Parmenion was not so sure. ‘They are formidable, sire, at the front, but an enemy could sweep to flanks, making them useless.’
‘True, strategos, but to do that an enemy would have to change the tactics of his entire army – tactics used for a century or more.’
404
‘Even so, we need a secondary tactic of our own,’ said Parmenion.
And he had supplied it.
No longer would Philip’s cavalry adopt a frontal charge on the enemy; this would be left to the new infantry, the cavalry taking position on both flanks of the phalanx, forcing the enemy army in upon itself.
Day by day through the autumn and winter the army grew. Villagers and peasants flocked to Pella to undergo rigorous training in order to win the new Phrygian armour, the black breastplate and red-crested helm. By midwinter Parmenion had selected the men for the King’s Guard, each of whom had black cloaks of the finest wool and a bronze-edged shield bearing the Star of Macedon at the centre. These had been purchased with gold from the Crousia mines. Under Attalus the mines had once more produced a plentiful supply of the precious metal, and Philip spent the proceeds even as they arrived in Pella: armour from Boeotia and Phrygia, horses from Thrace, marble from the south, cloaks from Thebes, builders from Athens and Corinth.
The barracks was finished now and the Guards lived there, eating the finest food, drinking only the best wine, but earning their privileges with extraordinary displays of endurance and stamina under the eagle eye of Parmenion.
Theoparlis and Achillas had remained with the King after his return from Illyria. Having seen their families in Pelagonia and supplied them with enough coin to last the winter, the two men now commanded phalanxes of infantry each 2,000 strong.
Achillas had won glory in Paionia, where Philip had blooded his new troops the previous autumn. The Paionian King had been killed, his army put to flight. Philip rewarded Achillas with a golden-hiked sword.
For another hour Philip watched the soldiers in their training, then mounted his new black stallion and rode back to the palace at Pella.
Nicanor came to him there.
‘The Queen is now settled hi the estate at Aigai,’ Nicanor told him. ‘Simiche said she was glad of the company.’
‘How is Audata?’
‘She suffered sickness on the ride, but she is well. The physicians are with her; they are still concerned over the narrowness of her hips, and her age. But the seers say the pregnancy will go well for her; according to Diomacus, she will have a daughter.’
‘She wanted to stay in Pella,’ said Philip, ‘but I told her it would be best to move south.’ He sighed. ‘She’s not a bad woman, Nicci. But I do not want her here. This palace is for a special bride.’
‘The dream again?’
‘It keeps coming to me, each time more powerful than the last. I can see her now more clearly than I see you.’
‘She is bewitching you, Philip,’ said Nicanor, his eyes betraying his concern.
‘If she is, then it is an enchantment a man would die for -or kill for. She tells me we will have a son – a man of unique greatness. I believe her. And I must build a kingdom worthy of him. But I cannot do it while I am paying such a high tribute to Bardylis.’
‘What will you do?’
Philip smiled. ‘I have already done it. I have cancelled the tribute.’
‘Does Parmenion know?’
‘Is he the King here?’ thundered Philip.
‘No, sire; that is not what I meant. Bardylis will have no choice but to invade. Are we ready?’
‘I think that we are,’ said Philip. ‘Macedonia’s time has come, and I will not travel to Samothrace as another man’s vassal. When I bring her home, it will be to a victorious nation. Either that or I shall be dead and have no concern for sons and glory.’ Taking Nicanor by the arm, he leaned in close. ‘What I am saying now must not be repeated to any man.’
‘I will say nothing,’ promised Nicanor. Philip nodded.
‘Macedonia will be free,’ said the King.