Needs Met, Two
Author: Lysis - (Copyright June 2012)
The day after battle, Alexander awakens to begin his day, which will not be as he might have hoped.
*Aegis: is a large collar or cape worn in ancient times to display the protection provided by a high religious authority or the holder of a protective shield signifying the same, such as a bag-like garment that contained a shield. Sometimes the garment and the shield are merged, with a small version of the shield appearing on the garment. It originally was derived from the protective shield associated with a religious figure when related in myths and images. The wearing of the aegis and its contents show sponsorship, protection, or authority derived from yet a higher source or deity. *Wikipedia
Dawn, Peritas wiggled by his side and sneezed. In one lithe movement, Alexander rolled to the side of his bed and sat up. Hands joined he sat bleary eyed for a few moments while a delicious coolness in the air pebbled his warm skin. Turning he smiled as he stroked the large red furred dog.
"And, how did you get there, 'eh? I don't recall inviting you to share my bed last night.' The dog grinned, his long tongue hanging out.
In the outer room beyond his chamber two pages, ever alert to his every nuance entered his bedchamber, quietly. He signed to the younger of them with one hand as he stood and stretched. Walk him." He watched his pet led off for with the promise of a breakfast of leftover stew upon his return.
"My Lord," Anakreon, the senior duty page directing the slaves brining in the water for his morning ablutions spoke urgently. "Eumenes of Kardia, and General Parmenion beg your immediate attention." Before another moment passed, his royal secretary was hustling in his long face lined with worry. He was followed by the stocky, shorter form of Parmenion the man's perpetual frown of worry was even deeper and Alexander found himself frowning in turn.
"Alexander," Parmenion began, "There was a disturbance in the camp, during the night a brawl broke out. Four men were killed, twelve are under guard and five in the hospital tent badly wounded. All are members of the Thesselian cavalry."
Alexander groaned deeply and dunked his face into the silver toilet vessel letting the cool liquid surround him.
"Do you know the cause?
"It was over a tribal issue, the aegis was dropped during battle and..." Parmenion made a gesture against the evil eye, leaned forward, and whispered in Alexander's ear.
"Zeus Aegiochos!" Alexander swore softly. " I want to see their tribal leaders within the hour. Separate all members of the various families from the others. Speak of this to no one else." He paused and called for Anakreon to send immediately for his seer Aristander.
"I need him now, before the sacrifice." He pushed his wet hair back with one hand and grabbed onto the side of the washstand as he felt himself sway. He took a stalk of parsley and chewed it as he scraped away the light growth of hair upon his chin. His leg ached and he was hungry, but he spit the parsley out, he would eat nothing until after the morning sacrifice. He took the cloth handed him swiped it about his body, shook himself and began to dress, a bit more slowly than usual. He was twenty-five, and reflected his bones shouldn't be aching this much, this soon. Frowning he passed through a series of rooms as he headed to the outer rooms of the tent, Darius' former tent.
Already he could sense the mood of the small crowd of men gathering along the tent's catwalk. Their mingled voices seemed too loud, and he wrinkled his nose against the smell of unwashed bodies and fresh wood smoke.
The glint of gold caught his eye. With a sigh of regret, he watched the hipbath carried through to his empty chamber. A bath would have been so pleasant. Well, there was nothing for it. He squinted against the rising sun, and caught Hephaistion's waiting eye, he signalled to him as he stepped into the crush of waiting officers that fell upon him.
to be continued...