Read Greek Series 02 - Dark Prince for Free Online Page B

armour bright, their bronze helms gleaming like gold. Tall men, stern of eye, proud, angry because they had been left behind when the King rode to battle.
    The guards stiffened to attention, lifting their lances to the vertical. Excitement flared in the boy as the sentries saluted someone beyond the gate. Alexander began to run along the path.
    ‘Parmenion!' he cried, his high-pitched voice disturbing scores of birds in the trees. ‘Parmenion!'

*
    The general returned the salute and walked into the gardens, smiling as he saw the four-year-old running towards him with arms outstretched. The Spartan knelt and the boy threw himself into his arms.
    'We won, didn't we, Parmenion! We crushed the Phocians!'
    'We did indeed, young prince. Now be careful you don't scratch yourself on my armour.' Detaching the boy's arms from around his neck, Parmenion loosened the leather thongs on the gilded ear-guards of his helmet, pulling it loose and laying it on the grass. Alexander sat down beside the helm, brushing his small fingers across the white horsehair crest.
    'Father fought like a lion. I know, I watched it. He attacked the enemy flank, and had three horses killed under him.
    Then he cut the head from the traitor, Onomarchus.'
    'Yes, he did all that. But he will tell you himself when he comes home.'
    'No,' said Alexander softly, shaking his head. 'He won't tell me. He doesn't speak to me often. He doesn't like me.
    Because I kill things.'
    Parmenion reached out, drawing the boy close and ruffling his hair. 'He loves you, Alexander, I promise you. But, if it pleases you, I will tell you of the battle.'
    'I know about the battle. Truly. But Father should beware of neck cuts. With his blind eye he needs to swing his head more than a warrior should, and that bares the veins of the throat. He needs to have a collar made, of leather and bronze.'
    Parmenion nodded. 'You are very wise. Come, let us go inside. I am thirsty from the journey and the sun is too hot.'
    'Can I ride your shoulders? Can I?'

    The Spartan rose smoothly and, taking the prince by the arms, swung him high. The boy squealed with excitement as he settled into place. Parmenion scooped up his helm and walked back towards the palace. The guards saluted once more, the prince's nursemaids dropping to their knees as he passed. 'I feel like a King,' shouted Alexander. 'I am taller than any man!'
    Olympias came out into the garden, her servants behind her. The Spartan took a deep breath as he saw her. With her tightly-curled red hair and her green eyes, she was the image of the Derae he had loved so many years before. The Queen was dressed in a sea-green gown of Asian silk, held in place at the shoulder by a brooch of gold shaped like a sunburst. She laughed aloud as she saw the Spartan general and his burden. Parmenion bowed, Alexander screaming with mock fear as he almost came loose.
    'Greetings, lady. I bring you your son.'
    Olympias stepped forward, kissing Parmenion's cheek. 'Always the welcome visitor,' she told him. Turning to her servants, she ordered wine and fruit for her guest and ushered him into her apartments. Everywhere there were fine silk hangings, brocaded couches, cushioned chairs, and the walls were beautifully painted with Homeric scenes.
    Parmenion lifted Alexander and lowered him to a couch, but the boy scrambled clear and took hold of the general's hand.
    'Look, Mother. I can hold Parmenion's hand. There is no pain, is there, Parmenion?'
    'No pain,' he answered.
    'He saved Father's life. He led the counter-charge against the Phocian cavalry. They couldn't fool you, could they, Parmenion?'
    'No,' the Spartan agreed.
    Two female servants helped Parmenion from his breastplate and a third brought him a goblet of wine mixed with cool water. Yet another girl entered, bearing a bowl of fruit which she placed in front of him before bowing and running from the room.
    The Spartan waited until the servants had been dismissed and then raised his goblet to the Queen.