Parmenion stroked the neck of the black gelding, then touched heels to the beast’s flanks, urging him on. Now came the danger, but to his surprise Parmenion felt a sense of rising excitement along with his fear. This, he realized, is what brings joy to life; the exquisite sensations of fear and
exhilaration combining to sharpen the mind and thrill the senses. It was as if the past years in Thebes were without colour. He glanced up at the sky and the drifting clouds, feeling the mountain air soaking into his lungs.
This was life!
Down there was Hecate, goddess of Death, her dark dagger drawn, ready for him to make one mistake, one slip that would cost him his life.
Parmenion chuckled, tightened the chin-strap on his leather helmet and began to hum an old song his mother had taught him. The gelding’s ears pricked up and he tossed his head at the sound. He was a fine beast; Pelopidas had said that he almost outran the pursuers, but a lucky arrow had taken the rider in the base of the skull, toppling him to the ground. The gelding had halted its run then, turning to nuzzle at the corpse on the earth.
The man’s armour fitted Parmenion well, save that the breastplate was a little large. But the greaves and metal-studded kilt could have been made for the slender Spartan. The cloak was of fine wool, dyed red and held in place by a golden brooch which Parmenion replaced with one of bronze. Such a brooch would be recognized and would lead to questions, he reasoned.
The rider’s papers had been taken to Thebes, where Epaminondas opened the despatch and read it. It dealt with supplies and the need to isolate Thebes, but at the close it mentioned Athens and the need for vigilance. Epaminondas handed the scroll to a middle-aged scribe with prematurely white hair. ‘Can you duplicate the style of script?’ he asked.
‘It will not be difficult,’ said the man, peering at the despatch.
‘How many lines can we add above the King’s signature?’ queried Parmenion.
‘No more than two,’ the scribe told him. Parmenion took the script and read it several times. It concluded with the words: ‘The traitor Calepios is hiring mercenaries in Athens. Be vigilant.’ Then there was a gap before the signature Cleombrotus.
Parmenion dictated a short addition to the scroll, which the scribe carefully inserted. Epaminondas read the words and smiled grimly. ‘ Be vigilant and advance upon the Piraeus, destroying any hostile force. If this succeeds, Parmenion, it will mean war between Athens and Sparta.’
‘Which can only be good for Thebes,’ Parmenion pointed out.
‘There are great dangers for you in this,’ said the Theban softly. ‘What if you are recognized, or your message disbelieved? Or if there is a password? Or . . .’
‘Then I will be dead,’ snapped Parmenion. ‘But it must be done.’
Now, as he rode down towards the tents, Parmenion felt his fear swell. Three soldiers on sentry duty.barred his way on the road; they were men from the Sciritis mountains and not Spartiates. They saluted as he approached, clenched fists on their breastplates of leather. He returned the salute and tugged on the reins.
‘I seek the general Sphodrias,’ he said.
‘He is in the city; he stays at the house of Anaximenes the ephor. You ride through the main gate and head for the Temple of Zeus. There is a tall house with two slender trees alongside the gates.’
‘Thank you,’ said Parmenion, riding on.
The city was smaller than Thebes, housing a mere 12,000 inhabitants. Thespiae was a city of tradesmen, specializing in chariots and the training of horses. As Parmenion entered he could see many small pastures holding fine herds. He rode until he reached the house with twin trees, then he dismounted and led the gelding to the front of the white-walled building. A male servant ran to take the horse’s reins and a second servant, a young girl dressed in white, bowed and bade him follow her into the house.
Parmenion was taken through to a large andron where several Spartan officers were sitting and drinking. The servant moved to a burly figure with a rich red beard, who rose and stood with hands on hips, scrutinizing Parmenion who bowed low and approached.