The Laughing Gods by Wilbur Arron

Author:Wilbur Arron [Arron, Wilbur]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Greek Fantasy, Greek culture, Greek life, Greek cities, Greek Society, Greek religion, adventure, greek mythology, Greek politics, magic, Intelligent Animals, Big animals, barbarians, barbarian invasion, Greek warfare, Romance, Fantasy, political intrigue, magic use, mages, Greek battles
Published: 2020-03-26T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTEEN: TRANSVERSE

The next morning Carenos came out of his cave, and we all ate hot porridge laced with wild honey that one of the acolytes found. After we finished, Carenos called us all together outside, except for three acolytes he left standing guard.

“I have had more bad news,” he told us grimly. “I have heard from Mage Council member Aclepiades. He and about a dozen other mages from central Lantia are hiding outside Melitaea. They are passing themselves off as merchants, and so far, they have not been spotted. He received a message from the Megas Archon in Kyropius. They have learned that Ethnarch Pytheas is assembling a great army to take that polis. The Ethnarch has learned Mage Council Member Pentheus, at least six Master Mages, along with several senior and junior mages have taken refuge there. He has sent a letter demanding his son release all the mages to him. The Megas Archon has refused. The Ethnarch’s army is large enough to take the polis easily. The defenders do not think they can hold out and besides, that would start a civil war that no one wants.”

“It is either that, surrender, or die,” Chremon said with a scowl. “I did not want to fight the Zilar, but we were given no choice.”

“They can always run,” Carenos said. “They are going to take ship and sail to Argina. They plan to sail around the northern and western coasts of Lantia then land in Crenae, take supply and sail to Argina.”

That gave me an idea. “How long would it take for us to get to Crenae?”

The others turned and looked at me. Only Nomiki and Carenos could see what I was getting at.

One of the acolytes nearby actually raised his hands as if to ask permission to speak. I nodded my approval, and he spoke hesitantly. “Master Mage Sopholus, it would take a full market interval of ten days to get there at the least, but that is using the road.”

“That will not work,” Chremon spat out. “They will spot us for sure. It is also too open, no place for a group this big to hide.”

“We could go along the coast,” Carenos suggested, “There are no roads, and the area is mostly forested except near the poleis of Argura and Scolussa.”

“How big are those poleis?” Chremon asked.

“Argura is one of our main fishing ports. Out in the sea, there are rich fishing banks. Nearby in the hills are salt deposits in the ground the fishermen use to dry and preserve their catch. Argura is the largest supplier of preserved fish in Lantia.”

“Does it have a garrison?” Chremon asked.

Carenos thought about that for a few moments. “No more than fifty, or at least that was what it was when I was a boy.”

“What about Scolussa?” Nomiki asked.

Carenos shook his head no. “Scolussa is the main naval base for the southern coast of Lantia. It has a fine harbor and is close to needed materials. It has an extensive forest and tar pits, so shipbuilding and ship maintaining are their main businesses.

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