Stories Thread

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Stories of the Ptolemaioi

This thread is for all in-character stories, except for Battle Reports, which have their own thread. Any post in this thread which is not an IC story will be moved or deleted.

Note: If your story involves interaction with another player's avatar or otherwise intrudes into an IC area that another player would be expected to have creative control over, you must get the permission of that player before posting your story.

[johnhughthom]

Leontiskos grumbles to Apollonios as he surveyed the army sent south from Sidon.

"Look at them, all higgledy piggledy and jumbled up. Gah, I hate my army being in disorder, I came up here to assemble them for marching and find this motley crew. I'll wait until next season, until we are actually ready to move south, then combine the two forces, in a nice, neat, orderly fashion. Like a real army. Flaming Chancellor, no wonder the homeland kicked him out, messing up my army like that..."

The scribe raised his eyebrows and smiled at the childish complaining.

"I think a bigger concern should be your brother."

"Why, I know he annoyed our uncle at court, but surely he knows Alexandros' ways by now? He would hardly punish him for that?"

"No, his request to come with you. It would leave Hierosylma ungoverned and ungarrisoned, as you like to keep reminding Alexandros, those Jews are rather unruly. My main concern, though, is that both of you fighting in the same army is dangerous, you are all that remains of your father's line, except your sister and daughter. If you were to perish the Thraikikos name would perish with you."

"So you think I'm going to lose, nice."

Apollonios shook his head with a rueful smile.

"That's not what I said and you know it. Fine, if you don't want to talk about it, we won't. If the worst happens I'll remind you of this conversation."

Leontiskos rolled his eyes.

"Yes my dear friend, when I'm dead and face down in the sand, you being right will haunt me."

"There are all sorts of hells, perhaps yours will be me crowing over being right for all eternity."

Another roll of the eyes.

"Yeah, whatever. Where did you say that brothel was?"

Alexandros jumped off his horse, his brow and back damp with sweat and sticky with the dust that was so common in these parts. He handed the reigns to some youth and hastily signaled for a pitcher of water. A numidan slave brought it, her heavy bosom exposed under the thin linen tunic she wore.

"Helles has green pastures and gentle springs, yet we must trudge trough the harsh sun and endless sand. - Alexandros's face was tanned from two days worth of riding in the sun, and his white teeth made his smile more prominent because of that. - So, Apollonios fears for our bloodline? Perhaps I'll have to sire a child whilst on the march brother. To be safe, if anything." Alexandros laughed and took a swig out of the clay pitcher, then offered it to his brother.

Leontiskos looks at his older brother,

"Sire a child? Pfft, you wish. I saw you watching the dogs the other day, if you want to learn how it's done come with me to that brothel. I'd hate for you to spend your life thinking there's only one way to do it. Though if you got stuck with an ugly wife that might be for the best.

Anyway, I think you should probably ask the Basileus for permission to go with me to Paraitonion. I don't think you technically need to, but you annoyed him in Council and if you are going to leave those Jews unguarded you had best have his blessing. If they rebel and you're halfway across the Kingdom fathering a child will be the least of your worries. You know how cranky uncie Phil can get, send some wine with it or something."

"He does not respect me as the governor of Hierosolyma and did not wish to grant me these armies which now you lead, instead stomping his foot like a stubborn child and yelling - MINE!" Alexandros replied as he examined his spear and sword. "I also proposed to leave a unit of Toxotai in the town to prevent unrest. But my edict was overruled, so let him worry about it. It's all HIS anyway, right? I go where I please, and I please to be alongside my brother in battle. Also, I've never had to pay for it brother. But how would you know, you got yourself ensnared in marriage at such a young age, you're bound to have missed out on the fun I've had!"

Apollonios goggled at the elder Thraikikos, then looked at Leontiskos with wide eyes.

"Don't worry my friend, Alexandros is well aware that his comments will get back to the Basileus. I haven't quite decided whether he wants to lose his head or has this strange idea that such comments will make uncie Phil respect him more for being brave enough to speak his mind. My uncle knows well Alexandros doesn't speak for me, or my friends."

He looks at his brother.

"Your comments don't really make any sense, he acted like a selfish child in not giving you the army, then gave it to me? We have had to disband units across the Kingdom, we are in a perilous financial situation, which is why we need to end the Seleucid naval dominance and bring Paraitonion back under our control. That's why new men in Hierosolyma were not approved. A firm hand in Judaea would be of great help to the Kingdom, I've already told you my opinion on that though and won't stress the point. Your edict wasn't overruled, if you took our uncles vote out you still would have lost, even I voted against it!"

He sighed, and placed a hand on Alexandros' shoulder.

"You see what you do to me? I'm supposed to be the irresponsible younger brother, and here I am counselling you. Wisely I might add. Let's go train some of these guys, I've heard the local spearmen are quite handy, time to see what they're made of."

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

OOC: Can we rename this thread The Thraikikos Family Thread?

"When the Basileus speaks, others follow. Each with their own reason, but they do. My edict made sense but an outburst from our ruler ensures few would support it. I proposed we only use the garrisons, as you are doing now. But to march them North and take the poorly defended Seleukid settlements, the ones who are within two days march from here. Take note of our spy reports when you have the chance. Not to mention that marching two armies side by side is safer, should the garrison of Damaskos decide to sally and cut us off. But it is too late for that. Now he shall have to wait for the Heir's army to come, and also pray that none of the scum in Africa decide to set their gaze upon Alexandreia.

I have no doubt uncle has eyes and ears everywhere. He also knows that men who speak their mind openly do not resort to conspiracy. He has little to fear from me as I still serve him and the realm to the best of my ability. And I genuinely think that aiding this army and yourself in battle is a better use for me and my retainers than governing Hierosolyma.

Though I think marriage has made you a bit meek brother, if you find it necessary to separate yourself from my words as if you were avoiding a leper. Fear not for your position, and let us get on with the training of these men. I think the sun might have made them lazy and lax."

[johnhughthom]

The desert sands whipped about Leontiskos' face as he looked toward the mountains far to the south. To his north, east and west was nothing but rock and sand. He looked around a Apollonios cam up behind him.

"So, you're determined to go ahead with it?"

"Would you have me go back and sit in that hovel on the coast? I'll leave that to my brother."

Apollonios took a scroll from his cloak.

"Perhaps this might change your mind."

Leontiskos' expression does not change as he reads the scroll.

"You think I should go back and second this call for an emergency session? So that I might be given command of the heir's army again. You're a smart man Apollonios, you don't have the heart of a soldier though. I have fought with these men, more than a hundred died under my command, I am not going to abandon the rest for a command I've already turned down in the past. Let the likes of Bothos scramble for the Basileus' favour. I aim to follow Megas Alexandros."

"What of the heir's army then, I'm sure your voice will be needed at Council."

"When we sink the Seleukid navy I'll support Alexandros to take command and sail north, assuming Eurgetes doesn't recover in time to take command."

[Myth]

Alexandros had left for the capital on the swiftest horse he could find. His younger brother found an exquisite iron knife in an encrusted leather scabbard and a note, left on his bed. "A gift to commemorate your victory yesterday brother! Keep safe, until we meet again. Signed: Alexandros"

[Ashurnasirpal II]

King Meleager – Part I

The city was wracked with a living terror. Soldiers were barking orders, women screamed and children cried. Everyone was running in some frenzied desperation, rats abandoning a sinking ship. Rumors had been trickling from the frontlines for the latter part of the day that the fighting against the barbarians had gone bad, that something terrible had occurred on the frontlines. Whispers of calamity had circulated all night.

Then they had arrived.

At first in smalls groups, no more than a few dozen people. And then more. And more. And more. Refugees from all of northern Macedon. They were rolling in by the hundreds carrying their every possession, weak, haggard, tales of howling savages spreading like wildfire. By the mid-day, the capital had become a cacophonous wreck, an upturned anthill of fear and confusion. There were street fights between Macedonians and Thracians, Illyrians and Greeks. Looters ran unchecked while a few hot-headed nobles tried to rally their tribes to march upon the invaders.

The news eventually reached the royal palace that the King had died. Ptolemy ‘the Thunderbolt’ had been massacred by the Celts. The panic-stricken population was already too hysterical to care, yet Queen Arsinoe spared a smile upon learning the fate of her hated husband and half-brother. The daughter of Ptolemy Soter hadn’t married out of love. She was daughter of royalty and twice Queen of Macedon and Thrace. Her time at the Alexandrian court of her father had made her wits as keen as a razor’s edge and her soul just as cold. Watching her erstwhile husband’s kingdom fall into anarchy from her palace window, Arsinoe’s allowed her facade to relax. There was only one obstacle left between her and true power, only one blubbering fool.

Amid the chaos and confusion a cry resonated somewhere in the palace courtyard:

“The King lives! All hail Meleager King! All hail Meleager King!”

Few returned the call.

The Queen laughed. It was a cold and cruel laugh, drowned in the cries of a dying city.

[johnhughthom]

It was small by Memphis or Alexandrian standards, but Leontiskos' abode was by far the largest in the small town by the oasis. He lay abed, sweating in the heat, just now recovering from the illness that had claimed him after taking to town.

"Apollonios, what news of my army?"

"They have left, the Basileus ordered them back when the locals declared you King."

"Damn him, does my uncle have no patience? My brother has not answered my letters, I'm expected to take the region alone?"

He saw the expression on Apollonios' face.

"What, what aren't you telling me?"

"You'll be lucky to hold onto Ammonion, never mind conquer more. There is a large army to the south, we don't know who they are and our scouts haven't been able to get close. The town has no walls, they could attack at any minute."

Leontiskos tried to get out of bed, then lay back, groaning.

"Let's hope they give me time to fully recover before attacking."