Herald of Steel

While Theocles and Alexander discussed Nestoras, Xanthine, Constans, Menes, and Octavius, keen readers might wonder, ‘What about Pallidus?’

Why did neither men bother to discuss him?

Because they disdained even mentioning him.

He was one of those people who were not good enough to be useful but not terrible enough to be fired.

He was okay as a captain but more importantly, he was the loyal attack dog of Aristotle, doing things unsuitable for either him or Nestoras, which is why they still kept him.

But when it came to managing or ruling people, the incompetent fool was not even qualified to run as a village chief, let alone lead a mercenary group.

His own phalanx was entirely managed by his deputy- Ignomus.

The buffon just had muscles and knew only how to bully the weak and fear the strong.

Although Theocles seemed to portray as Alexander the only viable option, Alexander had a different thought, “You say you only had two options, me or Nestoras. But what about the third option- you?” .𝘯𝘵

“Hahaha, it seems you don’t know me quite as well as you like to think.” Theocles let out a jovial laugh.

“Did you know that I was in line to compete with Nestoras for the mercenary leader position? Yes, Nestoras, Constans, and I all vied for the mercenary leader position. Sure Nestoras was the favorite, supported by the then-leader Aristotle, but Constans had Xanthine, both of them were founders and Constans was older and more experienced than Nestoras. Hence they were pretty well matched.” Theocles recounted.

“But where was I you ask? I was the wild card! I represented the neutral or ambivalent soldiers, much like I do now. Although I could not realistically win, I would influence who won. Because whichever side I joined, would have their scales heavily tipped in their favor.”

“All of them knew this. And all of them enticed me with various perks. At last, Aristotle used his authority as the mercenary leader to make me an offer I couldn’t refuse. He offered me the quartermaster position in a backroom deal in exchange for my support for Nestoras. And I took it, much preferring to use my mind for taking inventory rather than for plotting and scheming.”

After that, he finished by asking Alexander, “So, tell me, why would I want to become the leader in my old age when I gave it up in my youth?”

“Maybe, because you have an actual shot now. Maybe after tasting power for so long, you want more. Maybe you want to personally screw over Aristotle who used me and Cambyses to erode your power. Or maybe everything you said was a lie.” Alexander graciously gave several possible answers.

“Heh, nothing escapes that little head of yours, huh?” Theocles only smirked in response. “If I wanted to become leader, I could have teamed up with you in exchange for your emancipation from Nestoras and replaced him some time ago. Why didn’t I?” He asked rhetorically.

To Alexander, this did seem to make sense.

Theocle then let out a heavy sigh, “I am already pushing forty now. I may have a good ten, maybe fifteen years if I am lucky, of fighting left in me, I can already feel my body squeak and creak when I do any heavy exercise. I don’t have the strength to be a leader anymore. I just want a cushy job and I think you are my best bet to getting it.” Finally, Theocles showed his selfish motive.

“Hmm, I see. Okay, you have convinced me and I will trust you for now.” At long last, Alexander finally let his guard down.

In fact, if Theocles had only said that he didn’t want to be the leader and only wanted a cushy job, he could have won Alexander’s trust much sooner.

After all, call Alexander a cynic, but he never believed anyone ever did anything altruistic, at least not people in power.

He was much more reassured when people in power told him they were doing something for personal gain rather than for some grand good purpose.

“Thank you, you won’t regret it. And don’t worry, after Nestoras returns, I and Menes will force him to release you. With you becoming a freedman, doing many things will become a cinch.” Theocles eagerly offered, wanting to make himself appear valuable.

Hearing Theocles’s offer, and the implications of it made Alexander have mixed feelings about it.

On one hand with Nestoras returning alive he would be free by today, but as they had discussed before, Nestoras still breathing would likely mean the death of this mercenary group or at least a deep schism.

This did not sit well with Alexander who saw the mercenary group as one coherent group of muscles that he would need to get his grand plan off the ground.

He had even picked out a few suitable locations for him to plant his dream.

But then Alexander suddenly remembered, Nestoras’s fate was not in his hands.

At the end of the day, it would be the gods that would decide if he returned or not.

And if he did return, Theocle’s support would come in very handy.

So he politely accepted the offer, “Thanks, I will not forget this help.”

Then he asked, “But do you have any plan for Aristotle.”

“Don’t worry too much about the old man. He has hidden it very well, but he is not very well. Took some medicine for headaches and nausea from me just a while ago..” Theocles revealed an important piece of news. “We can make him do what is best for the group, announce you or Menes, the successor or better yet the leader.”

Alexander was surprised by the news of the wizened warrior stealing medicine.

Medicines were usually Cambyses’s department but it seems the old man didn’t even fully trust his god-daughter, hence he came begging to Theocles for some.

“It seems the old lion can’t outrun death forever. Thanks.” Alexander expressed his gratitude for this new revelation.

“Don’t mention it.” Theocles quickly returned.

Thinking that the conversation was over Alexander turned to leave the tent when Theocles suddenly spoke in a surprisingly pleading tone, “There is one last little thing I wanted to know.”