An Empty Throne by Robert Fabbri

Author:Robert Fabbri
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Atlantic Books

EUMENES.

THE SLY.

‘YOU HAD BETTER come quickly, old friend,’ Hieronymus said, finding Eumenes eating a broth made by his wife whilst sitting in his campaign chair behind the rear rank of his Kappadokian cavalry; all along the line, the rest of the army ate their midday meal, standing-to. Slaves with water-skins walked up and down the files, bringing refreshment to the men where they stood, as, under a thousand paces away, Antigonos’ army went through the same motions.

Eumenes put the spoon in the bowl, placed it on the table and looked with sunken eyes at his friend. ‘What is it now, Hieronymus? Just as I’m getting my appetite back.’

‘Well, this will dampen it again. Antigonos has sent another delegation over to talk to our lads; they’re meeting in the ravine on our left flank.’

Not again, this is becoming so tiresome. What is it with the Macedonian military mind that it refuses to admit defeat? Deep was Eumenes’ sigh and weary was his countenance; he heaved himself to his feet. ‘Does the resinated cyclops never give up? Does he think the boys are stupid? Only a fool would trust a man who has no need of him.’ He gestured to a couple of attendant slaves to follow. ‘Let’s go and see what he’s offering this time.’

And it was the same offer as before but with a few minor improvements. So similar, in fact, Eumenes had to stop himself from laughing for the first time since he had been struck down with the fever, as he stood for all to see above the meeting place, listening to the proceedings.

‘So,’ Antigenes said, as the envoy finished speaking, ‘Antigonos will let us keep our satrapies.’ He gestured to Peucestas and the other satraps gathered around. ‘Is that correct, Nearchos?’

‘He will.’

‘And all our officers will be rewarded with gifts of land, either in Asia or back in Macedon, and those who wish to serve in his army will also be given appropriate posts?’

‘That’s correct,’ the Cretan replied, looking up at Eumenes. ‘In return for him.’

‘Really?’ Antigenes did his best not to look incredulous. ‘On top of that all my men in the Silver Shields will be promoted to officers in Antigonos’ army.’

‘To spread them around but in positions of honour, you understand. Antigonos wishes to neutralise them as a unit but utilise them as individuals.’

‘Does he now?’

‘You must see that Antigonos could not risk having them in his ranks all together.’

‘And you must realise they’ve been together for fifty years, so you can imagine how they are going to take that.’ Antigenes stepped forward and grabbed Nearchos’ beard. ‘Is there anything else Antigonos would like to promise, Cretan, before I send you back to him?’

‘Those are his terms, which are more than generous.’

‘And these are mine.’ A knife flashed in his hand; Nearchos’ beard came away, sliced through at the tip of the chin; a droplet of blood collected on the newly shaven skin. ‘It’s only for our past comradeship I send you back without a beard rather than without a throat.

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