18. Mother of Rulers – Part II -
"My lady…"
A distant voice disrupted queen Olympias' sleep. She opened her eyes and looked around, disoriented, a cold drop running down her cheek. She looked up, wondering if it was raining, only to find a strange roof above her. For a moment she forgot she was not at the palace in Pella.
"My lady…" Called a servant girl. She was standing by the door, holding a tray with food. "King Epirus will be coming back soon…"
"Another one", thought Olympias out loud, as if the girl could not hear her, getting out of bed without looking at her. "A different one everyday…".
The girl placed the tray on the table beside the bed in silence. Olympias undressed, letting her long, blonde curls fall over her thin yet athletic body. A snake slithered from the bedsheets and climbed up her arm. She walked to the window and stood there in silence.
After a while she extended her arms, the snake slowly moved down to tangle around her leg.
"Well, are you going to help me or not?" She said, her eyes still fixed to the window.
"Y-yes" The girl rushed towards her, wrapping her in robes with clumsiness, careful not to touch the snake.
"You know what is funny?", Scoffed Olympias, "I left this fortress as a prisoner years ago…and now that I'm back, I feel like a prisoner in my own home…"
"That's because your real home is where your loved ones are…"
The queen turned around, and her heart stopped beating for a moment.
"I've come to take you home, mother…"
She stared at the girl, speechless. It took her a moment to recognize her own daughter in those filthy rags and messy hair.
"Stupid girl!" She cried. "What have you done?!"
"Mother-"
"Shhh" She shushed her, walking to the door. She peeked out the door, then rushed back inside. Paranoid, she walked around the room in circles. Her palms pressed together against her lips. Cleo could see them shaking as she walked towards her.
"Why did you come?" Whispered Olympias, pushing Cleo away from the door.
"I needed to know…" Cleo said with determination "I deserve to know"
Olympias suddenly hugged her tightly, leaving Cleo puzzled.
"If they catch you, they'll kill you…"
"They won't catch me"
Olympias held her hands.
"Is your brother with you?"
"He is safe"
Olympias sighed in relief.
"Mother… did you do it?" She asked, cautiously. "Did you kill that guard?"
"I did". She said with a straight face, not a hint of remorse in her face.
Cleo gulped.
"…Your father ordered them to kill me if I tried to escape"
The girl shook her head in disapproval.
"Is that why you betrayed him?" Her eyebrows curled in a painful expression.
Olympias scoffed, looking away.
Cleo pulled her by the arm.
"I don't care if you are a spy!" She said, fighting the tears in her eyes. "Even if you are a traitor-"
"A spy?" Olympias' expression changed from worry to confusion. "Who told you this?"
"It was you who leaked the information from the council to the other lords, wasn't it?"
"I had nothing to do with that…"
"Don't lie to me…you are leading this rebellion against the king…against my father…"
"Is that what they've told you?" She laughed, sarcastically, "I am leading an army? You mean with all these weapons I have?"
A hairpin, a necklace, and a belt. She showed her all the little possessions she had in her room.
"Cleopatra, I came here because I was no longer safe in Pella". She explained, now more calmed. "I came to my brother and convinced him to take Macedonia, to make Epirus the capital of a new Empire we would build together. I would have taken the throne and rule while my brother would be out there fighting meaningless wars…".
"Is that why you are doing it?" Cleo asked, skeptical.
There was no answer.
"I don't believe you…you have never seemed to me like someone who is hungry for power…"
"…I've never seemed someone who looks like anything to anybody…"
"Don't say that…"
"It doesn't matter now… It's too late. Epirus is too proud to withdrawal, and I can't go back, your father will kill me the moment I step in the palace…"
"It's not too late. He will forgive you…" Cleo said, desperately clinging to her mother's clothes.
Olympias ignored her.
"I may not have leaked the information, but I did use that information to turn the lords against the him, and organized to plot and take the kingdom… I'm a traitor after all. Alexandros will never forgive me…"
"None of that matters…" She said, nearly in tears, "You are his mother. Come with me…let's go home. You, me, Alexandros…"
"Alexandros…" She said, and her eyes suddenly opened like she had foreseen something. "He is not safe…"
She walked around the room again, one hand resting on her hip, the other one covering her mouth, thoughtful.
"It's that man… Attalus… he is the one poisoning your father's head with his ideas… He wants the throne for himself…"
Cleo shook her head, confused.
"Mother, please, this war has to end. The Persians are waiting for us to destroy each other so they can take the advantage. Can't you see? This is what they want."
"It is not in my power to end this war anymore!" Olympias yelled. "Epirus is beyond my control. I'm afraid I convinced him a little too much that he could take the throne. Now he won't stop..."
"Send a letter…" Said Cleo with determination, "You are a queen. Send a letter to the soldiers and command them to let the Macedonian soldiers go… don't let these people die in vain. Stop this war before it's too late."
Olympias looked at her, and for once saw the same fire she had seen in Alexander's eyes before.
"Listen to me," Olympias grabbed her by the shoulders, "There is a small house beside the river, west from here. Hide in there, nobody will find you…"
"What about you?"
"Go!" She yelled, making Cleo jump and leave the room in haste.
Once she was gone, Olympias took a deep breath, then sat on the floor.
"Girl" She called, and a slave girl came from the shadows.
"My lady?" The girl knelt by her side, the sun rays through the window reflecting violet on her long dark hair.
"Deliver this letter to the captain. He is a short man with a big beard and an even bigger mouth…he has an eye-patch, you will recognize him", She said as she pulled out a roll of papyrus to write a note in a rush, "If they object, tell them that it is I who rules while my brother isn't home, and I will cut their tongues out if anyone disobeys"
She quickly rolled it and handed it to her. The girl looked up, her heterochrome eyes fixed on Olympias with an empty expression.
"So, you are surrendering? You are setting them free? What will happen to you now?"
Olympias frowned.
"I don't recall calling you for advice, but to follow orders…" she said, severe, "Now go…"
The girl nodded
"Forgive me, my lady. I will go now" She said, and slowly got up, moving towards the door without turning her back to her.
"You will do no such thing…"
The girl stopped when her back hit the man who was waiting by the door.
She turned, and immediately lowered her head.
"Your highness…", she said, respectfully.
"Epirus…" Olympias gasped.
The man was leaning against the ledge of the door, arms crossed. Olympias wondered how long he had been standing there. She panicked.
Epirus grinned at the girl, perfect white teeth contrasting with his slightly tanned, handsome face. Both siblings had been blessed by Aphrodite with their beauty, they said. However, unlike Olympias, Epirus face was young and full of life, never showed anger or worry.
The slave girl glanced at him quickly. His serene expression did not match his look, covered in blood from a recent battle. A disturbing calmness in his face. She admired his body, like sculpted by the gods, gracefully bending over to reach for the letter.
He crumpled the roll in his bloody hands.
"Did you miss me, sis?"
It was already sundown and Alexander and Waver still had no news from Cleo or Ptolemy. Hephaestion was no where to be found. Not a single letter from the king, or the queen. Alexander was beginning to feel anxious.
"How much longer?" He said as he peeked outside his tent. The sun tinted the sky magenta over the mountains.
"Get back in here!" Waver pulled him from his braid back inside.
"But I can't stand it anymore!" He complained.
"Well, it's not like you can rush the sun to set…"
Alexander scratched his head anxiously.
"Let's go over the plan again…", Said Waver, just to distract him.
"We've talked about it a hundred times already…If by sundown Ptolemy is not back with any news, you will go look for them. I will distract the guard saying I need to pee."
"And you will sneak to the captain's tent and…?"
"And nothing…" The tent suddenly opened with Parmenion behind. "You are not going anywhere"
Alexander picked up his dagger and pointed it at him.
"Get out, you traitor. I don't trust you…"
"You don't have to trust me… trust him…"
He opened the tent entrance wider, and Hephaestion slowly came in, followed by Parmenion, who closed the tent behind him.
Alexander gasped, instantly dropping his dagger and running towards Hephaestion.
Hephaestion smiled at him. Alexander hugged him violently, laughing with excitement. His arms tight around Hephaestion's neck.
"You are… choking me… Alexandros-"
Alexander cupped his face into his hands and pressed his forehead against his, grinning.
"You are alive…" He said, letting out another laugh, a teardrop slipped his eye. "You are alright…"
Hephaestion chuckled. "I'm glad you are OK too", he said, tucking Alexander's messy hair behind his ears.
"Ahem…" Waver interrupted, awkwardly. "You will be needing my medical assistance, I suppose…"
Hephaestion smiled at him, messing with Waver's hair.
"Thanks Waver, but I'm surprisingly fine", He explained, calmly.
Waver took a closer look at his face.
"Huh?!" His eyebrows raised. "Not a single scratch? How come?"
"Hmm" Hephaestion crossed his arms and lower his head, trying to think. "I was surprised too. I am sure the captain sent some people to beat information out of me…"
Alexander clenched his fists.
"But I'm completely fine!" He continued. "I think they must have given me some sort of potion"
He looked up, suddenly a confusing image came to his memory.
"I remember… there was this strange slave girl. Her eyes where of different colors. She reminded me of Alexandros, somehow…" He turned to Alexander. "And then… I had this strange dream. I don't remember much. Just a hissing, and this feeling of strangling. Like a snake, but instead of poisoning me, it was draining out the venom from my blood"
Everyone went silent for a moment.
"What do you think it means?" asked Alexander, curious.
"I'm not sure. We'll have to ask the sages at the temple when we go back"
Alexander sighed, relieved. He hugged him one more time. Then he pulled away, suddenly pointing a finger at him, scowling.
"Don't you ever do something so stupid like that again, or I'll kill you myself…"
Hephaestion shrugged.
"Sorry, I can't promise you that… being stupid is a rare talent…"
Alexander put his fist up with a threatening face, Hephaestion crouched to avoid a hit.
"Ok, Ok…" Hephaestion put both hands up in surrender.
Alexander's face slowly softened, and Hephaestion held his hand, lowering it.
"So…" Waver turned to Parmenion, suddenly uncomfortable. He could feel his stomach turning again, and this time it was not the sea-sickness…
Parmenion coughed, then looked at Waver.
"King Epirus is back. I have requested an audience in the name of king Phillip and he agreed to meet with me tomorrow"
"With you?" Asked Alexander, skeptical. "Why not with me?"
"It's too dangerous"
Alexander slowly walked towards Parmenion and pointed his dagger at him again.
"Then why did they let go of Hephaestion? Do they still think he is the prince?"
"You can thank your mother for that…" He said, not moving from his place.
The sun was almost completely hiding behind the mountains outside now. Only the faint shine of the dusk now kept the tent illuminated.
"You still think I'm a traitor…" Parmenion observed. It was a statement, not a question.
"My mother didn't escape by herself…" Alexander slightly pressed his dagger against Parmenion's chest, just enough so it would not yet bleed. "Why did you help her?"
"Because it was the right thing to do"
"Then why did you ask me to come here with you?" A tiny red drop dripped from Alexander's dagger.
"Because, Alexandros, believe it or not, your mother cares for you…". The man gently placed his hand on the blade, and slowly lowered it. The end of the sword now dripping with Parmenion's blood from his hand.
"…The only way to stop this war was if she saw you were in danger…, she will give up anything to keep you and your sister safe…"
"So, you used me?" Alexander scoffed, walking closer to him in a threatening way. Parmenion was at least two heads taller than him, yet that did not stop him.
"Whose side are you on, Parmenion? My father? My mother? Me?"
"The kingdom's side, Alexandros…"
Alexander stared at him for a long moment, until they were all completely covered by darkness.
Parmenion heard the sound of Alexander's dagger against the ground, followed by another long silence.
Waver's voice broke that silence with a spell. The tent was then lit by a small candle.
"She wasn't always like this…" Alexander suddenly said, sitting with his legs crossed, "My mother… She has never been a charismatic woman, but she used to laugh and play with me. She was never happy but could at least find some peace at the palace. But my father became so obsessed with the kingdom and with building political alliances..."
Waver moved closer to sit in front of him, listening attentively. He saw Parmenion sitting in a corner, and Hephaestion making himself comfortable on the ground, using Alexander's thigh as a pillow.
"What happened?" Asked Waver
Alexander sighed.
"It all got worse about a year ago…" He said, thoughtful, digging into his own memories.
"We were celebrating my father's last wedding… to Eurydice, you know Attalus' daughter"
"What!?" Waver yelled in surprise. He recalled the image of a beautiful and elegant young lady that could not resemble anything at all the cranky old man that enjoyed bossing him around.
"Yes. General Attalus…. Anyway. We were drinking, everyone. We were all very drunk. All of us except my mother. And Attalus was acting…strange. He was saying things… very inappropriate things…"
"Sounds like his regular self to me…" said Waver, looking away.
"No, this time was different. He was very drunk… It is not an excuse, but he didn't seem like himself… se sounded like…someone else…"
"Someone else?" Hephaestion frowned…those words echoed in his mind.
"The thing is, he started talking nonsense and bragging about their past campaigns with my father… and laughing and drinking. Then Attalus made a comment on how they were going to be related by blood now that his daughter would be pregnant with his child, and how a child with both the king's blood and the general's blood would make the best heir to the kingdom."
Hephaestion looked up at Alexander's upset face, then gently placed his hand on one of his feet to caress it softly.
"My father was an idiot; he didn't say anything. Then my mother got upset. She accused my father of not defending my honor as the first prince and heir to the throne. He was drunk and stupid and yelled back at her, then I yelled at him for disrespecting her…and myself."
Waver shook his head. These were all historical figures he was talking about. Famous ones. It was hard to think of them as people with issues like any other family. Except, there was an entire kingdom involved.
"So I ended up insulting him, and threatening him to give up my right to the throne…"
Waver opened his eyes wide, shocked at how lightly those big words flowed from Alexander's mouth.
"…Then he exiled me for a while… or more like I exiled myself… with my mom and Cleo… and Hephaestion and Ptolemy and others too…"
Hephaestion gave Waver a wide, carefree smile, like it was just some sort of funny anecdote.
"…but then Macedonia was attacked by the Persians, so I had to come back and- oh! … this was just before we met, remember, Waver?"
Waver felt like his brain had overheated with so much information, unable to process it.
"Waver?" Asked Alexander "Are you alright?"
"Y-yes. Continue…"
"Well, that's about it…" He said, and his eyes became suddenly gray.
"And now she is here… leading a rebellion against my father… all because of me…" He said, playing with Hephaestion's hair, anxiously.
"I am sure she had her reasons to do it…", said Waver, now sitting beside him.
"I am not a reason to kill a royal guard…or betray the kingdom"
"A parent would do anything to protect their children…" Suddenly said Parmenion from the corner
"Certainly not my father…"
"He is not a father; he is a king. The kingdom is his children."
"He is a lousy father and king, then" Alexander said, bitterly. Then he gently held Hephaestion's head, careful not to wake him up, and lied down by his side facing up, ready to sleep. Hephaestion turned to him, sound asleep, his arm around Alexander's waist.
Waver's guts burned again. The feeling was so unbearable he had to put an end to it at all cost.
He took a deep breath and put the candle out. The tent went pitch black again in a second. Then he lied beside Alexander on the ground.
"Waver?" Said Alexander, feeling Waver's forehead against his bare shoulder.
"Shut up…" He was for once grateful for the darkness to hide his face. "Don't say anything…"
Waver could not see Alexander's silent smile in the dark.
"Idiot…" Waver whispered, then closed his eyes.
Parmenion rolled his eyes in the dark and crawled out of the tent.
Even though it was completely dark, Waver refused to open his eyes. He stopped feeling Alexander's shoulder against his forehead for a moment, leaving a cold, empty space between them. He pictured Alexander's back in his mind, and extended his hand carefully to reach or it. But instead, his fingers met with the softness and warmth of Alexander's lips. Waver moved away at first, hesitant. Then softly traced Alexander's lips with his fingers. He wondered if he was already asleep. If Hephaestion was still asleep by his side. Then suddenly felt the warmth of Alexander's mouth against his palm.
He gasped, and Alexander kissed his palm again. Waver pulled his hand away, but Alexander caught his wrist. Waver heard him move, and could now feel Alexander's agitated breath on his mouth. Without thinking, he found his lips moving slowly against Alexander's mouth. Next think he felt was Alexander's unsteady breath on his neck. A chill ran down his spine.
"W-wait", Waver whispered, "Y-you can't, we'll wake him up…"
Waver felt Hephaestion's hand still dangling with dead weight around Alexander's waist.
"Then don't make any sound…" Alexander whispered to his ear, softly touching it with his lips.
Waver covered his mouth and a soft moan escaped his throat.
What am I doing… he thought. His eyes now opened, trying to picture Alexander's mouth, soft and moist against his neck. The image made his mouth watery. It was wrong. It was so wrong. He could not let Alexander feel anything for him, he could not be a part of his life. Not without altering his history. Yet he could not bring himself to stop him.
Just one night… he told himself. Just for tonight, let me stay by his side like this…
Alexander's mouth now reached his chest and Waver buried his fingers into Alexander's hair, slightly pulling from it.
Maybe is just lust… he convinced himself. It's OK. When I am gone, he will have others. He won't even remember my name…
Alexander could hear Waver's agitated breath through his nose. He gently took Waver's hand away from his mouth and slowly kissed the back of it.
He won't remember my name… He kept repeating in his mind.
Alexander brought Waver's hand to his chest, holding it tight. He could feel Alexander's heart beating, loud and fast. It seemed small, like the heart of a child, or humming bird. Soft. Fragile.
Waver's stomach tightened again. Not in sickness, not in jealousy, but with pure joy. Joy and guilt. A warmth that ached inside him.
Just tonight… he thought, clutching Alexander's hand, closing his eyes to sleep. Just tonight…
On the other side of the river, Cleopatra watched the sunset by the window in a small cabin. She waited there until dark. Only the stars lit the river with their reflection.
"Are you not going to sleep?" A slave girl assigned as her roommate asked her. She was older than her, in her early 30s.
Cleo shook her head.
"Here! This will cheer you up!" She handed her a piece of cheese, "It's high quality. I sneaked it myself from the kitchen in the palace. Don't tell the others"
"You and the rest have been very kind to me. Offering me food and roof… I have given you nothing in return", Cleo said with an apologetic smile. She thought about the comfort of the palace in Pella with guilt. She stared at the cheese, then gave it back to her.
"Thank you. But I am leaving soon"
"Leaving? Where?" The woman asked, taking a bite from the cheese.
"Home"
The girl looked at her, puzzled.
"Where I was born…You must have a home you miss too. Where are you from?"
"Home?" She scoffed. "This is the only home I've ever known"
The girl blew the candle out, and stood at the window by her side to watch the stars.
"Olympias, the king's older sister…" She said, "When I was a child, she gave her servants this house to keep us away from the soldiers. She claimed every one of us as her personal maids, every time the soldiers came back from a raid. We only go serve her when we are called. She gave us this land to cultivate, and weapons to defend ourselves from the soldiers. We made this our home."
"What will happen if the queen leaves again?"
The girl chuckled, painfully.
"They can come for us" She said. "Let them come. What can they possibly do to us that they already haven't done? "
"I'm sorry…" Cleo's hands were shaking impotently.
"They can try, but we'll rather fight them to death before they caught us alive!" She said, energetic.
Cleo admired her strength and positivity, feeling suddenly small.
"One day a queen will rule this land" She told the woman, "A kind and powerful queen that will make sure nobody will hurt us again"
"You are very creative" She joked, "Are you sure you are not a writer? you know, like one of those who write the plays?"
They laughed, and a sudden bang on the window made them jump.
Ptolemy came in through the window, dressed as a Molossian soldier.
The girl gasped, ready to scream, but Cleo covered her mouth.
"Sh! It's OK! He is a friend", She held the woman in her arms until she calmed down.
"Men are not allowed in here!" She yelled.
"Please. Keep your voice down. He is my friend. He is with the Macedonian army, he is just disguised as a Molossian soldier"
The girl studied Ptolemy with disgust, wrinkling her nose.
"Macedonian, Molossian. What difference does it make to us?" She said, walking away.
"I'm sorry…" Ptolemy said. "I am not your enemy"
The girl scoffed, covering herself under the blankets in bed.
Ptolemy sighed, and sat on the floor with Cleo.
"What is going on?" She asked.
"I just came back from the camp. Hephaestion has been freed. I delivered a royal decree to free the Macedonians. But it is only a matter of time before they realize it was not signed by the king."
"My Mother…", Cleo smiled, relieved.
"They still think he is Alexander. And is better to keep it that way for now. Same for you, you should remain here for now. I met with Parmenion just now to tell him the King has accepted negotiation."
"Negotiation?" She asked, suspicious. "Why now? What can Epirus possibly want from us?"
"I don't know…" He said, getting up." But for now, you should stay here, you'll be safe"
He turned to the window to go back outside, but Cleo grabbed his hand.
"Where are you going?"
"To check on Hephaestion and the rest. Making sure they are not doing anything stupid again"
"Stay…" She said, clinging to his arm. "You have already done enough…Don't risk your life like that..."
Ptolemy hesitated, looking towards the bed, were the other girl pretended to sleep.
He finally sat again
"Sleep" He said, resting his back against the wall. "You will need it".
Cleo rested her head on his shoulder, holding his arm.
"There is a bed right the-"
"Shh", she shushed him, and fell instantly asleep.
Ptolemy closed his eyes, smiling, softly resting his cheek on her forehead.
The gates of the fortress opened at dawn. Parmenion's tired feet remembered the dry, rocky land as he walked towards the palace. When he arrived at the courtroom, Epirus was sitting at a table, resting his head on his hand with elegance. A woman in expensive silk robes was feeding him figs. By his side, Olympias sat in front of a full plate, playing with a piece of bread, nervously.
"Your highness. Parmenion of Pella" A familiar voice announced. The captain of the Molossian fleet glared at him with his one good eye from the door.
Olympias glanced at him, briefly, then looked away. So did Parmenion.
Epirus continued eating figs, delicately. As if he did not hear him come in.
"King Epirus" Said Parmenion, impatient.
The king turned to him with a gentle smile.
"Figs?" He offered
"I have come here to negotiate… I'd rather have breakfast at home… with my wife…"
The king burst in laughter. He covered his mouth with a napkin, respectfully. Then wiped his mouth.
"Well then. Straight to the point." He said, resting his elbows on the table, chin on hands.
"The king offers immediate pardon to all rebels when you surrender"
"Oh?" Epirus smirked, amused. "How generous from Philip. I don't believe this generosity comes for free?"
"He demands troops to invade Persia, and a higher tax to fund the army during the campaign."
Epirus chuckled, genuinely amused.
"And… why would I agree to that?" He raised an eyebrow, confused. "An entire army from different city-states want to see your king's head on a spear. What do I have to lose?"
"Because if you agree, you will not only rule in Greek lands, but in a larger, more powerful empire in the East"
Epirus eyebrows raised with interest. He listened carefully.
Olympias gave his brother a deadly glare.
"The king is planning to invade Persia and expand the empire. He will need people to administrate the new territories. You will be given land and a higher rank"
Epirus chuckled, resting his back on the seat.
"You expect me to give up everything for a promise? A bet?" He asked sarcastically, bringing another fig to his mouth. "You are a smart man, Parmenion. You do not really expect me to accept these terms… You see, I have the prince. Little Alexandros…Perhaps his father should consider that before he negotiates. Or is it perhaps that he truly does not care about him?"
He looked at Olympias and rejoiced with her troubled face.
"Don't make a fool of yourself, Epirus. You, capturing my Alexandros? You have nothing… just a decoy"
Epirus' face remained calm, yet the fig got crushed in his hand.
"And when did you intend to tell me this?" He turned to her with a sinister smile. She held her chin up violently, the juices from the fruit dripping from her face. "What else have you been keeping from me?"
"Epirus…" Called Parmenion, "Enough"
The king let go off her and relaxed on the throne again.
"You will right to your king" He said, wiping his wand on his servant's expensive silk. "Tell him I accept his offer…"
"You cannot!" Olympias stood up.
Epirus signaled her to stop with his hand, his eyes still fixed on Parmenion
"…with one condition" He continued
Parmenion gulped.
"A place in his council"
"What?"
Asked Olympias, confused
"Your highness" Parmenion addressed him politely, "A place in the council is reserved for Macedonian nobles, you must understand… there's restrictions-"
"Then ask him to find me a suitable Macedonian whore"
"You can take a Persian queen and rule the new territories…"
"Promises…" He shook his head "More promises. I need an insurance. Find me a Macedonian wife"
Parmenion hesitated
"Write to your king" He ordered the captain to give him something to write on "Now, if you ever wish to see your wife again"
Parmenion took it and slowly begun to write.
"Have you no honor?" Olympias complained ashamed of her bother's weakness and selfishness. He remained silent, watching Ptolemy write.
"You weak little coward…" she said, disgust written all over her face, "You are no king. Our men will never follow you…"
"My men, you mean"
She slapped him and left the room.
Parmenion was escorted to his room to wait for king Philip's answer.
The next morning Parmenion met Epirus at the same place.
"And?" Epirus asked, impatient.
Olympias gave him a glare, but Parmenion did not look at her in the eyes. He gave the letter to the king, and slowly walked away. Epirus read it out loud.
"The king offers princess Cleopatra, his first daughter, in marriage, welcomes King Epirus into the council" He smirked.
"No…" Olympias gasped, her chest became tight.
"Captain" He called, and the man with the eye patch walked to him. "Call for a small council. We have a war to end and another one to begin." He said, and he walked out.
Everybody else followed him. Everyone except Parmenion and Olympias.
Parmenion watched her crouch on the floor. A hand in her chest, a silent scream threatening to escape her throat.
Parmenion slowly walked to her, and placed his hand on her back.
Olympias pushed him away.
"You said you would protect them" She cried.
"I never imagined he would-"
"Lies!" She said, aiming to hit him, but her strength had left her tired body long ago. "You were my only friend…"
"I still am…" he said, holding her.
"Whose side are you on, Parmenion?"
"I told you. I'll always be on the kingdom's side"
She shook her head, defeated.
"…and the kingdom needs you. The kingdom needs Alexandros. And Alexandros needs you"
She turned to him and he could see the slightest spark of hope in her eyes.
"It is better if she knows it from you...", he smiled faintly.
"The king can tell her himself." She said, bitterly. "He did this. He will be the one to watch her face when her world falls apart. Not me…You have a daughter, Parmenion... Could you look into your daughter's eyes and tell her that everything is going to be fine when you know she is going to marry a man who will ruin her life?"
Parmenion was speechless. There was nothing he could say that could bring her peace.
"Let her enjoy her last days of freedom…"
On a small hill by the river, two people in a hood observed the Macedonian army boarding back on their ships.
"It seems like the young will live to see another day", Said one of them, watching the prince reunite with his family and friends. "They managed to stop the war"
"Not for long" Said the other one.
"Let them enjoy while they still can…"
"It is all the same. They may have avoided this war, but blood must be spilled…"
A small golden object glowed in front of them. It shined with a red gleam, thirsty to be filled, then vanished into the air again.
"Persians, Greeks, Babylonians, Sumerians… their blood is all worth the same in the eyes of the gods. They survived just to see an even bigger war to come".
"It is just a matter of time, then. We never had a chance…"
"Just a matter of time…" Zurvan echoed, pushing back the hood of the cloak, revealing its face. Then turned to the woman beside him.
"Get the mage boy…" It said in a calm, yet threatening tone. "The other two idiots will never get him… we cannot wait any longer…"
"I will…"
"And they already know that Olympias is not the spy…" Zurvan warned her.
"I know…"
She removed her hood, revealing her long, black hair, and put on a helmet that covered her face. Everything except her heterochrome eyes.
"If you try to protect her…or him…"
"I will not"
Zurvan grabbed her arm, not fully convinced.
She stared back at it with empty eyes.
"She raised me since birth to be her shadow. He does not even know I exist. No one has ever given me a name… Why should I care?"
She walked away without looking back, then joined the rest of the Macedonian army, boarding the ship that would take her back home.