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."