Novels online

Chapter 7

"Brothers, I've brought you some food." Xilos entered the small tent.

The quiet tent suddenly became lively. The few people who had been lying down got up and quickly snatched the food from Hilos' arms like hungry wolves.

"Hilos, if you hadn't come, I would have starved to death." Martonis chewed on the half-cooked horse meat. The meat that he usually looked down on was indescribably delicious in his mouth.

"I got it from Antonius. Menon had them form a team to drag back the dead and wounded horses from the battlefield at the risk of being attacked by the Persia. " Hilos sighed and looked at the man who was still lying in the innermost part of the tent. He asked with concern, "How are Devers? Has he woken up? "

"He's awake. But he's been in a daze. No matter who talked to him, he didn't seem to know them and didn't say a word. He seems to be asleep now, "Giogris replied sadly.

"I think he might have accidentally fallen into the River of Forgetfulness when he was on Charon's ship and lost his memory," Olivers said.

"Shut up!" Martonis reached out to press Olivers's head, but was pushed away.

Hilos separated the two of them and berated, "We all came from the same town in Thessaly. We're thousands of miles away from our hometown and surrounded by enemies. If we don't unite, I'm afraid we won't be able to go back."

The tent fell silent.

Hilos felt the heavy atmosphere and comforted, "I've seen a few warriors with severe head injuries. They were confused at first, but they'll be normal after some rest. Maybe by tomorrow morning, Devers will be able to greet everyone with a smile. "

"Devers can be considered old warriors, but he actually fell during the pursuit!" Olivers said irritably, but he immediately shut up when he saw Martonis glaring at him again.

"Hilos, did Cyrus the Young win or was he defeated?" The moment of silence made Giogris unable to hold himself back from voicing the question that everyone was most concerned about and most afraid to face.

Previously, when they finished chasing the fleeing enemies and returned to the battlefield, they only found that the Persia army was still there, but Little Cyrus' troops were nowhere to be seen. Because it was getting late, the two armies had no desire to continue fighting. After a while, the Persia army retreated.

Only then did the Greek mercenaries realize that their camp had been ransacked. The soldiers were tired and hungry. Of course, they didn't have the energy to think about or ask such an important question.

"Little Cyrus is leading the cavalry. Regardless of whether they win or lose, he can easily leave the battlefield and join us tomorrow. We'll just have to fight the King of Persia again, "Hilos said casually.

"But the army of the king of Persia is much larger than ours. If Cyrus the Younger is defeated, there will be even fewer troops to fight with us tomorrow," Giogris said worriedly.

"What are you afraid of? We have over ten thousand heavy infantry soldiers! The people of Persia are as timid as rabbits! No matter how many of them they have, they won't dare to fight with us! I haven't killed enough today. Let's fight again tomorrow. It's just right! "Matonis used his own method to encourage everyone.

"Even if Little Cyrus the Younger is defeated, we have defeated their left wing and killed many of their men. Tomorrow, the number of their soldiers will only be less than today! "Hilos was also full of confidence.

"These damn Persia destroyed our camp, stole our food, and stole a lot of silver coins from us! Tomorrow, we will defeat them and take back our things! "Matonis said angrily.

"That's right!" Everyone shared the same hatred. "Not only do we have to take back our things, but we also have to take back their things."

"Oh!" Olivers thought of something and said excitedly, "I heard that Little Cyrus the Younger's women were also taken away. Only one escaped. It's the one I told you about last time … the Milesian woman who is as beautiful as Aphrodite. I heard that Krylkus brought her into his tent. He's going to have a good time tonight! " Oliver swallowed a mouthful of saliva and said in a wretched manner.

"Don't talk nonsense!" Hilos warned him.

"Olivers, if you have the ability, defeat the king of Persia tomorrow and take one of his women."

"Oh, that's a good idea! Matonis, it's rare for you to be smart for once. "

"Damn Olivers, you want to get beaten up again!"

While they were talking and laughing, a hoarse voice came from the innermost part of the tent. "Have you never thought that Little Cyrus the Younger was not only defeated! He was also killed! "

… …

Tisafonis rushed to the King of Persia's tent. The eunuch Massabadi was already waiting at the door. "The king is waiting for you. Go in!"

When Tisafonis handed his sword to the royal guard next to him, he found that the most trusted eunuch of the King of Persia looked a little depressed. He could not help but wonder, 'Is His Majesty seriously injured?'

The tent was filled with a strong scent of frankincense, mixed with a few traces of herbs.

Artaxerxes was lying on his side on the bed, wearing a gorgeous crimson robe. His bare chest was wrapped in white cloth, and red blood could be seen faintly. A beautiful maid was gently massaging his shoulders. Below him stood the doctor, Ctesia.

Seeing Tisafonis come in, Ctesia immediately bid farewell to the king of Persia.

Artaxerxes asked him to wait outside the tent. If there were any changes in his injuries, he could immediately summon him.

Tisafonis watched the Greek doctor leave the tent, then half-knelt, lowered his head, and said, "Your Majesty, I have lost the battle. Please punish me!"

Artaxerxes did not speak. Tisafonis began to feel a little uneasy. He knelt on the ground and did not move.

After a long time, Artaxerxes finally said, "You have lost the battle, Tisafonis. But at least you still dared to attack. I heard that you led the cavalry around the Greek heavy infantry to attack their rear. In the end, you were defeated by their light shieldsmen and almost hit by the Greeks' javelins. "

"Yes, Your Majesty. You know everything! "Tisafonis secretly heaved a sigh of relief.

"Compared to those who ran away before the battle, you are much braver! Get up! " Artaxerxes was still somewhat dissatisfied with the performance of the left wing of the Persia army yesterday. He then raised his voice and said, "I was not as lucky as you. Cyrus' spear pierced me. Fortunately, my armor was strong enough. This gave me the opportunity to stab him under his horse! "

Wasn't little Cyrus hit by the spear thrown by the guard Miseridades? Tisafonis was surprised, but he did not show it. Instead, he said with excitement and admiration, "Your Majesty, everyone used to say that Cyrus was brave. Yesterday, on the battlefield, when we were about to lose, Your Majesty took a huge risk that a king should not take. You stepped forward and personally killed Cyrus, the traitor! You allowed us to win an unbelievable victory! Your Majesty, you are indeed the king of kings! You are the one born to be brave! "

Massabadi and Ctesia immediately expressed their admiration for the Persia king's bravery.

Artaxerxes' face was flushed, and he said angrily, "Cyrus has always been competitive since he was young. As his elder brother, I have always given in to him. Last time, during the coronation ceremony, he tried to assassinate me. For the sake of my mother, I forgave him! I did not expect that my kindness was seen as weakness, and he dared to rebel! For the stability of the country, even if he is my younger brother, I have to execute him! "

"Your Majesty's benevolence is well known! Cyrus did not know what was good for him. He seduced outsiders and invaded our country. He deserved it! " Tisafonis said passionately.

Artaxerxes nodded, but he could not help but cough a few times. His speech just now had consumed a lot of his energy, "My governor, you have exposed Cyrus's conspiracy to me many times, and you have always performed well in the governance of Asia Minor! After this rebellion is over, I will reward you well! "

"Your Majesty, as the governor of Asia Minor, this is my duty!" Tisafonis said with a solemn expression.

Tisafonis nodded, and pointed at a large earthen jar on the wooden table in front of the couch with his left hand. He had a complicated expression on his face, "This is the head and hand of Cyrus that Massabadi had cut off. Take it to the camp of the Greeks and ask them to surrender immediately!"