EMPIRE: Song of Peace and War

[seleucid empire]

Chapter 15: The Twin Thrones
Spring 249 BC Antioch



"Our Stepmother is up to something, I know it." muttered Seleucus Kallinikos, prince of Syria and heir to the Empire
"That much is clear already, but what goals and how she plans to achieve them are still a mystery." replied Megasthenes, his younger brother.
"Berenice is gaining too much power. Grand Chancellor Oxatanies seems to be her new ally in whatever she is planning"
"I hear rumours that the Grand Chancellor is always present in the queens council chambers...as well as her bed chambers."

Seleucus reeled back,as if struck. "By the Gods! This insult to our father must be dealt with. I will go to the commander of the silver shields tomorrow and.."
"No, we do not have any proof. No man or woman can ever be convicted based on the testimony of a spy, especially not the queen."
"A spy?"
"Yes one of mine. Don't you remember? It has always been my wish to rise to the top of the Sphere of Shadow but father has remained adamant that I do not join them. He said something about 'princes needing to work in the light and not behind cloaks and daggers' which I find rather ironic since he uses the services of the Shadow Battalion frequently and he had no objections when our uncle Prince Sarpedon assumed control of it. I have followed father's wishes but I have nonetheless employed a few agents of my own."
"Ahh yes, you wanted the Throne of Shadow." replied Sarpedon, thoughts rushing through his head.

The Throne of Shadow, the highest seat of the Sphere of Shadow, the Empire's vast net of spies, agents and assassins which spread not just across the empire, but across the entire length of the known world. The men and women who served the Sphere were known collectively as the Shadow Battalion. The Throne of Shadows was a power that rivalled that of the Emperor himself and that made the current Shadow Lord, Sarpedon, the second most, if not the most powerful man in the empire. He was certainly the most feared and dangerous. The Sphere controlled the House of Cloaks, The House of Death, The House of Twilight and the House of Silk. The House of Cloaks were the imperial spies which provided valuable information to the Shadow Lord, who in turn passed it onto the King. The House of Death was the host of imperial assassins and they were more often successful against their target than not. The affairs of the House of Twilight was a mystery that only the Lord of Shadows knew. It was rumoured that they dealt with the supernatural although many who believed such a rumour also believed that the House of Twilight was filled with superstitious fools wasting the Sphere's time and resources. The House of Silk, despite its deceptive name was the most frightening and terror inducing sector of the Sphere. A mere whisper of its name would cause utter panic and fear because whenever their name came up, a trail of death would follow. It was no wonder that Megasthenes wanted to be the Lord of Shadows. He had always been subtle and cunning in that way, more like their uncles than their father.

"We should send a message to our father and uncle Sarpedon."
"Nah, there is no need. This may be a recent event but no doubt Sarpedon's spies are already on their way to bring him a message. He has placed many of his best in Antioch. He always called it the Viper's nest."
"Then we should send a message to our mother Laodice in Ephesus and warn her. If my worst suspicions are correct, then we may be dead very soon and then the queen will come after her."
"We must also escape now, before she makes her move."
"Nay, it is not the right time yet..."