Volume 3: The First Croton War, Chapter 20: The Alliance with Thurii (Part 1)

In the afternoon, during the Senate meeting, the proposal Davos had put forward to approach Thurii and improve diplomatic relations was met with fierce opposition from old citizen senators like Strombopoli.

Davos did not immediately call for a vote. Instead, he spoke earnestly: "Honored lords, I beg you to calmly and carefully consider this proposal. Do not let hatred blind your wisdom! You are the elites of our city-state. It is your duty to create a better life for all its people and to point the way to prosperity! Will befriending Thurii improve the safety of our city-state? Will befriending Thurii boost our trade? Will befriending Thurii help us in the war against the Lucanians? The pros and cons of befriending Thurii are laid out clearly before you. As long as you truly have the city-state's interests at heart and think of our children and grandchildren, I believe you will make the right choice! Remember, individuals may have personal grievances, but between city-states, there is only eternal interest!"

Davos's words clearly affected men like Cornelius. Most of them lowered their heads in thought and fell silent.

At that moment, Scombrus stood up and said indignantly, "Are we supposed to simply forget everything Thurii has done to us and greet them with smiles?! Davos, you are not one of us. You have never tasted the bitter tragedy of losing wife and child, so you can sit here so casually talking about befriending Thurii!..."

"I only said we should improve relations with Thurii, not forget our hatred. There is a saying in the East: 'A citizen can wait ten years for revenge.' We will use Thurii to strengthen ourselves until one day we are powerful enough to make the Thurians swallow the bitter fruit brewed from our hatred!" Davos defended himself.

"Then who knows when that will be..." Scombrus grumbled, though some of the displeasure on his face had faded.

The final vote result: except for Strombopoli, who voted against, and Scombrus and Raphias, who abstained, the rest of the senators voted in favor. Davos's proposal passed smoothly.

Davos immediately set to work. He had Asiastes send men into the port of Thurii to deliver a message to Burkes: Amendolara was willing to mend ties with Thurii.

The Thurian generals, who had been at a loss in their diplomatic stalemate, were overjoyed. To show their sincerity, they dispatched a delegation led by the three generals Kynogoratas, Neonxis, and Antistanos.

To maintain diplomatic parity, Amendolara also sent a delegation headed by Magistrate Davos, City Administrator Cornelius, Ephor Antonios, Commercial Officer Mariji, and Senate elder Strombopoli (who had insisted on joining). At the same time, they made a special request: the Thurian delegation was not to cross the Saraceno River; talks could be held on the southern bank of the river.

When the Thurian delegation, having just left the city, received news from the north, it hit them like a blow to the head, halving their joyful mood. Helpless, they agreed to the proposal.

In the morning, the two sides met by the banks of the Saraceno River.

Except for Kynogoratas, the other Thurians were meeting Davos for the first time. As the hero who annihilated the Lucanian tribal coalition, the great benefactor who saved Thurii, and now the lifelong magistrate of Amendolara, Davos was young but no one dared underestimate him. On the contrary, aside from respect, there was a fair amount of wariness.

Kynogoratas was even more deeply affected. After all, at their first meeting, he had clapped Davos on the shoulder like an elder greeting a junior, offering words of concern and encouragement. Davos had seemed gentle in temper, even a little shy. Kynogoratas had naturally thought little of him, even inwardly suspecting that the expeditionary army's reputation might be overstated. Now Davos appeared as gentle and friendly as before, but Kynogoratas felt a chill in his heart: a young man who, with every move, had annihilated nearly ten thousand Lucanians, made the people of Amendolara willingly elect him lifelong magistrate, and completely seized control of Amendolara's power—yet still maintained such a seemingly humble attitude. How could that not be terrifying!

Antistanos, however, wasn't thinking about that. He only thought: when the talks were over, he must invite Davos to tell them about their experiences in Persia.

Under a large ox-hide canopy the soldiers had set up for shade, the main representatives from both sides sat down.

"Before we begin the talks, allow me to say a few words." Kynogoratas stood and spoke with emotion: "The recent Lucanian invasion brought tremendous disaster to both Thurii and Amendolara! The city of Amendolara was taken, its people captured, and many died under abuse; meanwhile, nearly thirteen thousand citizens of Thurii perished in this war. Every family in the city is in mourning, and every day the whole of Thurii is surrounded by weeping... Here, on behalf of Thurii's generals and Council, I express our deep condolences for the people who died in both cities..." As he finished, tears streamed from the corners of his eyes. The Thurian delegation also showed sorrow, lowering their heads.

Davos hadn't expected such a gesture from the Thurians and was momentarily taken aback. He hesitated, wondering if he should put on a mournful expression too. From behind him came a sneer: "If it weren't for Thurii's unreasonable demands, would the people of our Amendolara have suffered such misery! Don't put on an act here. Get to the point!"

Strombopoli's voice shattered the tragic atmosphere Kynogoratas had created, leaving the Thurians in the meeting a little awkward. Kynogoratas, however, acted as if he hadn't heard, continuing to look at Davos with gratitude: "Fortunately, you, Lord Davos, led the brave mercenaries to repel the mighty Lucanians and save Thurii and Amendolara! You are a hero in the eyes of the Thurians! The previous few times we failed to invite you to Thurii for the victory celebration and to receive the heartfelt gratitude of the Thurian people, I and the other generals and the Council have faced protests and criticism from the populace!" As he said this, Neonxis and Antistanos nodded in agreement.

"I hope that after these talks, we can invite you to visit Thurii! This is the hope of all the people of Thurii!" Kynogoratas extended the invitation with genuine sincerity.

Faced with such warm hospitality, Davos found it hard to refuse outright. Fortunately, Strombopoli sneered again from behind: "Lord Davos is now the lifelong magistrate of Amendolara. His visits to other city-states are no longer his private affair; they must be decided by the Senate!"

"Very well, we will await the decision of the Amendolara Senate. But the Thurian people will blame us again." Kynogoratas showed a look of disappointment, then continued: "Now both Thurii and Amendolara are actively rebuilding after the war. If Amendolara needs anything, Thurii is willing to provide full assistance!"

As soon as Kynogoratas finished, Strombopoli stood and shouted loudly: "Amendolara does not need any help from Thurii! Because once we accept it, we might have to pay an even greater price for Thurii next time!"

Kynogoratas's expression remained unchanged. Without even glancing at Strombopoli, he said to Davos: "Who really makes the decisions in Amendolara?"

Davos smiled slightly and said, "Let's begin the talks."

Hearing this, the Amendolara delegation immediately straightened up.

Kynogoratas noticed this and felt a chill inside.

Antistanos spoke first: "Gentlemen, we all know that Thurii and Amendolara have been allies for forty-one years. The previous alliance agreement has not yet expired. Thurii and Amendolara should, of course, continue our previous alliance."

Strombopoli was about to speak again, but Cornelius immediately pressed Hetushu to hold him back and shook his head sternly.

Strombopoli swallowed his anger and spat heavily on the ground.

"Amendolara also agrees to renew the alliance with Thurii—" As Antonios spoke, the Thurians showed joyful expressions: "—but there is a condition: it must not harm the interests of Tarentum. That is to say, if war breaks out between Tarentum and Thurii, Amendolara will side with Tarentum."

As soon as Antonios finished, the Thurian delegation erupted in uproar.

"You are violating the oath sworn to the gods! Remember, the alliance agreement between Thurii and Amendolara has not been terminated. Therefore, your private contact and agreement with Tarentum is already a breach of the alliance. Considering our many years of friendship with Amendolara, we had not planned to raise this matter at today's talks. And yet you think we are weak and pushable, daring to make such shameless demands!" Neonxis stood up and roared in anger.

"Also, let Thurii remember. When Thurii broke its oath and failed to send reinforcements to promptly rescue the fallen Amendolara, the former Amendolara died on the day it was occupied by the Lucanians! The newborn Amendolara before you—if it owed Thurii anything in the past, I believe the people of Amendolara have already repaid that debt during their more than half-year imprisonment. But what Thurii owes Amendolara—has that been repaid?! When Amendolara was in its direst straits, Tarentum gave it the greatest help! Therefore, Amendolara can only offer its utmost sincerity in return! What did Thurii ever give Amendolara? Nothing but the loss of our city and the imprisonment of our people!!" Davos's words pierced like sharp daggers, leaving Neonxis speechless.

Strombopoli roared: "I told you long ago, don't ally with these selfish Thurians! They care only for themselves, never for others! If it weren't for you insisting on coming, Davos, I wouldn't have met these bastards! If they're unhappy, I couldn't be happier! If they want to teach us a lesson, I'm even happier! The spears of Amendolara's citizens are ready!"