Tridas (21 page)

"Time
is ticking away, and Sihamuni is ahead of us", Aven interrupted.

"Sihamuni
has followers everywhere. Dormant cells that he can call upon should the need
arise. He assured me, you were not a threat to thwart the plan. Someone is
watching your every move. Someone close".

326 B.C

The
journey to Rome was uneventful. In the tradition of the Greeks, Kavani prepared
cheesecake for Legio, to boost his energy before the expected challenge. She
laced the pastry with the tested amount of aconite. Cortland, a trusted
companion, traveled with them as well to serve as a go-between to reach out to
Allatore. Alexander's ship would be in port early morning and there would be
little time to inform Allatore of the decoy plan. Cortland would need to be
aboard the tender boat escorting Alexander's landing party. Antipater had
already suggested to the Pro Counsel, that Alexander be greeted by emissary's
bearing a gift from each of the providences. The idea was well received, but it
was still up to Cortland to capture the ear of Allatore discreetly, yet in a
timely matter.

At
first light, Cortland boarded the tender with the other regional
representatives. The sleek lines of Alexander's ship were impressive. Captain
Nearchus welcomed them aboard and immediately the emissary from Milan presented
Alexander and his bride with luxurious fabrics. Cortland stepped forward next,
his breastplate subtly marked with the image of a wolf. He extended a carafe of
Limoncello.

Allatore
intervened, "The royal cupbearer has not accompanied us on this tour. I
will test this spirit before it touches the lips of my Liege and his
Queen." Allatore took the bottle from Cortland and noticed an inscription
on the parchment wrapping the ceramic.

Cortland
continued his tribute, presenting a red horn. "Designed to ward off the
Evil Eye and bring good favor". He explained, offering the instrument to
Alexander, and making brief eye contact with Queen Roxana.

The
other gifts were presented, giving Allatore time to read of Antipater's plan.

The
pomp and circumstance surrounding the port reflected the celebratory greeting
of the Emperor. Alexander, as well as his entourage, had quickly partaken of
the Limoncello, adding vigor to his already present feelings of supremacy.

After
greeting those of sway and indulging further in libations, Alexander elevated
himself above the crowd to speak. "I, Alexander, King of Macedon, Master
of the Universe, am pleased with your welcoming hand. I desire to see the sites
of Rome. Learn of your wisdom and crafts. Indulge in your pleasures. Lavish my
Queen with your treasures. I am a scholar among scholars, rumors of your Pax
Romana, intrigue me. I am the champion among champions. Your games have grown
legendary as well as your champion. He bears a name familiar to me and I
request an opportunity to duel this illustrious warrior. He should attack with
his greatest skill, knowing he will fail. Your champion must be here in the
crowd. One of his reputation would certainly want the privilege to behold the
legendary Alexander".

Legio
parted the crowd to stand before Alexander.

"You
come clad in full armor. I see my reputation has proceeded me", Alexander
stated almost laughing, he was so amused. Allatore handed him his sword and
shield.

The
crowd parted and Alexander attacked with force. Legio took a defensive stance,
studying the Emperor's fighting style - aggressive and precise. When the
opportunity presented itself, Legio went on the offensive mimicking his
opponent's moves. In a relatively short amount of time, Alexander recognized
the strategy.

"Have
you no ability of your own? No creativity? No pride in your own
expertise?"

Succumbing
to Alexander's taunting, Legio offered a few distinctive strikes. Alexander
seemed to effortlessly counter. He was an amazing fighter. Legio focused on his
preparation, recalling all the soldiers he had shadowed in training. Continuing
to mix up his fighting style with his natural prowess kept Alexander at bay. As
the contest continued, Alexander began to mimic Legio in jest. Observing
Alexander open with a different pattern, Legio took his chance and struck with
a unique string of blows he had mastered in his spars mimicking Antipater. The
final strike, slitting through Alexander's tunic and slightly grazing his skin.
Legio had drawn first blood.

"You
are Antipater. Regent of Macedon. Remove your helmet and show yourself to
me!" Alexander demanded, as his guards entered the space to secure Legio.
"Prepare to die!"

In
the chaos, Antipater broke through the crowd, sword in hand raised towards
Alexander, "It is I that you seek!" But before he could deliver the
death blow, Allatore stepped into his path driving a dagger deep into his
heart.

Kavani
rushed to his side, as Allatore delivered the same dagger to her heart as well.
"Traitorous Witch, your actions against our King, have brought you
death".

The
crowds dispersed before bedlam broke out. Legio tried to escape in the
commotion, but Alexander ran him through, "How dare you blot the body of a
God!"

Alexander's
rage was all consuming. Allatore spoke from a distance. "Great one, this
journey has given you triumph. In all your conquests, only one has been tainted
with rumors. Many have questioned the chronicle of Antipater and his mistress.
Now the truth can be proclaimed in Macedon, at the public hanging of the
bodies. The defeat of this traitor and attempted assassin will be told in every
region. Your supremacy shall never be doubted again". Gesturing to the
soldiers who had secured Legio, "Gather the bodies, and ready the ship for
Macedon. May the celebration begin!"

Alexander
found serenity in Allatore's words. Addressing the Consulship, perched on a
balcony above the port, Alexander shouted, "This man Antipater, he hails
from the Southern region?"

Calvinus
replied, "Pompeii". Not wanting to put Napoli in danger.

Turning
to Nearchus, Alexander announced, "We shall pay this Pompeii a visit in
route to our beloved Macedon."

Kava asking her questions
through the mask made her even more intimidating- almost a Vader effect. Hoyt's
attempts to hold his breath after regaining consciousness were futile.

"My mask!"

"Who are you?" Kava
demanded.

Hoyt was silent. The fumes were
actual paralyzing his diaphragm.

"Your lungs can't inflate
and soon you will be unable to breathe", Kava further threatened.

The nerves around his muscles
were sending intense pain messages to the brain. Moments before convulsing into
a seizure, Hoyt gasped out, "I'm Spetsnaz".

Kava shoved a Valium into his
cheek to treat the seizure and quickly placed the mask over Hoyt's face. She
fired the flare gun recalling the transport.

"Hoyt was from Russian
Special Forces?" Kava thought to herself. "It's unbelievable!"

As countless thoughts began
racing in her mind, she fell into a trance. Malin and Citlalli appeared to her.

"It is not yet time for
you to know this information." Malin shared rather unsettled.

"Perhaps it is not time
for you to reveal this information." Citlalli offered.

"I am familiar with
perception altering spells", Kavani divulged. "I am without the
necessary herbs".

"What do you
require?" Malin insisted.

"Wormwood and Diviner's
Sage".

Malin opened her hands and in
the right palm, lay the yellow pilly bulbs of wormwood while the left palm held
the white, feathery petals of Diviner's Sage. Kava took the plants and her
trance subsided. She lit the sage leaves on fire using a torch from Hoyt's
utility belt. The robust fragrance filled the air. Removing Hoyt's mask, she
squeezed the essential oil of the wormwood into his mouth as he breathed in the
smoke scented by the sage. Kava removed her own mask and began an incantation.
After a brief moment, she removed the paracord detaining Hoyt, secured both of
their masks and hoisted his limp body up to rest on her shoulder. He was able
to sustain his own weight. He simply needed steadying. As they started down the
mountain to base camp, Hoyt's sense of balance began to return.

"What happened?" Hoyt
asked through his mask.

"You stumbled on the
crater edge, knocked the wind out of you". Kava replied, influencing his
perception as the mind-altering drugs played their part in recreating his
experience.

"I have a serious
headache, not to mention a sore solar plexus".

"I'm not surprised. You
took a serious tumble. I thought I had lost you." Kava went on, pleased
with the result of the spell.

The blades of the transport
were within earshot. "Did you find what you were looking for?" Hoyt
asked.

"It was not what I
expected, but I think surveying the island prior to Sihamuni will prove
useful".

"Great. Let’s hop our bird
off this odiferous island. I need some rest".

Summer 326 B.C.

Alexander was ready to return
to his exploits in the east. His fleet was divided in the North Arabian Sea and
along the banks of the Indus River, awaiting his return. The trip to the west
had proven to be much more than a pleasure cruise. Rome had given him closure.
Victory over the only enemies, to ever escape his grasp.

Antipater and Kavani were
burned in a public offering to atone for their traitorous behavior and to
silence, once and for all, any question regarding Alexander's superiority. An
account was recited before the crowds of Alexander learning of Antipater's
disloyalty, the excursion to Rome, and Alexander's responsibility to free
Macedon of this looming threat. Alexander's skills were glorified and the
crowds cheered as the bodies were engulfed in flames.

"Isn't the burning ritual
usually a sign of honor?" Allatore asked Aristotle.

"Yes. In this case
Alexander chose spectacle over tradition". Their somber demeanor was a
marked contrast to the enthusiasm of those around them.

"How could this have been
Antipater's plan?" Allatore continued to question, as they retreated from
the display.  "The words from the emissary clearly stated I must kill
Antipater with a strike to his heart".

"Perhaps he came to
understand the immortality of the thinking part of the human soul".

"Perhaps the message was
compromised or the emissary duplicitous!" Allatore insisted.

Aristotle prattled on, ignoring
Allatore's suggestions, "As a thing acts so it is. Since the mind acts
with no bodily organ, it exists without the body. And if it exists apart from
matter, it therefore cannot be corrupted. And therefore the human mind is
immortal”.

"I believe
their love was immortal", Allatore reasoned. "A love that will never
die".

The last
phrase resonated with Aristotle. "Do you still have the parchment bearing
the instruction to kill Antipater?"

The words burned
into Allatore's mind as images replayed of his brutal actions. He passed the parch
to Aristotle, who reread Antipater's instructions. The words were definitely
written in Antipater's own hand. Light reflecting off the piece revealed gold
lines across the background.

"This
gold appears to be in the shape of a heart, accented with three marks, what I
believe to be Sinic characters". Aristotle traced the images with his
finger for Allatore's benefit.

"I
simply assumed it was a Roman embellishment to honor Alexander". Allatore
confessed.

"With
Antipater, best not to assume anything". Aristotle cautioned, as he
entered his library and reached for a book Antipater had received on an
expedition to Sinae. Opening the first leave, he found the same characters, identifying
their meaning. "These are the three marks of existence shared by all
beings – impermanence, suffering, and non self. It is part of an ancient
ascetic that sees worth in mending, which has been damaged. A philosophy, that
treats breakage and repair as part of the history of an object, highlighting
the value of the broken moment rather than something to disguise. Antipater
described worthless, shattered pottery repaired with precious metals. The
golden seams making the common bowl, stunningly beautiful, as well as priceless
after its repair. A tangible symbol of this way of life".