As Archytas entered the expeditionary army's camp, cheers rang out from every tent he passed. The air was thick with excitement and joy, and even he, burdened with a heavy heart, was infected by it. He couldn't help but sigh in admiration: These mercenaries were truly a battle-hardened force that even the mighty Persian Empire found troublesome! During the day, he had witnessed with his own eyes how these mercenaries used novel tactics and fierce attacks to pound the Lucanians. And to maintain such high morale after a failed battle—that was even more remarkable!
Archytas's desire to see Davos immediately grew even stronger.
Just as he reached the outside of the tent, the young man he had taken a liking to came out to greet him. His first words were: "General Archytas, we plan to attack the Lucanian tribal coalition tomorrow. We hope to have the help of the Tarentine reinforcements!"
Archytas could hardly believe his ears. "...You mean attack the Lucanian tribal coalition?"
"Yes!"
"The one to the west, that Lucanian tribal coalition of up to fifteen thousand men, not the Lucanians in the city of Amendolara?" Archytas asked again, unsure.
"That's right, the western Lucanian tribal coalition!" Davos nodded emphatically.
After receiving the affirmative answer, Archytas stared at Davos for a long moment, barely suppressing his excitement, and said, "...What do you intend to do?"
"Come, let's talk inside the tent." Davos hurriedly led Archytas into the tent, went to the prepared map, and laid out his plan in detail...
Archytas rested his chin on his hand and pondered for a long time before speaking slowly: "I have to say, this is a very bold plan, pushing our forces to the limit. It also has a certain feasibility. I find it very tempting..."
"So, will the Tarentine reinforcements join in?" Davos asked.
Archytas was silent. Davos was not anxious either. After a long quiet moment, Archytas saw that Davos was still calm, and couldn't help saying, "It seems you were certain I would agree."
"I've heard that Heraclea is an ally of Tarentum. If we win tomorrow, Tarentum won't have to worry about the western problem anymore and can focus entirely on the Messapians," Davos said slowly. In fact, his words were rather polite. Heraclea was not just an ally of Tarentum; it was actually a dependency controlled by Tarentum. Twenty years ago, its rulers were either Tarentine immigrants or directly appointed by Tarentum. Although it was no longer as much a subordinate state as before, Tarentum's influence over Heraclea remained strong, regarding it as a buffer to the west. If the Lucanians were to occupy the Sybaris Plain and also take Amendolara, which bordered Heraclea, the threat to Heraclea would be too great, possibly even threatening Metapontum further north. This was also an important reason why Tarentum had sent reinforcements.
Archytas finally nodded. "The people of Tarentum are happy to fight alongside the Greek warriors who campaigned in Persia!"
"That's wonderful! It was precisely because you, Archytas, are leading the Tarentine reinforcements that I dared to propose this plan. Your fighting strength is also formidable!" Davos said sincerely.
After the two had finished discussing the details, Archytas suddenly said, "Davos, I have a suggestion I'd like you to consider."
"Please, speak." Davos was taken aback by his serious expression.
"Regardless of whether the next battle is won or lost, I sincerely invite you to become a citizen of Tarentum! I will do my utmost to recommend you to the Senate, hoping that you will take on an important administrative position!" Archytas made the commitment solemnly.
Davos hadn't expected Archytas to make such a request, catching him off guard. "...Uh... well, I've heard it's very difficult for a foreigner to become a citizen of a large city-state."
"Yes," Archytas nodded frankly, but then he shifted his tone: "However, someone with extraordinary talent like yours will be enthusiastically invited by any city-state in Magna Graecia! After all, this isn't Athens; these are all colonial cities. The key is that they have the eye to discover talent!" Archytas pointed at his own eyes with self-satisfaction.
"Just me, not including my brothers here?" Davos thought of a reason to refuse.
"For so many people to join Tarentum, it's not something the magistrates or the Senate can decide. A citizen assembly would need to be convened and a collective vote taken. That would be very difficult," Archytas said apologetically.
"Thank you for the invitation. After tomorrow's battle, I'll seriously consider the matter," Davos said with feigned sincerity.
For Davos's invitation, Adrianx, Sestas, and even Drakos all came.
Davos told them his plan, and the three were all shocked.
Since in today's battle, unlike the Tarentine reinforcements and Davos's mercenaries who suffered light losses, their casualties amounted to four hundred men. Drakos's mercenaries in particular had the heaviest losses. For a force of only two thousand, this could be called crippling. If they agreed to Davos's request next, the casualties would likely be even greater. Therefore, Adrianx and Sestas were a bit hesitant.
"Chief Davos, I am willing to join tomorrow's battle!" It was the always gloomy-faced Drakos who suddenly spoke, surprising the other two.
"The Lucanians are nothing to fear. It was just the Thurians who held me back today. I believe fighting alongside you tomorrow will make them taste defeat!" Drakos said indignantly.
Davos hadn't expected that the first to agree would be Drakos, with whom he had once fought. This made him look at the big chief's fighting spirit and tenacity in a new light. Seeing the other two still hesitant, he immediately said, "Attacking the Lucanian tribal coalition is not for Thurii's meager wages. It's so that after defeating them, we can retake Amendolara and become its masters!"
Davos's words shocked the three again.
"Capture Amendolara? Are you confident?" Sestas asked in surprise.
"We've attacked many fortresses in Persia. A small hill town is really not a problem!" Davos said confidently. "When the time comes, we will invite all of you to become citizens of Amendolara, to obtain land there, and to establish roots in prosperous Magna Graecia! Of course, if you just want to return to war-torn, impoverished Ionia, then pretend I didn't say anything."
"You... are you serious?!... We really get land?" Adrianx stammered.
"Of course. This is a decision by all of us!" Davos said solemnly.
"But... but..." Adrianx calmed his excitement a little and asked, "Won't Thurii and Tarentum oppose it?"
"Thurii has suffered heavy blows. It doesn't have the power to oppose even if it wanted to," Davos said with a contemptuous smile. "As for Tarentum, perhaps they'll even be happy we're doing this, because we can hold Amendolara and keep Tarentum's western border safe from the mountain tribes."
The three exchanged glances and said in unison, "We are willing to join you!"
"Excellent!" Davos said joyfully. "Now we are one family! Let's fight together for our own future!"
After the four finished discussing the details of the plan, Davos cautioned them to keep it secret and not let the Tarentines know for now.
After seeing off the three, Davos was about to send some freemen returning to Thurii to ask Bourkos to come to the camp quickly for an urgent discussion. Unexpectedly, a guard entered and reported, "Bourkos is already outside the camp gate seeking an audience."
Davos was surprised, but immediately realized how urgently the Thurii city hall and council needed him at this moment.
Sure enough, as soon as Bourkos entered the tent, he asked impatiently, "Chief Davos, are you still prepared to carry out the original agreement?"
Davos showed a troubled expression and said, "I am a man who keeps his promises. But the problem now is that the battle was lost, and during the rout, my unit lost a large number of weapons and many men were wounded. Tomorrow, the Lucanians will surely launch a major attack here! My troops lack both weapons and manpower, and I'm afraid we won't be able to hold them off. Just before you came, the officers were discussing with me; they suggested leaving here even if it meant forgoing their pay!"
The Allies