Dear friends – thank you everybody who read, favored, started following and especially commented on the previous chapter and this story in general. Without your constant support the writing of this story won't progress and wouldn't be such a joy. I am looking forward to read your comments to this chapter as well and I hope you'll be pleased to know that I already started to write the next one.
Warnings: this is M chapter that contains sex and violence; please don't read if you feel uncomfortable with the content.
xxxxxxxxxx
Late fall 343 BC, Susa
Sisygambis, with a perfect fake smile of motherly approval, watched her granddaughter Damaspia lovingly caressing the round belly. The girl, barely fifteen year old, looked fragile and vulnerable, her doe-like eyes shone with tears of tender emotion towards her protruding bump.
"She kicks all the time, she wants out," she said, silly smiling at her grandmother.
"She?" asked Sisygambis.
"Yes," the girl battered her lashes against the rosy cheeks, "everybody says it's going to be a girl. I am quite content."
"You should pray to Ahuramazda for a son, this is what your husband expects from you."
"He has enough sons already, all vying for succession. I am safer with bearing my husband a daughter. I want to call her Parysatis (1), a proper royal name, one day she may become a Queen of Persia, the main wife of a formidable king. I don't have such ambitions. I just want to make my husband happy. He already says we have to have more children. I can't wait to be ready for him making love to me again. He says he can't wait too. He is not sleeping with his other wives or concubines, just eunuchs. He asked if I wanted to watch how to pleasure him even more, I was uncomfortable in the beginning but then….I am looking forward to pleasure him as he likes, you know….."
"It is a disgrace for a woman, for a royal woman, to pleasure her husband in the ways the eunuchs do," Sisygambis pressed her lips in disapproval.
"But this is what my husband likes," tearing up again murmured Damaspia, "I can't deny the Great King, it can't be wrong if he likes it."
"Dirty old pervert," Sisygambis thought about Artaxerxes, "always was, still is. Always looked for the youngest, the innocent, always boasted of deflowering more virgins than anybody else in his kingdom but made that bitch Atossa his main wife, his own full blood sister, a woman who already bore children to their own father and who didn't even blink when Artaxerxes cut their throats in that bloodbath after his father death. (2) I bet she slept with her brother even when their father, the old Artaxerxes, was still alive. Those two deserve each other and the old Artaxerxes' mother Parysatis was a fool to eliminate his first wife Stateira. And she should have done more to protect me!"
Sisygambis extended her hand and put it on her granddaughter's belly, "As long as you are happy, my dear, I am happy for you," she smiled encouragingly and at the same time hoping that her touch will poison the baby inside. "Why should she enjoy cradling her baby in her arms and I was denied this experience? Why her child should live and mine had to die? Artaxerxes' seed grew in my body just it grew in hers, and it was a son. At least I was told it was a son… why he had to die even before I could kiss him, at least one time?"
It was so many years ago, sometimes it seemed like it happened to somebody else. Her mother died giving birth to her and her father when she was hardly five years old. It was decided to give her to the care of her grandmother, Queen Mother Parysatis and this is how she came to live in the King of Kings harem. She was surrounded by her uncle Artaxerxes' wives, concubines and their children, all ruled by great Parysatis before whom everybody bowed in what Sisygambis first thought was respect and later learned was fear. Anybody who displeased her was eliminated. Even Stateira, much beloved First Wife of the King, paid with her life for the futile attempt to wriggle some power from Parysatis. It happened the year Sisygambis was born but the rumor had it the Queen Mother forced Stateira to drink a poison.
Sisygambis, at first didn't know what it meant for her being given to her grandmother's care but when she saw the power Parysatis hold over the whole harem, she decided that she wanted to be the next Parysatis. She was one of the many grandchildren and children of the Artaxerxes that Parysatis was in charge of but in a short period of time she became the favorite. She did everything her grandmother told her, never questioning her authority and only sometimes asking for explanations, always justifying her questions by desire to learn and be of the utmost help. The behaviour wasn't lost on Parysatis, as any Master she wanted to leave after herself a worthy pupil; once she thought her son's wife Stateira could be groomed into such position but the young woman rebelled, thought too much of herself too soon, so she had to die. Sisygambis had a potential to become the next and Parysatis was willing to start from the beginning.
At the age of eleven, Sisygambis knew every nook and cranny of the opulent harem's quarters in every major city of the empire, she knew most of the inhabitants - the wives, the concubines, the eunuchs, the children, she knew who at any given moment major players were, what they liked, what their weaknesses were. No gossip, no matter in what dark corner of the harem it was whispered, could pass her attention. She learnt how to watch people without being watched herself, how to hide in the most unimaginable places and how quickly escape from those. She learnt that it was easy for her to mimic the voices of other people and soon she started to learn how to mimic gestures, gait and facial expressions.
And then she discovered sex or, more precisely, came to the understanding what it meant to other people and how those people could be manipulated through it. Great King's wives or concubines, of course, were out of reach for any other man, but not so to the women. Lonely, because some of them were taken only once to Artaxerxes' bed and some others even never, the women pleasured themselves in the hidden places, giving it to each other with considerable degrees of passion. Then, there were eunuchs, the older ones teaching the younger boys and girls in the art of pleasuring their master. And, if one was as resourceful as Sisygambis became, there were always ways of sneaking out the harem walls and watching ordinary men and woman indulging in carnal pleasures.
By the age of thirteen Sisygambis became impatient. She thought she knew it all and she was ready to take over the world. Her uncle Artaxerxes was in his sixties, Sisygambis had no ambitions to become one of his wives, he had too many adult children and she knew that even with Parysatis' help she can't take over all of them. Besides, her grandmother's health deteriorated quite a lot in the recent years and though she still ruled the Harem, who knew how long she had left. No, Sisygambis decided to concentrate on one of her cousins. She knew rather well the most important ones. Due to her proximity to Parysatis, she was often present on those occasions when King himself or one of his sons come to the Matriarch for advice or were plainly summoned by the grandmother.
Darius, oldest of the king's sons was his favorite but he hated and feared Parysatis for killing his own mother. He was rather ambitious but too vain and not clever enough in Parysatis' eyes. "Mark my words, dear," Parysatis used to say, "Darius will never rule. He doesn't care to win allies to his side, he thinks that just because he is oldest of all the legitimate sons, he'll inherit the throne. How preposterous!" The old crone's prediction proved to be right; years after Parysatis' death he was accused of plotting against his father's life and was killed.
Then, there were Ariarathes, Arsames, Mithridates and
Unfortunately, patience was never a tool in the teenagers' arsenal. Sisygambis was afraid that somebody else will take her place and then it will be too late. The girl watched her cousin whenever it was possible. There were enough occasions because the king liked to keep his sons close and though they all had their own harems, while at the Great King's court they would bring their women and eunuchs and those minor harems would mix with women and eunuchs sharing space, gossips and rivalries. Sisygambis saw her cousin often enough but she was cautious not to raise any suspicions and on those few occasions when Ochus did talk to her, it was always in Parysatis' presence and Sisygambis could tell it was done purely out of courtesy and not due to any special interest.
Sisygambis got nervous. Not only Ochus might choose and take his First Wife among a whole slew of highly eligible women but any moment now Great King could decide to marry her off to some far away satrap and she had to say good bye to her ambitions. Each time she dared to approach Parysatis to discover if anything was planned for her, the Queen Mother either pretended to ignore the question or advised her not to dwell on such matters. Sometimes she wondered if her grandma's mind started to slip away or she didn't care any longer about ambitions that her favorite granddaughter once so openly harbored.
Sisygambis started to feel anxious and desperate. One day she was sitting in the inner garden absent mindedly listening to the babbling sounds of the water in the pond and sadly contemplating the fact that she didn't see Ochus for quite a few months now. Then, there was a laughter and a group of young women run jiggling into the garden. Sisygambis' heart missed a beat, in some of them she recognized Ochus concubines, so the prince came for a visit at last! Other girls and women joined the new arrivals happily, it was an opportunity to gossip, to learn the latest news and to renew half-forgotten friendships and rivalries. Soon Sisygambis noticed that among the new faces there was one girl who seemed to be a leader of the pack and all the others tried to be friends with her. Sure enough, Sisygambis soon learnt that the new girl was a current favorite of Ochus.
Indignant at first, soon Sisygambis realized that the new girl looked somewhat like her. Almost the same hair color, similar tone of the skin, same body structure and no more than a year or two older than herself. Ochus' favorite or not, Rogune, such was the girl's strange name, was just a slave and took Sisygambis' pretended polite interest in her as a great favor. By the end of the day, they were very good friends. Then, the eunuch came summoning Rogune to Ochus' bed. The next day the girls were together again, gossiping alone to the envy of the rest of the youngsters. Sisygambis managed to discipline herself and didn't ask a single question about the previous night though she could plainly see on Rogune's face that she was bursting with desire to share the most intimate moments of her last night adventure. Rogune didn't see Sisygambis as a rival to Ochus' attention; Sisygambis was a princess and as such couldn't be plucked up from the Royal Harem by anybody's wish, except the Great King himself.
The routine continued for several days and at last Rogune, seeing that Sisygambis was either not interested or too shy to ask any questions, started to whisper all the intimate secrets of the prince's bedchamber. By the end of that day, Sisygambis knew everything that Ochus desired and liked to do in bed. Rogune was so carried away in her boasting and desire to share that she saw nothing of demonstrating some of the processes with her own hands though that of course was only done when both girls were safely alone in Sisygambis' private chamber. As a princess, though of the minor status, she had certain privileges.
Years later Sisygambis, bitter and alone, vainly wondered, day after day, night after night, what made her to step on that dangerous and utterly stupid path that she took. Was it impatience? Overconfidence of the youth? Certain naïveté that she didn't realize at the time? One way or another, the young Sisygambis thought that the best course of action was to pretend to be Rogune and thus gain access to prince's chamber. Once there she would seduce him and after they slept together she would either convince or blackmail him into taking her as his First Wife.
The day that became a turning point of her life started just as any other day only eunuch came searching for Rogune earlier than usual. "The master asked for your presence later tonight. He wishes to play a maiden game with you, so prepare yourself. You know what to do, don't you, or should I send some help later today?"
"Of course I know what to do," haughtily announced Rogune and turned her back to eunuch thus dismissing him in a very rude manner.
"What is this game?" asked Sisygambis trying to sound rather disinterested.
Rogune merrily laughed, "I've heard all the men like to boast about the amount of girls whose virginity they took. Ochus is definitely not an exception."
"But you can be virgin only once, when it's taken from you….," uncertainly started Sisygambis.
"You are so innocent, princess," conceded Rogune, "When men want something, especially as powerful as Ochus, they find a way of getting it. "Of course, he can find a new virgin for every night, but…. he likes me and he wants me to be a virgin….. from time to time."
"But how it's possible?"
"Well," Rogune looked at Sisygambis appraisingly trying to determine if she should share the information with a curious princess but then decided it will do no harm, "there are certain…. things that you can insert inside yourself that will temporally close the entrance and your lover has to push hard in order to breach it, imitating taking the virginity from you again. To complete the picture, those "things" can be filled with blood so that the process seems as if everything is for real. And of course you have to pretend to be innocent, frightened and unexperienced. But all this needs careful preparation that is why Ochus sends his eunuch earlier in the day, when he is in a mood for that. Do you want to see how it's done?" asked Rogune challenging the young princess.
"Yes, show me," hastily agreed Sisygambis, half cooked plan already warming in her head. The opportunity was too perfect to miss it.
"Only we have to go to my quarters, I don't have all the necessary articles here.
"Of course," agreed Sisygambis.
Once in Rogune's rooms, the girls started the preparations. For fun they decided that they both should go through similar preparations, take the bath and have eunuchs massage them, then comb their hairs in similar manner, bring them similar outfits and have the same makeup applied. Rogune gave orders what to do and eunuchs and servants followed the instructions. Rogune explained that Ochus had specific tastes, what he liked and what expected. Rogune had no idea that she was signing her death warrant with her own hand. When they were done, the nightfall approached and, on a quite innocently sounding advice from Sisygambis, Rogune dismissed all her servants and eunuchs and asked to be left alone with the princess, for a few late night gossips.
Left alone, Sisygambis asked Rogune if she can keep a secret. Rogune's eyes sparkled, Princess' secret may prove a valuable weapon and Sisygambis, though looked like a rather reserved and proper girl, could harbor some hidden desires. Getting a nod as a positive answer, Sisygambis came closer and bent over Rogune as if wanting to whisper a secret. She encircled one arm around the concubine bringing their bodies close together. Rogune didn't see the weapon and for a moment she thought the princess wanted to kiss her but she didn't have a chance to finish her thought. With a swift movement from below upward Sisygambis drove a sharp knife from the back of Rogune neck into her skull. Whatever death scream formed in the poor girl throat it was drowned by the small pillow that Sisygambis placed around her lips with her other hand.
The deed done, Sisygambis shoved the dead body under the bed, the bed skirt covered the space and besides, nobody would look for her till the late morning or even later. Then, she carefully looked around to make sure that no blood was left on the carpet, put on a veil and started to wait for the eunuch to come. Her heart was racing, not because the murder she just committed but because she was about to capture Ochus' body and mind and pave the road to becoming next Parysatis.
The eunuch came and without noticing anything out of place, took Sisygambis to Ochus' chambers. The prince was already waiting, his rich and ornate night gown half open to reveal well defined chest and bulge below. He started his advances right away, after all, it was his mistress and he didn't really need to court her. Sisygambis didn't need to play a part of scared but willing virgin, because she was one. Ochus' desire from what he thought was a perfect game, flared up highly, he could hardly make an effort to restrain himself in order to enjoy the game to its fullest. Already half naked and overly stimulated by Ochus not so reserved ministration, she still was able to think coherently and asked for the lamps to be extinguished. Though her vail was still on because she made a real effort back in the rooms to attach it firmly, she was afraid Ochus would tear it away and may realize too soon that she was not Rogune.
Ochus laughed, he liked the pretend game but had no desire to interrupt the action and ask for the flames to be extinguished. Instead, he roughly pushed her out of the bed to the floor and throwing his body on top of her, seductively whispered, "Let's pretend I just took you prisoner from your bedroom in a high tower, you never knew a touch of a man and I am going to rape you. Don't forget to scream authentically."
And scream she did, without any pretending of it, when Ochus entered her roughly and continued to mercilessly pound her. The more she screamed, the more he enjoyed it thinking Rogune was accommodating his wish, the more vicious he became. After he was done, he stayed for a few moments on top of her and then rolled over.
"You did well," he praised her approvingly, "all those screams and fake blood and it felt like you were virgin indeed. We should do it more often."
Sisygambis however felt horrified. Not only her body was ravaged with pain and humiliation, she suddenly realized what a stupid thing she did and now she wasn't sure how to face the consequences.
"Come here and have some drink with me," Ochus called his supposed mistress from the low duvet, "I even arranged for your favorite peach sherbet, come, I don't have all the night. Sharash will appear soon to summon me to my father."
Sisygambis managed to raise herself from the floor using one of her elbows for support. Her veil was askew but she didn't bother to fix this only remaining piece of her clothing. She felt nauseous and wasn't sure she could walk in order to reach for her discarded clothes.
"Go wash herself first," said Ochus noticing the thighs were covered in blood, "what's the matter with you?" Ochus at last noticed that something was wrong.
"Nothing," murmured Sisygambis managing at last to stand up, "sorry if I took the play too far, let me take care of myself quickly and then I come back to serve you again." Sisygambis hoped that she was able to fake Rogune's voice well enough but then she cast a desperate look around. Unlike Ochus' mistress, she didn't know the layout of Ochus' chambers and had no idea where to go to wash herself.
Whether her voice imitation was not that good enough or Ochus, having his desires satisfied, was able to see more clearly, Sisygambis watched in horror how the prince suddenly stood up from his sit and strode in her direction.
"Who are you?" he demanded tearing the veil from Sisygambis hair. The hapless princess could do nothing to avoid the fateful discovery.
"Sisygambis!" Ochus exclaimed staring at her at disbelieve.
"So, you do know who I am?" Ostanes' daughter tried to give her voice as much arrogance as she could master.
"What are you doing here? How did you…..?"
"Rogune and I look somewhat alike."
"Somewhat alike? Are you insane, girl?! She is a low life trump and you are Great King's granddaughter! How could you degrade yourself this way? Do you know what the punishment for such a behaviour is?"
"We are equally guilty in the King's eyes, you raped me without my consent."
"I didn't invite you here, you tricked me taking Rogune's place."
"How dare you?! You knew Rogune and I were close and often spent time together. You ordered one of your eunuchs to slip me a sleeping potion in my drink and dress me in her clothes. Then you sent another eunuch to bring me here and you raped me. The fault is all yours."
"Stupid ewe!" Ochus snorted, "None of my eunuchs will confirm such a story. Where is Rogune?"
"Does it really matter? Oh, and I will say I don't recognize the eunuch who gave me a dragged drink among the present. You probably kill him afterwards? This all, however, can be avoided, if you agree to take me as your First Wife; I will keep your dirty secret well, my dear husband."
"My First Wife? This is what it was all about!" Ochus disgustingly laughed, "Did you really think I would give you such an honor after I took you on a floor like a low life prostitute?"
"You don't have a choice. What do you think will happen to you after I denounce you before your father? He already had a husband for me in mind, now he'll have to explain to him why I am not available for the union. Do you think the King will like that?!"
"Denounce me? You have a brain of a sheep! Who do you think will give you a chance to go before him?" Ochus threatened and putting his both hands in one swift motion around her throat, started to choke her.
Sisygambis didn't even have time to scream and would be gone from the world of the living within a few moments but suddenly she felt the grasp loosen and she fell helplessly to the floor.
"What's going on here?" somebody asked in a harsh tone.
Sisygambis found herself staring at the old but imposing man who, she realized, was asking that question not of her, but of Ochus.
"Nothing, father," the Prince hastily answered and tried to place his body between the newcomer and Sisygambis who was splayed on the floor naked and still bloodied from their recent encounter. "I am just playing some games with my mistress, I didn't realize you'd be coming here or I would never greet you in such an inappropriate manner."
"Why, the manner is quite appropriate," leered the old King and taking a few steps around, stared at his granddaughter obviously not recognizing her. "Nothing says "welcome" better that the legs spread by a young woman. But this is not why I came here. Come," he put a hand on his son's shoulder, we'll talk in your cabinet while your mistress takes care of herself."
"Of course, father," Ochus bowed respectfully and flicked fingers at the nearby servant. "Deal with her," he ordered and turned his back to Sisygambis.
The princess realized what "deal with her" meant and sprang to her feet with all the agility she was capable at the moment.
"Grandfather!" she shouted and when the surprised king turned around she threw herself at his feet in supplicant position trying to kiss his feet.
"What does all this mean?" Artaxerxes frowned.
"Don't listen to her," hastily said Ochus sending the killer glances towards his servants for being too slow. "She is just….
"Great King, please, don't you recognize me, it is I, your granddaughter Sisygambis, the only daughter of Ostanes, your faithful younger brother who died defending your kingdom."
"Sisygambis?" Artaxerxes asked and the princess wasn't sure either he really didn't recognize her or didn't remember who she was.
"Don't listen to this scum, she pretends all the time to be somebody else. No granddaughter of yours…."
"No, please, grandfather, listen to me!" Pleaded desperate Sisygambis and hurriedly started to narrate the story she just threatened her cousin with, not forgetting to mention the corpse of the poor Rogune stashed under her own bed.
"I don't like it," announced Artaxerxes angrily, "bring my mother here," he ordered to one of the eunuchs who immediately disappeared behind the curtains.
Ochus realized he made a mistake of presenting Sisygambis was his mistress instead of accusing her of who she really was and what she did in order to gain access to his bedroom.
"Cover yourself up," Artaxerxes ordered to the prostrated woman. He indeed wasn't sure who she was, it was hard to recognized Sisygambis in a state that she was and besides, he didn't know her all that well.
Ochus paced the floor impatiently and tried to reason with his father but it was useless, he already made a decision and wasn't going to change it.
Parysatis came and, upon seeing Sisygambis, recognized her immediately and after the initial shock sternly demanded to know what was going on.
Sisygambis told her the same version she just told Artaxerxes and Ochus had no choice but tell his side. He had to admit that it was indeed Sisygambis but he insisted that he didn't know it before it was too late and that he panicked seeing his father.
For both Parysatis and Artaxerxes it was difficult to determine who was telling the truth, both versions were at the same time hard to swallow. In any case, such incidents were supposed to be left in a close family circle and there were already too many people involved. Parysatis whispered something into her son's ear and after some consideration he nodded in agreement.
"You are coming with me," Parysatis sternly announced to Sisygambis, "somebody bring her a wide cloak and dark veil to cover face and hair."
After it was done, the Queen Mother rudely grasp Sisygambis hand and ordered, "follow me and keep your mouth shut. Not a sound from your mouth till I allow it."
Sisygambis obediently nodded and followed the order. At least for now she managed to avert the death but for how long?
Back in the Queen Mother quarters, Sisygambis was passed to the care an old austere woman who took her to a small room only a small distance away. Sisygambis lived there for a few days, the old servant was her only companion. Then, in a middle of one night, she was awaken by her grandmother. Parysatis looked stern and distant.
"I talk, you listen. No interruptions. When I ask for your agreement, you nod. Understood?"
Sisygambis nodded.
"After we talk, you will be taken from this palace never to come back again to the Court. You will live in a remote place, in a small house, in a small village. You talk to nobody but your servants. You go nowhere, you ask for nothing. If one day the Great King decides to call you back, you will come back, understood?"
Sisygambis nodded.
"You are a disgrace to our family. The only reason you're left alive is ….. well, it is none of your business but you should know that you forfeited your life forever, you will never become what you could have become. Understood?"
Sisygambis nodded.
Having said all she wanted to say, Parysatis stood and spit onto the face of her still sitting granddaughter. Then she left, never to see her again.
x
In later years Sisygambis remembered little of that journey except that it was long, uncomfortable and dull. The same could have been said about her new dwellings and the first few months of her life in some gods' forgotten place. And then she discovered that she was pregnant. She couldn't hid the fact for a long time but when her secret was out, nothing much changed. She had some hopes that now she will be forgiven and brought back; after all, the child she was bearing would be twice the Great King's grandchild but it didn't happen. She went into labor and it was so long and painful that she passed out after many hours of unsuccessful attempts to deliver. She thought she was going to die but she survived.
When she emerged from nothingness into the dullness of another day on earth and inquired about the child, she was told it was born dead, suffocated by umbilical cord and it was a boy. His body, blue from lack of oxygen, was wrapped into the cloth and taken to nearby village to be deposited into the well that served that particular purpose. She never learnt the name of that village or the location of the well. And she never left the poor hamlet where she was brought from the palace of Susa for almost thirty years. She left the city when she was fifteen, she came back at forty three.
x
For years she dreamt and hoped for a miracle, for years she plotted revenge with a divine help of Ahuramazda and earthly help of unknown sympathizers but when it happened, there was no warning, no signs, nothing. She didn't even know why one day she was ordered out of the house, taken to the palanquin with dark curtains and onto the road. She travelled under the heavy guard of some fifty soldiers and the only person who somewhat interacted with her was unknown eunuch of rather unpleasant countenance. He was of undetermined age, bold, had a droopy cheeks, full lips that he always smacked as if constantly chewing something, small pig like eyes and a voice of a peacock.
After the days of monotonous travel, they arrived late in the evening to some city. She wasn't allowed to pick outside through the curtains and even if she was, she wouldn't be able to recognize the place. It was so many years since she left civilization. She was helped by the same very eunuch out of the litter and taken through numerous corridors to some unknown destination. Then, suddenly, her journey ended and she found herself in a small but nicely decorated room that boasted a rich carpet on the floor, fanciful tapestry on the walls, a couch and a few lamps.
Sisygambis looked around trying to figure out the meaning of all that. Why anybody would remember about her existence after all those years? Despite being confined to a rather small space for many years, she felt uncomfortable and exposed standing in the middle of this unknown room. She took a few steps towards the couch and sat. Suddenly, one of the wall curtains moved and a man stepped inside. She didn't recognize him at first in the dim light though somehow she knew that the man was there to announce her future fate. During her confinement she was exposed to a few people and had difficulty to judge the age but she reckoned he was quite a few years her senior. He was powerfully built and his richly decorated dress shouted power.
"Don't recognize me, ah?" he smirked and advance in her direction. "Let's see if your body knows better than your eyes." The man pushed her to the couch and started to rip her clothes off. Sisygambis resisted and first managed to escape pushing man's hands off and rolling herself from the couch.
"Still prefer being taken on the floor like a scum?" the man rudely laughed and grasped her by the hair pulling up. Sisygambis felt as if her scalp being torn from her head and she had no choice but to follow the movement and raise herself up. The man sadistically laughed and continued to undress her.
"You should be honoured," he panted, "being taken by the Great King himself. Not as a First Wife of course, than honor belongs to somebody else, but like you always liked, a prostitute from a beer tavern, serving the lowlife whose only means of payment are some stale buns and a piss of a beer."
"Seems like you know a lot about low lives, oh Great King!" sarcasm was the only weapon that Sisygambis had in her disposal. By now she recognize Ochus and was not surprised that he became the Great King. The old Queen Parysatis was correct in her prediction.
"You dirty old bitch," spat the king and shoved her rudely back to couch face down.
"Watch and learn how your future wife likes to be fucked," the king derisively laughed and bending over her back grasped her head, yanking it up. To her horror Sisygambis realized there was another man in the room. He stood near one of the walls, still like a statue, his face unreadable and the only signs of life were the fists of his bejeweled hands that went opened and closed in a helpless rage.
Sisygambis felt being rudely entered, the forgotten feeling of pain and humiliation washed over her over again. She bit her lips and closed her eyes trying to take her mind somewhere else though she had no happy memories to rely upon. She didn't know how much time has passed when Ochus was done.
"No talent whatsoever in the bed," the king scornfully said and pushed her away from him. "But you wouldn't mind, Arsames, would you?"
When there was no answer, Ochus shouted, "Arsames! You King asked you a question!"
"Of course, Great King," the man's voice was clear but devoid of any emotions, "I don't mind. As long as it pleases you, I do whatever you wish."
"Good," Ochus approved, "the wedding is in a week. Afterwards, you leave my court and retire to your estate. My eunuchs and my soldiers will come with you, and you can have your oldest, Codoman. Oxyathres and Stateira will stay at my court. Don't do any stupid things, Arsames. Now, come here and give a chaste kiss to your sister (4)."
And so Sisygambis' life changed from being a reclusive to being a prisoner. First, there was a very pompous wedding. Ochus who took a royal name of Artaxerxes when he ascended the throne just a year ago upon the death of his father, started his reign with a bloodbath eliminating all his remaining brothers, nephews and nieces, and most of his sisters and cousins. Though he had numerous children from the concubines before, he took as his First Wife his own sister Atossa whom their own father took as a wife just a few years ago. Arsames, Sisygambis' own brother, was left alive for the reasons that neither he himself nor his sister and future wife were able to figure out. Sometimes both of them thought it was purely for the reason of humiliating them. Though it was done in private, they both suspected Artaxerxes thus wanted to remind them both who was their undisputable ruler and owner of their lives.
For the days before wedding Sisygambis was sent to the royal harem to be under the supervision of Atossa, Artaxerxes' First Wife. With Parysatis' death many years ago and her own mother dead as well, Atossa was an undisputed ruler in the Harem. Some ten years younger than Sisygambis, Atossa watched like a hawk over the women of the royal Harem and was said to be as cruel as her husband. In the Harem Sisygambis met Stateira, her own niece and future step daughter, who was around eight at the time. The girl was charming and sweet natured, or at least she tried to give such an impression. She listened open mouthed to everything Atossa had to say but Sisygambis wondered whether the girl's obedience was real or she played the same game that she herself engaged in with Parysatis. High born girls in the Harem, especially when they were hostages as Stateira was, needed to grow up early in order to survive.
During the weeding Sisygambis met her nephews and future stepsons, Codoman and Oxyathres. Codoman was in his early thirties and Oxyathres a few years younger. The difference between brothers was evident even before Sisygambis had the chance to know them closely. The oldest, mildly myopic brother was of mild disposition, ever trying to avoid conflict at any cost. He pleasantly, even slightly stupidly, smiled at everybody and always tried to please his opponent. Though he received a military training appropriate to his status and was physically fit, he had a non-confrontational nature and it was close to impossible to evoke his anger. No wonder that Artaxerxes didn't consider him a danger and allowed to accompany his father back to their estate. The younger, Oxyathres, was better looking, more charming, more quick minded. In future years he showed himself as talented military chief and statesman, good at making alliances and avoiding unnecessary risks. He and Sisygambis took an immediate dislike to each other which they carried faithfully to their graves.
Few days after their wedding, Arsames and Sisygambis left for their estate. It wasn't an exile but Arsames felt that he was denied his rightful place near the Great King's throne. If Artaxerxes left him alive after the purge, he should have shown more respect. At least, as Sisygambis figured out, that was what Arsames thought. Their marital relationship wasn't agreeable either. It didn't take Sisygambis long to figure out that it was forced on Arsames. Her brother-husband treated her with indifference at best though he took her to his bed quite often. It wasn't out of love or desire either. Sisygambis discovered in the first days of their marriage that Artaxerxes, out of his perverted sense of revenge and all-powerfulness, ordered Arsames to sleep with his wife on frequent occasions and when Arsames slacked in his duty, the eunuchs whom the Great King forced on Arsames were there to remind him. As a matter of fact, those reminders were so often that Arsames had almost no strength left on the concubines of his own harem.
The married life didn't last long for Sisygambis, though. One day Arsames was killed during the hunt under some suspicious circumstances and Codoman became the head of their family. Sisygambis felt that at last the gods were smiling at her. During the months of her marriage to Arsames, since less than a year passed between their marriage and the death of her husband, Sisygambis managed to cultivate an almost motherly relationship with Codoman. He didn't inherit his father's and younger brother's resentment towards his aunt and because Sisygambis was always attentive to Codoman's wishes and always defended him in front of his father who often accused his oldest of being a spineless dolt, Codoman treated his aunt with respect and something that even could have been taken for son's love.
She didn't know where it would lead yet, but Sisygambis smiled inwardly with satisfaction when Codoman would come to seek her advice and she didn't lose a single opportunity to praise him for his wise decisions. Her step son wasn't the only one whom Sisygambis managed to fool with her pretended love and obedience. The eunuchs, especially those sent as spies by Artaxerxes, were under the impression that whatever transgressions she committed in the past towards Artaxerxes, she atoned by gladly accepting Artaxerxes' will and power over their family. It gave Sisygambis some perverted pleasure to fool everyone around her by pretending to be the most faithful servant of the Great King. With the news of Arsames' death, off went dispatches from Sisygambis to Artaxerxes expressing her desire to serve the Great King at whatever role he chooses. She went as far as suggest that Codoman, for the reasons of being the oldest son and also more malleable disposition, should be confirmed as a head of their family whereas Oxyathres, the youngest, should be constantly watched since, Sisygambis suspected, he would gladly consort with the constantly revolting satraps.
Whether Artaxerxes listened to her missives or not, Sisygambis never learnt but one day Codoman was ordered to assemble the men of his satrapy and join the Great King in his march against the Cadusians, a rebellious tribe in the south west of Girkanian Sea (5). The Great King itched to prove his military prowess and succeed where his father and predecessor failed. It wasn't hard for Sisygambis to convince Codoman that she should accompany the troops. It was a custom of the Persian Kings and their most prominent vassal to travel with their Harems and since Codoman wasn't married yet, it was she, his mother, who ruled the Harem together with Chief Eunuch of the Harem.
It was a long journey, the scarcity and availability of correct information being one of the main reasons. One day was very much like the other and there was no omens from the gods when the day came that changed the lives of Codoman and Sisygambis forever. They were passing some poor village that boasted a small market place and a few rather dilapidated huts. Due to some local celebration other tribesmen from nearby areas all congregated in the market place. Codoman's first officer urged his master to confiscate all the food and livestock that was in view, the army has to have means to feed itself and their stocks were low. Besides, the villagers, though of quite peaceful behaviour, belonged to Cadusian tribe and as such all their possessions belonged to the Codoman and his army by the laws of war.
Arsames' son, however, was of different opinion. He didn't want to rob those people blind and decided that if his army needed some supplies, he was going to negotiate a fair price. He went out to the market place and asked to talk to the head of the village. The villagers were all too happy to accommodate his wish; when they first glimpsed the approach of the army, they prepared to be robbed blind at best and at worst being killed and taken prisoners. Finding a compassionate ear in a splendidly dressed noblemen and realizing he wasn't there to deprive them of their livelihood, they started to bring out wears and produce and asked a fair price. Then they began to besiege him to intercede on their behalf before the Great King, they were peaceful people and the bad reputation of their tribe was due to the wild brigands who hid in the mountain and robbed everybody, those of travellers and their own blood alike.
Codoman smiled at the assembled crowd and listened to their complains; he promised things he believed were honorable but naively not realizing he had no power to deliver. Women brought him flowers, children tagged at his clothes asking for coins and the local entertainer invited Codoman to watch his show – the mute slave of enormous proportions was taught to perform the role of the huge mythical beast who was captured by a hero and now worked like an animal bringing water from the well, building houses and such all while locals threw refuse and spit on him. Everybody laughed at the antics but Codoman didn't like the show, he pitied the giant who helplessly run around though he couldn't hide or run completely away, his movements were restricted by the chain one side of which was connected to the wooden manacle that was secured around his neck and the other attached to the pole in the middle of the marketplace.
"They look like David and Goliath," noticed Rachel, a Jewish serving girl that accompanied Sisygambis in the role of her personal attendant and somewhat of a confidant.
"Who is David and Goliath?" Sisygambis asked absentmindedly. She fully exploited Codoman's mild nature to her advantage but sometimes his submissiveness and generosity drove her mad. He was easily manipulated, yes, and currently in her full power but he completely lacked ambition and Sisygambis wondered if he was the right tool to use to rise in the Great King's court.
"It is one of the famous stories in our religion," Rachel explained happy to be of use for her mistress. She was also bored out of her mind and felt any distraction welcomed.
"Tell me," ordered Sisygambis.
"It happened many eons ago, during the times when Saul was the king of Israelites, my people. He needed to defeat the enemies, a fearsome tribe of Philistines and two armies faced each other in the valley of Elah. The Philistines' champion was a fierce, giant warrior Goliath who for forty days challenged anybody in Saul's army to a single combat but everyone, king including, were too afraid to accept. Among the army were a two brothers of Jesse but because they left their home in the hurry they forgot to take their armour and Jesse sent his youngest son, David, to bring the armour.
When David arrived at the valley of Elah, Goliath was hurling insults at Israelites, accusing them of cowardice. David, thought just a shepherd who tended to his father's flocks, felt humiliated and indignant that nobody would accept the challenge so he volunteered. He refused to put on any armament or take any weapons, he didn't know how to handle them. He simply took a sling and five stones from the brook as his only weapon. Goliath, seeing his opponent, started to laugh and call David many derisive names but it didn't last long. David fired his sling and a small sharp stone hit directly at the giant's forehead. Goliath was dead on the spot. David cut off his head and brought it to the king Saul."
"And did the king Saul rewarded David for this bravery?" with interest asked Sisygambis.
"Yes, Saul made David a commander of his armies and offered the hand of his daughter Michal in marriage."
"And then what?"
"David grew into a very successful and talented commander and Saul's son, Jonathan, was his best friend. Unfortunately, with time Saul became suspicious and envious of David's glory and tried to kill him. David escaped, warned by Jonathan, and lived for some time outside of Israel. Then, both Saul and Jonathan were killed in the war and David was proclaimed the king of Israel because everybody remembered his courage and bravery."
"Is it so?" with even more interest asked Sisygambis.
"Oh, yes," gladly affirmed Rachel, "David became one of our most famous and glorious kings. He won numerous battles, defeated a lot of enemies and won the love of his people,…. and his wives…."
And so the ruse was born. Codoman was not aware of its undercurrents for he would never agree for such a despicable act. Sisygambis knew just a man to share this plot with, Pharnaces, a young and ambitious officer in Codoman's army. He managed to convince his overlord to take part in the ritual, whereas the local man would challenge him to a single combat, Codoman would agree and then pretend battle would issue and Codoman would win and the locals would duly submit to his rule. Then Codoman can bring the news of his victory to the Great King. Arsames' son didn't like this idea in the beginning but was convinced by Pharnaces and Sisygambis that it was a win-win situation; after all, it was a Cadusian tribe and the Artaxerxes would be glad to hear the news. Besides, because of their submission, the locals will be safe from further attacks by the Great King's army, there was no point to make war against already conquered villages.
With the help of interpreters, Pharnaces and Sisygambis managed to convince the local elders as well, promising not only a peace treaty but also a generous payment and assurances of future favors. So, the spectacle went on, its victims being completely unaware of the deadly role they were supposed to play. The giant slave, who played the role of Goliath, was somehow explained his part and managed to perform it well, challenging Codoman to a single combat. Arsames' son, though first reluctantly, also played his role well, especially seeing how everybody enjoyed the performance. Codoman fumbled with a sling, it wasn't a weapon he was accustomed to. During the confusion, one of the best slingers in Codoman's army, who was told his part beforehand by Pharnaces, fired his weapon, instantly bringing the slave down. The villages fell silent, though they all laughed at the giant slave, he was their favorite entertainer. Somebody shouted in indignation. Codoman just stood there, staring at the fallen man, not sure what to do. Some of the locals grabbed the stones that lay in abundance on the ground. It was more than enough for Codoman's army to react. Encouraged by Pharnaces' cries that their master was in danger, the soldiers attacked.
It took them less than an hour to wipe out the whole population completely. Women, old and children who took refuge in the houses, were hunted down and mercilessly killed. It was a real carnage. Seeing no choice and fearful to be considered a coward by his own men, Codoman was forced first to join and then to lead his men. Sisygambis triumphed; she encouraged Codoman to send a courier to the Great King describing the decisive victory. Some of the eunuchs, though initially in the Great King employ, learned to appreciate Sisygambis' cunningness and ambition. It was far more advantageous position to serve a celebrated warrior than a mere nobody. At Sisygambis' suggestion they added their own flowery details to the whole enterprise. The couriers were dispatched early morning next day and the rest of Codoman's army left later the same day leaving in their wake dead bodies of the villages and nearby locals who had the misfortune of joining the fateful celebration. Among the corpses was that of Rachel, Sisygambis' servant who had no idea that she signed her death warrant by telling the story of David and Goliath to her mistress. Sisygambis needed no witnesses to the ruse.
In future years Pharnaces and those who help him with the whole shady enterprise also lost their lives though most of the Codoman's people had no idea they were set up by the clever princess. When Codoman's army joined that of the Great King, the news of Codoman victory already spread among the troops. Only Codoman's full acquiescence of Artaxerxes' orders and his generally submissive behaviour saved his skin – the Great Kings were not in a habit of looking lightly on their vassals' independent victories even when done in their name. Besides, Artaxerxes started to suspect Oxyathres, Codoman's brother, in conspiring with other satraps against his will. Oxyathres distinguished himself rather well during the same campaign but there was nothing humble in his behavior. In addition, just before his father's death, Oxyathres managed to anger Artaxerxes by marrying Damaspia, the only daughter of the recently deceased satrap of Armenia without asking Artaxerxes' permission giving as excuse that he fell in love with a fair maiden.
Artaxerxes decided to postpone the punishment for the times after the campaign hoping that Oxyathres would be killed. When this didn't happen and quite to the contrary, Arsames' youngest son managed to distinguish himself during several battles, he took the satrapy of Armenia from Oxyathres' hands and granted it to his older brother as a reward for his heroic deed in defeating the mighty Cadusian.
"One brother gets a wife and another gets the satrapy. I think it is a fair arrangement," laughed Artaxerxes. "But of course, the new satrap of Armenia needs his own wife, and I think your own half-sister Stateira is perfect match. She is still young and you have to wait a few years before you can bed her, but all stays in a family!"
So, in the end of the Cadusian enterprise when Artaxerxes declared his victory and received acclamations for ridding his country of the troublesome tribe of brigands, Codoman was officially installed as a new satrap of Armenia and married off to his own sister Stateira. He was very happy and grateful and didn't hesitate to give thanks to Artaxerxes on any occasion he could have. Oxyathres, on the other hand, felt resentful and bitter. He detested his wife whom he only married in hopes of getting her father's satrapy. Despite mutual hatred, the aunt and the nephew had a lot in common, impatience being just one of the traits. Sisygambis paid dearly for hers, with almost thirty years taken from her life and her name destroyed. She learned her lesson and now it was Oxyathres' turn. Artaxerxes decided to keep him close and warned that the next thing he does without his explicit approval will result in speedy execution.
Sisygambis, on the other hand, started to gain Artaxerxes' benevolence. He never thought of her as a real threat, rather as ambitious and stupid girl who needed to be taught a lesson. Stupid girl who nevertheless gave birth to a son whom Artaxerxes considered his favorite. Never acknowledged as his own and given at his birth to adoptive parents who weren't aware of his true origins either, he was nevertheless watched by his father who at times regretted that the most promising of his sons would never succeed him. Artaxerxes found a perverted pleasure knowing that all her life Sisygambis mourned her still born son whereas the boy grew up healthy and clever. "Maybe I wouldn't love him as much if he was my acknowledged son, I would always suspect him plotting against me, and maybe he would have, given the proclivities of his mother."
"Ah, Sisygambis, the princess who loves it rough," mused Artaxerxes who managed to convince himself that Sisygambis actually enjoyed their sexual encounters. After taking her roughly in front of her future husband, Artaxerxes had other occasions to bed Sisygambis. He was old now and she was not a young maiden any longer but he still got a perverted pleasure of forcing himself on her and humiliating in any way he can come up with. It was no longer done in front of the witnesses as was the case with Arsames but humiliation still stung sharply.
Sisygambis endured all for the sake of revenge she believed she would get one day. She even came up with the ways to get more hurt and debased, all for the sake of gaining Artaxerxes' trust. And it did work. When Codoman was first granted Armenia's satrapy, Sisygambis came with him; somebody needed to take care of Stateira, Codoman's young sister wife. She was an enchanting but wilful creature and never got tired of singing dithyrambs to Atossa, First Wife of Artaxerxes who brought her up in the Royal Harem. But at the time she was too young to understand the manipulative Sisygambis who milked her for information of the latest gossips and major players.
From time to time, Codoman was summoned to the Great King's court. He would always bring some of his Harem with him. During such times, Sisygambis and Stateira would join the Royal Harem. Sisygambis watched its inhabitants with well covered envy. Once, young, ambitious and naïve, she hoped to rule it and spoilt it all with her impatience. Now, she was just openly unwelcomed guest. Atossa politely tolerated her and often Sisygambis wondered if she knew about her escapades in the Great King bed. Artaxerxes became older and though his cruelty streak didn't desert him, with each visit he had more and more difficulty to act on his fantasies.
During one of such visits Sisygambis noted that Stateira became very friendly with Artonis, a girl her own age and a younger daughter of the recently pardoned Phrygian satrap Artabazus. It didn't take her a long time to discover that the main topic of conversation between the two girls was Artonis' brother Pharnabazus. Fearful that Stateira will follow her own folly, she managed to cut Codoman's visit short and upon arrival to his satrapy, she ordered him to bed his wife. Stateira barely turned twelve and Codoman himself, having no lack of available concubines, was inclined to wait longer. However, by this time he was completely under his aunt's spell and managed to convince himself that his mother, for he started call her that a few years ago, knew better.
Their first night was a grave disappointment for both. Codoman tiptoed around Stateira not willing to hurt her; his sister, on the other hand, having her ears full with the romantic stories that circulated in the Harem about the pleasures of erotic life, felt gravely disappointed. Besides, Sisygambis suspicion was right, Stateira imagined herself in love with Pharnabazus whom she only knew from the words of Artonis, his sister. Yet, in her mind, Pharnabazus was a romantic and sensuous prince whereas her husband Codoman proved to be a dull and uninventive bore. Their marital relationship soured, Stateira refused to share the bed of her husband and Codoman, too gentle to force his young wife, resorted to the services of the girls in his harem who were more than willing to satisfy their master. Yet, just like years ago with Sisygambis, the first and the only encounter in many years between Codoman and Stateira, proved to be fruitful and nine month later Stateira delivered twins, boy and girl who were named Ariobarzanes and Ariasta (6).
Another ten uneventful years passed. And then suddenly Sisygambis was called by the Artaxerxes to join the royal palace. Atossa, his First Wife fell gravely ill and couldn't be in charge of Harem any longer. Surprisingly, Artaxerxes, then almost in his eighties, decided to take another official wife. His choice fell on Damaspia, a young girl of hardly twelve years old, the only daughter of Oxyathres and Damaspia. Artaxerxes wanted Sisygambis to take charge of the Royal Harem and groom his bride to become his obedient wife. Sisygambis grasped the opportunity, even if not herself, she hoped to rule the Great King through his young wife and then, who knows, Artaxerxes had a lot of sons but none of them were officially named his heir. Artaxerxes' own father lived to his nineties and the current Artaxerxes showed no apparent signs of ill health or any diminished mental capacities. If Damaspia can promptly give birth to a son, the unborn child could become a king against many odds.
Sisygambis worked hard at acquiring allies to her cause. The Harem was a snakes' pit but now she had enough authority to attract supporters. King's own sons, legitimate and not, all inherited their father cruel streak but none were too clever. Artaxerxes, suspicious of most of them and constantly fearing being killed in a plot, trusted none and did he best to set them up against each other. Sisygambis soon learned that the only two people of whom Artaxerxes wasn't as wary as of others were Bagoas, a powerful eunuch who also served as a general and a Hazarpatish to Artaxerxes and Mazaeus, the satrap of the Cilicia. The latter she knew just by name, she never met him in person, the satrap spent most of the time in his province and his infrequent visits to the royal court didn't correspond with Sisygambis' own. Bagoas, on the other hand, spent most of his time in the king's presence and was very dedicated to Artaxerxes and Sisygambis managed to gain his trust by professing the same devotion. Bagoas was by no means a fool but if Artaxerxes himself trusted Sisygambis enough, he wasn't going to question his master's judgement. Besides, Bagoas was despised and hated by others and he knew it. He dreaded the day when his master dies, it almost didn't matter which one of Artaxerxes' son would assume the throne, he knew his days were numbered. However, with Sisygambis on his side, he could improve his chances. And so, based on the mutual benefit, the shaky alliance between all powerful eunuch and power hungry princess was formed.
338 BC, evening after the battle of Chaeronea (presumably, Aug 2nd)
Macedonian camp
Perdiccas cursed. His torch vaguely illuminated the terrain that was completely unfamiliar to him.
"Do you think we went too far?" Seleucos' fearful voice echoed his own thoughts.
"The battle shifted a lot. I think I recognize that group of the trees. Let's go and check and if I can't find it here, we'll go in different direction."
"Maybe we can resume the search in the morning?" suggested Seleucos. "Everybody is celebrating but we are stuck here…"
"You volunteered," coldly noted Perdiccas. "If you're too afraid or tired…"
"I am not," Seleucos denied vehemently. Last thing he wanted was to become known as a coward. Such a reputation, especially coming from Perdiccas, the closest of Alexander's friends who distinguished himself prominently during the battle, could become deadly. Besides, Seleucos was secretly in love with Perdiccas, just a few years his older, but already having a reputation of the dashing officer who had a special benevolence of not only prince Alexander but of the King Philip himself. As one of the Philip's pages, Seleucos accompanied the king though he took no part in the battle. Too bad that Perdiccas was a known womanizer, almost rivalling the king in this respect but it didn't deter the love stricken youth. So, when in the aftermath of the battle Perdiccas was looking for a volunteer to accompany him as a torchbearer to the battle field to retrieve the precious object that Perdiccas lost during the battle, Seleucos jumped at the opportunity, especially since he was off duty at the time. But now he started to regret it. They wandered through the battle field for more than an hour in Seleucos' reckoning and still there was no sight of the dagger that Perdiccas was searching for. Apparently the only memento from his long dead father, it served as a talisman for somewhat superstitious officer and Perdiccas, after discovering its loss, was determined to find it.
Perdiccas searched around the trees, but there was nothing. He was about to admit temporally defeat and start looking in the other place when he thought he heard a moan. He stilled and motioned to Seleucos to do the same. The moan came again, this time even less audible but Perdiccas was able to determine the direction of the sound. He made a few steps towards the spot but Seleucos caught his arm.
"Don't go, it might be a trap. All the wounded Macedonians were already brought from the battlefield and dead will be picked up tomorrow. The enemy, whoever it is, doesn't deserve our help."
"You scared little mouse," laughed Perdiccas and continued on his path.
"I am not scared," Seleucos took offence, "but we came here to look for your lost dagger not to search for enemy survivors."
Perdiccas ignored the plea and took a few more steps till he came across a group of dead bodies lying on top of each other.
"Come here and help me out," ordered Perdiccas shoving away the body that was on top. Judging by the remnants of his uniform he was Athenian and very much dead. The next body proved to be equally dead with his innards all spilled out around him. Perdiccas moved him away with a push of his sandal. One more body was beneath, lying face down and completely covered in blood though it was difficult to say whether it was his own.
"This one dead too," Seleucos suddenly became brave and kicked the legs of the unknown man. "Please, Perdiccas, let's go, there is nothing to find here. You probably mistaken the gases rising from the dead for the moan. I've heard from veterans that dead bodies emit gases. It is rather nauseating. I already checked out, there are no daggers on the ground that fit the description you gave me."
"He is probably right," grimly thought Perdiccas and took a step away from the body when he heard another moan.
"No, this one is still alive," Perdiccas returned and carefully squatted near the body that he initially found at the very bottom. The soldier might be almost dead but still be able to deal a last mortal blow, it would be indeed a very stupid death. "Help me turn him around," he ordered, "it might be one of ours, missed by those who were sent to pick up the wounded, and if he is an enemy, we can deal him a grace blow, one soldier to another, it is a noble thing to do."
"All right," Seleucos grudgingly agreed.
They turned the man but he was so much covered in blood that it was difficult to determine to what side he belonged.
"I don't think he is one of ours," Seleucos ventured.
"You're probably right," agreed Perdiccas, "no Macedonian soldier will be dressed like that. Did you ever have to give a death blow to a fallen? No? Here is your chance to practice when nobody can see you. I suggest you cut his throat; that will send him to Charon's boat fast enough. Here, I will make it easier for you," and with those words Perdiccas brushed away the intestines of the other dead man that somehow slipped under the wounded man and now lay in an ugly mess on the man's throat probably glued to it by the dried up blood.
Perdiccas wasn't too squeamish to use his bare hand for the unpleasant task of disposing of intestines but by doing so his fingers came across a strand of leather. First, he didn't realize what it was, he thought it was just a part of the spilled intestines, so he tried to rotate it against the man's neck to set the obstacle free.
There was no sound from the body and Perdiccas thought that the poor being was already dead, still Seleucos could practice his skills on the corpse. It was at this moment that Perdiccas realized that by rotating the strand he exposed something that was attached to the thread.
"Can I deal a blow now?" impatiently asked Seleucos, he wanted to be far away from this place as soon as possible.
"Wait, he has some sort of medallion, give me more light here."
Seleucos complied bringing his own torch closer. Under the dancing flames Perdiccas stared in stupefaction at the object at his hands.
"That can't be," he mumbled in bewilderment and started to spit on the object trying to clean it from all the dirt and blood.
"What is it? Can I see?" Seleucos asked, intrigued.
"By all gods of Olympos!" exclaimed Perdiccas and leaned closer to the body that lied immobile on the ground.
"What? What is it? Do you know him?" Seleucos curiosity prompted him to barrage questions on Perdiccas.
"Maybe; do you still have anything left in your wineskin? Give it here."
Watching as Seleucos was unsuccessfully fumbling with the strings, Perdiccas impatiently clicked his fingers, "Hurry up! I don't understand how such a clumsy dolt can serve the King himself. Seleucos! By Hera's tits, what takes you so long?" Perdiccas impatiently shouted making Seleucos even more panicky.
At last the nervous page managed to produce a wineskin. Perdiccas cupped his hands in front of it and ordered, "Pour slowly, I want to wipe his face first."
That task accomplished successfully, Perdiccas carefully wiped the face of the unknown man with wine and looked at him closely. In the bright light of the torch Perdiccas recognized the beautiful but mortally pale face of his long lost friend. "By Apollo, this is Theseus indeed!" he softly exclaimed almost not daring to believe the discovery. He carefully lifted his head and indicated with gesture to Seleucos to pour some wine into the slightly opened mouth. The wounded man moaned but couldn't swallow the wine and it tricked to the ground in the red rivulet, mixing with blood and dirt.
Perdiccas sprang into action. "He is still alive, we have to bring him to infirmary. Take both torches and show me the way. We have to hurry, I don't know how much life is left in his body."
Seleucos wisely decided to comply without asking questions. He took one torch in each of his hands and when he saw that Perdiccas managed to lift the body from the ground, took the lead. Soon he had to break into the run because obviously Perdiccas did the same panting heavily into his neck. When they reached the outskirts of the camp, without any additional instructions Seleucos took the path to the infirmary. When they arrived there, it was still buzzing with activity, doctors and their helpers had a long night in front of them.
Perdiccas saw a free spot and carefully lowered his unconscious friend there. "Watch him as if he was you own brother," he ordered Seleucos, "I will go in search of the doctor." Seleucos nodded and crouched nearby making sure that nobody would step over the immobile body. Pretty soon Perdiccas was back almost dragging along an unwilling man. To his utmost surprise, Seleucos recognized Philip, one of the King's own physicians. Both were vehemently arguing.
"I will report your outrageous behaviour to the King himself! You have neither the right nor the authority to threaten me like that," argued the doctor.
"I am not threatening you, I am begging you," insisted Perdiccas, "please have a look at this young man. He is a very close friend of Prince Alexander and mine as well," continued Perdiccas. "If Alexander finds out that you refused to treat him…."
"I am not refusing, I have other patients, no less important, it doesn't matter whose friends they are or not, they're all patients and this man doesn't even look like a Macedonian soldier," accusatory mentioned Philip giving a quick look over his intended patient.
"He had to dress like that, he was sent as a spy behind the enemy lines," Seleucos cleverly came up with explanation and received a grateful glance from Perdiccas.
"Very well, let me see," grudgingly agreed the doctor. He waived somewhere behind himself and a few attendants materialized almost immediately behind Philip's back.
"This man needs to be carefully cleaned to forestall the spread of infection. We'll bring him to the "Sigma" quadrant, go and make sure clean blankets are available, a bucket of clean water, dressings, instruments and my medicine box."
While giving those instructions Philip run his hands over Hephaistion's body trying to determine the extent of his injuries.
"He has this ugly gush in the head, I think this is what rendered him unconscious. Other wounds look superficial but I will examine him further after he's cleaned up."
"Will he live?" Perdiccas asked dreading to get a negative response.
"You are too impatient. His head wound is nasty, yes, and I don't know yet how deep it is; besides, infection is a real danger here, the wounds may be shallow but who knows how long he was like that. If it is true that he's Alexander's friend, I suggest you go immediately and bring the Prince here. Who knows how long this young man has."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
(1) Parysatis – and the girl indeed was born and called Parysatis, a daughter of Artaxerxes III and unnamed daughter (I called her Damaspia) of Oxyathres, Darius' III younger brother. Alexander married her at Susa together with Darius' daughter Stateira.
(2) You think Ptolemies and Egyptian Pharaohs before them made incest their main marriage policy. Achaemenids were no better. As mentioned in the passage, Artaxerxes II married one of his own daughters, Atossa, who bore him children. He took his other daughters as concubines as well. After his death, his son and successor Artaxerxes III, married this very Atossa, his own sister and stepmother. Oedipus looks innocent, comparing. At least he didn't even know he married his own mother until it was too late.
(3) Ochus, son of Artaxerxes II – future Artaxerxes III
(4) The sources are not clear on the relation between Sisygambis and her husband, Arsames. In some he is described as her brother Arsames and Codoman (future Darius III), Oxyathres and Stateira as Sisygambis step children; also, it is not clear if Codoman, Oxyathres and Stateira (future wife of Darius III) were full brothers and sister or children of different wives.
(5) Girkanian Sea – modern days Caspian Sea
(6) According to some sources (Encyclopedia Iranica, among others, for this and above notes) Darius and Stateira had another son and daughter (I made them twins though they are not such in the sources) years before Barsine/Stateira, Drypetis and Ochus were born. Both will appear later in my story.