Dark Prince

Parmenion strolled to the window, staring out at the sparkling ocean. 'Are we still in your world, magus, or is this yet another?'

'It is the same — merely in a different place. There are seven centres of Power in Achaea. I can travel between them.

This palace is on the Gulf of Malin.'

'Malin? Malia, perhaps,' whispered Parmenion. 'Is there a pass close by, with a name similar to Thermopylae?'

'Exactly that. Two days' ride to the south.'

'Then Thebes will be the closest major city.'

'There is no city of that name,' the magus told him.

'The White Lady spoke of Cadmos.'

'What White Lady?' put in Attalus, but the other two men ignored him.

'Yes, there is Cadmos, the strongest city of central Achaea,' agreed Chiron, 'but the Makedones have it besieged.

They will not hold out against Philippos. What is it you plan?'

'We must get to Sparta,' said Parmenion.

'Why there?' asked Attalus. 'And who is this Lady? Will someone tell me what is going on?'

'A good question, my friend,' said Chiron, laying his hand on the swordsman's shoulder. 'Let us go to the kitchens, where I will prepare food and we can sit and talk. There is much here I also do not understand.'

Later, as they sat in the open air, Parmenion told Attalus of the meeting with the lady of the glade, and of her advice.

'It was no dream. We fought the Makedones, and were then drugged. I do not know who the Lady was, but she treated me well and I believe her advice to be sound.'

'I would not know about that,' snapped Attalus, 'since she did not have the good manners to wake me. Why you, Spartan? Am I seen as some lackey running in your footsteps?'

'I cannot answer your questions. The glade was a place of magic and beauty. I do not think they desired the presence of men. But we rescued the nymphs and therefore, I suppose, earned their gratitude.'

'They showed it well, leaving me asleep on the cold earth. Well, a curse on them! I care nothing for them, nor any of the deformed monsters of this place. I have only one question: How do we get home?' he asked, turning to the magus.

Chiron spread his arms. 'I do not know.'

'Does anyone know anything here?' stormed Attalus, rising and stalking out into the gardens and down the steps to the wide beach.

'Your friend is frightened,' said Chiron. 'I cannot say that I blame him.'

Parmenion nodded. 'He is a powerful man back in Macedonia and he needs to feel in control of his surroundings.

Here, he is like a leaf in a storm.'

'I sense you are not friends. Why did he accompany you on this quest?'

'He has his own reasons,' said Parmenion. 'The first among them is to see that I do not rescue Alexander alone. He wishes to share in that glory, and will risk his life to that end.'

'And what of you, Parmenion? Are you frightened?'

'Of course. This world is strange to me; I have no place in it. But I am a hopeful man. I have found Alexander and, for the moment, we are safe. That is enough.'

Alexander walked out into the sunshine and clambered on to Parmenion's lap. 'I knew you'd come, Parmenion. I told you, didn't I, Chiron?'

'Yes you did, young prince. You are a good judge of men.'

'Why is Attalus here? I don't like him.'

'He is here to help you,' said Parmenion. 'Now, why don't you go down to the beach and make friends with him?'

'Must I?'

'He is your father's most trusted warrior, and Philip does not give such trust lightly. Go. Speak to him. Then make your judgements.'

'You are just trying to get rid of me so that you can talk to Chiron.'

'Exactly right,' Parmenion admitted, with a broad smile.

'Very well then,' said the boy, easing himself to the ground and walking away.

'He's a fine child,' said Chiron, 'and he loves you dearly.'

Ignoring the comment, Parmenion stood and stretched his back. 'Tell me something of this world, magus. Make me feel less of a stranger.'

'What do you wish to know?'

'The balance of power. Begin with Philippos. When did he come to the throne — and how?'

Chiron poured a goblet of wine, sipping it before answering. 'He murdered his brother Perdikkas ten years ago and seized the crown. Then he led his troops into Illyria and the north, conquering their cities and stealing their mines.

Athens declared war, as did the cities of the Trident

The Trident?'

'The lands of the Halkidike?'

'Ah yes. The Chalcidice. Go on.'

Thilippos crushed the armies of the Trident three years ago, then conquered Thrace.'

'What about the Persian empire?'

'What empire?' asked Chiron, chuckling. 'How could such uncouth barbarians have an empire?'

Parmenion leaned back. 'Then who rules the lands of Asia?'

'No one. It is a wilderness populated by nomadic tribes who slaughter and kill each other in scores of meaningless wars. There are Greek cities on the coastline, once ruled by Athens or Sparta, but no. . empire. Is there such where you come from?'

'Yes,' Parmenion told him. 'The greatest the world has ever seen. The Great King rules from the borders of Thrace to the edge of the world. Even Greece. . Achaea as you call it… pays homage to Persia. But you were telling me about the conquest of Thrace.'

Chiron nodded. 'The army of Makedon moved through the country like a forest fire, destroying everything, every city, every town. The entire population was sold into slavery, or slain. Then, last year, Philippos marched south into Thessalonika. The battle was fought near here against the combined forces of Cadmos and Athens. They were crushed utterly. Then the King skirted Cadmos and struck at Athens, burning the acropolis and killing all the citizens save those who escaped to sea. Now Cadmos faces his wrath. It will not stand long. After that it will be Sparta.'

'Why is he so invincible?' asked Parmenion. 'Surely it is possible to defeat him?'

Chiron shook his head. 'When he was a child he was. . like Achilles before him. . dipped into the River Styx. He is invulnerable to wounds. Unlike Achilles his mother did not neglect to cover his heel. No arrow can mark him, nor sword cut him. Then when he was twenty, and newly crowned, he asked a sorcerer of great power to create for him an eye of gold, an all-seeing eye that would allow him to read the hearts of men. The sorceror did as he was bid.

Philippos took the eye and then tore his own right eye from its socket, replacing it with the magical orb.

So you see, Parmenion, no one can either outfight him or outthink him. He knows in advance all the plans of his enemies.'

'What happened to this sorcerer of great power? Perhaps he will know of a way to destroy his creation.'

'No, my friend. I am that sorcerer, and I can help you not at all.'

* * *

Attalus sat on the beach, feeling the warmth of the sun on his face, yet even this was not as hot as his anger. To be forced to travel with the loathsome Spartan was bad enough, but he had expected a ride into Thrace or the Chalcidice in order to rescue the prince. Not this appalling place of deformity and madness.

Picturing the flying creatures, he shivered. How could a warrior hope to combat such beasts?

Unbuckling his breastplate, he put aside his clothes and waded out into the sea, enjoying the sudden cool on his body. Hurling himself forward he ducked under the water, swimming with long easy strokes to surface some way from the shore. Small translucent fishes swam by him in glittering shoals and he splashed his hand in the water, laughing as they scattered in all directions.

This at least was a reality he knew, and he revelled in the feeling.

At last he began to tire of the sea and headed back for the shore, pushing himself upright in the soft sand and flicking the water from his long hair.