Recapture

Vespa absolutely did not expect things to take so many unexpected turns.

Yesterday afternoon, when his messenger reached the Sybaris Plain, the Lucanian tribal coalition had already withdrawn. Fearing an attack from the Greek army, they had no choice but to retreat back into the city. Today, Vespa waited anxiously for the Lucanian coalition to arrive at the Sybaris Plain, but they were long overdue. To his surprise, in the afternoon, a scout rushed back with news: the Greek mercenaries had completely annihilated the Lucanian coalition on the great riverbed of the Tino River!

Vespa was stunned. He felt fear, and wished he could leave this terrifying mercenary army immediately—the farther away, the better!

The combined forces of these powerful Lucanian tribes had suffered a heavy blow, which would inevitably weaken their control over the surrounding tribes. Vespa's tribe, returning to the Lucanian mountains, should no longer be oppressed for the time being. But to leave empty-handed like this, he couldn't bear to abandon the mountain of plundered supplies in the city. His people had been poor for too long.

Just then, another sentence from the scout steadied him: the Greeks had also suffered considerable losses—at least a thousand casualties.

That's right. After a major battle, wouldn't the Greeks need to rest and regroup? Vespa cursed himself for being foolish. He ordered his people to begin packing their luggage and loading supplies, ready to transport them in batches depending on the situation.

They busied themselves all afternoon. By evening, the tribesmen were exhausted and fell into a deep sleep.

This delay of Vespa's became a small regret in his life. But decades later, when his people and descendants spoke of this day, they all rejoiced that they hadn't left immediately...

...

Late at night, a full moon hung in the sky, casting a faint light over the pitch-black night.

Moonlight flowed like water, silently spreading across the Sybaris Plain. A long, snaking column advanced noiselessly northward along the coast. They crossed the Sybaris River, passed the abandoned vineyards, crossed the Saraceno River. Their pace did not slow but instead grew faster, until they finally crossed the Sisno River. Only then did the entire force come to an abrupt halt.

Every warrior gazed at the shadowy form of Amendolara city in the moonlight, their hearts filled with excitement.

Davos took a deep breath to calm himself, then gave Heilos a forceful wave.

The attack began!

That night, Vespa had a wonderful dream. He dreamed that he hadn't left Amendolara but had lived there for many years, daily patrolling his flocks of sheep and cattle, strolling through olive groves laden with fruit, drinking sweet wine...

"Great Chief! Something terrible! The Greeks have broken into the city!" a guard barged in, panicked.

"What did you say?!" Vespa woke with a start.

The next morning, just waking from sleep, Archytas received a peculiar report from his guards: the mercenaries who had been camped next to them had vanished!

He immediately went to check, and sure enough, the camp was empty.

Archytas immediately sensed something was wrong. He hurried to Davos's camp next door: there were people in the camp, but they were only Davos's baggage camp, medical camp, wounded soldiers, women, and a large number of slaves (mostly from Thurii). They were all loading baggage, preparing to leave...

Archytas strode forward and grabbed Mesis, who was shouting and directing the slaves. "Mesis, where have Davos and his soldiers gone?"

Mesis hemmed and hawed, not answering, which only deepened Archytas's suspicion.

Just then, a familiar voice came from behind: "Archytas, I'm so sorry I'm late and made you worry."

Archytas turned around and saw Davos, a smile on his face. He looked a bit tired but seemed in good spirits. "Where have all your soldiers gone?"

"Let me tell you some good news." Davos dismounted, handed the reins to Asiastes, and said calmly, "We have retaken Amendolara!"

"When?" Archytas was stunned.

"Last night."

They captured a mountain city in a single night?! The look on Davos's face didn't seem like a lie. Archytas knew that besieging a city was a major challenge for any city-state's army. Yesterday's battle had already impressed Archytas with Davos's grand vision, creative battle plans, exceptional command ability, and skill at integrating different units. But the fact that he had captured a mountain city in one night—something Archytas, with his extensive combat experience, could only admire. He smiled wryly. "Davos, you've accomplished another difficult task. I'm truly envious!"

Davos laughed heartily at Archytas's bluntness. "In truth, we were also blessed by the goddess Fortune. The Lucanians were slack in their defenses, completely unprepared."

"Oh, I see." Archytas was curious and wanted to hear more, but Davos changed the subject and said gravely, "There's something I hope to get your support for, as well as that of Tarentum."

"What is it?" Archytas looked at Davos's serious expression and was taken aback.

Davos stared at him and said slowly, word by word, "Our mercenary army wants to become citizens of Amendolara!"

Archytas was stunned again. He asked uncertainly, "The entire mercenary army?! Are you serious?"

"This is the will of the entire mercenary army!" Davos declared loudly, leaving no room for doubt.

Archytas's expression turned serious. He looked around. Mesis, Asiastes, and even the guards who had been busy stopped their work and stared at him with expectant eyes. Archytas quickly turned back to Davos and said in a low voice, "It seems that taking Amendolara was not a spur-of-the-moment decision for you."

Davos did not answer directly. Instead, he spoke with emotion: "Archytas, you were born into the nobility of Tarentum, living a life of comfort. You cannot understand the plight of us mercenaries, wandering everywhere, with no control over life or death. Having a home is our greatest desire!"

Archytas was silent for a moment, then asked, "Does Marcellis, the archon of Amendolara, agree?"

"On the day the Lucanians occupied Amendolara, he was severely wounded and died a few days later. As for the other archon, Glatabafro... Last night, when we attacked Amendolara, the people of Amendolara who had been imprisoned in the Temple of Zeus on the mountaintop, even before we reached the summit, they began a revolt under Glatabafro's leadership, attacking the Lucanian guards. A fierce battle ensued. By the time we arrived, Glatabafro had already fallen in battle, along with some members of the Senate..." Davos spoke in a heavy tone.

Archytas watched Davos intently. Davos continued with a calm expression: "According to our count, about a thousand people from Amendolara have survived. Their physical condition is not good. Nearly half of them are elderly, and many are wounded. Even if we left, I'm afraid they would be unable to maintain the normal administration and labor of the city, let alone defend this mountain town."

Archytas understood. Davos not only wanted to make the mercenaries citizens of Amendolara, but also to become its masters. He was shocked by Davos's ambition and tried to deflect: "You should first consult Thurii, since Amendolara is its ally."

"Archytas, to be frank, Thurii has suffered two severe defeats and is greatly weakened. It is probably not capable of taking care of Amendolara. And Amendolara, though weak and not wealthy, occupies an important position that might attract the covetous eyes of other powers. At the very least, in our hands, we can defend it. And we are willing to become allies with Tarentum, to maintain security in this region and ensure that Heraclea will never again be threatened by the native tribes!" Davos made a solemn promise.

Archytas was somewhat moved. After all, Thurii had performed terribly in this war against the Lucanians, nearly bringing disaster to the whole area. So he spoke cautiously but honestly: "I have no authority to decide whether you can have Amendolara. That requires the consent of the Senate of Tarentum. I will immediately send someone by ship back to Tarentum. I hope you will send someone as well, to express your wishes to the Tarentine Senate!"

"Thank you very much, Archytas!" Davos said with emotion.

"My only regret is that you can no longer become a citizen of Tarentum," Archytas said sincerely.

Davos was deeply moved and quickly replied, "But we will be allies. Perhaps one day we will fight side by side again!"

Without seeking the consent of the people of Amendolara or consulting its ally Thurii, the fate of a city was decided in the midst of their conversation and laughter.