EMPIRE: Song of Peace and War

[seleucid empire]

Chapter 6: A Forked Road
Autumn 249 BC, Seleukeia

Mardonious and Helioketes were deep in conversation when the door opened. Archimenes came in and behind him was another man. He was of the same stature as Archimenes and wore a full suit of shining armour. Mardonious looked at the man, his gaze resting on the stranger's helmet: A helmet with a black plume. A another member of the Black guard.

"This is my comrade Hector. He came here to find me as I told him where we were hiding in my letter" said Archimenes, introducing the man.
"Alexandros has sent me to deliver a royal pardon to you and to give a second letter to Lord Vanara ordering him to stop with his chase." said Hector.
"That is good news, however, you know as well as I do that Vanara will not be stopped." replied Mardonious
"He will not be allowed to use the men or resources of his Satrapy to continue the chase and if his men are caught, he will be punished for defying a royal decree." argued Hector.
"Yes, but that man is capable of anything. He may not be able to use the army any more but he has plenty of servants of his own."
"I am no fool. I will not reveal myself to him, but at least I will not be hunted by the guards of every city any more." replied Archimenes
"There is one more piece of news. Lord Artabazanes is raising an army in nearby Babylon. He intends to crush Philetairo's rebellion and head north to displace Herakleidies Atarneou."
"Displace him?" asked Helioketes in sudden interest
"Yes, the King believes that Herakleidies Atarneou purposely led the legion of the north to destruction ten years ago and replaced them with his own men so he could gain absolute control of the north."
"What?!" exclaimed Helioketes, his face twisting into an expression of pure rage. He got up and flipped over the table.
"Calm yourself!" shouted Mardonious
"My brothers died for his petty schemes. I will not rest until that man burns! Mardonious, I know I agreed to accompany you in your ventures but I must finish this before I can join you. I will go to Babylon and enlist."
"I understand. This is something you must do and I will not stop you." replied Mardonious.

An hour later, Helioketes had said his farewells to the three men and left.

"Mardonious, I will stay with you. I have a debt to you now that can never be repaid" said Archimenes.
"You owe me nothing, but I would like you to join me. That offer is still open if you choose to take it"
"Where will you begin your venture?"
"Well, I will need to return to Antioch first and find the money lender before I can begin. I may have already lost my opportunity if he has changed his mind. We have been gone for a year."
"That will not be a problem. Hector has brought the spoils I have claimed on my campaigns here with him. I will help you begin your trade"
"I don't think your spoils will be enough"

Archimenes began to chuckle, puzzling Mardonious

"Come with us," he said,"I want to show you something"

The three men made their way to the Agora. They arrived at a ring of wagons guarded by no less than 8 members of the black guard. Mardonious looked inside and his jaw dropped. Each of the wagons were filled to the top with gold pieces and statuettes.

Seeing Mardonious' expression, Archimenes said,"These are the spoils of a thousand cities. There is enough for me to fund your venture and still be one of the empires' richest men."
"I see, well then we can begin."
"Where will we go?"
"Arabia."
"Arabia? Why there?"
"Because only in Arabia are we on the offensive. In the west and north, we are holding our ground against the Romans and Sarmatians. In Arabia, we are on the offensive, sacking and enslaving their cities. I will be able to find an inexhaustible source cheap slaves there. We will go in a week and go south to join general Seron Kydnikes of Antiocheia who is camped with a huge army in the desert of M'ain right now. We should be able to catch up to his army by the time he reaches the Sabaen cities."

Hector turned to Archimenes and handed him the parchment with his pardon written on it.
"My friend, I must continue with my mission now. My men and I will go to Sidon and deliver the King's orders to Vanara. Then I will go back to Baktra, claim my spoils and return to Susa to live the rest of my days."
"Farewell my friend, may Hermes keep you safe on your journey."
Archimenes then said his farewells to the other 8 Black Guards in turn.

As Hector and the other companions rode off, Mardonious had a feeling that Archimenes would never see these men alive again. He kept these thoughts to himself..