Tridas (6 page)

"You
are amazing Kava, I just googled Chikyu. It is a Japanese deep-sea drilling
vessel which set a world-record for the deepest
hole in the scientific ocean drilling history, reaching 2.2 km into the
seafloor. I need you".

"For my brains or for other exceptional body
parts?" came her playful response.

"I need ALL of you".

Aven reported the newly discovered info immediately and tried
to grab some sleep before returning to the project early the next morning. Upon
arriving at the DoD, Aven was brought up to speed. The classified report from
the Director had the following updates:

CLASSIFIED

1. USS Princeton carrier team has been deployed to flank the
   Chikyu drilling in the Bay of Bengal, testing a theory that oceanic plates
   would be weakest in this area, due to collision fissures in creating the
   Himalayas.
   
2. The unified command of Special Operations reconnaissance
   mission regarding SS-18 Satan, reports a Russian company grade captain (NATO
   equivalent OF-2) is on leave from the 38
   ^th
   rocket division at
   Derzhavinsk, Kazakhstan. He is the only junior officer with knowledge of
   sequential codes to activate the warhead remotely or from the onboard digital
   computer contained in the missile.
   
3. VENUS descrambled the encryption to reveal KAVANI –
   meaning yet unknown.
   

Aven
couldn't believe his eyes. "Kavani's name was in the code?" He
thought, still stunned from the letters on the page of the report.

It had
been centuries since he had feared for her life and in one quick read all that
emotion returned in a wave. He stumbled a bit.

"Everything
OK Mr. Antipater?" asked the Director, likely able to answer his own
question.

"Sure,
I just need a private place to think. I wasn't expecting any further
progress... the VENUS decryption surprised me".

Aven
wasn't ready to reveal any details surrounding Kavani quite yet, maybe not
ever. She was off every radar right now, and he intended to keep it that way.

336
B.C.

Antipater
returned from Rhodes, just one day before Alexander's arrival to the capital.
He knew it would be unacceptable to not greet the Emperor on his parade from
his vessel to the palace, and the last thing he needed was to irritate
Alexander before their scheduled encounter.

Knowing
only a handful of loyal souls, Antipater arranged a secret rendezvous with
Aristotle to garner a true pulse of the city in his recent absence.

"Welcome
home Antipater, your presence has been greatly missed". Came the greeting
from Aristotle accompanied with a hearty hug.

"It
is good to see you, my teacher and friend. I fear much has changed in a
relatively short time. I seek your counsel as well as shelter for me and my
guest". Antipater gestured to the cloaked figure accompanying him, as
Kavani pulled back her hood.

"A
rare beauty indeed, the face of Aphrodite I see. Rhodes has been good to you my
Regent". Antipater appreciated his warm welcome of Kavani as well as his
use of the title, reinforcing where his loyalties lied”. And what of your
negotiations with Memnon?"

"My
sequester after Olympias' attack all but ceased any progress. I fear he is all
the more confident that our Macedonia is vulnerable. A perception, I intend to
rectify with Alexander immediately”. Antipater reported, while prepping wine
for each of them. Aristotle's cellar was well supplied, as well as providing a
remote locale to avoid prying eyes.

"I
have my own letter from Alexander that you should read". Aristotle handed
the parch to Antipater.

You
see, my dear Aristotle, it would be in the interests of peace and order, and
consistent with political interests, if I were recognized as God in my western
territories as well. It would free my hands here in the east if my own
Macedonia and Hellas accepted the political principle of my absolute authority;
I could set out with a quiet heart to secure for my own land of Greece her
natural frontiers on the coast of China. I should thus secure the power and
safety of my Macedonia for all eternity. As you see, this is a sober and
reasonable plan; I have long ceased to be the visionary who swore an oath on
the tomb of Achilles. If I ask you now as my wise friend and guide to prepare
the way by philosophy and to justify my proclamation as God in such a way as to
be acceptable to my Greeks and Macedonians, I do so as a responsible politician
and statesman; I leave it to you to consider whether you wish to undertake this
task as a reasonable and patriotic work and one which is politically necessary.

Greetings,
my dear Aristotle,

From
your Alexander

"He
has always wanted to be God”. Antipater mused, "And with his acts on the
battlefield, I think many suppose he actually is”.

"His
successes backed by your support. Many a time have you defended, not to mention
rescued his reckless marches with supplies and fresh troops. The victories are
not all his to wear as laurels. The Empire, as well as our enemies, know your
role. One of the reasons, the rumor of your ascension above Alexander in his
years of absence is so easily believed”. Aristotle continued the accolades.
"I'll leave the two of you to rest for tomorrow's affairs. I believe we
may be mistaken that Colossus is the wonder of Rhodes... thank you for gracing
us Kavani and for protecting our Regent across the Sea”.

I think he likes you”.
Antipater offered after Aristotle had made his grand exit.

"What's not to
like?" Kavani quipped sipping her wine, "This is wonderful, sweet
& bright”.

"It is from a reserve
I fermented, created by extracting juice from red grapes, but not allowing the
juice to touch the skins...fewer tannins... removing the dry, tough taste, for
'sweet & bright'."

"You didn't mention
this in Rhodes..." Kavani questioned.

"A man of some
mystery is much more admired”. Antipater replied, as they enjoyed their full of
the cask in their private hideaway.

Morning came and so did
Alexander, with all the pomp and circumstance expected for the returning Liege.
In such a public setting, Antipater felt comfortable making his presence known.
Kavani wore a magnificent gown to match Antipater's royal apparel. Her hair up
and encrusted with golden tiaras dazzling in the sun, every on-looker noticed
the royal guest. Her image burned into their minds.

After a long speech, met
by cheers and concluded with fireworks, Alexander withdrew to his personal
quarters to meet with Antipater. Kavani remained perched on the balcony taking
in the grand festivities. The people would be dancing in the streets for days.
No one held a party like Alexander, his wealth as well as his propensity to
overtly display it, rivaled King Solomon himself.

Olympias spotted Kavani
alone enjoying the spectacle from her vantage point and her devious mind
concocted a new plan. Antipater may find a way to return to Alexander's good
graces, but not if their discussion is interrupted by a danger towards his beloved
Kavani.

Alexander and Antipater
had just settled into their discussion. Antipater had even brought wine to
toast Alexander's return. The two were reminiscing as well as updating one
another on the previous years' events, threats, victories and anecdotes.

The noise of the crowd had
been in the background from their first words, but the sound of celebration had
now changed to one of chanting and violence. Suddenly a recurring name echoed
in Antipater's subconscious and triggered a response. He excused himself
momentarily and moved to the window. It was clear they were shouting
"Kavani." In fact they were yelling "Kill Kavani!"

The mob had tied Kavani's
hands and feet to a column and a prefect was reading her sentence. Antipater
was outraged that anyone would handle her in this manner and distraught that he
had left her alone.

"Traitor to the
Empire by beguiling the Regent, by use of magic. Traitor to the Empire for
sharing secrets with the enemy. Traitor to the Empire for betraying Queen
Olympias. Traitor to the Empire for leading others to follow her as a Goddess,
when Alexander is our declared God." Droned on the prefect.

Antipater rushed to the
scene, dagger in hand, cutting Kavani free and reaching for the throat of the
orator all in one spinning motion.

Alexander stopped Antipater, looping his arm over the knife hand
shoulder.

"I am curious as to this girl's exact
crime, Prefect”. Alexander stated, starring directly into Antipater's eyes.

"She is charged with elevating herself over
your authority Sire. She is a high priestess of the old religion and has
accessed your inner circle with a plan to assassinate you on your return to the
capital". The Prefect pontificated at Olympias' queue.

"Interesting timing... What do you say as
witness to your guest's character?" Alexander posed to Antipater, still
unsure of his companion's loyalty.

"She is a priestess of the old religion,
initiated by Queen Olympias herself at the festival in Rhodes. She is here,
under my escort, to see the capital and welcome you home. I vow for her
integrity and assure you she is of no threat to you Alexander”.

"Still curious, this report has surfaced,
as my return was prompted by rumors of your desire to secure higher position in
my absence. As you continue to describe your activities this past year, I think
it best your guest remains under the watch of the royal guard. I intend to
bring immediate order to my capital decisively displaying the power I yield
against my enemies to instill fear, here for my countrymen to instill confidence”.

Antipater was raging inside. Knowing he needed
to control his emotion, he proceeded down the corridor with Alexander back to
the inner sanctum as Kavani was directed to the other direction by the guards
to a holding room.

Alexander returned to the table, relaxing with
his wine as Antipater continued to defend his activities both at the capital
and most recently in Rhodes. Tired, but mostly wanting to exert his power over
Antipater, Alexander cut the discussion short, instructing Antipater to remain
in his quarters, for his own safety, but also an order of confinement.
Antipater received the dismissal cordially, anxious to investigate Kavani's
situation. He would not be ordered about, with her safety in question.

The amenities of her "prison" were
amply luxurious in the confines of the palace, but the very idea of her
treatment had Antipater furious. He entered the chamber at the approval of the
posted guard and they embraced.

"Were you successful in convincing
Alexander of our innocence?" She whispered into his ear.

"His actions indicate he is more
questioning of my intentions than I expected".

"The capital is beautiful and the
exuberance of the people at Alexander's return has the air charged with
excitement, but Olympias' influence and your soiled reputation amongst the
elite have made me anxious. I've never been tied to a pole before, after all”.
Kavani said everything, ending with a cute smirk across her face, but Antipater
could sense the tension underneath. He knew she could defend herself and he
would not let it become that dire, but he was fearful as the situation was
spiraling out of his control.

"I thought I would be the first to tie you
up”. Antipater replied tongue in cheek to lighten the mood.

They were so much better, now that they were
back together. Antipater knew he was disregarding Alexander's order to remain
in his quarters, but he had no intention of leaving Kavani alone. As night fall
settled in, Allatore entered the room via one of the balconies, under the cloak
of darkness.

"My Regent, the city is live with the tale
that a witch has entered the capital to challenge Alexander and destroy the
Empire”. Allatore reported. "Men are banding together to call for her
public trial and death by fire! I submit to your counsel, but advise that we
find a safe place to observe this uprising. I suggest we flee the palace under
the guise of night immediately. Our few remaining friends can assist in your
escape”.

"Fleeing could simply add to Alexander's
suspicions. He will seek Aristotle's counsel soon, if he has not already. This
will lend credibility to our position and Alexander will squelch the rumors
with one swift decree. Running suggests cowardice at this stage. I appreciate
your concern, my friend, but I must leverage my reputation or we will be
fugitives for life”. Antipater's strategic brilliance was surpassing his
emotion with each statement.

The Regent's confidence and reasoning also
lightened Allatore's posture. A feeling of relief filled the room as each
resolved the situation to be rectified shortly.

Unfortunately, the morning brought different
news. Allatore woke Antipater and Kavani. "Alexander has been poisoned and
is deathly ill”. Allatore blurted, without any formalities. "Physicians
are attending while Aristotle reviews the Hippocratic Collection for potential
remedies”.