Sons of Elissa

[Blxz]

I am not usually one for big wordy AAR's but that was a damn fine read. I really hope you keep it in the chapter style you seem to be doing here; a chapter for each character. Its much easier to follow because honestly these names mean very little to me; your presentation has made them come to life though.

[Tanit]

Warning, contains harsh language, not suitable for children.


Sons of Elissa

Chapter 1

A Time for War:
Part I: The East


Fall, 190 BC

Abydos Rusucuru: Mikra Skythia

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Abydos couldn't remember a more hectic morning than the one he had just gone through, he thought as he glanced at the roll of papyrus clutched in his right hand. He had been woken in his cabin by a scout telling him that Intraphrenes had marched through the night and was no more than a few miles from the delta. More than that, Intraphrenes had sent an advance party ahead that had slipped past Abydos' scouts and was all the way to the Thracian Chersonese by now.

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It was a bold move, Intraphrenes was making strait for Abydos and his fleet. He knew that if he could take the ships he could be home and saving his sons in Amaseia within the month, while if he continued to march by land, harassed by Abydos, he may never make it home in time.

Intraphrenes had a large contingent of Pontic heavy cavalry, headed by some of the best generals Asia had to offer, the cream of Pontic nobility. There was Hystaspis, Artabazos, Gobryas and the renowned Mithridates Kianos, a veteran of many battles. Abydos' own cavalry was equally numerous, but it was largely made up of untested Skythians who had been allowed to settle around Chersonesos.

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With the Pontic King only a few miles out, and the sea to their backs, there was little choice but to move to face Intraphrenes in battle. Certainly Abydos could have run away, but it was contrary to his orders, and he would never live it down.

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The battle deployment had been simple, The core of Abydos' line was comprised of hoplites and Getian mercenaries. They faced a sizeable Phalanx contingent on the Pontic side. Supporting the heavy infantry were Chersonese levies on the left, and Skythian light infantry on the right, and of course a wide variety of skirmishers and archers ranging ahead of the infantry. The right flank was where Abydos placed his Skythian cavalry, all four thousand of them. The left flank was composed of the Qarthadastim cavalry accompanying Abydos, only around five hundred strong.

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The battle plan was simple. Engage, try to win through on the flanks and surround the enemy. Abydos himself was no soldier, he was a philosopher, a scholar, a man of books and rhetoric. Yet he was also a nobleman, and things were expected of noblemen.

Never had Abydos expected the battle to go so well, the Skythians routed an almost equal number of heavy cavalry from the field and slew both the mighty Mithridates and the King, Intraphrenes. Artabazos was pulled from his saddle as he fled the battle. Only Histaspes and a little over three hundred of the once five thousand strong Pontic cavalry had survived.

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Abydos' own Qarthadastim cavalry has suffered terrible losses in the battle, which was how he found himself here. Histaspis and three hundred fifty Pontic nobles sat, guarded, on the ground before him. It was time to address them.

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“Your King is dead.” The words were blunt, but they were deep inside Getic territory and they needed to move soon. “And I have just received word,” Abydos held up the piece of papyrus clutched in his hand, “That his son, Asklepiodoros, died trying to break the siege of Amaseia.”

In truth all three sons had died that day according to the letter from Nikaia. Bodashtart Tunis and Theopropides had been attacked by a force of five hundred Pontic cavalrymen under Alkimos Kianos, a foolish act of desperation, and they had sent their full three thousand Galatian cavalry under Bodashtart to throw them back. Asklepiodoros had seized the opportunity to attempt a sally from Amaseia, and charged the infantry under Theopropides. He had broken through on his right flank, and the left was giving way, when Bodashtart reappeared with the cavalry and rode down the majority of the Pontic army. A handful of survivors had made it back to Amaseia, but the city would likely not last long now.

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“Your army is gone, your capitol will fall, and where will you be then?” There were gaps in Abydos' bodyguards that needed to be filled. “Will you be outlaws? Running from one Getic town to the next? Taking to the Steppe perhaps? I doubt it. You have seen first hand today what Getians and Skythians are capable of.”

The persona of barbarism wasn't really what his men deserved, but it was an edge in getting through to these men. “If you come with me, of your own accord, and swear an oath of loyalty, I will take you home. From there, you will have a choice, to retire to your estates, and live out peaceful lives under the protection of Kart-Hadast, or to stay with me, and have a shot at glory, have a shot at something more than you have ever been offered before.”

There was a stirring among the captives. They weren't convinced yet, but they were listening. “I will take you to lands of riches, to gold, and incense and precious jewels. You will be gods among men.” Could he fulfil any of his promises? He hoped so. With the Ptolemaioi destroyed and the Seleukids pushed back into Mesopotamia, Chrysippos figured war the Sab'yn empire of Arabia was only a matter of time. Likewise, once Pontus fell there was a good chance Hayasdan would declare war. And if neither of those scenarios came true, there was always the east, pursuing the damned Seleukids until they had nowhere to run. Oh yes, the world was a big place, and glory was to be found in so many places, even for a man more comfortable with books than swords.

Had not Eumenes, little Eumenes, Alexander Megas' scribe and then Companion, proved that much so many years ago? Eumenes had been nothing when he started, yet for a time he had been regent of the empire, with power to disburse funds as he liked, command of the Silver Shields and general of Asia.

“So what do you say? Will you stay here? Forgotten and forsaken in a cold and miserable land. Or will you ride with me?”

Three hundred and fifty men rose to their knees, placed hand on heart, and swore to Abydos Rusucuru, the little scribe from Mastia.

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Briareus Berenice: Syria

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The men were getting unruly. Briareus had been marching them hard to make up for the time he lost when he was taken ill. They were a days ride past Antiocheia now and catching up on Xenophanes Gades, but word had it that Barca had left Palmyra and was well into Mesopotamia by now.

In all respects Briareus was an unremarkable man. He was not well educated, he was not quick or witty, charismatic or well liked, not even particularly fit. If not for his uncle, Briareus would be no one. Yet now it seemed the fate of a dynasty had landed in his lap.

Old Agrippa, a Roman retainer who had been attached to his father, was now Briareus' chief adviser. The man would never shut up about how much Briareus needed to become famous, how much Briareus needed to hold up his family's legacy, how much Briareus needed to take a shit.

The man infuriated him to no end, always lording over him like a child, even though he was twenty-eight, and all because Agrippa had been through Albion with Germelqart. As if somehow being a soldier through one campaign made him so much better than everyone else.

Yet it was old Agrippa, or become a pawn in someone else's game. Briareus may not have been that bright, but he understood that much. Agrippa's weight with the rank and file was all that held the green army together, and without the army, Briareus could be used as a figurehead by someone else, the Xenophanes, old man Bomilkar, or his cousin, Ramona. As figurehead he would only stay alive so long as they needed him, then he would be tossed aside.

There was a time when Briareus didn't want much out of the world, just to eat, sleep, fuck and go about his business. But things had changed now. The other generals in the Asian force would never forget who Briareus had been related to, neither would Ramona or Bomilkar. The only way to survive now was to beat them at their own game, and win the glory they all aspired to.

Agrippa entered the tent in a hurry, the morning sun blazing around him like an aura. The man was harder than anyone else Briareus had ever known. Even at seventy-three he was muscled, lean and quick. He could take any five, no, any ten of the best swords in the army and come out on top. His angular jaw and the scar that ran from cheek to jowl made other men look away and made enemies flee before him on the battlefield, or so the stories said, Briareus had yet to see it himself.

Walking over to Briareus' desk, his every movement emphasizing how deadly and confident he was, Agrippa laid a papyrus scroll on the desk and stood back with a smile that made Briareus want to shudder. Unrolling the sheet, Briareus read the message. It was short and to the point, a letter from the independent king of Sidon, Abydos Corduba, explaining that his kingdom was under attack by the armies of Sab'yn.

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So why was Agrippa smiling? “Tell me Agrippa, how is this good news?” Briareus asked with scorn in his voice.

Agrippa didn't take kindly to that, but then Briareus had not meant to be kind. The old man scowled at him and leaned forward, placing his hands on the desk, his face even more menacing this close, “Don't get short with me boy. I've gutted men twice your size who had more balls and brains than you'll ever get.”

The veteran took a moment to calm himself before continuing, “Now pay attention boy, this attack on one of our allies can't be ignored, and yours is the closest army at hand. The other idiots are rushing off to seize Babylon, but they'll get stuck there I'm sure. The Seleukids must know this is coming by now, they have to. And once our armies hold Babylon, they'll have to keep holding it.

'But if you answer this summons from Sidon and save them from those Arabian bastards, you'll be a genuine hero. Abydos Corduba will give you his full backing politically. And if you take it one step further, annihilate the whole fucking peninsula, just like you're uncle did in Albion, then the politicians will kiss your feet, the crowds will cheer your name and the whores will refuse your coin.”

Agrippa paused and stared straight into Briareus' eyes, Briareus could have sworn those eyes were boring right through him, stripping away his skin to see straight into his soul.

“So how does that sound to you boy?”

“I'm not a boy.” Briareus had had enough of being bullied, of being told what he may or may not do by an indecent, cantankerous, foul-mouthed old goat of a soldier.

The old soldier actually looked taken aback for a moment, or perhaps it was only wishful thinking. That moment passed and Agrippa's vicious smile appeared again. “There's fire in your voice. That's good, you'll need it.” Agrippa leaned in closer than before, his face inches from Briareus'. When he spoke his voice was low, little more than a whisper, “When you kill a man for the first time, when you see the life drain from his eyes, feel the warmth go out of his flesh. When you see the blood on your hands and know for the first time what that's like . . .” He stopped, stood up and stepped back, “Then you'll be a man.”

Agrippa turned to go and halted just before the tent flaps, “We're going south, have that slave of yours pack your things.”

With that Agrippa was gone and Briareus collapsed back into his chair, completely drained. It was going to be a hard march south and then men weren't going to like it. Briareus knew how they felt.

Xenophanes Barca: Mesopotamia

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Horns blared in the early morning air as Elissa, Barca's black Iberian steed, tossed her head and danced a little, spouts of dust rising into the air as her hooves hit the dry sand. Across the field, gleaming in the harsh desert sun, sat the Seleukid army, arrayed in all its glory.

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Xenophanes had been in the middle of crossing the Euphrates on his march for Babylon when his scouts reported that the Seleukid army had gotten round behind them, coming out of the desert where no one expected them to be. But their commander had fouled his plan. Without enough water and supplies to last them through the march, the army had been forced to stop at an oasis to resupply. They had lost their momentum and the element of surprise, now Xenophanes was going to make them pay for it.

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Other horses whinnied and danced around Xenophanes, fifteen hundred Phoenician and Latin cavalry. Around him were heroes of the Anatolian campaign, men who had saved his life countless times during the first battles with the Seleukids. There was Oudysseos the Thessalian, Metrodorus the Thracian and Diogenes the Ionian.

Xenophanes knew that Timasion, the Campanian oaf who had come to Anatolia with Germelqart, was on the other flank with a full two thousand Campanian and Latin cavalry. Timasion was generally useless, but his connection to the old king made him a valuable tool and piece of propaganda.

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With any luck this battle would be the beginning of a glorious entry into Babylon. Like Alexander before before him, Xenophanes would march into the city and become more famous than his father or even his grandfather Himilcar. It wasn't Gaugamela, but then Gaugamela had been of little note before Alexander won his great victory there. Perhaps one day men would speak of this battle and of Xenophanes just as they now did of Alexander and Gaugamela.

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The enemy were closing and the time had come for the battle. Words had been spoken, orders had been given and the battle was about to commence. Xenophanes made a quick prayer to Melqart, that he might have strength this day, that his enemies might flee before him. With a final check of his sword, Xenophanes raised his lance and spurred Elissa forward.

Fifteen hundred cavalry followed him forward. Like a flock of birds, coordinated, of one mind and one purpose, the cavalry increased their speed. The enemy was coming into view now, a flank comprised of mercenaries from Galatia and Kappadokia. The cavalrymen lowered their lances as one, the horn blast echoing over the plains above the thunder of hooves.

The distance closed and Xenophanes aimed at his first target, an ugly Kappadokian screaming and waving an axe above his head. The lance plunged into the man's chest, a fountain of blood erupting out of him. The lance was let go as the Kappadokian's dead weight carried it to the ground. Xenophanes pulled out his kopis and prepared to lay into the enemy when he saw them routing before him.

This was going to be an easy battle.

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Theodekles the Killer: Sophene: Karkathiokerta

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The manner hall where Theodekles was being entertained was an impressive one to be sure, but nothing like the hall back in Sidon. This place had only recently come under Qarthadastim control and had not yet been upgraded to the standards that befitted such.

Across the table sat Bodashtart Phameas, an arrogant Qarthadastim general. “Why won't you do it?” Phameas asked. They had been discussing the same subject for some time now, but Bodashtart Phameas refused to give up.

“I have told you before,” Theodekles continued, “I am not a spy to go snooping about for you. I am a soldier. I fought on the walls of Sidon with Abydos Corduba to repel Menestheus and I marched with Abdeshmun to capture Damaskos, the last Ptolemaic stronghold in the north.”

Theodekles sniffed, “Besides, I am not sworn to obey any Qarthadastim, only my king in Sidon.”

“And who do you think payed for your king's little rebellion? Or helped him pay for his armies and his public works? And who was it that fought to get the Ptolemaioi off your back, spilling our blood for your freedom?” Phameas was looking at Theodekles intently, the rhetorical questions hanging ominously in the air.

“Its not like I'm asking much of you,” Phameas continued, sitting back in his plush chair, “I just want you to take a little trip, travel through the Hayasdan lands and then come back. All you have to do is look, and then tell me what you see.”

A servant came over and handed a cup of wine to the general. He accepted it, his fifth since the meeting started, and proceeded to take a very long drink. When he stopped the mug was empty and he was sighing with satisfaction. Placing the mug back on the tray, he proceeded to slap the serving girl's ass before returning to the conversation.

“Now where was I?” The question was once again rhetorical, Phameas was a sharp man, even if he drank too much, “Ah yes, my cousin Xenophanes, the Barcid one,” he made the correction as if it needed to be said, but Theodekles was not ignorant, he knew who was related to who, “Is entering hostile lands to the south even as we speak, and I just want to make sure the north stays safe. There have been a lot of Hayasdan spies swarming about lately, and yes they are spies, not just traders and dignitaries,” Theodekles raised an eyebrow at the man's need to defend his opinion about the spies, “and I want to know what they are up to down here.”

“Perhaps they are doing exactly what you are sending me to do?”

That comment produced a stream of laughter out of Phameas. When he could finally breath again he rose from his seat and motioned for Theodekles to rise as well as he came over. Clapping a hand on Theodekles' back, Phameas produced a coin purse from his robes, “I knew you were the right man for the job Theodekles. Now you shouldn't be gone for long, and this coin should more than keep you while you're away.” Phameas began to walk away, not allowing Theodekles to object again, “And you'll get the rest when you return.”

***

It was getting dark as Theodekles began taking the road out of Karkathiokerta. He was not more than two miles out of town when he spotted a shape lying on the side of the road. Rushing over to the prone form, Theodekles began to check him out. The man was Asian, clearly, and he looked like he had taken a bad fall. Theodekles took out his water bag and splashed some on the man's face.

The man awoke with a start and glanced about him warily. “Its alright, my name is Theodekles. Who are you, and how did you get here?”

“My name is Hayk of Manavazian,” The man said, Theodekles grunted as he felt something pierce his side and slip between his ribs, “And I came here to kill you.”

Theodekles' body toppled to the side of the road as Hayk stood up, brushed himself off, and began walking to Karkathiokerta, humming a childhood tune as he went.

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[Tanit]

I am not usually one for big wordy AAR's but that was a damn fine read. I really hope you keep it in the chapter style you seem to be doing here; a chapter for each character. Its much easier to follow because honestly these names mean very little to me; your presentation has made them come to life though.

Thanks Blxz! I really appreciate the compliment. Yeah it is a bit wordy, but I've had this story in mind for a while and the writing bug caught me. I intend to keep it in this style due to the number of characters and the huge distances involved, to prevent confusion as you suggested.

[Blxz]

Wait, what? your top level assassin (who was on a spying mission) got assassinated by a spy who was on an assassination mission.....? I am so confused.

Also do you plan on taking this story somewhere or are you literally just playing the game and writing where the game follows? It certainly seems like there is potential for things to go somewhere but if you keep playing as well as you are I can see this becoming a world conquest in a while.

Still, very nice. Keep it up!

[Tanit]

Partially playing, partially have a story in mind, possibly planning on having a civil war but I'm not sure what all units can become eleutheroi from the Carthaginian roster, have to look into that. Mostly I am practicing my writing since I am writing a novel right now but am stuck at a spot.

As for the assassin, I ordered him to kill the spy, and he died, I was very surprised, but I decided to try and spin as a fun little story.

[Blxz]

As for the assassin, I ordered him to kill the spy, and he died, I was very surprised, but I decided to try and spin as a fun little story.

Suspected as much. Poor bloke.
Also....civil war. Nice. But such a pity to pull that empire apart.... =(

[seleucid empire]

nice roman empire, if you know what i mean

[Tanit]

Next update is going up later tonight or tomorrow morning. Been busy with few projects and setting up a new computer which slows down writing. Also been further developing my direction for this story. Thanks for the comments guys!