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."
"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."
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