Antipatros, for whom this was a second hearing, watched the youth in the chair of state, waiting kindly to meet his need with reassurance. He remained, however, with his eyes fixed on the messenger, sitting forward eagerly.
“Rest awhile,” he said presently. “I want a few things in writing.” When the scribe appeared, he dictated, checking them with the messenger, the Maidoi’s movements and the main features of the country; adding, himself, a sketch-map worked up in the wax. Having checked this too, he ordered that the man be bathed, fed and put to bed, and sent out the clerk.
“I thought,” he said scanning the tablets, “we should get all this from him now. A night’s sleep should set him up, but one never knows, he might die. I want him well rested till I start out, so that I can take him as a guide.”
Antipatros’ brows with their foxy grizzle met over his fierce nose. He had felt this coming, but decided not to believe in it.
“Alexander, you know how gladly I would have you with me. But you know too it is impossible we should both be out of Macedon, with the King at war.”
Alexander sat back in his chair. His hair, streaked with dust and damp from his makeshift bath, hung limply on his brow; his nails and his toes were grimy. His eyes were cool, and made no pretense at naivety. “But of course, Antipatros. I should never think of such a thing. I shall leave you the Seal, while I am gone.”
Antipatros opened his mouth, breathed deep and paused. Alexander cut in ahead, with inflexible courtesy. “I haven’t it on me, I’ve been at exercise. You shall have it when I leave Pella.”
“Alexander! Only consider…”
Alexander, who had been watching him like a duelist, made a small gesture to say he had not done speaking. After a crucial instant, Antipatros’ voice tailed off. With stately formality, Alexander said, “Both my father and I know our great good fortune, in having such a man to entrust the realm to.” He stood up, feet apart, hands on his belt, and tossed back his tousled hair. “I’m going, Antipatros. Settle your mind to it, because we’re short of time. I shall start at dawn tomorrow.”
Antipatros, who perforce had risen too, tried to use his height but found it ineffectual. “If you will, you will. But just think first. You’re a good field officer, that’s common knowledge. The men like you, agreed. But you’ve never mounted a campaign, or kept it in supplies, or planned its strategy. Do you know what that country’s like?”
“By this time they’ll be down in the Strymon valley; that’s what they came for. We’ll discuss supplies at the war council. I’m calling one in an hour.”
“Do you realize, Alexander, that if you lose, half Thrace will blaze up like a fire of myrtle-brush? Your father’s lines will be cut; and once the news is out, I’ll be holding the northwest against the Illyrians.”
“What troops would you need for that?”
“If you lose, there wouldn’t be enough in Macedon.”
Alexander tilted his head a little to the left; his gaze, floating beyond Antipatros’ head, went slightly out of focus. “Also, if I lose, the men won’t trust me again and I shall never be a general. Also, my father may well say I’m no son of his, and I shall never be a king. Well, I shall have to win, it seems.”
Antipatros thought, Kassandros should never have crossed him…The eggshell was cracking indeed. One must already be very careful. “What about me? What will he say to me for letting you go?”
“If I lose, you mean? That I should have taken your advice. Write it down, and I’ll sign to say you gave it me; win or lose, it goes to my father. How’s that for a fair bet?”
Antipatros looked sharply from under his shaggy brows. “Ah. But you’d hold it against me after.”
“Oh yes,” said Alexander blandly. “Of course I should; what do you suppose? You make your bet, Antipatros. You can’t expect to hedge it. I can’t hedge mine.”
“I think the stakes as they stand are high enough.” Antipatros smiled, remembering that already one must be careful. “Let me know what you want, then. I’ve bet on worse horses in my time.”
Alexander was on his feet all day, except during the war council. He could have sat while he was sending out orders, but he could think more quickly pacing to and fro; perhaps it came from the walking discussions at Mieza. He had meant to see his mother earlier, but there had been no time. He went when he had settled everything, but did not stay very long; she was inclined to make a fuss, though surely this was what she had been wanting. She would see that later. Meantime he had Phoinix to say goodbye to; and it was important to get some sleep.
It was a quiet morning in the camp before Perinthos; there had been an engagement on the wall the night before, and the men were being rested. The noises were those of lulclass="underline" mules whinnied, men serviced the engines with shouts and clanks, a man with a head wound shouted insanely from the hospital shed; a captain of artillery, detailed to see the besieged did not take a holiday, shouted to his crew to lift her up a chock, and grease the bolt-track; there was a clang from the pile of massive boltheads, each stamped with the laconic message, FROM PHILIP.
Philip had had a large timbered hut put up for him; when not on the move, there was no sense in using the royal tent, to sweat under stinking leather. He had made himself snug like an old campaigner; local straw matting covered the floor, his baggage train had carried chairs, lampstands, a bath, and a bed broad enough for company. At a pinewood table, made by the camp carpenters, he sat with Parmenion, reading a dispatch.
“Having summoned also the troops from Pydna and Amphipolis, I marched north to Therma. I had planned to go by the Great East Road to Amphipolis, to learn the enemy’s movements, and to make whatever dispositions seemed best, before going north up river.
“But at Therma, a rider met me, from the country of the Agrianoi. He had been sent by Lambaros, my guest-friend, in fulfillment of a vow.
“Guest-friend?” said Philip. “Guest-friend? What does he mean? The boy was a hostage. You remember, Parmenion. I’d have bet a talent the Agrianoi would have joined the Maidoi.”
“What was it you told me,” said Parmenion, “about the Prince slipping off for a jaunt among the tribesmen, after you’d sent him back to school? I well remember you swearing when you heard.”
“That’s so, that’s so. It slipped my memory. A crazy escapade, he was lucky not to have had his throat cut. I don’t take hostages from tribes I think are safe. Guest-friend! Well, let’s see.
“Having heard you were in the east, he sent me word that the Maidoi were in the upper Strymon valley, laying everything waste. They had invited his people to join them in the war; but King Teres respected the oaths exchanged when you returned his son to him.
“Wouldn’t burn his fingers. But it was the boy who sent the message. How old will he be now? About seventeen.
“He advised me to march quickly up river to Rushing Gate, as they call the steep throat of the gorge, and reinforce the old fort there, before they came down into the plain. I therefore decided not to lose time myself by going to Amphipolis, but to send Koinos with my orders to bring on the troops from there; I would lead the men I had straight up over the Krousia range by the trackways, and ford the Strymon at Siris, where Koinos would meet me with men, fresh horses and supplies, we ourselves traveling light. When I told the men what kind of dangers threatened our colonists in the plain, they made good going; the tracks being difficult, I went on foot with them, encouraging them to hurry.”