The Conqueror by Judith E. French

Author:Judith E. French [French, Judith E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2013-10-05T01:42:00+00:00

As night approached, Roxanne went to her father's tent and told him of Alexander's plan, as she had been instructed. Oxyartes was to take designated regiments of Sogdian and Bactrian light cavalry downriver a few miles and cross there once the fighting began. Craterus would wait with infantry and elephant corps on this side, ready to ford the river if Alexander sent word. Her husband had planned that most of the fighting would be done by his heavy cavalry, with special detachments of foot companions, using the dreaded phalanx to combat Porus's elephants. The foot soldiers would cross the Jhelum by boat downriver, form ranks, and march into battle once Alexander was firmly established on the other side.

"A large part of my lord's army will never see action unless the battle crosses the river," Roxanne said.

"He is wise. This will be no fight for men afoot," Oxyartes agreed. "My own informants tell me that King Porus's numbers are greater than ours. But troops are always exaggerated in war. You know what 1 think of depending on the elephant corps for a main line of striking power."

"Horses are always more reliable in battle," she said.

Oxyartes dressed quickly. "Kayan is back; his regiment will ride with mine. I'll take the responsibility with Alexander. Better to have them on the far side of the Jhelum in the thick of things. There will be too many old enemies here." He looked at his daughter meaningfully. "What are his orders to you?"

"To remain in camp until he sends for me." Roxanne stepped behind a screen and donned her battle attire. "1 can't obey."

"No, but after what happened when we faced King Ambhi, Alexander may not forgive your disobeying him again."

"I have the safety of my child to think of"

"I agree. To leave you here would be too dangerous. You have many enemies among the Persian faction, not to mention the Greek. The Council urged Alexander to take Barsine as wife only a week ago. Your pregnancy makes you even more of a threat to their ambitions."

Roxanne laced her high leather boots. "Greek deception is child's play compared to that of the Persian court."

"Take care. If you are lost, Bactria and Sogdiana are lost."

"No, not so long as you're alive." She grinned at him mischievously. "You can always take a young wife and sire a household of strong sons to inherit the throne."

"If it were that easy, 1 would have done it long ago." He shook his head. "Just because I've wanted no wife since your mother died doesn't mean that I've been celibate all these years. But no woman has quickened with my seed. There will be no sons of my line. Our hopes rest with you, Daughter. They always have."

Alexander's Companions crossed the Jhelum safely and rode hard toward the enemy position. When he discovered the trick, King Porus sent a force of heavy cavalry and chariots under the command of his son to engage and destroy the invading army. The two opposing groups met in the fury of the raging thunderstorm, fighting under terrible conditions.

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