The Appointment of Cheiristoya

“That’s a good plan, but I don’t think the Persians will have the nerve to stay and attack us,” Xanthiparis said regretfully.

“Yeah, those cowardly Persians are like rabbits,” Timasion cursed, angry and helpless over the dead and wounded soldiers.

“Let me lead the men around the mountain ridge!” Xenophon volunteered for the mission.

Hieronymus’s face changed abruptly. He recalled how Xenophon’s previous reckless charge had cost most of his men heavy losses.

“I think Xenophon can do it!” Davos immediately voiced his support.

“We don’t have time to waste. We have to act now, or we might end up spending the night in these mountains!” Cleanho looked up at the sky and said anxiously.

So Xenophon’s request was quickly approved, and the leaders each went back to reorganize their units.

Davos lingered behind, deep in thought.

Cheirisophus noticed and couldn’t help stopping, turning to ask, “What’s on your mind, Leader Davos?”

Davos was a bit surprised that the usually taciturn Cheirisophus had taken the initiative to speak to him. “I was just thinking… well… it’s lucky the Persians didn’t build a defensive camp on the ridge, or our losses would have been much worse.”

“You overestimate Tissaphernes. Sure, the Persian cavalry and archers move fast, but their overall marching speed is much slower than ours. Those Persian nobles, led by Tissaphernes, can’t endure hardship like us Greeks. When they march to war, they have to bring lavish tents, beautiful concubines, dancing girls, and a host of slaves. Every day they wait until the sun comes up to break camp because it’s too cold. At dusk they halt far from the enemy because it’s too dark. Under their influence, how could the Persian soldiers not be affected? I’d say the Persians who attacked us only just got here themselves,” Cheirisophus analyzed seriously.

Davos understood. He had thought the mercenary army was already bloated, but the Persians were even worse. After a moment’s thought, he said, “What if the Persians split these light infantry into several groups, hiding in the woods behind us, on our flanks, and ahead, and then launched attacks in sequence? Wouldn't that be more effective?”

Cheirisophus frowned and asked, “You mean…”

“Just like earlier—Persians on the ridge ahead attacked. We drove them off thinking it was safe, then Persians attacked from the rear… and then again… That way, not only would we suffer more losses, but we’d be forced to run back and forth, scattering our forces, and every step forward would require caution, massively slowing our march.”

Cheirisophus stared at him in surprise. “You think about this kind of thing normally…”

Davos, rarely seeing such an obvious expression on Cheirisophus’s face, felt a little embarrassed. “Well, I lack experience, so I have to learn more and think more…”

Cheirisophus resumed his usual stern, rigid expression. “That is indeed a good tactic, but not just anyone can use it. It demands high courage, training, and commander skill from the soldiers. Do you think this Persian army is capable of that?”

Davos shook his head.

Cheirisophus gave him a long, searching look. “If you have any ideas in the future, we’ll discuss them together.” Then he strode away.

…

That single Persian attack cost the mercenaries over a thousand casualties, more than half of them non-combatants.

Davos’s camp alone suffered over a hundred and fifty dead and wounded, and most of the pack animals had been hit by arrows. He had to order nearly half his men to help the baggage camp—moving supplies and carrying the wounded.

The whole mercenary column slowed even more because of this, but the vanguard made good progress. Since Xenophon’s detachment quickly circled the mountain ridge, the Persians grew wary of being caught between two forces and dared not block the way ahead. The mercenaries passed through the hilly area relatively smoothly.

By dusk, the soldiers spotted Persian villages ahead. What followed was the same as before—the mercenaries looted the villages and camped there. Fortunately, they also found a large supply of provisions that the villages had gathered for Tissaphernes’s army. After enjoying a hearty meal, the soldiers’ morale rose. But Davos’s medical camp was busy again until late into the night…

After the passion, Cheiristoya lay limp on top of Davos, her body soft. Davos’s hand stroked back and forth over her smooth, elastic skin, both of them still immersed in the heat of the battle…

After a long while, Davos said, “Helpus told me you’ve been learning fast in the medical camp, and that you’ve done a great job helping him manage the wounded and the slave women. The wounded all listen to you. They’ve even given you a nickname—‘Persephone of the Mortal World.’”

“Mm.” Cheiristoya hummed softly, lifting her head a little and giving a sly smile. “Then doesn’t that make me your mistress?”

Davos’s gaze swept over her radiant smile, her slender neck, and the white skin half-hidden beneath her inner tunic. Lust flared up in him again, and he couldn’t hold back. He pressed her down beneath him again, breathing heavily. “I just love making love to the mistress…”

Cheiristoya let out a feigned, surprised laugh. “That’s blasphemy against the gods.”

“I’m not afraid!” Davos pressed close…

Cheiristoya trembled all over and hugged his arms tightly.

“Davos.”

“Yes.”

“Do you know why those wounded soldiers listen to me?”

“No.” Actually, Davos did know.

“I told Heilos to say, ‘She’s Davos’s woman.’ Your reputation is high in the mercenary army now, so they think twice. And I had Helpus give the last treatment to a wounded soldier who tried to assault me. His screams didn’t stop until evening. I think that was a good warning too… Davos… do you think I’m too…” Cheiristoya murmured weakly as she lay on top of him.

“You’ve done well—better than I expected!” Davos breathed in the scent of her blonde hair. “Heilos can’t stay in the medical camp forever. Helpus is focused on improving his medical skills. I want you to take charge of the medical camp.”

“What?! You want me to manage the medical camp?!” Cheiristoya’s surprised gaze held a hint of delight.

“Didn’t you tell me before? Your father was busy with Miletus’s political affairs, and you helped him manage the slaves on the estate. And from what I’ve seen in the medical camp these past few days, you’re fully capable of running this small unit.” In his previous life, Davos had been used to gender equality. Unlike the Greeks of this era, who kept women confined to the home, he didn’t mind a woman stepping out into the open, or even outperforming him. “Of course, Helpus will still be the nominal medical officer—we have to consider how others see it—but you’ll actually be in charge. I’ll talk to Helpus later.”

“Davos!” Cheiristoya hugged him tightly, her voice trembling with emotion. “Following you—this is the best thing that’s ever happened to me!”

“Don’t get excited yet. You have another task. Try to get the doctors from other camps who come to help at the medical camp to stay voluntarily, and the wounded soldiers too.” Davos patted her back lightly.

“Yes, leader!” Cheiristoya, naked, gave a playful salute, impossibly seductive. If Davos hadn’t been utterly spent, he would have taken her again.

Seeing his almost fiery gaze, Cheiristoya lazily pulled on her chiton. “Davos, I understand you want to expand the medical camp—there really aren’t enough hands. But why persuade those wounded soldiers to stay?”

Of course Davos couldn’t say that in this strange world he felt a strong sense of insecurity, and that commanding more soldiers was the only way to dispel the unease in his heart. Facing Cheiristoya’s curious look, he revealed a hint of his true intention: “The road home is still long. Who knows how many difficulties lie ahead? It’s safer for the soldiers to be commanded by us than by others. It also lets them use their abilities better.”

Hearing this, Cheiristoya stared at Davos’s young face, lost in thought. This was an ambitious and confident man. In a daze, his face seemed to merge with that of Cyrus the Younger. It gave her a chill of fear, and she stepped forward to hold him tightly.