David Gemmell - Dark Prince

'Yes you did, young prince. You are a good judge of men.'

'Why is Attalus here? I don't like him.'

'He is here to help you,' said Parmenion. 'Now, why don't you go down to the beach and make friends with him?'

'Must I?'

'He is your father's most trusted warrior, and Philip does not give such trust lightly. Go. Speak to him. Then make your judgements.'

'You are just trying to get rid of me so that you can talk to Chiron.'

'Exactly right,' Parmenion admitted, with a broad smile.

'Very well then,' said the boy, easing himself to the ground and walking away.

'He's a fine child,' said Chiron, 'and he loves you dearly.'

Ignoring the comment, Parmenion stood and stretched his back. 'Tell me something of this world, magus . Make me feel less of a stranger.'

'What do you wish to know?'

'The balance of power. Begin with Philippos. When did he come to the throne — and how?'

Chiron poured a goblet of wine, sipping it before answering. 'He murdered his brother Perdikkas ten years ago and seized the crown. Then he led his troops into Illyria and the north, conquering their cities and stealing their mines.

Athens declared war, as did the cities of the Trident

The Trident?'

'The lands of the Halkidike?'

'Ah yes. The Chalcidice. Go on.'

Thilippos crushed the armies of the Trident three years ago, then conquered Thrace.'

'What about the Persian empire?'

'What empire?' asked Chiron, chuckling. 'How could such uncouth barbarians have an empire?'

Parmenion leaned back. 'Then who rules the lands of Asia?'

'No one. It is a wilderness populated by nomadic tribes who slaughter and kill each other in scores of meaningless wars. There are Greek cities on the coastline, once ruled by Athens or Sparta, but no. . empire. Is there such where you come from?'

'Yes,' Parmenion told him. 'The greatest the world has ever seen. The Great King rules from the borders of Thrace to the edge of the world. Even Greece. . Achaea as you call it… pays homage to Persia. But you were telling me about the conquest of Thrace.'

Chiron nodded. 'The army of Makedon moved through the country like a forest fire, destroying everything, every city, every town. The entire population was sold into slavery, or slain. Then, last year, Philippos marched south into Thessalonika. The battle was fought near here against the combined forces of Cadmos and Athens. They were crushed utterly. Then the King skirted Cadmos and struck at Athens, burning the acropolis and killing all the citizens save those who escaped to sea. Now Cadmos faces his wrath. It will not stand long. After that it will be Sparta.'

'Why is he so invincible?' asked Parmenion. 'Surely it is possible to defeat him?'

Chiron shook his head. 'When he was a child he was. . like Achilles before him. . dipped into the River Styx. He is invulnerable to wounds. Unlike Achilles his mother did not neglect to cover his heel. No arrow can mark him, nor sword cut him. Then when he was twenty, and newly crowned, he asked a sorcerer of great power to create for him an eye of gold, an all-seeing eye that would allow him to read the hearts of men. The sorceror did as he was bid.

Philippos took the eye and then tore his own right eye from its socket, replacing it with the magical orb.

So you see, Parmenion, no one can either outfight him or outthink him. He knows in advance all the plans of his enemies.'

'What happened to this sorcerer of great power? Perhaps he will know of a way to destroy his creation.'

'No, my friend. I am that sorcerer, and I can help you not at all.'

Attalus sat on the beach, feeling the warmth of the sun on his face, yet even this was not as hot as his anger. To be forced to travel with the loathsome Spartan was bad enough, but he had expected a ride into Thrace or the Chalcidice in order to rescue the prince. Not this appalling place of deformity and madness.

Picturing the flying creatures, he shivered. How could a warrior hope to combat such beasts?

Unbuckling his breastplate, he put aside his clothes and waded out into the sea, enjoying the sudden cool on his body. Hurling himself forward he ducked under the water, swimming with long easy strokes to surface some way from the shore. Small translucent fishes swam by him in glittering shoals and he splashed his hand in the water, laughing as they scattered in all directions.

This at least was a reality he knew, and he revelled in the feeling.

At last he began to tire of the sea and headed back for the shore, pushing himself upright in the soft sand and flicking the water from his long hair.

Alexander was waiting beside his armour. 'You swim well,' said the boy.

Attalus swallowed a curse. He did not like the child. A demon, they said, barely human, who could kill at a touch.

The swordsman nodded a greeting and sat down on a rock, waiting for the sun to dry his skin.

'Are you frightened?' asked the prince, his expression disarmingly innocent, head cocked to one side.

'I fear nothing, my prince,' Attalus answered. 'And any man who says differently will answer to me with a blade.'

The child nodded solemnly. 'You are very brave to come so far to find me. I know my father will reward you.'

Attalus laughed. 'I have three estates and more wealth than I can spend in a lifetime. I need no rewards, Prince Alexander. But I would give a king's ransom to see Macedonia again.'

'We will. Parmenion will find a way.'

Attalus bit back an angry retort. 'It is good to have faith in one's heroes,' he said at last.

'You do not like him, do you?'

'I like no man — save Philip. And you see too much. Beware, Alexander, such gifts can be double-edged.'

'Do not ever go against him,' warned the prince. 'He would kill you, Attalus.'

The swordsman made no reply, but he smiled with genuine humour. Alexander stood silently for a moment, then looked up into the Macedonian's eyes. 'I know you are said to be the best swordsman in the land, and also my father's most trusted. . assassin. But know this, if ever Parmenion dies in mysterious circumstances it is to you I will come.

And your death will follow soon after.'

Attalus sighed. 'I did not enter this world of the bizarre to hear your threats, boy. I came to rescue you. You do not have to like me — why should you, after all? I am not a likeable man. But — should I ever have cause to fight Parmenion — your threats will not sway me. I am my own man and I walk my own path. Remember that.'

'We will both remember,' said Alexander.

'There's truth in that,' the swordsman agreed.

'Do not try to think of a way to defeat Philippos,' said Chiron. 'It is not possible.'

'Nothing is impossible,' Parmenion assured him, as the two men strolled through the palace grounds in the last lingering light of the fading sun.

'You misunderstand me,' continued Chiron. 'There are greater issues here. Why do you think such a being of enormous power would wish to house himself in the frail human shell of a man — even a king?'

Parmenion halted by a stream and sat on a wooden bench. 'Tell me,' he said.

Chiron stretched himself out on the grass and sighed. 'It is not a simple matter. The Chaos Spirit has no natural form.

He is. . IT is… of spirit, apparently both immortal and eternal. So then, the real question is how he exists. Do you follow me?'

'Not yet, magus , but I am ever the willing learner.'

'Then let us take it slowly. What is the single greatest moment of your life?'

'What has this to do with anything?' asked Parmenion, suddenly uncomfortable.

'Bear with me, warrior,' urged Chiron.

Parmenion took a deep breath. 'Many years ago- a lifetime, it seems — I loved a young woman. She made the sun shine more brightly. She made me live.'