Stories Thread

[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

[johnhughthom]

A small group of horsemen rode slowly through the Ishtar Gates into the city of Babylon. At the front of the group one man carefully held the reigns of anothers horse

"Well Polyxenidos, we are finally back in Babylon."
"Yes, it still smells the same, I can catch the faint odour of poppy behind the ."
"Well, we are near your house, the smell probably lingered"
"..."
"Can you see anything, the day is bright, I have to cover my eyes from the sun."
"No, nothing. I guess I have to face the fact I am blind. My career as a Strategos is over, I will never lead an army again. I am useless, I may as well go back to my old ways, passing the day with wine, poppy and prostitutes."
"Look, we both know you were useless as a general, we got lucky near Asaak. The reinforcements coming from the city meant we were able to surround the brigands, even then your orders lost us more men than we should."
"You have a strange way of trying to cheer me up Heronius."
"I'm not trying to cheer you up, I am making sure you don't start to wallow in self pity. You are a woeful general, but you are a more than capable politician, look at how you stirred up the last council meeting with your opposition to the sacking of Alexandria and your edict to vote in the Basileus' heir. You thought you would lose your head over that but here you are, alive. You are known now, you could become a force in Seleukeia, the Basileus knows you as a man of ideas not a man of courage and tactical nous."
"You are right, again. Seleukeia is not far, perhaps my career is not over. Perhaps it is only just beginning."

The horsemen rode through the city, the blind man more confident in his movement back in the city he had lived most of his life.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

I-K or TCV, could you move Lykikos back to Babylon for me through the console please?

[Roka]

Outside Antiocheia, a contingent of horsemen are riding towards a large army camp


"There it is! My brother's army! This brings back great memories of my younger years, so many men waiting on me to decide if and when they shall be called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice for the Arche!" The man at the head of the column, dressed in fine armour, exclaimed with a glint in his eye.
"My lord, i hear the rankers call you the invisible strategos!" The man by his side, dressed in traditional attire of a Jew replied.
"Is that so Saul? It seems i'll have to win their respect by acts of valour on the battlefield!"

[Celtic_Punk]

"! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!"
"I am sorry sir, they almost had me!"
"You cowardly Greek, you did not even have the decency to die like a man! Now you will not be seen as a traitor to the Ptolemy, but an agent working for me! Do you have any idea what this could mean?!" Cunobelinus turns to Achaikos and Alexandros "We leave Judea! Now. The Liberation armies will be taken and given to the new 'King' If he decides to remove us, we'll have to retreat to Syria. I'm going farther North to meet up with the Syrian Army. Thats well out of reach of Judea. Make arrangements, and we leave on the next morn. As for you..." Cunobelinus draws his sword and slices the saboteur's head off before any of the men could blink.

[The Celtic Viking]

Sardis, Spring 266 BCE

Hilarion was talking with Sarpedon.

- "So, my friend, you have now done your duty as a Chancellor, and now you're leaving for the new Council Session. What do you expect?"
- "Words of praise from the old man, but disrespect or indifference from the rest. What else can I expect? If my work as a satrap hasn't impressed people already, then my work as a Chancellor and satrap isn't likely to make much change to that."
- "Really? You don't think that taking on a huge task like that at your young age and coming out way on top could at least have swayed some heads in there? Surely they must understand that it's no small matter to be the Chancellor!"
- "I'm pretty sure they understand that, deep down at least. However, there are those who oppose my success out of no better reason than that I've got a lot of it already. There was even talks about making the heir an commonly elected office, undoubtedly with the sole reason to take the claim to the throne away from me. They don't even care that I am the best man for the job!"
- "I know, and I agree. Even if a new law is passed that the heir should be elected, by right you should be the one anyway. Who has proven himself worthy of it more than you? None, I say. None."
- "Thank you for your support, Hilarion. I can control the masses with the snap of a finger, and if I so much as express my opinion publicly, it is held as literal and unquestionable truth. The economy has done nothing but prosper, and the incomes are up. No one can match me in these qualities, not even my father himself! So I wouldn't fear that people don't see me as good enough for the position. What I would fear is that people wouldn't vote for who is actually the best choice for the Arche, but who they like the most on a personal level."
- "I don't think they'd really be that petty."
- "Perhaps. However, I would prefer not to take any risks on this. Should it come up to a vote, I will certainly vote against it."

At that moment, the door opens and a young woman enters. Sarpedon turns to her.

- "Ah, you're here! Sit down and wait on the bed, I'll be with you in a minute."
- "Yes, master."

Sarpedon now turns back to Hilarion.

- "Hrrm, will you excuse me? I must have her one last time before I leave. You may as well go and prepare your work for while I'm gone."
- "Well, I have already prepared everything that needed preparing..."
- "That doesn't matter. Look over things again, make sure that there's nothing that you've missed. Oh, and send for the band on your way out would you? I'd like to have some music while I ."
- "Certainly."

Hilarion had almost left the room when he turned around again.

- "Sarpedon, I... oh." Hilarion started smiling. "You don't waste a second now, do you? Forget it. It wasn't important anyway, so I'll leave now. Just don't rush too much - I don't want to have sent the musicians here for no reason!"

Laughing a little for himself, Hilarion left.

[GMaximus]

On the border of Kappadokia, three days before the Council Session

"Mountains, oh great mountains! I wish I were in Baktria, Polymarches. They say there are beautiful, enormous mountains there." Mikithion sighed, sitting down on the ground. The Hellene was never particularly ceremonial; he took the fact his ancestor was a simple soldier in Megas Alexandros' army to heart. The Arche already has enough pompous Makedonian Hetairoi one-or-another, a hard working Hellene would be useful once in a while. Phoinikikes often told himself that.

Polymarches sighed as well, though did not sit down - he, unlike his Lord, did not rejoice in acting like a commoner. Even if he was only a part of Mikithion's retinue, many could confuse which was the Lord and which was the soldier if the two were dressed identically and tossed into a situation.

"Do you think we'll ever live long enough to have the chance to visit Baktria, Polymarches?"

"None can tell but the Gods, my Lord." Polymarches was taken a bit off guard by this sudden question after the prolonged silence; perhaps it was not the question but the look on Mikithion's face when the Hellene asked that shook him more. Mikithion looked depressed for some reason.

Was it really a good decision of mine to leave Athenai for Syria? Koinon Hellenon can always use another warrior against the Makedones, by now perhaps I'd be performing great deeds, honoring the Gods with a great victory, and not wasting my years away under the service of a Basileus I never cared for particularly. The end result would be the same, only that if I stayed in Athenai, I would care for what I fight... Perhaps I should indeed have ventured to Baktria instead, and lended the Satrap there a hand against the northern barbaroi.

"Lord Mikithion!"

The Hellene was forced to chase away those considerations, instead focusing on the man that was hurrying up the narrow path. It looked to be one of his personal guard, whom he had left behind to rest on their own - two men travelled faster than twenty, after all.

"What is it?" Mikithion lifted off the ground slowly. The soldier, who Mikithion recognized as Alexander, stopped for a second to catch his breath, before gesturing roughly towards the direction of Seleukeia.

"A Council Session is to begin soon in Seleukeia, you are expected to attend, my Lord."

Mikithion sighed. "Very well. It looks like our vacation is cancelled. Polymarches, hurry ahead and gather my guard, prepare them for a quick journey." With a quick bow, Polymarches hurried off. Alexander was about to follow, however Mikithion gestured him to stay.

"You shall accompany me, Alexander, and on our way tell me about the Basileus, the Council and Seleukeia itself. It will, after all, be the very first time I visit that place in person."

[Alerion]

Theodoros was standing up on the balcony of the governor's residence of Ekbatana. He let his gaze wander across the marketplace right below him and the Strategos smiled to himself. He instantly turned around as he heard anoise behind his back and noticed a man, clothed in the garments of the villages' more privileged inhabitants.

"Klemonos!" he greated the visitor friendly and the addressed bowed, before speaking up himself: "Governor, it's good to have you back. Since you left for Olympia a lot of things happened. The Arche is in need of..."

Theodoros' mood seemed to change in an instant and he cut in on his friend: "The Arche has demanded a lot of me in the past. Just because some people weren't happy with my choice for a wife, they started to plot against me at my father's court. You know of that, Klemonos. I have turned my back on Seleukia years ago and I don't know if I'm ready to return."

Klemonos looked to the ground and answered: "You are right, Sire, but you know your father had no fault in it. I am sure he was disappointed that you did not attend these 3 council sessions he assembled."

Theodoros spoke up quickly: "Well I had good reasons every time. This last time I was in Olympia while the council session was taking place and this town has kept me busy and..." Klemonos now interrupted his Governor: "Theodoros. You know, all of these are simple excuses for not wanting to be there. I know you care about the town but the Arche needs people of your skill and talents. We will do fine here if you don't forget Ekbatana."

Theodoros sighed but he knew the older man was right and he was happy to have friends that were close enough to speak up against his opinion. He decided to change the matter of discussion: "So... what about the threat to the north?"
"We don't know if it is a threat", Klemonos answered, "but the towns people are getting nervous. They fear an attack. That's another thing you won't be able to do anything about if you stay here. Think about it, my friend." With that he bowed once more and left the balcony and Theodoros to his thoughts.

...

Some hours later Theodoros called for one of his servants. "Eppekos, see that these two messages reach their destinations. One is for the chancellos and the other for the Basileus." Eppekos nodded and went to work.

[GMaximus]

Somewhere between Kappadokia and Seleukeia

"How did the Council Session go, Lord?"

"Awfully. It was dreadfully boring, everyone just bickered a lot. I could swear I fell asleep at least once. I'm seriously considering never showing my face there again. Let the Basileus and his lot think what they want, but politics are not for me." Mikithion yawned, leaning forward on his horse. The journey back to Kappadokia was much slower, since they were not in a hurry to get anywhere.

"Lord, but you cannot just abbandon your duties!" Polymarches frowned, in his concern nearly riding on top of a travelling old man. Mikithion hurriedly appologized the aged traveler, tossing several coins from his ever-open pouch.

"I didn't leave Athenai to sit in some chamber, surrounded by men of various backgrounds and their barbaroi servants. As a matter of fact, if this is all I get, I would've done better in my home city, where at least I was certain that I was surrounded only by Hellenes. There I didn't need to wonder how many of them would be willing to drive a sword through me for being from Hellas."

Polymarches only sighed. "Whatever you say, Lord Mikithion."

Mikithion yawned again, then wiped a tear from his left eye. "Don't worry, life shall soon become more interesting and we'll have plenty of chances to prove ourselves. I hope to see battle soon. If there was one part of the Session that interested me, it was that an edict was agreed on by which the Arche shall finally enter war against Pontos."

With this, silence fell upon the small group of riders, soon followed by night.

[Alerion]

About a week after the messengers were sent out, one returned to Theodoros' residence and after some time of thinking, the governor called on Klemonos. As the older man entered the Strategos' chambers, Theodoros looked up to greet him. "My friend, I have received news. My father gave me a mission and I will take it. I have already ordered my servants to ready my bodyguard, for I will leave shortly but there is something I have to ask of you first."

"What is it?"

"I will leave Laodike and the kids here. Watch over them as you'd watch over your own family, swear that to me." The older man nodded and bowed: "I will protect them with my life if needed. May Mithras bless you on your way."

"Thank you. May he bless you and this town. Until we meet again." And with that Theodoros left his chambers to join his bodyguard, already assembled in the courtyard.

[00jebus]

266BC, seige of Jerusalem


Cadayren was annoyed, he always hated bringing bad news to people, especally when they could fire him, groaning, he entered Timarchos' tent to find a mess of reports on a table, Timarchos behind them, starring at his sword

"sir.....?"

"I was just wondering, equal numbers, they have better quality troops, and I have no gold for mercinaries, how in the name of the gods am I supposed to capture this place? in tact? without killing any jews on purpose, which a seige will do?"

"Surely sir, we can attack"

"we can offer battle, but unless we have our choice of ground, they will win, or at least kill too many of us so I end up like that guy from eprius.."

"May I ask why sir?"

"cavalry, we have lots, its bloody useless in a city, and their commander, he's too good, so long as he's alive he'll inspire the cities defenders, and I certantly don't want to send men into a bloodbath to end this quick, lets face it, I have years left, a satrapy is worth waiting for"

"I see sir, well, if your going to end up a satrap, then all the jew's here will be yours, may I suggest calming your subjects down?
their too eager to liberate the city, caught five of em' trying to brake through our own lines so they could attack it themselves" he added, as as if on cue from timarchos' stare,
"what do you want to do with them?"

"ach, how I wish this was just another feild battle" Timarchos moaned, rubbing his head with both palms "ok, put those five in an aggressive patrol anywhere nearby that starts to feel a little bit Egyptian... how are the ram's coming?"

"all six started, I take it you have a plan for them sir?"

"yes, I'm making my own wall, so when the enemy attack us, they'll hopefully get cut off, then cut to peices."

Timarchos looked at his statue of the little fat man "I just wish they don't take too long to try and attack us, we seige for any longer than a year and my subject's will ether start to starve, or grow too restless they end up attacking without any plan... damn those walls and building, they really ruin war, it's much more fun without all this waiting around."

a now smiling Cadayren nodded, "I think we can both remember the good old days, when all we had to do was charge uphill into a wall of spearpoints, your right sir, those damn buildings ruin war, completly spoil the fun of it, but isn't the whole greek system of war a case of hurry-up-so-you-can-wait anyway?"

Timarchos grinned "nice way of putting it, have to use that one myself sometime, deffinantly describes how we got here well enough"

[Roka]

Ioudia, Autumn 266 BCE

"My lord! You're bleeding!"
"Merely a flesh wound, Alexandros." Achaios replied with a fiery passion in his eyes. "Take the a unit of Prodromoi and chase away those blasted steppe raiders, they're giving the Jews a hard time!"
"Aye sire." With that Alexandros master of horse to Achaios Syriakos, elder brother to the basileus and son to the great Seleukos, spurred his horse away towards a group of waiting horsemen calling orders as he went.
"Sire! The enemy leader has commited his own unit to the fray against the Thureophoroi!"
"Excellent! Men form up on me, we shall turn their flank. A jug of finest wine to the man that brings me that brigand's head."

2 hours later, the command tent of the army

"That's the last of them killed my lord."
"Excellent Alexandros, sit and have a cup of wine, you've earned it, i lost three bodyguards in the battle, any men you could recommend?"
"Well sir, there is that lad that killed the brigand leader, in fact, he's outside just now, shall i call him in?" Alexandros replied, taking a deep draught from the wine in his hand.
"Isn't he a bit young? Well send him in anyway,i owe him a jug of wine." With that a tall man of around 23 entered the tent and bowed to Achaios. "General, you honour me greatly."
"What do you think of him Alexandros?"
"I believe he'll do my lord" Alexandros replied with a wry smile.
"My boy, how is your riding ability?"
"Pretty good my lord, my family are horse breeders from Antiocheia."
"
"Good, the i assume you have a horse?"
"Yes my lord."
"How would you like to ride in my bodyguard?"
"I would be honoured my lord."
"Excellent, return here tomorrow morning and I'll give you orders and have you equipped. Dismissed!" With that the young man left the tent beaming.
"Sire, wouldn't you like to know his name?" Alexandros said with a smile once again.
"I assumed you would know..."

[The Celtic Viking]

Two phalangites in Sarpedon Syriakos' army were talking.

- "So we're off to fight again, are we?"
- "Aye, that we are. You're not nervous, are you?"
- "No. Well, yes, a little, but you're always a little nervous before a fight, aren't you?"
- "Most are, and there's no shame in it. But then there are others. I haven't fought them myself, but those barbaroi, the Galatians, they have these soldiers, I hear. They don't fear anything or anyone, they're like madmen living for the battle. They fight naked, you know. Naked. Can you imagine that?"
- "Naked?! That's insane! That must make them easy to kill, right?"
- "Actually, that's the thing: they're not. I've heard stories about them, see? I've heard that they can take javelins through their chest, rip it out and then just throw it right back at you, before they continue to fight."
- "That's impossible!"
- "I'm not so sure. They say they take something, a drug or what-have-you, before battle that makes them impervious to pain. They'll fight till you chop their heads off. There's no other way to kill them."
- "Sweet Zeus! And we're up against these guys?!"
- "Not sure. We could be, but we just don't know. I hear lord Sarpedon's requested some spies to check out how things are. If his request is granted, then we shall know for sure. If it isn't... well, we'll find out when we get there."
- "Yeah. Hey! Don't you think Cadeyrn knows more about these guys? He's supposed to be a Galatian himself, isn't he?"
- "Yeah, you're right! We should ask him more about these guys. Perhaps he even knows if the Pontics are likely to have them in their armies?"
- "It couldn't hurt to ask."
- "Then lets go find him, shall we?"

And so they went off towards the barracks, where they knew they would find Cadeyrn training together with lord Sarpedon himself.

[GMaximus]

On the border of Kappadokia (again)

"...And look! That's a rare mountain plant, useful for curing many diseases..."

"It looks like simple grass." Polymarches raised an eyebrow, looking as the old man carefully worked with the supposedly rare plant.

"Your eye is not that of a herbalist, so let me do my work and keep your oppinion to yourself until we reach a battlefield!" The old Hellene yelled, then shooed Polymarches away from the plants. Mikithion, who was observing the plant-picking with interest, turned away quickly to hide his laughter as his spear carrier wiped the mud off his armor - the herbalist had thrown several of his less precious plants after him.

"I don't understand, why are we having this old fool follow us?"

"Because this 'old fool' is a herbalist, and herbalists can be useful in many cases. You'll be thankful we met him after we do battle with Pontos. I've heard people like him can tend to wounds with great skill." Mikithion responded, peeking over the old man's shoulder as he spoke. "And just so you know, Polymarches, our 'old fool' has a name."

"I'd be happy if Lord Mikithion shared it, as I must remind that no one else of your guard has had a lengthy conversation with our herbalist. For entirely understandable reasons, too, as no one else I know of has such a toleration for long boring rambling like my Lord, even though it seems to vanish in the court." Polymarches angrily glanced at the back of the herbalist when the old man grumbled something.

"I could swear I already introduced my new companion to everyone... Regardless, this is Lysimakes Polinedus."

"Honored to serve you, Lord Mikithion. It warms my heart that some young men are still interested in such arts." Lysimakes shot a killing glare at Polymarches at the mention of 'young men'.

My retinue grew to two people, and they already can't get along. Athena help me if it increases further...

[SwissBarbar]

The Story of

Nikarchos Asterias Syriakes





Chapter 1 - Overview

- Nikarchos Asterias Syriakes -

Nikarchos Asterias Syriakes' - born 291 BC in Seleukeia - ancestors lived in Pella and his father and grandfather fought side by side with Alexander the Great and Seleukos I Nikator, anywhere across the world.

In Arkadia at Megalopolis and defeated the unconquerable Spartans




in Ioudaia at Raphia to to put the insolent Ptolemaioi in their place




at Tyros to batter down the gates of this important phoenician City and wrest it from persian dominance




and in Phyrgia in the Massacre of Ipsos - where Antigonos I. Monophthalmos died at the hand of seleukid Soldiers





Nikarchos was young and had yet to prove his valour in battle. He studied philosophy and mathematics at the great Akademia in the capital of the Arche Seleukeia. Soon it turned out that he was a very intelligent man, sharp and charismatic. Though he was not of great vitality he grew up to a sinewy man, able to swing a sword and bend a bow.

At the age of 25 Nikarchos was appointed by the Basileus to the rank of Strategos. At the royal council the Kleronomos Basileion, Sarpedon Syriakos, invited him to join his army in Phyrgia. Greatly honoured Nikarchos set out for Ipsos, looking forward to serving his Lord and hoped he could prove himself in battle against the enemies of the Empire.

In the year of 266 BC he started with the preparations of his journey.

And so begins the story of Strategos Nikarchos Asterias Syriakes.............

[SwissBarbar]

The Story of

Nikarchos Asterias Syriakes





Chapter 2 - in preparation for the voyage to Phyrgia


Nikarchos walked trough the gates of the royal councils' residence and squinted his eyes due to the scorching sun. Divine Marduk meant it almost too good with his worshipers and let the sun burn down remorselessly.




Nikarchos rambled through the park, buried in thought, and planned his journey to Ipsos. He thought about being accompanied by all of his bodyguards and of course his servants. The journey through Kilikia an Phyriga was very dangerous, so he could use every able man available to be on his side.

And not only the men but also the gods of course! Shortly after reaching his mansion and giving all orders to his servants, he left heading the Temple of Marduk. But not the one in the City. He prefered the great Megas Naos Mordekou out-of-town. A place built by one of his ancestors.




Marduk, Lord of the Gods and master of the sky was the protector of Mesopotamia and Babylonia, where his greatest temples have been built many generations ago.

The temple guard already awaited him. So Nikarchos went to the shrine of the father of the gods and begged him for a secure voyage to Phyriga. And he hoped to find out more about his future.




For at least 2 hours he just sat there on his horse and waited for a sign of Marduk. Everything around him was silent, he didn't apperceive the noise the temple guard made nor the soft breeze on his face. There was just him and his thoughts.




He felt the presence of the divine at this place. He tried to absorb it with every fibre of his body.
And then, suddenly... he saw a dazzlingly white light in his head and a picture appeard in his mind. He had a vision...

He stood on a battlefield like a ghost with one of his bodyguards. It was a field of death, a terrible sight. Tens of thousands soldiers lay dead on the ground, there were disembodied extremities widely scattered and here and there heavily injured men screamed theirselfs hoarse. When he saw macedonian ensigns on the ground he became frightened.




What does this sign from Marduk say to him? Should it be his fate to defeat the macedonians in the west and merge them into the Seleukid empire? Or was it a sign of his own fall? After all he was of makedonian origin! Maybe he was about to become a betrayer and fight the Arche Seleukeia on the Macedonian side in order to re-establish Alexanders empire? Nah, could not imagine that, there was no man more loyal to the Arche Seleukeia than him. It must be the first of these cases...

Whatever his fate was, the future will show .....

[johnhughthom]

Two men walked out of the council chamber in Seleukeia

"Well Polyxenidos, where to?"
"Let's head back to Babylon for a few days, I wish to sleep in my own bed again... I feel you looking at me Heronius, what's wrong?"
"Just wondering, you seem to have held back the last couple of days in there. I expected you to savage young Mysiakes, remind the Basileus how you wanted to fight that large Ptolemaic army that have come back to haunt us and demand we focus on one area at a time as we seem so overstretched as you warned would happen."
"Hmmm, perhaps once I may have done so. What is the point of doing so now? The satisfaction of being right, I know when I'm right and care little if others know. No, I see myself nudging the Empire in gentle pushes. I'm a blind man, if I start shouting off about things I will be ignored as "that crazy fool who can't see." I have to be careful. Anyhow you are the one who told me not to be too harsh with that brash easterner, and you know Mikleia thinks I should tread carefully."
"Since when have you listened to what women think, even your wife?"
"Remember there was a time I wouldn't take any advice, even yours. She has grown up amongst the Greek ruling class, she knows how to get her way without drawing attention to herself. Don't worry, I won't be asking her advice on military matters, that's still your domain."

The two men walked in the direction of the stables, ready for a few days away from the politics of running an Empire.

[GMaximus]

Somewhere in Kappadokia

The wooden chair on which Mikithion sat creaked loudly as the Strategos leaned back, placing all his weight on the rear legs. Brushing some dust off of his easily noticeable robe, he cast an angry glance at the ceiling, before resuming reading the letter from Sarpedon Syriakes for what must've been the twentieth time that evening.

Hearing a silent knock on the doors that separated his small, humble room from the rest of the inn, the Hellene answered with a 'Come in, Polymarches'. Lysimakes and Polymarches were the only two people that he had allowed to disturb him, and the old herbalist was asleep in the room next to his; Mikithion could hear the honorable man snoring. Thus, Polymarches was the only one who could be behind the doors.

Indeed, the doors carefuly opened and Polymarches stepped into the room. "My lord, I appologize for disturbing you, but Alexander has returned, and he reports that Sarpedon Syriakes..."

"Yes, I know that we have his permission to join his army. And if that is the case, then Basileus must've approved my request to be assigned to the Pontic frontier." When Polymarches raised his eyebrows in surprise, Mikithion gestured with his free hand to the letter. "The Kleronomos asked me to take command of his army temporarily, until either he can reasume his position at its head, or that Makedonian joins us, Nikarchos Syriakes or whoever..."

Polymarches' eyebrows rose even further, and when they could no longer move up, the spear carrier expressed his surprise with his eyes. He went through a quick change of emotions as the surprise became awe, and awe became joy.

"You have been appointed to lead a Royal Army temporarily, my lord? That is great news indeed, a fine chance to prove your worth!"

Mikithion only yawned. "Indeed it is. Tell the men to be ready early in the morning, and send out one of them to Antiocheia. Not Alexander, let him rest. Tell whoever you send to... Wait, nevermind. Send him to my room some ten minutes from now, I'll have his orders then. And rest well yourself, we'll have a long way to go to reach Sarpedon's army."

Without even trying to distinguish his joy, Polymarches left the room. Mikithion yawned again, before asuming a more comfortable position for writing and beginning to scribble something on a piece of paper.

[kingsnake]

The Syrian Army's Fort, west of Mazaka.
Winter 266 BC

Everything was calm now. His army was experienced and loyal. Things ran smoothly and there were no worries, except for the occasional new recruits, but each captain could handle them effectively.
Wearing no armor, only fur to protect him from the winter morning cold, Aratos was walking towards the small wooden tower. Greeting, on his way, the few men who were already awake and the patrolling soldiers, he arrived at the tower. When Aratos reached the top, the tower guard automatically greeted and climbed down.
Aratos, looked up, closed his eyes, inspired the fresh air and sighed.
One more day. Soon the army will march up and enter Pontic lands. Opening his eyes, he looked north and observed the thin fog that covered and tried to slide down the rugged rocky peaks of the mountains. Soon the sun will climb up and destroy the fragile mist.
The camp was well positioned, away from the frontiers, though close enough for the planned surprise invasion. Our enemy will hardly suspect anything. The assault must be quick and effective, Aratos thought. Once the Pontic problem is dealt with, he could go south and aid against those damned Egyptians. Hell! He should be there right now! One of these days he’ll soon have to return to Persepolis, he misses his homeland and his son must have a persian education. Then, he won’t be able to avenge his father as he correctly wanted. His son was more important now and Aratos knew it, since the day he first held his baby on his arms.

[00jebus]

Cadeyren laugh shook the night "Across a desert? well, if they want to drag their troops to their death, I say we let them, they'll need to found a new city of the dead before they get here though"

Timarchos however looked at the scout that had just informed him of a large army advancing from Egypt, he spoke "where are they?"

"About one seasons march out" replied the scout in front of him

"Look, boss, if that were a celtic army, then it would literally melt in that heat.."

"But its not, I guess we'll deal with it if it manages to cross the desert, I just hope half of the men you saw were an illusion, cause if not this thing will die faster than it began."

Timarchos looked around his tent, "Gods I wish I was rich enough to buy some merc's.." he looked at his scout "go do a whip round, jews are supposed to be rich right? see if we can't get enough for something!"

Cadeyren looked sceptical "Thracians? we can't affort them..."

"I know, I'll get anything I can afford, we lack any heavy infantry, and now I really am starting to miss them"

"You've never commanded any"

"Not for greeks I havn't" a smile crossed Timarchos lips, Cadeyren stayed quite, by unspoken consent, neither wished to intrude on the others memories of wars gone by unless it was offered, but the Celt seriously doubted anyone east of Antioch even knew what true heavy infantry actually was.

[Celtic_Punk]

"I am a newly wed! I should be at home caring for my wife, not killing young lads..."
"You're losing your touch?! Bloody Hell Cuno, you are a General, and a soldier first, a husband second."
"Achaikos, does it really matter who commands these men? They have my best friend as their supreme commander. I am just here for the ride."
"Not true, you command the cavalry! What if Aratos falls? Who will command them then? You will, and you are the most qualified for such a job, you know these men, you saved their lives at Pamphylia."
Cunobelinus looks up at the sky "Perhaps... You've convinced me... My wife is young. Maybe with my time here away she will bud into a beautiful flower... I'll fight. For Galatia, my wife, and for the men."
"That's all I ask, brother. That's what all men fight for...Home, family, and the men next to you."

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

I wrote this sort of in honour of Remembrance Day, well the last speech anyway.

[GMaximus]

The Gates of Ipsus

“Well that wasn’t a pleasurable experience.” Mikithion groaned, making his way through the gates to the town of Ipsus, Polymarches and Lysimakes at his side and his bodyguard behind him. They had rode from Kappadokia to Ipsus without any prolonged stops; Mikithion was only glad that hopefully, he wouldn’t need to make such wild rides like from Kappadokia to Seleukeia or this journey. The army was supposed to move slower than a small party of horsemen, after all.

Polymarches only grunted something in response. The spear carrier was still grieving over the fact Mikithion’s power over the Royal Army of Sarpedon was so short-lived; this temporary promotion seemed to Polymarches like the gates to higher rank, glory, money and just about anything else, gates that have just been closed.

Mikithion himself did not pay that much attention to this brief interruption in his otherwise uneventful life as a Strategos; ever since sending out Alexander to Seleukeia with his request of reassignment, the Hellene could only imagine himself earning glory in this war. If he was lucky, he’d get to prove his mettle in a battle under Sarpedon and the Kleronomos would put in some words for him in the Council, maybe even enough for Mikithion to be assigned his own troops. If he was very lucky, then he might even become an Aid for the Satrap.

Both those options were appealing, and as he rode into Ipsus, Mikithion allowed himself a weary smile – this war was indeed a gift from Athena.

[00jebus]

Sidon market distict, 265

Cadeyren and Timarchos were looking at armour and swords, Cadeyren, although used to loud noise, kept his fingers in his ears when nobody was talking to him, eventually Timarchos had enough, it was starting to spoil his good mood

"ok, I give in, whats wrong old friend? nobody stabbed you did they? its not some Galatian thing when you kill another celt?"
"No, neither of them, its just, I never did like the market, always seemed to me too much like chaos, not like a battle or camp, then theres order to the noise.."
"chaos? this is economics!"
"gah! have you decided yet? I really need a drink"
"gods, cheer up, if I'm not mistaken I've just earned myself a promotion... that means I'm buying"
a small smile crossed Cadeyrens face, Timarchos picked out a new curiass and helmet to replace his old dented kit and a new Xiphos, and asked the clerk how long it would take too make, being told it would be ready before the end of the week.

Timarchos turned to Cadeyren
"before we go, have the new lads settled in ok?"
"ok? for some weird reason they love you, I can only guess that they havn't got to know you yet..."
"ha, or the burly galatian that wanders round after me making sure I've killed people properly"
"its not my fault your technique is sloppy, you get the hang of it and I can get on with my proper job of making sure the men kill people properly"

happy his friend was back to normal, his promotion probably secure, and the city was safe Timarchos wasted no time in telling his messangers that his troops could take the week off, for he deffinantly planned too

[00jebus]

barrakcs at Sidon, 265

Timarchos woke early, not by choice, the banging and crashing these new recruits were making during training was driving him mad, and no matter how often he threatened them with disembowlment, castration and evisaration, they still woke him during early morning drills

swearing, he rolled out of bed as a constast series of boots stamping on the ground shaked the thin walls of the barracks, he poked his head out of his window and shouted after the goup
"Gods! That should sound like a drum! none of you are eating till you get this right!"
A slave came running to dress him, Timarchos busied himself by looking at his statue of the smiling fat man and again wondered what it could be, he decided it was some kind of Indian version of Zeus, he was then just deciding on what to eat that morning, as that was the other thing the statue reminded him of, when Cadeyren came striding into his room, looking rather cheerful,
"Of course sir, if you trained them celtic style, they wouldn't need to all look the same when they marched, so their captian wouldn't have to march them round every morning, so you could get some more sleep..."
Timarchos looked thoughfully at this before declaring "No, I've got a better idea, pack up everything thats mine, I'm moving out!"
"To where?"
"Have not decided yet, but since I'm planning on spending winter in the city, I'm sure I can find a nice house of some Egyptian merchant that wont need it back for a while, fancy some house shopping today?"
"If you make me decorate this place, I will hurt you...."
"no no, just need your opinion on whats defendable, oh, and keep an eye out for a pool, or three, I want something thats kinda near the centre, preferable a nice garden, maybe a libary too...oh and somewhere for all the slaves...." A happily glazed look clossed over Mysiakes' face
"And the new recruits, who'll inspect them?"
Timarchos was slightly put out by the question... "you will, three times a week, I will once a month, so long as they finish their training before the next term starts, I don't really care, given the amount of time its taking them to get marching right, it will be a while."
A momment passed
"....and good square frontage too... and a wall, I don't want to have to lend people wine when they run out....."

[SwissBarbar]

the Story of

Nikarchos Asterias Syriakes





Chapter 3 – The taste of blood





Nikarchos was still confused and thinking about his vision at the Temple of Marduk when he arrived at his manor house outside Seleukeia. He still did not know what the god intended to say to him, but he came to the conclusion that whatever his fate ought to be, he would find the answer in the west. Nikarchos walked in the gardens of his mansion while his servants and Somatophylakes prepared whatever was necessary for the long journey.

Two days later the fellowship left the manor and were heading for Assyrie, in other words Nikarchos followed Sarpedon Syriakos’ invitation to Ipsos. The journey was quite eventless and so the men enjoyed the beauty of the countryside and Nikarchos used the time to write messages to Seleukeia, where his messenger Galaktíon represented him in the royal council.



They crossed Assyrie and went towards Karkathiokerta, where they intended to overwinter. Karkathiokerta was a small town at the border to the lands of the Hay, who were good friends and faithful allies of the Arche Seleukeia. There they would be save and could get some rest. Though the journey passed quietly, it was very strength-sapping and the men could use a proper bed to sleep in. And maybe some pretty girls keeping company with them. Just in time, when winter announced himself by laying a white coat over the land, Nikarchos and his men arrived.



As anything but the gods must pass, spring displaced winter and the fellowship could move on. They followed the mountains westwards till they arrived in Mazaka. There Nikarchos learned that the Kleronomos Basileion could no longer wait for him, already started war with Pontos and already gained great victories. Nikarchos had missed the first strike. So he decided to stay a bit longer in Mazaka and let his men rest. Though in the first place he was quite sad about the fact, that the pontic war has been started without him, because he was eager for learning about the art of warfare from Sarpedon Syriakos, this coincidence turned out to become his chance to prove himself. Only a few days later, peasants from the countryside went to town and brought bad news. A looting and plundering army of the Haikh, a people living in the lands of Hayasdan and Armenia, were laying waste on the lands near the border to the Kingdom of the Hay. An army of the Hay was chasing them, but the pillagers already were on seleukid lands, so the commander of the Hay, captain Koyroun asked permission to march on Seleukid territory. Nikarchos allowed it under the term that he would be the one leading the allied Armies. 264 BC he left Mazaka with 27 Somatophylakes and rode to the border to Pokr Hayk.



Very soon they detected the enemies and challenged them to fight. The Hay warriors did outnumber the Haikh, but Nikarchos was still quite nervous. This would be his first battle at all. And as if this wasn't enough he was the leader of this army. On the other side of the hill, an army of over 600 men assembled, and every single one of these skilled warriors wanted to kill him. Not very encouraging thoughts, but still he made up his mind to ride into the battle and fight at the very frontline.



When the warriors were ready and Nikarchos had finished his little speech about protecting countries and families, he sent forth the skirmishers



and followed them with his cavallery on the right flank, while the armenian and caucasian spearmen marched behind the skirmishers.



The Haikh archers sent a deadly rain of arrows, but they were to few to make a great difference.



When the armies crashed into each other the armenian spearmen of the Hay could hold the line against the caucasian spearmen of the Haikh. Both sides proceeded with a barbarous cruelty Nikarchos has never dreamt of. When its about theirs lives, men brutalize beyond example.



After getting past the first shock, Nikarchos decided to interfering the battle and attacked the rear of the Haikh spearmen with his Somatophylakes, retreated and attacked again. Once he had killed a man, he was not afraid anymore. It seemed to him, that not himself lead his body into battle. He watched himself slaying enemies and spilling their blood, heard them scream from far away and watched their bodies being crushed by horses.



Under this pressure the enemies soon began to seek refuge in flight. The Haikh commander tried to turn the fortunes of war himself, but died by the spears of the Hays caucasian spearmen.



Also the Haikh skirmishers, more peasants than warriors, were no match for the heavily armed Somatophylakes and were slain quickly.



Many fell by the very hand of Nikarchos himself.



All in all it was a pure massacre. When the fog of war vanished, Nikarchos’ riders had killed over 200 enemies. No Somatophylax died in this battle.





Nikarchos let his men set up a camp. It was too late in the evening to go back to Mazaka and he wanted to rest here and return the next day. This night Nikarchos dreamt of blood and death. He had killed men for the first time in his life, and he was sure that this was not the last time.

The Hay army returned to their lands, thankful for the help of their seleukid friends. This battle was an event that should deepen the relationship of these two nations.


End of the third chapture

[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.

[Alerion]

At the border to Ptolemaoi Territory, south of Sidon

Strategos Theodoros Syriakos moved around in his command tent, waiting for the messenger he called. His bodyguard was stationed outside and suddenly a man opened the entrance to state: "He's here, Sire."

Theodoros looked up: "Well, let him in, Akhaios." The bodyguard nodded and guided a young man into the tent. The messenger bowed before his master and asked: "Sire, where do you need to send me? Seleukia?" Theodoros shook his head and smiled. "Nowhere, young Alexander. I just need your clothes."
"My clothes..."
"Yes, Alexander, your clothes. The Royal council is coming together for the regular session and I need to be there. I cannot let the Egyptians think that the leader of this army has left it. They might take that chance to attack and though I fully trust my captains here to be able to defeat some Ptolemaoi swine I'd regret not having the chance to slaughter some myself. You have about my stature and therefore are going to replace me here." Theodoros approached the boy and gave him a pat on the back. "You will live the life of a Strategos for some time. You are lucky." He smiled. "Of course you will not be in command here, but it will look like you were. Anytime you are outside this tent, you will behave as though you were me. Captain Sositratos will command the army while I am gone. Any questions?" Alexander looked like as though he wanted to say something but he couldn't think of what so Theodoros just continued: "Wonderful. Now let us exchange our garments."

As soon as it was done Alexander was dressed in the armor of a Seleukian general and Theodoros himself looked just like a little messenger. "Now, where is your horse, Alexander?"
"My horse, Sire?" Theodoros sighed. "Yes, Alexander your horse. Do you think any enemy would believe that I would give my trusty warhorse to a lowly messenger? No offence meant." Alexander nodded, finally understanding his face lightened up: "I will watch over your horse with care. Mine is right behind the tent of your personal servants. It might not be as glorious as yours but it will carry you swiftly to the council and back here."
"Great. Now let us go outside, so you can order your servant to deliver a message to Seleukia." Again Alexanders face took the form of a question mark and Theodoros was just about to sigh again when the boy understood. He smiled and the two of them walked outside where Theodoros bowed before his 'master' and then moved to the servant's tent, took the horse and rode off into the northeast, all under the watchful eyes of ptolemaoi spies.

[Roka]

Nikanor Kybiosaktes is sitting in the garden of his house in Hieroselyma enjoying a jug of wine with his most trusted friend, and mentor Phillipos

"So Niko, you have clearly impressed the Basileus." Phillipos said, draining his up of wine
"Yes, my friend, it would seem that I have. I just hope i can repay the trust he has shown in me by leading the men well." Replied the Makedon.
"You'll do fine my boy...."