Stories Thread

[The Celtic Viking]

"You really don't want to do that."

"Oh, really?" Sarpedon snarled. "Because I think I bloody well do!"

"Yes, well, you can't."

"I can't? I CAN'T?! Only the GODS can tell me what I can't do - are you a god, perhaps?! I'm the Basileus' son and heir! I have the gods on my side so no one can stop me. I'm invincible!"

Arsenios sighs.

"Be that as it may, your captains, capable enough as they may be, are not. Leaving the defence of your satrapy in their hands just because you desire battle is ill adviced. At the very least you should appoint an aid or two to for that first."

"But you don't understand! I'm the heir of an old Basileus, and I have yet to see battle. What do you think they would say of me if the Basileus suddenly died and I took his place now? A Basileus who hasn't commanded let alone even seen battle ever! They'd laugh at me! And what of the Ptolemaics then? How would our great nation look to them if it was lead by a battle-virgin as I am now? We'd be the laughing stock of the world! We'd carry no respect at all. I'm telling you, I must go to battle, and soon."

"I think you're being overly dramatic. So what if you've never fought a battle? It's obvious to anyone with half a brain that you're one of the most competent administrators in our whole Arche, if not even the most competent one, period. Besides, your father is a strong man. I don't think he'll die just yet. There's still time for you to gain your experience, even if you decide to wait."

Sarpedon walks out on the balcony and looks out over Sardis.

"You're right. Of course you're right, I know that! But I hate it just the same. Know that you're not speaking to deaf ears here: your council to get an aid is not a bad one. I think I will do so, if I could only find someone loyal to me, whom I could trust to take care of the whole satrapy once I've become the Basileus. But who would that be?"

"What about Cunobelinus?"

"Not sure. He's ambitious and seems reliable, but he also seem to be too headstrong, boastful and, perhaps, even having the slight trace of hubris. Don't get me wrong - I like him - but he strikes me more like someone who should focus on fighting, and leave actual management to the more capable to do so."

"Timarchos then? He led your army, and he did a fine job, didn't he?"

"Timarchos?! Ha! I bet he's pissed at me for denying him battle not only once, but twice. He may be fine as a commander of armies, but he's not someone I would put my trust in, nor do I think he would even accept the offer if I gave it to him. If he did, I think I then would just have someone to worry about. No, I don't think so."

"Then who?"

"That's just what I'm telling you. I don't know, and that's another thing I must have settled soon! I never thought I'd say this, but I hope my crowning will wait. I need a little bit more time."