Stories Thread

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Liberation of Hierosolyma!

After many years of high taxes, insults and much more the Jewish people wanted to get rid of the Ptolemaioi rule. Seeing Arche Seleukeia as an Allie against Ptolemaioi and a Protector of the Jewish people they sent an emissary to Seleukeia. The discussion over the Jewish Rebellion against the Ptolemaioi rule went on for many-many days. In some point Basileus had to even pretend that his ill and leave from the Council so he could commit himself fully to the discussion. After a month of talk an Agreement was made that the Rebellion against the Ptolemaioi will start after the Second Council Session. Having the Antiochos' support the Jewish emissaries started to recruit people in Babylon and Seleukeia to their cause. Since in those cities there were still a large population of their people it wasn't that hard to find volunteers and financial help. Now the Second Council Session is opened and this is the mark for the people to take arms and try to liberate Hierosolyma from the rule of the Ptolemaioi!

[Roka]

Antiocheia, Achaios Syriakos' residence

The aging man walks over to the window and takes in the sight of the new city that his brother had built for himself, although old and more used to a life of pleasure than danger, his body still holds some of the power he knew in his youth. "I've decided, Saul" he said to the jewish slave that was more of a friend to him than a mere slave he had bought an auction 15 years prior.
"Yes master?"
"I've decided that i want to give up this life of luxury, over the past few days i've been pondering what my legacy will be. Will people remember the warrior of my youth? I doubt it." He walks over and pulls the blade his father had made for him upon turning 16, the edges now blunted. "Have this sharpened and new armour made to fit my new girth! No longer will I just let the fate of the Arche lie in the hands of others..."

[The Celtic Viking]

Sarpedon and Hilarion stands a bit away from the rest, speaking for themselves.

"- First satrap, then heir and now also Chancellor! Who would have thought that a man your age could acquire so many positions and offices of honour! Can't say you haven't deserved it, though. You may not have many friends among in the council, but I for one think they're fools. Our Arche will surely be great under your leadership."

- "Thanks, Hilarion. You're a good friend, and you've always stood by me through thick and thin. I wish I had more people like you."

- "You flatter me too much. What the hell do you expect? You picked me off the streets, fed me and gave me shelter. You saved my life, and my parents' life as well. I'm yours to command."

As he said it, Hilarion drew his sword, kneeled and bowed his head as he put the sword by Sarpedon's feet.

- "Get up, you fool! You know you don't have to bow to me. If I ever needed to command you to do something for me, I would be in serious trouble indeed! You'd do anything I ask you to anyway."

- "Hah! Too right you are. But where is that oaf Arsenios? He should be here by now!"

- "Arsenios? Did he come with us here? I thought it was that Celtic slave, what's his name... the one I bought from Pergamon the last time I was there? But if Arsenios is here, who's keeping things up back home?"

- "The magistrates of course. You left them in charge, don't you remember?"

- "Right! Of course that's what I did. Oh, and there's Arsenios! Finally."

Arsenios rides up and stops next to Sarpedon.

- "Here, take this parchment. On it is written a few orders to the magistrates, and an update on what has happened in the council. Let them know that I will return as soon as the results of the voting is done, and to prepare for my arrival with fresh maps and the latest reports you can find in the library. Everything must be ready for my work as a Chancellor to begin."

- "Right, sir, I will go right away!"

- "Farewell! Oh, and don't forget: you are to give the parchment to Eusebios in person, and no one else! Eusebios or the cooks will serve you for dinner!"

- "Got it, sir. Eusebios. Farewell, milord!"

As Arsenios rode off west, Hilarion and Sarpedon went back to their own quarters to rest.

[johnhughthom]

Two men sat beside a smouldering fire, a number of tents surrounded them, the desert sands swirled around the air. The larger man was poking the fire with an old sword.

"You can stop that Heronius, you will never get it started with all this sand flying about"
"I know that, it just gives me something to do. I am starting to grow weary of this damnable crusade. Who the hell cares what a bunch of Jews want, why didn't the Basileus just take their money and tell them to get stuffed. Bloody pagans, one God indeed..."
"You will soon change your tune when we get to Hierosolyma first old friend. Just imagine the fighting eh, first we will have to scale the walls. Then the fighting in cramped streets clambering over the fallen to get at your enemy, not knowing whether that house on your right holds cowering peasants or enemy soldiers ready to jump out at you. Finally the town square, the enemy holding tight, fighting to the last man even though they know it's hopeless, that final brutal clash as we kill them one by one"
The Corinthian veteran allowed himself a smile.
"Yes, I remember you after that battle outside Asaak. You were high for days, battle is for you what poppy and wine were for me. That was a long time ago now. Remember me when I stopped smoking? How I used to lose my temper at the slightest provocation, and snap at the simplest request? What is happening to you is similar, you haven't fought in so long you aren't yourself"
Heronius smiled again, he was fully aware of this but he didn't want to hurt his masters feelings, such insightful thoughts were rare for Lykikos
"You are right, I guess the best thing for me to do is to drive the men forward, try to win the race."
"Of course I'm right you foolish Greek, don't feel bad though, we can't all have divine blood. Becoming King of the Jews will only be the start of my rise to Godhood."

The two men stared at the fire, now completely cold, one dreaming of battle, blood and death the other wondering how he should address Athena when he finally became a fully fledged God.

[GMaximus]

Antiocheia, City Streets

Two horsemen slowly made their way down the street. Their apparel made it quite obvious that they were not simply citizens – one of them wore fine garments, evidently Persian in design, and wore nothing more than a bronze lamellar cuirass in the way of armor. The other was clad in extravagant armor worthy of a Hetairoi.

“Just look at them, Polymarches. Going about their daily lives, only slightly aware of what plans are woven in the far away Seleukeia. Wouldn’t it be great to be so blissfully ignorant of the happenings ourselves?” The robed one gestured at the ever-shifting crowd, quickly reaching down for his pouch and tossing a coin to a nearby beggar. His companion shook his head slightly in disapproval.

“Whatever you say, Lord Mikithion.” A simple reply came.

Mikithion Kalamou Phoinikikes sighed softly. “Stop being so grumpy and enjoy the little joys of life. I’ve nearly let your ruin our visit to Athenai already, you and your mood won’t do the same to this trip.”

“Would you mind telling me where exactly will this trip take us, Lord Mikithion?” Polymarches inquired, leaning forward on his horse.

Mikithion did not hurry to respond – instead, the Strategos of Arche Seleukeia slowly tied his pouch shut, then leaned back, obviously relaxing his body. All the rest I can get. A journey to Hellas and back from Syria is exhausting. The Hellene muttered under his breath, before finally turning to his companion.

“We’ll ride north, to Kappadokia. Away from the war - we’re going to relax our body and spirit; I do not want some uneducated barbarian from Aigyptos ruining this.” Emphasis was put on the words ‘uneducated barbarian from Aigyptos’ – the otherwise calm and collected Hellene put as much venom as he could into those words.

Polymarches again shook his head in disapproval – he preferred staying close to the war, so that if need be, they could reach the stage of war quickly. Mikithion chuckled at his companion’s behaviour.

“Athena help me, Polymarches, you’re the worst companion to find at times of relative peace.”

[Celtic_Punk]

"What the hell is that?"
"They call it a turban or something, I believe..."
"You are one strange Celt." retorted Achaikos
Cunobelinus glared at Achaikos"To Hell with you stupid Greek, look at your chapped lips. Mine are plump and beautiful!"Cunobelinus removed the piece covering his mouth to show his incredible lips, he had a ear to ear grin on his face. "All the ladies are going to be allll over me in Jerusalem."
"Enjoy the noses. Hope they won't get in the way! ha ha ha! Achaikos punched his friend in the shoulder
"Don't you think thats a myth?! Damnit I wanted to find a wife in that city. Maybe they don't all have massive noses. Its not really that bad to be honest... My son would be an exceptional hunter, with a great sense of-"
"If he can see in front of him... It might block his vision!"
"You are truly a bastard Achaikos. Where are we?"
"Good question shouldn't you know? You are supposed to be leading this army."
"... no I am seriously lost, You honestly think I know Judea? This country is one big flipping desert! The only thing that lets you SORT of know where you are is the occasional mountain or plateau. We must find us a guide before long. I am not getting surrounded by Ptolemy before we reach Jerusalem."
"Well we were going in the right direction before the sandstorm. We stopped and didn't change direction."Achaikos took his helmet off looked around and scratched his head"Hmmmm. We should be good." His look of neutrality turned to discontent"I am beginning to regret agreeing to come with you on this trip. You said it'd be a quickie. Tarsos was a quickie. This is just gruelling, and We haven't seen a friendly face since we left Syria. I miss the whores in Tarsos."
"Heh, isn't it time you found a wife? Then again the same could be said about me... We need to find ourselves some nice girls... And not the two we found in Kypros... They were insane. I still have a scar from the blonde one!" Cunobelinus shows a huge white slashing scar going from his wrist to his elbow"In any case, I want a legitimate son. Not some son of a whore."
"right you've got a whole set of them."
"ha ha ha, of course! Don't know where they are or what they look like though..."
"All that is going to change though?" enquired Achaikos
"Of course, with a wife I'm obliged by my peoples law to be faithful. Or she can leave me! Anyway, What do you think we should do when we get to Jerusalem? Sap the walls or use Towers?"
"Two sap points. Towers if we need 'em and afford the time." Achaikos nods as does his friend.
Cunobelinus now thinking of the massive task ahead takes a sip of water and pulls the cloth back over his face.

[johnhughthom]

A group of twenty or so horsemen were travelling along the dirty road to Damaskos. In the middle of the group two men rode together, one looking miserable the other stony faced, staring straight ahead. The angry looking man finally turned and spoke.

"A dream, a bloody dream and you turn us away within sight of the city walls."
"Don't be angry Heronius, it's hard to explain."
"I'm not angry, that's just it. Two years ago I would have expected this from you, I thought you had grown up, I thought you could begin something and follow it through. I'm simply disappointed you are just the same as you always were. As soon as you got in sight of the city and realised what was in front of you, you made up a story about a dream and legged it. What about those soldiers who have to find a way home with no pay? What about Parthiakes? He agreed to team up with you and you go and leave him in the lurch, you may have made an enemy there you know."
"It wasn't one dream Heronius, it was the same dream every night for a week. This was before we got to Hierosolyma, and remember I have never been there in my life. When I saw the city it was exactly as it was in my dream, thats when I realised that the dream would come true if we attacked the city."
"So we have to ride away like cowards, what will they say when we get back to Babylon? "There goes Lykikos, he dreamt he was going to die and ran away." And I will get tarred with the same brush, thank you very much. If word gets back to Corinth I may as well kill myself."
"I wasn't quite honest with you Heronius, I didn't dream I was going to die. I dreamt you were."

Lykikos rode ahead as Heronius stared after him

[Celtic_Punk]

Just outside the 1st Syrian Army fort East of Sinope

"! It's bloody cold!! Why can't we just go back to Galatia?!" Cried Achaikos, jogging on the spot.
"Quit your whining you dirty Greek. We just got here!" Laughed Cunobelinus
" cold... trees... country..."
"You just don't shut up do you Achaikos? Quit yer bloody whining. You are my best friend in the entire world. But even now you are starting to tick me off. We are here for a reason... Lets enjoy it?Cunobelinus picks up some snow and throws it at Achaikos
"Ha ha ha, Ok I guess so.. I figure, War is 2 things... 80% boredom and 20% excitement. The trick is to be prepared for that 20%, right?" Achaikos theorized.
"Maybe, quit it with the philosophy, lets have some fun! Achaikos was hit square in the forehead by Cunobelinus Ha-ha-ha! Thats 2! I'm winning!"
"Alright alright... whatever you say... but for that one, I'm not going to save you stupid ass if you need it in Sinope!"The two young men continue throwing snowballs at eachother for quite some time before they are interrupted by a scout

"SIR! No evidence of Pontic forces around Sinope, It seems we have a clear run to the city! Also, Nolon was able to enter the city and the garrison is just the Pontic King. We heard that a force West of Sinope is moving east, and could possibly reinforce the King."
"Hmmmm, We move now! We don't have time to wait for Alexandros and Anyon here. We'll make seige and wait for them there, but we must be quick to prevent that Army from digging in the city, or else they will hold the walls, and we will never get in. Achaikos, prepare the men, tell them we move out at dawn. The young Commander smirks Alexandros better hurry his ass up!"

[GMaximus]

Ankyra, Streets

"Isn't it great, Polymarches, to trod around the city we won by our sweat and blood? Glorious conquerors enjoying the fruits of their work." Mikithion sighed, leaning back on his horse. Lysimakes was nowhere to be seen - the old man was not a warrior, and he had stayed behind in the camp, wandering off to collect some herbs as the battle raged. This only made Mikithion less worried about his herbalist, as the old man seemed to be protected by the Gods during his wandering. On their road to Ipsus, for example, Lysimakes wandered off away from the group during the night, and returned only next morning, when Mikithion had lost all hope of meeting the old herbalist again.

Polymarches simply nodded. The Spear Carrier seemed to be in a good mood - he was a man of battle, and the storming of Ankyra apparently made his week. To the point he actually allowed Lysimakes get away with wandering off and not comming to battle without any grumbling, something his Hellene lord made note and approved of.

"I wonder how is Alexander doing in Seleukeia... He never struck me as the diplomatic sort, but he seems to really enjoy traveling a lot." The Spear Carrier finally grumbled under his nose. This time, it was Mikithion who did not answer.

After a moment of silence, Mikithion and Polymarches made their way to the gate that the Peltastai under Mikithion had battered open. Slowly, Mikithion dismounted his horse, walking through the still open gate. Plymarches followed, also dismounted. The battle was just won, and no one had even moved the ram away yet.

"Send someone to congratulate Kleronomos Sarpedon of this victory and his slaying of the Pontic general - if rumors have it correctly, he killed the fool himself. And find Lysimakes - I'll be at ease to know the old man is fine." With those words, Mikithion dropped on the grass, leaned against the wooden wall and moved his helmet on his eyes, falling asleep soon after. Polymarches could only shrug at such an odd choice for rest and go off to carry out the orders. He dealt with it quickly, then immediately returned to watch over the sleeping Mikithion - after all, there was no telling what the Keltoi that still inhabbited this town could come up with.