Elephants & Castles by Alfred Duggan

Author:Alfred Duggan [Duggan, Alfred]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical Fiction

10

The Battle of the Kings

In Ephesus there was no royal palace, and to expel the priests from the precinct of the local goddess, a very barbarous embodiment of Artemis, would have caused discontent. The Saviour Gods must use as headquarters a group of private houses near the citadel. They were owned by oligarchs, who might be expelled without danger; for the oligarchy would fall from power if the Saviour Gods lost Ephesus.

It was nearly midwinter when Demetrius rode in with his phalanx and his cavalry; his spearmen and light infantry had been left to garrison the northerly cities of Ionia. In the market-place his father waited to give him a formal welcome.

King Antigonus rose from his throne in greeting, though he leaned heavily on the shoulder of a page. The old man was fatter than ever; muffled against the cold in a long scarlet cloak, he seemed of more than mortal size. But he had not aged since their last meeting; if anything he looked younger. The thrills and perils of active service had renewed the vigour of his youth. As he embraced his son his single eye twinkled cheerfully; he looked good for two or three more campaigns.

All over the market-place they were sacrificing bulls in honour of the Saviour Gods. But the priests went about their work glumly; the only citizens who cheered were poor householders in search of free beef.

“Never mind, my boy,” said Antigonus, seeing his son glance at the indifferent crowd. “It’s partly the weather, and partly that confounded comet. They expect us to be beaten. We’ll show them how wrong they are.”

“May I present King Pyrrhus?” said Demetrius. Exiles take offence so quickly that you must be polite to them before talking business. “He is the rightful King of Epirus, though for the moment Cassander has set up a rival.”

“Rightful king? There’s no such creature.” His father’s voice boomed heartily. “Kings rule by the sword, and by no stronger title. The same is true of Saviour Gods, by the way. But you’ll get back, young Pyrrhus. You win battles, and that’s the most important attribute of a king.”

A priest handed him a cup of wine. “May Zeus and Ares grant us good fortune,” he gabbled in a perfunctory tone as he poured it on the ground. “Come, that’s enough religion for one day. The bulls are dead, and if Ares isn’t pleased I can’t suggest a better way of pleasing him. Let’s come up to my house—you can’t call it a palace—and talk over the news. Phila is waiting for you, Demetrius. I suppose that’s all right?”

Pyrrhus spoke up quickly. “My sister Queen Deidameia is in Athens, taking care of our treasure and our hospitals and so on, everything we left behind to avoid the hazards of a voyage. She has been a great help to us.”

“Ah, you keep your wives in separate continents. Sensible fellow.” King Antigonus smacked his son on the shoulder. “Phila will be delighted to see you, and there need be no awkward introductions.

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