Needs Met, 4
Alexander's day continues, many duties press in upon him, leaving him little relief.
The day wore on with increasing speed. At times Alexander felt himself overtaken with a sense of panic as one thing after another demanded his attention. He tried to give himself fully to everything set before him, the sacrifices to the Gods, and the needs of the men, the officers, the animals, the wounded, and the dead.
His earlier sense of foreboding had eased. Aristander assured him the gods would not look upon him unkindly, were the right sacrifices made to appease them. A special sacrifice would be held just before sunset, to cleanse the army, especially the Thessalian cavalry of their impiety against the gods. Of course, there were the special sacrifices the Thessalians would make themselves and fines to pay; such sums would not come from his treasury. The Thessalians would have to come up with these themselves. Aristander had written to Delphi regarding what was proper.
The extra offerings would cut into the supply of sacrificial animals, thirty extra bulls and fifty sheep, and one hundred horses, stallions all. That hit hard, but Poseidon was one of the deities protecting the Thessalian cavalry. It was necessary to appease him least he find disfavour with them. Already, he had Hephaistion checking with Eumenes on the cost of the outlay for the extra animals.
It was three hours past the noon day break, and settling down on a plain camp stool in his work room, Alexander frowned as he read the list of names set before him by Eumenes of the men who would come to trial on the morrow. He grumbled to himself as he read the names. To lose these men would hit the cavalry hard, but what could he do? He could not pardon them, it would offend the gods. He rubbed his head it was beginning to ache again. There would be letters to write, lands would be confiscated, for no man could dishonour the gods in such a manner and escape freely. The kinsmen of those guilty would pay for their discretions. He had little liking for such work. It was not his way, but he could not dishonour Thessalian customs. To do so would invite greater trouble. He would have to send to Antipater regarding the implementation of these things. This would undoubtedly cause unrest, but what the law demanded be given to the gods must be seen to. He wished Aristotle were present, speaking to him would ease his mind. He sighed deeply thinking on his days as a youth. They seemed so far removed. Perhaps he would ask Hephaistion to write him.
"Alexander?" He looked up into the dark questioning eyes of his Royal Secretary who was sorting through documents and setting them out for the King's attention.
"Oh, it is nothing, I am thinking aloud." The older man smiled at him and leaned forward a bit, but quickly pulled back. Alexander caught the movement and trapped Eumenes' hand in his with a gentle squeeze. "You were going to ruffle my hair. Do not deny it!" They both laughed, Eumenes shook his head.
"Aye, sometimes 'tis hard to break old ways. You looked perplexed just now as you would when young when I would catch you at some great thought and ruffle your hair telling you not to be so serious, for the Gods have given us much to delight us."
"Well, they forgot this day, I think. I see little to delight me." He sighed as he went over the list a final time. "I dislike such work as this, trials and sending men to their deaths. And, do not tell me it is the work of the Gods, oh, I honor them, indeed I do, but I believe as Aristotle taught me that we must be responsible for our own actions."
"Aye, and impiety is among them."
"And so is the slaying of another without cause. 'Twas no battle, but the work of men with their bellies full of wine and superstition. We've seen that often enough. It sickens me."
"Aye, and it is a good thing. It will keep you humble." Alexander grinned slightly as he thanked a page for the plate of olives and bread he set before him.
"I suppose," He mumbled as his thoughts wandered to what business the day still held for him. He would like to have drilled with his Horse, but knew they would do so without him. There was too much that needed his attention this particular day. He sighed deeply. "Remind me, again, Eumenes why I wanted to be king, general aye, but king, what madness overtook me?"
""Twas not so much a madness, as necessity, as we forced it on you, and you, being enamoured of war and conquest, your father's heir, and the only man the army would follow, did nothing to convince us that we should refuse it you." The older man set himself upon the table and studied his king. "Besides the gods have seen fit that you should rule, who are we, little men all, to say them nay?"
"Little men, all, hardly that, ha! I fight among Titans in my ranks, Hermaeous of Amphilpolis, Ajax, son of Demosthenes, Prometheus, son of Dexapos, and many others. I am the least of them."
"You, are a great liar." Hephaistion entered the tent and laughing slapped Alexander on the back.
"Ah, well, my father would say it is the blood of my Mother that brings this out in me. What say you?" He grinned at Hephaistion who had perched on a nearby camp stool and was stealing the olives off Alexander's plate.
"I have said; now leave me to eat my olives in peace."
"You see how everything is taken from me? I cannot even enjoy a meal in peace, nay, I must eat hurriedly as does the meanest solider lest my food is taken from me before I can get it to my mouth."
Several hours later, long after the rise of the Evening Star, and most of the camp slept, Alexander stood outside his tent. The Seven stood in attendance about him. Not a word was spoken. He looked into the night sky, watching the starry constellations and the glitter of Artemis as she walked the heavens in her solitary splendour. He felt he could hear the thoughts of the men about him, as they knew his, all were as one centered on the sacrificial cleansing of the Army. The scent of blood and smoke from the sacrifice still lingered in the air. The offering had been accepted, and he had watched with Aristander by his side, as the blue smoke wreathed the vast crowd of men and spiralled its way heavenward.
In his mind he could still see the great flood of shining wine used to douse the flames, still hear the prayers he had offered on behalf of the Army. "I pray you Father Zeus, Apollo, Athena and Poseidon; lift the stain of impiety from this assemblage of men. Punish those who have caused this desicration but spare in your benevolent wisdom and mercy those who come before you and beseech your forgiveness." His heart felt bitter and cold, and his mind raced though he tried to quiet it. The morrow would bring more bloodshed, more bitterness. He sighed, feeling very small.
He turned and stepped inside. The lamps were lit against the darkness. He wished Hephaistion were not on duty this night. He needed his comfort.
To be continued...