‘The Gateways I showed you lead to paths between worlds, between times. Listen to me, Derae, for this is the last time you witt see me and you must learn your lessons well.’
*
Derae opened her eyes to see dawn light creeping across the sky, the stars retreating before it. She rose and poured a goblet of water, sipping it slowly.
Samothrace, the Isle of Mysteries. She shivered. Tamis had once called it the Dark God’s realm. The thought of the journey brought a sudden stab of fear, almost panic . . .yet Parmenion will be there, she realized. For the first time in almost a quarter of a century they would be together. But what then? She was no longer the flame-haired adolescent of his memory, nor he the shy young warrior-to-be. More than time separated them now. Yet it would be good to be close to him once more.
She had watched with mixed feelings his successes for Philip: first, last year, the crushing of the Illyrians; but since then the march into Thessaly, securing the southern borders, the invasion of Paionia and the besieging of the city of Amphipolis.
Now the wolves of the major cities viewed Macedonia with different eyes. Where once they saw only a lamb, ripe for ownership or slaughter, now they faced a lion – young and powerful, proud and arrogant.
Derae’s pride at Parmenion’s achievements was tinged with sadness, for the more powerful Macedonia became, the more deadly would be the effect when the Evil One sat upon the throne.
Fear flooded her. She felt like a child facing a forest fire, a huge wall of flames that threatened to engulf the world. And what do I have to halt it, she wondered? Looking down, she saw the goblet of water in her hand. She smiled then and walked back to Tamis’ room.
‘I will keep my promise to you, Tamis. I will not murder. But if the servants of the Dark God come for me, then they will die. For I will not be thwarted in this.’
The sheet still covered the body. When Derae pulled it back, all that lay there was a disconnected skeleton, the bones loose. As she lifted the sheet, the skull was dislodged from the pillow and fell to the floor, shattering into shards.
Samothrace, Summer, 357 BC
The crossing had been calm and the vessel glided smoothly into dock, the three banks of rowers backing oars to slow its progress. Seamen threw ropes to the men waiting at the quayside and the great ship settled into place.
Philip strode down the gangplank, followed by Parmenion.
‘I can barely contain my excitement,’ said the King as the two men stood on solid ground, staring at the tree-lined hills. ‘You think she is here already?’
‘I don’t know, sire,’ replied Parmenion, ‘but I am uneasy about your lack of guards. There could be assassins hired by any number of enemies.’
Philip laughed and lightly punched Parmenion on the shoulder. ‘You worry too much. We are just travellers, wandering men, mercenaries. Few know of my plans.’
‘Antipater, Attalus, Nicanor, Theoparlis, Simiche . . . the gods know how many more,’ Parmenion muttered. ‘One wrong word is all it would take.’
Philip chuckled. ‘It will not happen, my friend; this has been ordained by the gods. And, anyway, I have the Lion of Macedon to protect me.’ He laughed again at Parmenion’s discomfort. ‘You know, you should really consider taking a wife – or a lover. You are altogether too serious.’
A tall woman in robes of black moved towards them, bowing deeply.
‘Welcome to Samothrace, Lord Philip,’ she said.
‘Wonderful,’ whispered Parmenion. ‘Perhaps a parade has been planned.’ The woman looked at him quizzically, then returned her attention to Philip.
‘There is a feast in your honour tonight, and tomorrow a hunt in the high hills.’
Philip took her hand, kissing the palm. ‘Thank you, lady. It is indeed an honour and a privilege to be greeted by one of such beauty and grace. But how did you know of my arrival?’
The woman smiled, but did not reply.
She led them through the crowded city port to where two other women waited, holding the reins of two white stallions. The first pointed to a white palace a mile to the north. ‘Your rooms have been prepared, my lords. I hope the horses are to your liking.’