Ok so school is over and I am back from vacation. I now have time to write a story along with this so what the hell, why not? Now this won't be the best of writing because I'm not being graded or anything like that. Thank god. But I will do my best to keep you "somewhat" interested. No pics with this one, it only covers the one turn after the burning of Thebes.
Chapter One
A massive outcry rang throughout the Greek empire as rioters stormed the Persian embassy in Athens. Two men clad in light blue robes were dragged out of the temple and thrown onto the marble steps. Persian blood spilled over the cobblestone streets, filling its cracks and staining the temple steps crimson. Men and women kicked and punched the two, swinging violent fists. Over the cries of anger, the chime of bronze rang out. The crowd suddenly broke off their ruthless beating and scrambled down the street and through its alleys as the steady rhythm of marching Hoplites came nearer. The hardened men halted before the bloodied bodies. Their placid facades remained unmoved by the horrid scene. Slowly a man titivated by a dark sapphire cape emerged from the soldiers.
Who did this to you?
The delegates did not stir. The man bent down to check their pulses. Nothing. Getting back on his feet he noticed a stooped priest step out into the light of day and look down the stairs. Horror twisted his face.
Why must my people be tortured like this!? Why must they be torn apart by you? Horrible Greeks! What has mighty Persia done to deserve such brutal savagery? This is a direct declaration of war upon the Persian empire! Your puny civilization will be hacked down beneath the swords of Persia! cried the old priest.
Sir, this has not been done by my men, you may check their weapons, there is no sign of blood. These two ambassadors were not stabbed to death, but beaten by a mob of Athenian citizens. How dare you claim violence against an innocent peoples when your warriors have burnt Thebes to the ground! Such a reaction is deserved by your people! Just be thankful the embassy was not burned to the ground. I will report this to King Alexander, I suggest you take the time to flee before further actions are taken. Replied the man.
Thebes? I, nor any Persian, has any knowledge of a city by the name of Thebes! Our soldiers have not left our borders all year and you accuse us of burning a city! Let alone a city so far sou
the priest quickly stopped talking.
But I though you had no knowledge of a city named Thebes? questioned the man. Are you lying to us?
I
I
uh
n n n no, I heard it from a m..m
man in the market yesterday. He stammered back.
How convenient. Next time you try and get away with the murder of Greek citizens, remember to hold your tongue. And with that, the general grabbed the priest and dragged him off in the direction of Alexanders palace. The poor old man thrashed about on the street, but even if he were to break free, hed be in the hands of fifty hoplites, just as angered by the treachery, if not more. Heads peered out of windows along the street. Like horns they bellowed the song of revenge, taunting the priest.
This was only the beginning of eminent violence between the two cultures. Both sides are fueled by the supposed outrage against their kind.
Chapter Two
Alexander had watched the riots through his window. It amazed him what brutalities a mob of Greek citizens could commit. In a way, he was ashamed of his people to portray such an empire as Greece that way. He knew why the violence had erupted, he knew which side was right and which was wrong. He was sad to say his people had just murdered two innocent men in cold blood. And now his soldiers were marching straight up to his palace. At the head of the column was Lykaios, dragging an old Persian priest behind. How was he to explain that Thebes was not destroyed by Persians but a band of Barbarians who had escaped the burning of Shangian? Lykaios was a hardened soldier, set in his ways, too stubborn to even consider an alternative.
Slipping comfortably back into his chair, Alexander pondered how to deal with the general. Looking around his chamber, he slowly lost his thoughts. His drapes were a brilliant purple flowing down his marble walls. Beautifully painted pots stood upon a table of the finest wood. Luscious grapes sat in a gilded bowl in the center, a cup of wine dwarfed by a magnificent flask to its right. Straight ahead of him stood a massive door upon which the story of Greece had been carved, from its founding to its first wars with barbarians. All of this seemed a bit too splendid to him. For once he would like to be at the level of his people. He did not need curtains as expensive as an apartment, nor did he need a golden cup to drink from. Few things seemed necessary to him, one was his sword, the other his shield and spear. As long as he had these, he could survive.
Jumping from thought to thought, he did not notice the progress the hoplites had made down his street, and soon enough, Lykaios burst through his door, dragging the poor old man with him. Snapping his train of thought, the general angrily shouted, This man should be executed, he has confessed to the destruction of Thebes!
Do you refuse to even bow before me! Alexander quickly and furiously responded. Youre too hasty to accuse this man of murder to notice youre in the presence of a king!? I do not throw my power around, the least you could do is acknowledge me!
Quickly bowing, Lykaios replied, I am sorry sir, but this man has confessed to the burning of Thebes!
I have not!! squeaked the priest.
What exactly did he say?
Lykaios looked at the floor and shuffled scuffed his sandals on the floor. His hand gradually released its hold of the mans tunic and dropped him to the floor. The priest quickly scrambled to his feet. I said that it is absurd to think that Persia would attack a city so far south if they have not even left their borders in a year.
And you mean to tell Alexander that when you had previously stated that you knew nothing of a city named Thebes? snarled the general.
I had said that to protect myself, any man would have done that in my position.
The small quarrel amused Alexander, a puny Persian arguing with a mighty Greek general. He wished to let the men go at it for a while longer and keep the truth to himself, but with Lykaios short temper, it was too risky.
Quickly cutting the dispute apart, Alexander spoke softly, You blame this man and the Persian empire of destroying Thebes, Lykaios. But it was not done by Persian warriors. A messenger had returned last night to report the attack. It had been made by Shangians from the city we had burned. And now, because you did not control our citizens, we have stained the hands of Greece with Persian blood right before their eyes. Word of this will reach Cyrus and he will most likely declare war. Looking towards the priest he continued, And you, your name?
Adel, your highness.
Well then Adel, you are to return to your temple, you have every right to leave and every right to stay. Any man who commits an act of violence against you or any other ambassadors will be executed. I do not know how to apologize for such a deed and I hope that some sort of agreement can be made.
I am sure the Persian empire no longer has any wish to speak with you, Alexander. The priest replied. Taking one last look at Lykaios, he stormed out of the palace.
Just look at what you have started, Lykaios.
)
!!
Obviously it's just me and Persia on this continent, lucky me but it'll soon be just one.
