Volume 5: The Hegemon of Southern Italy, Chapter 123: Polyxius's Accusation

Patroclus and Stiphlos finished lunch and then ran to the Temple of Athena, not far from the school.

This temple had been built by the local people to thank Athens for its immense help in rebuilding the city of Thurii (the original patron deity of Thurii was Apollo). After the Peloponnesian War ended, when Thurii forcibly cut ties with Athens and expelled the Athenian-born Thurians, far fewer people came here to pray, and now there were hardly any visitors at all.

The children loved to play rugby and football on the flat, open square in front of the temple. In these games, Patroclus was something of a star, because at thirteen his strength, speed, and agility far surpassed the other kids, and everyone wanted him on their team.

But these past few days, neither he nor Stiphlos had felt like playing. The two boys leaned on the temple wall, idly throwing pebbles into the Coseni River.

"Stiphlos, I haven't seen my father for almost two months. I tell you, this is the first time in my life I've been apart from him for so long. I have no idea how he's doing now..." Patroclus stared blankly at the rushing water, his voice tinged with worry and complaint. "Last time, when the First Army Corps passed through Thurii, Lord Davos didn't even let them come home for a visit! They left so fast—I ran after them as hard as I could after class, but I couldn't catch up..."

Stiphlos laughed carelessly. "I heard my father say that the rules for soldiers in the corps are very strict—much stricter than our school rules. If you break them, you get your bottom spanked. Your father was probably afraid of getting spanked, so of course he didn't dare to come see you!"

Patroclus shot him a glare. "You don't seem very worried about your own father."

Stiphlos stopped throwing stones into the river and said loudly, "I told you, Amyntas is not my real father! But... he treats me and my mother very well..."

Stiphlos tilted his head, thinking for a moment, then added, "He often tells me stories about fighting alongside the great Chief Magistrate Davos in Persia. He's a hero. I really like him. I'm sure nothing will happen to him! Because the great Chief Magistrate Davos has never lost a battle!"

His optimism infected Patroclus. "You're right. The Daonia Corps is invincible!"

Just then, a boy came running excitedly into the temple. "Good news! Good news!..."

"Procles, what good news has you so happy?!" The other children stopped their games and turned to look at him.

"Cheer up, classmates! The Third Army Corps, led by my father, has crushed the invading Pyxous people!" Procles shouted excitedly.

"Is that true?" Patroclus asked quickly.

"Of course it's true!" Procles lifted his chin. "If you don't believe me, go to the city of Thurii—the whole city is cheering!"

"No one doubts the victory, but the credit mainly goes to Chief Magistrate Davos's command, doesn't it?" Stiphlos, seeing how worked up Procles was and remembering that his own adoptive father had yet to send back any news, couldn't help but interject.

Procles was momentarily at a loss for words. He glared at Stiphlos, then blurted out, "Whatever the case, my father was commanding the troops at Grumentum. What's your father doing now?!"

This time it was Stiphlos who was left speechless.

While the two bickered, the other children had already started cheering. "Great, victory!"

"Hail Daonia!"

"Hail the Corps!"

...

The jubilant children began to line up in formation, following the military drills their instructors had taught them, and started playing a game of "triumph." Patroclus pulled Procles and Stiphlos into the line. But soon enough, the two were arguing again over who would play the role of standard-bearer...

At the same time, in the Senate of Thurii, the senators were discussing matters concerning the Daonia Alliance.

The Rotating Chairman Mariji took out a papyrus scroll and said, "Chief Magistrate Scombrus of Crimissa has sent a document. He says he has tried many methods, but there are still many people in Crimissa unwilling to subscribe to the wheat bonds. So far, the bonds allocated to other cities—even Asperustum—have been snapped up. Only Crimissa—" Mariji raised his voice, "—which was given the smallest allocation to begin with, hasn't even completed half its quota! What do you think about sending the remaining bonds to Castron? Amykles has sent word several times already: 'The citizens of Castron are eager to subscribe to the bonds we issue!'"

"I agree!"

"No objection!"

"Borrow a hundred medimnoi of wheat, repay a hundred and fifteen within a year—such a generous profit! Daonia hasn't taken a single advantage from its citizens. Why are so many people in Crimissa unwilling to subscribe? We should think carefully about the reason!" Kynogoratas reminded them.

At these words, most of the senators turned their eyes to Antaoris.

He looked rather embarrassed. He cleared his throat a few times, then stood up. "Honored senators, I... I think there are several reasons. First, Crimissa was the last to join the Daonia Alliance—it's only been half a year! Most importantly, it's different from Asperustum..." Here he steadied his emotions, cleared his throat again, and spoke gravely. "Though speaking the truth is painful, it is a fact. The war with Croton was not provoked by the Daonians, but many in Crimissa believe Daonia bears some responsibility. Crimissa lost many people in its war with Daonia. Half a year is not enough to dissolve the resentment in their hearts. With resentment, naturally they cannot fully trust Daonia..."

Antaoris's words brought a brief silence.

After a while, Cornelius said in a deep voice, "The war with Croton was unavoidable. Crimissa has become part of Daonia, but it seems we need to make more efforts to ease the grief in Crimissa's hearts. I also hope that the three honored senators—Antaoris, Euricpus, and Pleades—will provide more assistance!"

"Whether as members of the Senate or as people of Crimissa, that is what we should do!" Euricpus said firmly. "I believe it will not be long before the people of Crimissa are glad and proud to call themselves Daonian citizens!"

Euricpus's words won unanimous agreement from the senators.

Then Polyxides stood up and said, "Respected senators, we were just discussing the wheat bonds. That reminds me of something Lord Mesis once said: 'The military grain obtained from the people can at most sustain the Daonian expeditionary force for a little over two months.' Am I correct, Lord Mesis?"

Though Mesis disliked Polyxides, he had to nod. "Yes, I did say that. But—"

"Thank you!" Polyxides loudly cut off Mesis and quickly continued. "Even if we have taken Besidia, the region of Bruttii is vast, with a population of over a hundred thousand. Conquering it in just two months would be very difficult! More importantly, while we concentrate our strength against the Bruttians, the Lucanians in the north are taking advantage to cause trouble. Now, does the Senate have any good plan to deal with the fact that Lord Bacule... well... is severely wounded and his fate unknown, and that Pyxous is launching a major attack on Grumentum?!" As he spoke, Polyxides cast sympathetic glances at Vespa and Hemon, though in his heart he despised these "barbarians who had sneaked into the Senate." But he needed these staunch supporters of Davos to start doubting that young man.

"There is no plan! Because all the soldiers are fighting the Bruttians! If this continues, before we conquer the Bruttii region, the Pyxous people will have taken Grumentum and invaded our Nerulum! Then the Daonia Alliance will be under attack from two sides, our army will face a food shortage, and a great disaster will fall upon Daonia... Honored senators, please think carefully. This terrible situation is very likely to occur!" Polyxides cried out with apparent anguish.

A few senators changed color; others looked thoughtful.

Seeing this from the front, Mariji secretly fumed: That damned Polyxides had only been quiet for a few days, and now he's causing trouble again!

The matter of Davos luring the Lucanians had been kept secret at the time, known only to Avinogis, Sestas, Hieronymus, and the main officers of the Third Army Corps. Unaware of this, Mariji anxiously signaled to Pleisinas in the back row, hoping he would stand up and refute Polyxides.

"We are too warlike! We had just repelled Croton when we soon attacked Grumentum. No sooner had we finished helping Tarentum than we launched a war against the Bruttians... Our frenzied expansion has alarmed the surrounding powers, and they will join forces against us! The attack by Pyxous is only a precursor. For the long-term safety of Daonia, we should seriously consider enacting some laws to restrain this habit of starting wars at will!"

Polyxides's words did not mention Davos by name, but anyone could hear that they were clearly aimed at him. The Great Council Chamber suddenly fell very quiet.

Then, with a clang, the door was pushed open, the sound especially clear in the enclosed, silent space.

Philistos walked in quickly, his face full of excitement.

Mariji felt a stir. Breaking the silence, he said, "Lord Philistos, you are late!"