The Guard

“Leader, Tolmides came on Cheirisophus’s orders to confirm whether the situation is true,” Asiastes reported.

Tolmides stepped forward and saluted.

“Alright,” Davos nodded in agreement, understanding this was standard procedure. Given Cheirisophus’s caution, he had to verify that Cheiristoya had voluntarily asked to come to Davos’s camp and was not being coerced.

Tolmides, hailed as the best herald in the entire army, was clearly far more composed than Asiastes. With a steady expression, he faced the beautiful and alluring Cheiristoya, inquired thoroughly about the circumstances, and after receiving her affirmative reply, turned to Davos and said, “Since Cheiristoya has voluntarily requested to come here, Cheirisophus and the other leaders indicated before I came: ‘Though Cyrus the Younger is dead, he was always a good friend to the Greeks! We must not forget the help he gave to Greece! As for his concubine, who is also a Greek woman — Cheiristoya — we must take good care of her. That is proper Greek hospitality!’ I hope Leader Davos will look after Cheiristoya and ensure she suffers no mistreatment!”

Probably they can’t forget Cyrus’s help to Sparta! Davos grumbled inwardly, then asked, “What is Timasion’s attitude toward this matter?”

Tolmides understood what Davos was worried about and answered without hesitation, “Leader Timasion has no objection whatsoever!”

“Good!” Davos nodded. “Asiastes, take Cheiristoya to Mesis and have him arrange her lodging.”

“Yes!” Asiastes replied excitedly.

“Thank you, Leader Davos.” Cheiristoya walked out with a calm expression.

“Cheiristoya! If you run into any trouble, feel free to tell me directly!” Davos couldn’t help adding.

“I will.” A faint smile flickered across Cheiristoya’s face.

After the two left, Tolmides smiled at him and said, “Leader Davos, you truly are the ‘God-Touched One.’ Not only do you give excellent speeches, but even the most beautiful woman in the mercenary camp comes to you on her own!”

“The army’s best herald not only delivers messages accurately but also knows how to flatter!”

They both laughed.

Tolmides looked at this young but experienced leader and asked seriously, “When I came in, I noticed there were no guards at your tent entrance.”

Davos did not directly say it was because of the rush and lack of time to arrange things. Instead, he humbly sought advice: “Before today, I was still an ordinary soldier. The brothers of the whole camp trusted me and unanimously elected me as their new leader. If I immediately set up guards and cut myself off from the brothers, wouldn’t they feel I’ve changed?”

Tolmides said solemnly, “Military regulations are military regulations. They are made to ensure victory in battle! Look at the chaos caused throughout the army after Clearchus and the others were killed. You should realize that your life safety is very important to your camp! At the same time, setting up guards can prevent random people from frequently entering and exiting the command tent, disturbing your thinking and rest — that is equally important!”

Davos nodded. “Thank you for your instruction. I understand.”

Tolmides looked at Davos’s humble manner and felt no trace of disdain. He affirmed, “Being a good leader is not easy, but I believe you can do it well!”

“Thank you for your encouragement!” Tolmides’s words dispelled Davos’s last trace of hesitation.

After seeing Tolmides off, when Asiastes returned, Davos immediately said to him, “Go find Antonios and tell him to assign Heilos’s squad as my guard.”

“Understood!” Asiastes turned to leave, but Davos called him back: “Asi, I’m new to being a leader and not familiar with military affairs yet. If there are any oversights, you must point them out to me directly.”

Asiastes blinked and did not stand on ceremony. “Then I’ll start with one. You should assign me two more messengers. Otherwise, when it actually comes to battle, it will delay passing orders.” Indeed, with fourteen company commanders, plus the baggage camp and the field hospital, having only one person deliver orders would take a lot of time, and in battle, time is life.

I overlooked that! Davos quickly said, “Alright, you can pick the men from the entire camp.”

“And horses too.”

“Go to Mesis for that.”

Asiastes hurried out excitedly.

…

“Heilos, you’ve finally arrived! Come in quickly!” Davos walked up happily to greet him.

“Leader!” Heilos immediately gave a military salute.

“We’re all good brothers. Call me by name in private.” Davos gave him a warm embrace.

“I said long ago that even if Davos became a leader, he wouldn’t forget us! He’s not Menon — he’s Davos!” Matonis punched Davos in the chest.

Davos chuckled. “I’ve added some duties for you — you won’t complain, will you?”

“Guard duty pays better than being an ordinary soldier. You’re looking out for us. Rest assured, as long as we’re here, no one will be able to harm you!” Matonis patted his chest in assurance.

“Protecting me is your duty, Matonis. If I get injured, you’ll be punished! Then I’ll only give you half the rations!” In front of his former comrades, Davos deliberately kept the atmosphere light.

“Damn, you’re even more terrifying than Menon!” Matonis scratched his head and complained.

Everyone burst out laughing.

“Davos, rest assured, I’ll take care of the guard arrangements!” Heilos said earnestly.

Davos nodded.

Next, Davos called for Mariji and appointed him as guide.

Since Clearchus’s death had made Mariji anxious, and now the Greek mercenaries were at war with the Persians, he no longer had to worry about being discovered. He readily agreed to Davos’s request.

Davos asked him in detail about the terrain ahead and the situation of the surrounding tribes, especially the Dukeyans…

Just after seeing Mariji off, he found Matonis already fully armed, standing at the tent entrance. Seeing Matonis staring intently ahead, Davos did not disturb him. As he turned, he suddenly noticed two short javelins crossed on Matonis’s back. He paused for a moment.

Giving javelins to Greek heavy infantry had been a failed proposal of Davos’s. At that time, he had thought of Rome’s heavy infantry in history and wanted to give the Greek hoplites, who could only fight at close quarters, some ranged projection power at short to medium distance to attack the fast-moving Persian cavalry. That was how this proposal came about. But then, for a long stretch, the Greeks and Persians had no fighting, and carrying two javelins proved to be a burden, inconvenient for marching. Most soldiers discarded them. Only Heilos’s squad firmly believed in Davos and still carried the javelins, but they had cut them down to one meter in length, stuck them on their backs, and fastened them with straps. That made insertion and removal easy, as well as convenient to carry.

Perhaps they will be useful in a future battle, Davos thought to himself.

That night, Davos did not sleep well. After all, the next day he would lead the march for the first time, and possibly fight a battle for the first time. It was impossible not to be nervous. He tossed and turned until late at night before falling asleep.

The next day, he was woken by Asiastes.

“What time is it?” Davos asked, a little self-consciously.

“The soldiers are eating breakfast. There’s still time before we set out.” Asiastes said as he brought him breakfast: two pieces of bread, a slice of cheese, a meat sausage, and a cup of water.

“Quite generous. Are the soldiers eating the same?” Davos pointed at the breakfast.

“More or less. Since there might be fighting today, they need to eat enough to have strength,” Asiastes replied.

Davos felt relieved.

After eating, after a while, a long brass horn sounded through the camp. Davos began to put on his armor. All his gear was unchanged, except he swapped his helmet for a red one topped with a plume of feathers.

The soldiers also dressed in full gear and came out one after another, starting to dismantle the tents and send them to the baggage camp.

Then they began to form ranks.

“First company! First company!…”

“Second company! Second company over here!…”

“Brothers of the fourth squad, fifth company, come over!…”

Shouts rose and fell, occasionally mixed with the neighing of horses and the lowing of oxen — that was the baggage camp harnessing the pack animals. The entire camp was as noisy as a marketplace…