EMPIRE: Song of Peace and War

[seleucid empire]

Chapter 22: The Ghosts of Green-Shade Hall
Summer 248 BC Elymais, Green-Shade Hall, the Seat of Archimenes

As Mardonious passed through the gates of Green-Shade Hall, a feeling of desolation overcame him. The fortress had witnessed so much death and horror within it's walls that the black stones themselves cried out. No wonder Archimenes had moved his wife to Antioch. Even the pissed-stained walls of the capital were preferable to this place of death.

"Archimenes...What happened here? Why do the spirits of the dead hang over this place?"
"It is said..that Green-shade Hall was once a place of beauty and abundance and was called the Green Palace. A Persian Nobleman owned these estates and his servants and people loved him. All of that changed when Xerxes ascended the throne of the Persian empire, the same accursed Xerxes who invaded Greece with a host of millions. Xerxes took away the nobleman's son for the war. The son was killed in the battle of Thermopylae and when the Nobleman heard, he went mad with grief. He lured all of his subjects into the hall for a feast...and then set fire to the place with them inside…"

Mardonious took this in silently. Finally, he asked, “What happened to the nobleman?”
“He locked himself inside the hall with his people. He also died in the flames.”

On the main steps, a group had gathered to greet the entourage. In the front was an old man, his beard white with age. He stepped forward and spoke with a crooked smile on his face.
“So, the boy who set out all those years ago, returns as a man to claim what is his.”
“Hello Aristomes. I see old age has not made you any less poetic,” growled Archimenes.
The old steward chuckled. “So my Lord, have you truly come to reside over us or does your visit have another purpose.”
“I am afraid it is the latter, and one that may cost my people dearly.”
“Ahh I see now, you bring a large armed host with you. You mean to bring war to your own lands.”
“I have 300 members of the black guard infantry with me. Behind us are 1 000 Galatian mercenaries which were stationed in the Black Citadel. Further still, are the forces of Lord Vanara, come to kill me.”
“I see. You mean to set a trap for this Vanara. Hiding your galatians in the countryside and then using them to sweep behind his forces while they are attacking Green-Shade Hall.
“One day Aristomes, you will have to tell me something of your history. You have always surprised me with your knowledge of warfare.”
"Some day I will" he replied, then his face became serious. “My Lord, although we have not seen you in 20 years, we are still your loyal subjects. We will stand by you and not betray you. You have sent us many gifts from your campaigns and we have used the gold to expand our trades and flourish. There is not a county in a hundred leagues as prosperous.”
“That may change; no doubt Vanara will loot the land around us if we do not manage to defeat him quickly.”
“I see, well you had better be ready by the time he arrives…”