GIFTS OF THE GODS: Fire and Ash by Berry Thomas J

Author:Berry, Thomas J. [Berry, Thomas J. ]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: BookLocker.com, Inc.
Published: 2020-11-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 42

T he small skiff landed along a secluded beach five miles south of the Spartan base at Abydos. Tall cliffs stood erect before the half dozen figures as they unloaded several wooden crates and stacked them carefully in two columns. The afternoon sun was beginning to wane and long shadows bathed the area in a dark, somber hue.

“Let’s get them on the wagons,” Alcibiades declared as a group of Persian warriors approached cautiously. The work was done quickly and soon the Athenians were on the move again, this time walking along a dirt road that threaded its way through a thin mountain pass. The Governor had assigned 20 of his local militia to escort them to the rendezvous and they made good time, despite the late hour.

Timandra was tired but did her best not to show it. The last few days had been grueling, and she still did not feel completely recovered from the terrible croup that plagued her on the journey north. Living on dry land again was helping but there were only so many places a woman could go on a base run entirely by men, Hellenic men at that.

Perhaps this trip would prove the naysayers wrong. While the local satrap , Pharnabazus, stood firmly with his Spartan fleet, Alcibiades still felt he had some influence with his old ally, Tissaphernes. The crates contained gold and silver, fruit and grain, and trinkets and baubles from various corners of the region. Gifts for royalty, Alcibiades had told her. She reminded him that only the Great King held that distinction, but he just laughed. “If you treat a man like a king, he will soon feel like one,” he remarked knowingly.

The Lydian satrap was far from his castle in Sardis and had set up his new place of residency in a large house near the village of Dardanus. She was told that the Persian was only here for a few weeks but had brought a sizable entourage with him as was due his position. She felt a little awkward seeing her former master again but told herself she had no right to be. Alcibiades had taken responsibility for her months ago and paid substantial coin for the harem girl. She was free to come and go as she pleased. Yet why did she still feel strange around him?

An hour before sunset, they emerged through the foothills and came upon the satrap’s lodging. It was a large two-story structure of stone and wood, with a beautiful courtyard in front and several smaller buildings nearby. However, she thought it looked quite ordinary compared to the marvelous castle he was used to. Timandra smiled shrewdly as she wondered how Tissaphernes was enjoying his new home these days.

The Athenian commander was escorted into the house followed by Timandra and one of his men. Four Persian soldiers unloaded the heavy crates from the old wagons and carried them behind the small party. The rest of the Athenians waited outside. Timandra found their old governor

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