A Heroic King by Helena P Schrader

Author:Helena P Schrader [Schrader, Helena P]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Cultural, Fiction, Greece, Historical
ISBN: 9781604948301
Amazon: 1604948302
Publisher: Wheatmark
Published: 2012-10-14T23:00:00+00:00

The Thespians were very nervous: Dithyrambus because the day was almost over and time was wasting, and the others because they had never done anything like this before. Now, with the sun close to the horizon, Oliantus was issuing arms and armor, while the Lacedaemonian helots helped the inexperienced Thespians equip themselves. Oliantus overheard a helot patiently explain, “Not so tight; you need room to breathe,” while another man tried on the third pair of greaves, still not satisfied.

Dithyrambus, meanwhile, kept glancing at the horizon. “The sun will be down in less than two hours!” he complained. “We have only three hours of daylight and over an hour’s walk. Couldn’t we do all this adjusting and fitting later?”

“No.” The answer came unexpectedly from Leonidas, who had just come around the corner into the little square. He was accompanied by Dienekes, Maron, and six other guardsmen in battle kit and accompanied by their attendants. The latter were wearing open-faced pilos helmets and carrying slingshots, bows, or javelins, an indication that they came in their capacity as light auxiliaries rather than as mere servants to their heavy-infantry masters.

When they realized the Spartan king was among them, the Thespians first froze and then tried to come to attention as they had been taught. The effect was quite comic in their half-dressed state, and Oliantus had to suppress a laugh. He caught Dienekes looking toward the heavens as if praying for patience. Meanwhile, several of the Thespians cast furtive and admonishing glances at Dithyrambus, because he had not warned them to expect the Spartan king. But no one was more dumbfounded than Dithyrambus himself. He licked his lips nervously and looked at Oliantus, feeling betrayed.

“Relax,” Leonidas ordered. “We won’t depart until after dark. We’ll stage well short of the mill and send scouts forward.” As he spoke he indicated the Spartan attendants, resting his hand on Meander’s shoulder. “I asked you to assemble now so we can get in a couple hours of drill with your new panoply by daylight before setting out.”

“We’re going to conduct this raid in the dark?” one of the Thespians asked, incredulous.

“Yes, that’s when the Thebans least expect us, and surprise makes a good ally.”

“Are―are you―coming with us, my lord?” Dithyrambus asked Leonidas, amazed.

“Of course,” Leonidas responded. Then, in answer to the incredulous looks of the Thespians, he added, “It’s my first opportunity to see how you fight.”

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