206 BC, Olbia
When I had finished explaining my newest assignment to him, Ekallos seemed worried. He had been my assistant for almost a year now, and even though I was higher in command, I often profited from his experience and expertise. Now his dark skythian eyes looked at me skeptically.
"
This will be a major investment, my lord. Are you certain?"
"
I am." And I was. Expanding the city's trade network and the development of new business opportunities for our traders and artisans was my main objective. I had been sent to Olbia as governor in 206 BC, when I was only nineteen years old. It had been a major chance for me and I had been thrilled to take it. After almost three years in Chersonesos' revered school, I had certainly craved for a real challenge. But I missed the others, and often thought about our time together. Hegesippos and Thabyttion had moved to Pantikapaion. Officially, to help with royal administrative affairs, but my suspicion was that our aging king Spartakos wanted to have his potential heir closer to himself. Apatourios and Eupolis were still in Chersonesos - the former to oversee the city's trade relationships, the latter to help in his father's business (who was a wealthy wine merchant with business relations as far south as Krete).
Myrsine, my wife, enjoyed the brimming life in Cimmeria's biggest city. Her happiness made me happy, or at least it made my life easier. Thinking back, I do not really think we enjoyed our life together, but I had very little time to even realize it. We shared the pleasures of the bedroom together, however, and her body was a welcoming reward for the challenges I was facing as governor. But even though these pleasures imbued my loins with joy, my heart did not meet the same fulfillment.
My true mission was to rule the city. I wanted to master this trial, but there was another aspect to it: I wanted to show the world, prove the world, that Hegesippos' theories and beliefs were the best form of statecraft. This was driving me forward in these days, and for the better or worse, it certainly made me an ambitious governor.
Ekallos finally backed down. "
Well then, my lord. I will personally oversee the expansion of our waystations." He performed a plain curtsy and left my office. The improvement of fortifications in the lands around Olbia would indeed drain the city's treasure chest significantly, but I was certain it was the right thing to do. Trade and agriculture had always been Cimmeria's source of wealth and I intended to expand on that. Encouraging commerce and then benefit from the pulsating veines of trade. Helping farmers and then reap their rewards with them.
¤ ¤ ¤
One year later, everything changed. It was the year 205 BC, and my assignment in Olbia was turning into a complete success. Trade had indeed expanded more and more, and the city was one of the richest in whole Cimmeria. I was glad about these developments, of course, but at the same time I started to crave for the communal spirit of my friends from Chersonesos. Here in Olbia, I was the governor, barely twenty years old then, and I longed for direction. I needed leadership, someone to look up to. I needed Hegesippos.
News arrived that would change it all: Spartakos had died. The great king had died, and his curious reign had come to an end. Spartakos, though loved and respected by the people, had few devoted followers among the new generation, my generation. It was time for a change, and that moment was soon to come
Attached to the official announcement was a personal letter by Hegesippos. I turned away from my staff and dismissed the messangers as I opened the letter. As if reading the message was too crucial and too intimate to share my reaction with others. Of course, it was much less intimate as I had hoped, but just as exciting as I had expected it to be. Hegesippos was summoning us, his companions from Chersonesos, to come to Pantikapaion. His father Leukon was now the
arkhon of Cimmeria, and Hegesippos would act as regent to rule in the name of his aged father. And he wanted us to be his council.
The excitement was rushing through me as a summer storm flushes the Skythian steppes and frees it from the sticky heat. During the next days, while I planned my departure for the capital, I felt elavated by this new prospect. It was all I had hoped for. Myrsine would remain in Olbia, as she had made herself a new home in Cimmeria's jewel. And the way I saw it, I would only have little time for her in the capital. My last night with her, however, would remain in my memory for quite a while. Her curly, black hair, falling over her white, silky skin. But even though my body would long for her, my heart was free as I set off towards Pantikapaion.
¤ ¤ ¤
205 BC, Pantikapaion
The rolling thunder outside was the right setting for Hegesippos' first council meeting. He was not
arkhon yet, but we all knew he soon would be, and we were all proud to be part of this. It had been a warm reunion with old friends, but there were also new faces amongst Hegesippos' companions. One of them struck me the most: Apintas. The bearded veteran who had served Spartakos for many years. He had killed Apollonios, the traitor, during the siege of Pantikapaion and had been by the old king's side through all conflicts since then. And as I was thinking about his presence among Hegesippos' companions, the latter adressed the subject during his speech.
"
And this is only one of the reasons why I have asked our revered friend Apintas to be my prime advisor. Nobody has more experience in ruling this country, perhaps not even my father, who had spent most of his life in the field, and I believe he will be a most valuable member of this council. I expect everyone to listen to his advise as you would listen to mine." It was brilliant, of course. By putting Apintas in this honorable position, he secured himself the support of the old elite, even though his visions for Cimmeria clearly deviated from the old way, from Spartakos' way.
As Hegesippos' speech was coming to an end, the storm outside was still roaring. His final words would be the beacon of our mission for the years to come.
"
I have one vision for Cimmeria: excellence. Economic strength, military superiority, and cultural integrity. Excellence. Spartakos led this country in the right direction, but I will take it further. I will take Cimmeria to the level of excellence it is meant to portray. And I need to know: Are you with me?"
I was among the first to club my hands against my leather armor, and to salute our leader to demonstrate my support. Even Apintas, though reluctantly at first, joined in into the general wave of approval.
Later that night, I finally had a chance to speak to Hegesippos alone.
"
It is good to see you again, Menandros." He looked me in the eye with an honest expression. Stern, but with a warm heart.
"
You too," I said while I put my hand on his shoulder. A feeling of nostalgia and happiness streamed through my body, and we embraced each other silently.
"
I heard you had a successful assignment in Olbia then."
"
Yes, indeed. But it became boring way too quickly. Nothing makes me feel more alive than being with all of you, aiming for the stars themselves." I said with a grin on my face.
"
That is good to know." Hegesippos did not smile often, but when he did, then with all of his heart.
"
How is Myrsine? Did she turn out to be a manageable wife?"
I had to laugh. "
She is well. Manageable, I do not know. She is fiery as always though."
"
Good, good." He gave me a pad on my back and together we turned towards the wine. After we poured our cups, his face was serious again.
"
I have big plans for Cimmeria, you know. Spartakos might have brought unification to our country. Stability, perhaps. But the only thing I see is stagnation."
I nodded slightly. "
It is true. I have seen it in Olbia. Inflexible administation, rusted minds. It was difficult to bring fresh ideas into the people's minds."
"
Exactly. That is what we need. Not only in Olbia, but everywhere."
We saluted and enjoyed our wine.
"
And there is one more thing." Hegesippos had a sparkling glow in his eyes that made him look almost surreal, like an ethereal being sent by Aphrodite to shake the foundations of our world.
"
What is it?"
"
Armenia."
"
Armenia?"
"
Yes. My vision for Cimmeria reaches further than the maiotes
, my friend. There can only be one power of the euxeinos. And we will be its vanguard."
I took him by his forearm and felt his determination, his fortitude.
"
Whatever you plan, Hegesippos. I will be with you." He took my face into his slander hands and smiled, then he went off. I watched hima s he went to a group of other officers. I did not hear what they said, too lost I was in my own thoughts.