Hellas
Chapter Two

Agathon's column of Pezhetairoi bodyguards came to a disciplined halt at the edge of the gathering crowd. Judging by the uncanny silence of the commoners, the Makedonian representative had arrived. In the distance, on the famous elevated marble steps of Athenai, Agathon could see a line of Makedonian soldiers shimmering in the Hellenic sun. Hypaspistai, no doubt. Their presence confirmed the arrivial of the Makedonian representative.

As if to answer to the crowd's eagerness, a bronze horn blew a monotonous tone, signaling the entrance of this unknown representative. In tandem with the horn, a man of grand stature entered the crowded city center. He was outfitted in the marvelous armour of a true Hellenic strategos.

"I, Andronikos of Pella, am here to represent the true Diadokhoi king Antigonos of Makedonia, and therefore I will declare his decree;"

The crowd stared at Andronikos with extreme apprehension.

" 'Those caught supporting the natural enemies of Hellas, the foreign Diadokhoi, will be mortally punished without question.' Antigonos has spoken!"

In response, a death-like stillness swept over the commoners, accompanied by a few mournful weeps. Andronikos and the Hypaspistai approached the edge of the crowd, at which the same time the commoners parted in fear. Andronikos threw Agathon and his Pezhetairoi a baleful gaze, then quickly recovered with a look of false family compassion.

Andronikos approached Agathon with wavering confidence.

"Hello, uncle."


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It was midday by the time Agathon, accompanied by his uncle and his entourage, arrived at the Makedonian command post of Athenai. From where Agathon was standing, a massive force had gathered, radiating from the central command post tent, which he predicted belonged to his uncle and his tacticians. He was, after all, the principal strategos of the Makedonian forces.

"My nephew, you are witnessing the single-most world altering moment of our time, on a scale grand enough to challenge the conquests of Megas Alexandros himself."

Agathon gave his uncle a quizzical glance.

"Follow me to my tent; everything will be explained in time."

Inside the central command tent stood groups of tense men; some analyzing immense leather maps, others cataloging entries from unit commanders. All amounting to the feeling that the size of the Makedonian forces was greater than one man could imagine.

"Our King, Antigonos, has been planning this war for decades, and now he insists that only the intellectually esteemed will have command of his forces. Of course, with the exception of veterans such as myself. But you, my nephew, is what our King seeks....."

"As you may recall, you have been brought here for your.....remarkable... tactical abilities. Since you have yet to command men on a true battlefield, I will not be promoting you so hastily as our King suggested. Instead, I will have you prove your worth as a Pezhetairoi unit leader....in fact, those bodyguards you brought with you will be apart of your unit. Let me see..."

Andronikos shuffled through heaps of weathered parchment;

"Ah, you are to command my former veterans, the Crimson Spears. I suggest you get familiar with your men before our force mobilizes. You may also want to refresh yourself with phalanx tactics.....that is all."

"But uncle, how am I to practice if I do not know my enemy?"

Andronikos looked up from his makeshift desk with a demeaning stare;

"Agathon, have you no ears? We are to reclaim the land conquered by Megas Alexandros from the foreign Diadokhoi; the vile dogs of Baktra, Seleukeia and Aigyptos are our enemies."


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