Derae focused on the looped stem, andjose. 'Not too far,' shouted Tamis, catching the falling body and lowering it to the floor. 'You must retain control of yourself. Come back!' The priestess returned to her body and climbed to her feet. 'It will take practice,' said Tamis, 'but merely move your spirit head forward while holding your body still.' Derae tried. For a moment it seemed to work, she could see and yet still feel her body. But then dizziness overcame her and she stumbled into Tamis, who held her upright.
'It will come,' Tamis promised. 'But each step is a victory. And now we must work. You must learn.
We must identify all your weaknesses.'
'Why?'
'You have joined the eternal war, Derae, and you now have a deadly enemy. The Dark God will also be testing you, seeking a way to destroy you."
'That is a frightening thought,' Derae admitted.
'As it should be — for, when the crucial moment of conflict comes, I will be dead and you will be alone.'
Parmenion paused at the top of the ridge and gazed down on the tents of the Spartan army. They were set out in a long rectangle along the valley floor close to the city of Thespiae. Swiftly he counted the tents. There were five lines of fifty, with each tent housing ten warriors — 2,500
fighting men, not counting those billeted in the city.
Parmenion stroked the neck of the black gelding, then touched heels to the beast's flanks, urging him on. Now came the danger, but to his surprise Parmenion felt a sense of rising excitement along with his fear. This, he realized, is what brings joy to life; the exquisite sensations of fear and exhilaration combining to sharpen the mind and thrill the senses. It was as if the past years in Thebes were without colour. He glanced up at the sky and the drifting clouds, feeling the mountain air soaking into his lungs.
This was life!
Down there was Hecate, goddess of Death, her dark dagger drawn, ready for him to make one mistake, one slip that would cost him his life.
Parmenion chuckled, tightened the chin-strap on his leather helmet and began to hum an old song his mother had taught him. The gelding's ears pricked up and he tossed his head at the sound. He was a fine beast; Pelopidas had said that he almost outran the pursuers, but a lucky arrow had taken the rider in the base of the skull, toppling him to the ground. The gelding had halted its run then, turning to nuzzle at the corpse on the earth.
The man's armour fitted Parmenion well, save that the breastplate was a little large. But the greaves and metal-studded kilt could have been made for the slender Spartan. The cloak was of fine wool, dyed red and held in place by a golden brooch which Parmenion replaced with one of bronze.
Such a brooch would be recognized and would lead to questions, he reasoned.
The rider's papers had been taken to Thebes, where Epaminondas opened the despatch and read it. It dealt with supplies and the need to isolate Thebes, but at the close it mentioned Athens and the need for vigilance. Epaminondas handed the scroll to a middle-aged scribe with prematurely white hair. 'Can you duplicate the style of script?' he asked.
'It will not be difficult,' said the man, peering at the despatch.
'How many lines can we add above the King's signature?' queried Parmenion.
'No more than two,' the scribe told him. Parmenion took the script and read it several times. It concluded with the words: 'The traitor Calepios is hiring mercenaries in Athens. Be vigilant.'
Then there was a gap before the signature Cleombrotus.
Parmenion dictated a short addition to the scroll, which the scribe carefully inserted.
Epaminondas read the words and smiled grimly. ' "Be vigilant and advance upon the Piraeus, destroying any hostile force." If this succeeds, Parmenion, it will mean war between Athens and Sparta.'
'Which can only be good for Thebes,' Parmenion pointed out.
'There are great dangers for you in this,' said the Theban softly. 'What if you are recognized, or your message disbelieved? Or if there is a password? Or. .'
'Then I will be dead,' snapped Parmenion. 'But it must be done.'
Now, as he rode down towards the tents, Parmenion felt his fear swell. Three soldiers on sentry duty.barred his way on the road; they were men from the Sciritis mountains and not Spartiates.
They saluted as he approached, clenched fists on their breastplates of leather. He returned the salute and tugged on the reins.
'I seek the general Sphodrias,' he said.
'He is in the city; he stays at the house of Anaximenes the ephor. You ride through the main gate and head for the Temple of Zeus. There is a tall house with two slender trees alongside the gates.'
'Thank you,' said Parmenion, riding on.
The city was smaller than Thebes, housing a mere 12,000 inhabitants. Thespiae was a city of tradesmen, specializing in chariots and the training of horses. As Parmenion entered he could see many small pastures holding fine herds. He rode until he reached the house with twin trees, then he dismounted and led the gelding to the front of the white-walled building. A male servant ran to take the horse's reins and a second servant, a young girl dressed in white, bowed and bade him follow her into the house.
Parmenion was taken through to a large andron where several Spartan officers were sitting and drinking. The servant moved to a burly figure with a rich red beard, who rose and stood with hands on hips, scrutinizing Parmenion who bowed low and approached.
'Well, who are you?' snapped Sphodrias.
'Andicles, sir. I have despatches from the King.'
'Never heard of you. Where's Cleophon?'
'He had a fall from his horse, broke his shoulder, sir. But he is determined to ride with the King this evening and be at his side during the battle.'
'Ride? Battle? What are you talking about, man?'
'My apologies, sir,' said Parmenion, handing the general the leather cylinder. Sphodrias pulled out the scroll within and opened it. As he did so Parmenion glanced at the other officers, his eyes falling upon a young man dicing at a window table. His stomach turned. . the man was Leonidas.
'There's nothing about numbers here,' muttered Sphodrias. 'How many of the enemy are there? Where are they camped? I can't just march into Athenian territory and butcher the first men I see in armour.'
'There are said to be 5,000 of them,' said Parmenion swiftly. 'Three thousand hoplites, the rest cavalry. It is rumoured that they are being paid with Persian gold.'
Sphodrias nodded. 'You can always expect treachery from Athenians. But we'll have to march all night to surprise them -1 don't doubt they have scouts out. You will stay by my side while I brief my officers. They may have questions.'
'With respect, sir,' said Parmenion, struggling to keep his voice calm, 'the King has ordered me to return at once with your plans, so that he can link with you on the Thriasian Plain.'
'Very well. I'll order my scribe to draft an answer.'
'That will not be necessary, sir. If you are to march all night I will advise the King to meet you between Eleusis and Athens.'
Sphodrias nodded and returned his attention to the scroll. 'Curious despatch. It starts by talking of supplies and ends with the invasion of Athens. Still, who am I to argue, eh?'
'Yes, sir,' replied Parmenion, saluting. His eyes flicked to Leonidas, who had stopped playing dice and was watching him intently. Parmenion bowed and swung back to the door, marching out into the yard beyond; once there, he ran behind the house to the stables. The gelding had been brushed and combed and the lion-skin chabraque was laid carefully over a rail. Parmenion draped it over the beast's back, smoothing out the folds before grasping the horse's mane and vaulting to his back.