The Atlantis Papyrus (Whispers of Atlantis Book 1) by Jay Penner

Author:Jay Penner [Penner, Jay]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2019-04-07T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 22.

MEMPHIS, EGYPT

Perdiccas was engaged in an animated discussion with Alexander’s widow Roxane about difficult camp conditions. How he wished he could drown the woman in the waters. This was not the time to be worrying about comfort! After calming her, he sent her away and turned his attention to pressing matters. Antigenes and Peithon were still outside, and he did not know why. But soon, he heard Seleucus talking to them, and he shouted, “What are you all scheming about now? Are you drawing up terms of surrender?”

Seleucus shouted back, “Give us some time, Perdiccas, we are dealing with a military matter.”

He summoned the men back to the tent. “What were you talking about that is so important?”

“It is time we draw up terms of negotiation with Ptolemy,” Seleucus said, his voice cold with a hard edge.

Perdiccas had calmed down a little. He had smoothed his ruffled hair and adjusted his chlamys draped over his shoulder.

“Why? We have enough troops and materials available to wait. Let us hold ground until we hear from Eumenes.”

Seleucus hesitated, and Perdiccas noticed Antigenes made a slight gesture to Seleucus at that moment, as if asking him to be quiet. “What is it?”

“It is nothing. I was distracted.”

Perdiccas’ anger built up again. It was plain as night and day that Seleucus was hiding something. Perdiccas was no fool, and he had a hunch.

“What are you hiding, you wretch? Do we have news from Eumenes?” he asked.

The men said nothing, and Seleucus’ eyes darted to Antigenes and Peithon who were now aware of the news from Cappadocia.

“We have news from Eumenes, don’t we?” Perdiccas shouted gleefully. “The way you bastards are fidgeting tells me that the little master defeated the fools that went up against him. And you cowards want to sign a surrender before he arrives with reinforcements!”

Surprise at the Regent’s astute observation was clear in Seleucus’ eyes. “What Eumenes accomplished changes nothing for us, Perdiccas. It is too late,” Seleucus said quietly.

“I was right! It changes everything! Our troops will be energized, and we can crush Ptolemy with our combined forces!” Perdiccas yelled, his voice trembling with excitement. He absentmindedly picked an empty wine goblet and took a swig and then threw it on the ground in irritation.

“I have serious doubts that the news will energize our troops to get into those waters again. Besides, how long can we hold on until Eumenes arrives?” Peithon started, and Perdiccas exploded.

“Shut up. Shut up, ungrateful dog fucker! I should have put you to the sword in Persia, and here you are, traitorous scum, trying to abandon me!”

Seleucus, now angry at Perdiccas’ crass behavior and belittling of his peers, stepped in again. “Perdiccas, the troops will not fight. Waiting for Eumenes is pointless, and we will have a mutiny in our hands. Antigenes has asked his Argyraspides to stand down, and we demand that you enter negotiations with Ptolemy.”

At that, Perdiccas erupted into uncontrolled fury and screamed at Antigenes. “Antigenes, old son of a whore, how

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.