the streets, more and more people came out, either armed or unarmed. After ten full minutes, I had reached my destination. They had plundered and set fire to the old town hall. It had been partially reduced to rubble, and I could see that the bodies of the Seleukide magistrates lay dead on the steps.
I turned my back again and walked back towards the house. The sight was indescribable. There were bodies everywhere, whether they were Pergamese or Seleukide, many houses had been plundered and set alight in the ensuing chaos making them look like candles in the utter blackness. When I finally arrived, there was nobody in the house, both Schias and his daughter were missing. Struck by terrible images of what could have happened to them, I dropped the knife in horror and ran outside again. Despite the darkness, I searched the entire district for them. Finally, wearied and sickened by the smell of smoke and blood, I sat down and rested my body against a pillar, and as soon as I closed my eyes, I fell asleep...
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The next morning I suddenly awoke, struck again by the fact that Schias and Andromache were missing. I got up and cleared the dirt from my linothorax, shivering as the cold wind stroke past my limbs. The burning in most of the houses had finally stopped, and even although there still lay bodies scattered over the streets, it could have been a day like any other.
Soon enough, I overheard two neighbours speak about the last night. Every free man had been summoned to the agora, by the decree of the captain of the guard, Andromachos. Only with the idea of that I could perhaps found the man and girl that had saved me, I sped to the agora. As soon as I arrived, the agora was already packed with people. They had built a temporary podium, or so it would seem, in the midde of it, under which a group of people had been put and surrounded. Finally, a man, clad in hoplite armour, climbed the podium and unrolled a scroll of parchment. He put off his helmet to reveal a clean-shaven face with bright, green eyes.
'Hail, noble citizens! My name is Andromachos Mysiakos, commanding captain of the guard of Pergamon. Last night, we have succesfully overthrown the Seleukide tyrant Euphanes! This clearly is a new step in the history of our proud and noble city.'
Roaring and applause came from the inhabitants of the city.
'However!' the people became silent again, 'not all of our citizens were loyal to Pergamon. Numerous of our trusted brothers turned on us and served the Seleukide tyrant.' Andromachos stopped talking for a moment to clear his throat.
'Times like these call for desperate measurements to be undertaken. To dissaude further traitors, these men and women will be executed for their betrayal.' The group underneath the podium was being forced up the stairs, standing next to Andromachos and his guard. I let my eyes run past the faces of those to be executed, but I couldn't find Schidas nor Andromache amongst them. Gathering what was left of my courage, I opened my mouth and yelled
'What will be the manner of their execution?'
I felt that everything was looking at me, but I kept my eyes on Andromachos only.
'Crucifixion..who asks?'
I was perplexed. Crucifixion? That method was reserved only for barbaroi and even then, it was rarely used. Even the crowd seemed to be somewhat reluctant. After a short moment, I realised he had asked me a question
'Alexanor Pyrrheios. Previous speirarches of the lochos of hoplitai under Philetairos Attalides.'
I breathed out as I spoke these words. Andromachos only lifted an eyebrow and spoke again.
'That is a bold claim from a stranger. Do you have any evidence to back this up?'
'I speak only the truth, as Philetairos would have wanted.' I felt anger seething through my veins at every second I had to look at this pathetic fool.
'I fear,' Andromachos mouth turned into a fake smile, 'that your word is not enough.'
Feeling I no longer had anything to say to this man, I turned my back and walked way, away from the agora.
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As soon as I got back into the house, I felt that something was amiss.
'Hello?'
I noticed something move in the room left of me. I ran forward and put my hand around the doorpost, closing my fingers as I grabbed a small wrist. I pulled my hand back and along came a young-looking woman, about the same age as myself.
'What in Haides' name are you doing in here?'
The woman released herself from my grip and pushed me away.
'I could say the same of you. I have never seen you before in this house. Have you come here to loot my uncle's possessions?'
Ashamed, I looked to the floor and answered the question
'I am sorry. My name is Alexanor Pyrrheios. Your uncle was kind enough to treat my wounds.'
Still cautious, the woman did not approach me. I kept looking at the floor, the idea of answering her glare seemed as tempting as crossing into Haides personally.
'Very well. You are too late to see my uncle though.'
'Why is that? Were they killed by that fool Andromachos?'
The girl laughed.
'No, he was wise enough to leave the city while he still could. He left for Nikaia this morning. He didn't speak of you, though.'
Finally I answered her look and decided it would be best if I did not impose myself on her.
'Very well. I shall take my personal belongings and leave, then. Perhaps they have some use at me at the barracks.'
'Wait, no --'
The girl grabbed my arm and pulled me back.
'Before Schidas left, he told me that there were rumours that the Seleukidai might come back. Euphanes is still alive, or so they say.'
I raised an eyebrow.
'Even so, they will need capable men, should they indeed come back.'
She still hadn't released my arm, so I tried to pull it loose, but to no avail. For the moment I was held prisoner in the hands of a woman, who might even start to use her nails if I didn't act the way she wanted me to.
'Why do you want me to stay here in the first place?' I said, after realising that she wouldn't release my arm just yet.
She laughed again.
'I might have uses for you. Taking care of an entire house is a difficult task, and it is no good doing everything here by myself.'
I sighed, and then tried to feign a smile.
'Fine. I will stay. But at the first rumours that they Seleukidai come back, I will re-enlist in the army.'
She finally released my arm, but something told me that I wasn't just free from her grip. I smirked. "I managed to stay out of the prisons of the Seleukidai, but here I am, imprisoned by a woman."
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Almost done with that bloody boring character building. Will get more interesting on from the next chapter. I promise!
...
What? Why are you looking at me like that?! Gah!
