Chapter 3: Old Allies, New Enemies
Winter 250 BC Antioch, The house of Mardonious
"So what can we do for him?" asked Helioketes
"Theres not much we can do about this" replied Mardonious, "He killed the son of a powerful lord."
"But Archimenes is also a noble, he is a companion of Alexandros 'the Black'."
"It is more complicated than that. I conversed with him the first night he came to me and he told me that he was bequeathed the title and lands of a Lord because of his friendship with Alexandros. Alexandros granted him the lands so he could meet the requirements for a member of the companion cavalry and join his retinue, but he has no noble blood and is not of the great houses of The Empire."
"What will happen to him?"
"Well, for crimes commited by a noble, there is a council of 11 Great Lords who oversee the trials. Do you know how our empire is organised?"
"Yes, Archimedes and I often talked on our campaigns and he seemed to have a thorough knowledge of these things. He told me that each province has a Satrap in charge of administration and raising forces."
"Yes they are Kings in their own right. What else did he tell you?"
"He told me that there were even more powerful figures. They are the Lords of entire regions of the empire. They are Satraps of a key city in the region and all other Satraps answer to them."
"Yes, There are currently 9 regions: The North, The Heartlands, the East, Asia Minor, Northern Arabia, Greece, Macedonia, Egypt, and Armenia. They rule from important cities. For example, the Lord of the East would rule from Bactra and control all of the empire west of Persepolis. Each of these lords have a seat on the council."
"what about the other two seats?"
"They are for the Lord commanders of the Army and Navy. In this case, Alexandros the Black and Lord Admiral Nikaratos. Sometimes the King will also preside, although that hasn't happened since the execution of Antiochus I's eldest son for treason."
"If Alexandros is presiding then he will surely pardon Archimenes."
"No, he will most likely not be present and will not hear of his execution until it is too late. In these trials rarely ever are all eleven Lords called to the council as they are usually too busy looking after the affairs of their regions. In a case like this, in which a minor noble like Archimenes is involved, the Lord of the region, in this case, crown prince Seleucus Kallinikos, can fill the empty seats of the council with local Lords."
"and the local lords.."
"Are under the influence of Lord Vanara" finished Mardonious, "and not only are they under his influence, he will most likely bribe them to ensure the death of your friend."
"We cannot let that happen."
"Even if the trial was fair, he will be found guilty."
"What are you talking abo..."
"Helioketes, he killed that man and he killed him for having an affair with his wife. He did not even challenge the Lord's son to restore his honour, he killed him in cold blood. And lets imagine that he does win the trial by some miracle, do you really think lord Vanara will stop there? He will send assassins after Archimenes. He will not be able to hide from them forever"
Suddenly Archimenes spoke. He had crept into the room several minutes ago unnoticed and had hidden in the dark listening.
'Lord Mardonious, I am grateful for your help. If you had turned me away at your door I would have been caught days ago, but I cannot risk putting you in danger any longer by hiding me. I will go today and turn myself in and pay for my crimes with whatever punishment they choose to give."
Mardonious looked at Archimenes, taking everything in. He saw a man who had just lost everything, who had given up hope and whose life had lost all purpose.
"No, I have an idea. I will get you through this alive. And one more thing, I am no lord, my brother will take that title when my father dies" said Mardonious
Archimenes was silent for a moment. A ghost of a smile came to his lips
"Well Mardonious, it looks like we will be working together after all..."