Dark Thermopylae by Belinda Harrison

Author:Belinda Harrison [Harrison, Belinda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Gee Be Publications
Published: 2019-02-27T07:00:00+00:00

15

4th rising, Moon of Anthesterion

I stood on the northern balcony, overlooking the grassed area between the palace and the Melas River beyond where, as they were every morning, my father and Ava began their day together. I was overdue at the barracks, but I yearned for just a little longer alone in the early morning quietness to enjoy the pleasant temperature and the light breeze that lifted the hair from my shoulders. Normally I was not so eager to remain from Moeris and the soldiers but today, for reasons I could not understand, I was unsettled and the thought of expending that sort of energy to dispense with the unease did not hold any appeal.

My thoughts turned instead to how Trachis was a unique town, not just from our army’s point of view, or my acceptance into or being allowed charge of it, but of how King Agrias sought to integrate many ways into his rule. He had begun doing so before my father and I arrived, but now it was far more obvious. He had not completely turned his back on his home of Macedonia, though his allegiance to his old gods and customs had diminished in the winters since we had arrived, and since we had visited his brother, Amyntas.

I had made the journey to Macedonia twice; once not long after Ava was born, the other when Amyntas officially named his son, Alexander, as heir to the Macedonian throne two winters ago. Melina did not want to visit, given that her own first child had been named Alexander; a truth known to her husband’s kin. Agrias insisted she accompany the rest of us – to show strength where others would expect weakness. To her credit, she held herself well during the visit, no doubt aided by the obviousness that the man named Alexander appeared in no way similar to her dead boy.

Agrias had had his own misgivings about attending his brother’s home, though he knew it important to confirm in person that he did not intend to challenge his nephew for the throne. There were those within the Macedonian King’s council who wished to hear Agrias speak the words for themselves and judge his truthfulness. Agrias’ actions – just as Melina’s – had been nothing but respectful and truthful. In all, the visit with Agrias’ kin was relatively short and Agrias had taken much pleasure in showing me the Diplos waterfall he had spoken of ten winters before, joining me in jumping from its dizzying height, the two of us alarming his queen and my princess alike.

The knowledge Father and I had brought with us about the Athenian Greeks and their learned (and often spirited) debates, plays and political customs, along with the Spartan training and discipline made for long discussions and questions about what would work best for Trachis and its people. There were few of my father’s customs from Thrace that Agrias regarded as worthy, and Father did not disagree with him, still the king always

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