Story
It's the end game and Phraotes knows it. Ponus has joined her battle lines, troops spilling in from the north to engulf the last Ptolemaic cities. A little bloodletting and this war will finally be at an end. Finally freeing up Pontic troops to deal with their other foes, the Scythian savages and thrice damned Greeks.It's a victory and another Ptolemaic leader slain. But the even as his men celebrate the victory Phraotes is presented with the horrifying truth. His quarry has escaped. This man Musyros was merely a distraction. A loyal Ptolemaic servant he lead their army while their king fled. Taking with him the Ptolemies war chest, funds enough to carry on the war for years more.Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
They fled south, the the very origins of the Nile itself. Lands Pontus has almost abandoned. All but one army. The troops of the exiled general Intaphernes. The absolute last person Phraotes wishes to trust with anything, much less something this crucial.
Phraotes rails. He calls in every commander in his army, hoping for any other option. Furiously criticizing their failure to present a better plan. Finally, with the next night rapidly approaching the exertion of the nights battle overtakes him. Exhausted he sits stony faced and accepts the inevitable. The only other options are to pull an army away from the front with the Scythians or train a new army at great cost. Both of which would take precious time. It's a bitter pill but Intaphernes can end this war now. Catch Pontus quarry before it can take flight again.
Letters are sent out, requesting Intaphernes aid in ending the war. Paving the way for him to crawl out of a deserved exile and back into the royal court to spread his poison anew.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intaphernes knows that the gods have forsaken him. His army marches south, its morale low. Desertion is rife and even rumors that his men will change sides rather than fight their brothers in the south. The true problem is of course Intaphernes himself. He is not the same charismatic general they chose to follow. He takes every question as an insult. Snapping at the mere idea that his officers could question him.
His men don't desert because of the war but because they don't trust their general. And they don't trust their general because he doesn't trust them.
A fact Intaphernes can't accept. He only accepts the darkest rumors. Drinks them all in and schemes. Plotting who amongst his men he'll need to kill to maintain order. Here at the edge of the world this is exactly how a general can find himself killed by his own men.
Despite it all Intaphernes luck holds. Before any of this madness can push him into action riders arrive with urgent news from his hated king.
"A request? How unexpectedly civil."
Intaphernes expected an assassins knife first. He reads the messages over and over, weighing every word. Twisting their meaning to fit his own delusions.
It's a way back though. A way to turn the tables on Phraotes and put himself back where he belongs. Back in line for the throne.
Intaphernes is out amongst his men is a heartbeat. All thoughts of their betrayal forgotten. He leads and his men follow. Follow happily even, simply glad to have their general back. Focused and not ranting madness. Of course it's all a facade. Intaphernes will use these men and throw them away. But there's no need to trouble them with such trite details.The battle, no the war is won. Intaphernes doesn't waste a second. He send out letters of victory to half the empire. Letters to her leaders virtually dripping with venom and deceit. A great war has just ended but in Intaphernes mind a private one has just begun.Spoiler Alert, click show to read:Spoiler Alert, click show to read: