World on Fire by Christian Kachel

Author:Christian Kachel [Kachel, Christian]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Endeavour Media
Published: 2016-07-20T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 23

The next morning I made my way to Malick’s foyer where Vettias was waiting for me. He brought me up to his chamber and gave me an extravagant Macedonian tunic.

“Put this on. If you’re going to be presented as the Lord of Asia’s official envoy, you need to look the part. You will be introduced as my scribe and not speak unless spoken to. You are about to meet one of Alexander’s closest confidants – someone who was with him since he was a child in Macedon and was at his side for every step of his campaign of conquest. He was first among equals – only Ptolemy remains who matches the weight Seleucus held within Alexander’s inner circle. Although we plot to make him our enemy, he is a great man, a true hero of Macedon. Remember that always.”

I nodded my understanding and felt the weight of Vettias’ words sink in. I took several deep breathes to achieve the alteration of character needed to bring my outward appearance in line with the official I was to be in front of a man of Seleucus’ stature. Vettias returned the nod and we began our short walk down the royal processional to the outer gate of the royal palace.

Along the way, Babylonian aristocrats dressed in the finest eastern silks and gold jewelry walked to and from the palace, bringing their business before the Macedonian administration. When we arrived at the first checkpoint, manned by four Macedonian sentries, Vettias declared himself to the lead guard as an envoy of General Antigonus and presented the royal insignia. The sentry smartly executed a salute and ran back to the main gate after ordering his subordinates to ensure our safety. Although Antigonus was hundreds of miles east of Babylon, his whereabouts and activities were well known to all within the empire. He had become the most powerful man in the world, even before his victory over Eumenes, and our unexpected presence in front of the royal palace ensured all within would have a fire lit under them to usher us forward and extend every courtesy.

The sentry returned several minutes later in a huff and escorted us through the palace grounds to the immense entryway. As our escort brought us toward the main doors, a full lochos of phalangites snapped to attention on either side in formal parade formation. I was thankful Vettias provided me with my impeccable wardrobe as I would have felt unworthy of such a spectacle wearing my normal attire.

We passed through the enormous wood and iron ingress into the spacious receiving hall of the Achaemenid Palace where we were greeted by three regally dressed attendants. They followed the lead of the foremost steward and bowed deferentially in the Persian custom.

“Valued guests, we are honored by your unexpected presence,” the lead steward began. “Had we been made aware of your arrival, a more formal receiving party would have been assembled that is more worthy of your station. Please do not be offended by our lack of a proper welcome.

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