David Gemmell - Lion of Macedon

'Yes.'

'Then you knew when you attacked them that they were probably hunting you — that your friend was struck by mistake?'

'Of course. Hermias is very well liked.'

'So, then, had you waited until they recognized their error there would have been no battle. They would have left. You agree?'

'I did not think of that then — though I can see you are correct, general. But I saw my friend struck and I went to his aid.'

'You leapt upon one boy, breaking his shoulder, hit another with a club, breaking his arm, and stabbed the last, killing him. It is your fault, half-breed. You understand that? A fine boy lies dead because you did not think. Only a savage can use the excuse of lack of thought. Left to me I would see you die for this. Now get out of my sight.'

Lepidus waited until they could hear the boy padding down the stairs. Then he rose and walked to the door, pushing it closed.

'He is a disgrace,' said the old man.

'No, general,' said Lepidus sadly. 'What happened in this room tonight was a disgrace.'

'You dare to criticize me?'

Lepidus stared at the man. 'As a Spartan it is my right. He went to the aid of a friend, risking himself. But he did not hesitate. You, of all men, should see that. There will be no judgement against him tomorrow. If there is, I shall speak out.'

Lepidus turned and left the room. He walked out into the night and found himself drawn back to the scene of the fight. A lamp was burning in the window of Parmenion's house and Lepidus tapped at the gatepost.

Parmenion opened the grilled gate and stepped aside for the officer. Lepidus walked into the small building and sat on the narrow bed. Parmenion offered him a goblet of water, but he waved it away.

'I want you to put from your mind what happened tonight at the barracks,' said Lepidus. 'And I would like you to forgive the general. Learchus was his nephew and he loved the boy. What you did was admirable. Do you understand me?'

'Yes, sir, admirable.'

'Sit down, Parmenion. Here, beside me." The boy did so. 'Now give me your hand and look me in the eyes.' Parmenion did as he was bid. He felt the strength in the older man's grip and saw the concern in his face. 'Listen to me, boy. There are few left, it seems, who understand what being a Spartan is about. When we fight, we fight to win. We stand by our friends, we kill our enemies.

The attack on Hermias was cowardly. You did well. I am proud of you.'

'I did not have to kill Learchus,' said Parmenion.

'Do not admit that to anyone. You understand me?'

'Yes,' answered Parmenion wearily, all the events of the last few days rearing up in his mind and threatening to overwhelm him; the death of his mother, the victory at the Games, the loss of Derae and now the murder of Learchus. 'I understand you.'

'Listen to me, you were worried about your friend and you took on a gang. That was courageous.

And, yes, you killed someone. The important — the vital — issue is, did you enjoy killing him?'

'No,' said Parmenion.

'Then do not worry about it.'

Parmenion looked into Lepidus' face and nodded.

But I did enjoy it, he thought, may the gods forgive me. I wish I could have killed them all.

Tamis leaned on her staff, staring at the servant kneeling before her.

'My master urges you to come to the house of Parnas,' said the man, avoiding her eyes.

'Urges? When his son lies dying? Surely you mean begs?'

The noble Parnas would never do that but I beg you, Honoured One. Save Hermias,' pleaded the servant, tears in his eyes.

'Perhaps I can save him — perhaps not,' she answered. 'But tell your master that I will ask the gods for guidance. Go now!'

Tamis turned on her heel and vanished into the dark interior of her dwelling-place. The fire was burning low but, as she sat before it, the flames flickered and rose to form the face of Cassandra.

'I did not summon you,' said Tamis. 'Begone!'

'You must heal the boy, Tamis. It is your duty.'

'Don't talk to me of duty. Learchus is dead, and I have denied the Dark One a possible father of the flesh. That was my duty. Hermias is holding back the development of Parmenion. Because of their friendship he still retains, in part, a gentle soul. I did not cause Hermias to be hurt. No blame attaches to me; it was the Will of the Source. And now he will die, for a blood clot is in his brain. As it moves, it will kill him.'

'But you can heal him,' said the fire woman.

'No. When he is dead, Parmenion will become the man of iron I need.'

'Can you honestly believe, Tamis, that this is the will of the Source? That a boy with no evil in his heart should die?'

'Children with no evil in their hearts die all the time, Cassandra. Do not preach to me. They die in fires, in droughts, in plagues and in wars. Does the Source stop them? No. And I no longer complain about it. This is His world. If He chooses for innocents to die, then that is His right.

I caused Hermias no harm — even though he stood in my way. Now he is dying. I interpret that as a prayer answered.'

Tamis closed her eyes and floated free of her body, rising through the low roof and drifting high above the city.

The house of Parnas stood in the east of the city and she flew towards it, hovering in the flower-garlanded courtyard where a group of Hermias' friends had gathered. Par-menion stood alone by the far wall, ignored.

'They say he was vomiting in the night,' said fat Pausias. 'Then he passed out. His colour is terrible. The surgeon has bled him, but to no avail.'

'He is strong,' said Nestus. 'I am sure he will be all right.' The sword champion glanced at Parmenion, then walked across to where he waited.

'What happened last night?' Nestus asked. 'All I have heard is rumour.'

'Hermias was attacked,' answered Parmenion. 'He was struck on the head by a club. He was dazed and groggy when I brought him home.'

'It is said you killed Learchus. Is it true?'

'I did not know it was Learchus,' lied Parmenion. 'He was merely one of a group attacking Hermias.'

Nestus sighed. 'This is bad, Savra. Very bad. I cannot say I have ever liked you, but you know that I have never had any part in the attacks on you.'

'I know that.'

'If Hermias dies, the others will be arraigned for his murder.'

'He will not die!' Parmenion snapped.

A movement by the gates caught Parmenion's eye and he turned to see Derae and two of her friends enter the courtyard. She saw him but made no sign of recognition as she walked slowly to the open doors of the andron.

Tamis entered the main building, drawn by the girl's soul-fire which blazed like concentrated starlight.

The father of Hermias was sitting in the andron talking to the surgeon, Astion. He looked up as Derae entered, then stood, his face drawn and haggard. He kissed her cheek, offering her watered wine.

'Can I see him?' she asked.

'He is dying, my dear,' said Parnas, his voice breaking.

'He is my friend — my dearest friend,' Derae told him. 'Let me go to him.'

Parnas shrugged and led her to the bedroom where Hermias lay, his face as pale as the linen sheet which covered his body. Derae sat beside him, her hand moving to stroke his brow.

'No!' shouted Tamis, though none could hear her. Derae's soul-fire flared, bathing Hermias in blinding light. Tamis could not believe what she was seeing: at the boy's temple the light turned gold, then red, the blood clot beneath the bone dispersing. Hermias groaned and opened his eyes.

'Derae?' he whispered. 'What are you doing here? It is most unseemly.'

'They told me you were dying,' she answered, smiling. 'But I can see that is not the case.'

'I had the most terrible dreams,' he told her. 'I was in a place of darkness where nothing grew and no birds sang. But even now the memory fades. .'