Western Mikra Asia

"See, Polymarches? Everything is going well, just how I told you. The siege of Byzantion was over fast, and now we're going east, to aid the new Kleronomos in the management of his satrapy and possibly even interfere in the war between those Parni barbaroi and Baktrians, should orders come. And I sincerely hope they do." Mikithion bit his lip silently after muttering these last words. As a true Hellene through and through, he couldn't stand the thought of some barbaroi from the steppes daring to threaten a Hellenic civilization with extinction.

Polymarches yawned. Even this iron man felt exhausted after travelling an entire day, just after battle no less. At least he knew he would sleep well, and that was at least partially due to the fact Mikithion seemed to have finally secured a position in the Arche, and not as the laziest of all Strategoi.

"But didn't you intend to free Athenai?" The spear carrier inquired, rubbing his eyes.

Mikithion looked back, beyond his bodyguards that strolled after the three figures (Lisymakes was also with the duo, however the herbalist was nearly asleep and didn't partake in their conversation), towards where he knew lay the coast of Ionia, the island of Mytilene, the Aigai, and beyond it, the shores of Mother Hellas and his mother city, Athenai.

"Yes, I did... However Athenai is not threatened to be wiped out by barbaroi. We must make sacrifices, but not enormous ones. Baktria could very well be a sacrifice of my sentimentality if no one else decides to march to its aid and the Hellenes there cannot hold against the flood of the Parni. I trust that if Athenai is taken by one of our Strategoi, many will go against the sacking of such an ancient city, one of the craddles of Hellenic civilization."

Doubt crept over his brow, however the Hellene shook his head and focused his mind on the duties ahead instead of what may befall his home in his absence. True, the Arche was better than the Ptolemaioi, but just how much he didn't yet know. He was a relative newcommer to the big stage, and although he heard rumors both in Athenai and Antiocheia, they could barely be trusted to be thruthful, comming through the Ptolemaioi navy in one place and the Arche's garisson in the other.