'Children, old men and slaves?' sneered Nestus. 'Perhaps we should surrender now.'
'If you are afraid,' said Parmenion softly, 'I will give you permission to remain at home with the women.'
All colour drained from the giant's face. 'You dare suggest. .?'
'I dare,' Parmenion told him. 'And I will have no faint-hearted man serve me.'
Nestus lurched to his feet, his sword snaking clear of its scabbard.
'No!' shouted Leonidas.
'Leave him be,' said Parmenion, rising smoothly but leaving his own sword sheathed.
'This is madness,' Learchus shouted. 'For Hera's sake, Nestus, put up your blade!'
'He called me a coward! I'll take that from no man.'
'Wrong, you arrogant whoreson!' snarled Parmenion. 'You will take it from me. Now you have two choices. The first is to use that sword; the second is to kneel and ask my forgiveness. Which will it be?'
Nestus stood still, aware that all eyes were upon him. In that awful moment he realized what he had done and the fate that awaited him. If he slew Parmenion — as he dearly wanted to — the others would fall upon him. But to kneel to the mix-blood!
'You brought it on yourself!' he shouted. 'You insulted me!'
'Two choices,' snapped Parmenion. 'Choose, or I'll kill you where you stand.'
For a moment Nestus hesitated, then he dropped the sword. 'On your knees!' roared Parmenion. The giant fell forward with head bowed. Parmenion ignored him, his gaze sweeping over the watching men. 'Is there another here who wishes to dispute my right to lead?'
'There is no one, sire,' said Leonidas softly. 'We are yours, heart and soul.'
Parmenion swung back to the kneeling Nestus. 'Get out of my sight!' he said. 'From this moment you will fight in the front rank. You have no command. Never open your mouth in my presence again.'
Nestus rose, stumbling back from the group of officers.
'That is all,' said Parmenion. 'Prepare to march in one hour.' Turning his back on them, he walked away into the wood.
Leonidas followed him. 'That should have been done three years ago,' he said. 'Your patience amazes me. But tell me, Parmenion, why now?'
'It was time. I am glad you are here, I need to talk with you. Look at me, Leonidas, and tell me what you see.'
'My King and my friend,' he answered, nonplussed.
'Look closely. Do I seem older, younger?'
'You are the same — maybe a little tired.'
Thena approached them and Parmenion turned to her. 'Deceit is not my way, Thena. I cannot do this.'
'You must,' she said.
'I want Leonidas to know the truth.'
She met his gaze and knew, without recourse to reading his mind, that argument would be futile. 'Then let me show him,' she pleaded. 'Then he will see it all.'
'As you wish.'
'What is happening here?' asked Leonidas. 'What is it that I do not know?'
'Sit down by that tree and close your eyes,' Thena commanded. 'All will be made known to you.'
Perplexed, Leonidas did as he was bid, sitting on the grass with his back to a slender cypress tree. Thena knelt before him and closed her eyes. Warmth like a hot summer breeze flowed through his mind and he found himself gazing down on the city of Sparta from a great height. Yet it was not Sparta, he realized. There were subtle differences.
'What is this place?' he asked.
'Watch and learn,' Thena answered.
He saw the young Parmenion, hated and hunted, saw himself and his family. But nothing was right. The years fled on and he saw a duel between Parmenion and Nestus, watched the freeing of a city, experienced the defeat of a Spartan army and the death of a King.
Leonidas was entranced.
Then he saw Philippos and anger flared within him. Yet even here there were small changes. Philippos was called Philip and was possessed of no golden eye, no witchcraft to protect him. Events flowed by beneath his gaze — great battles, victories, defeats — until at last he saw the kidnap of the King's son and the journey of Parmenion to rescue him.
Derae's voice whispered into his mind. 'Prepare yourself, for what you are about to see will be painful.'
Once more the battle lines were assembled, the Kadmians on the right panicking and fleeing the field. He saw the King's horse bolt towards the western ridges.
'No,' he groaned as Parmenion fell, his throat slashed, his dead body crashing to the rocks. 'Oh, no!'
The man he served and loved was being buried now, his twin donning his armour and helm.
His vision swam and his eyes opened. At first he could not speak, then he shook his head. 'You are not my King,' he said softly.
'No,' admitted Parmenion.
'But he is the strategos,' Thena pointed out, laying her hand on Leonidas' arm.
He stood, drawing in several deep breaths. 'I knew something was wrong,' he whispered.
'I am sorry, Leonidas,' Parmenion told him. 'I did not wish this.'
'I know. I saw.'
'If you desire me to leave, I will do so,' said Parmenion. 'I do not relish the role of imposter.'
'Were the roles reversed my King would say the same. He was a great man, kind and yet strong. That is why he tolerated Nestus. He felt he had done him harm and owed him a debt. What can I say? I do not know how to proceed.'
Thena stepped forward. 'You have lost a friend — a dear friend. Ask yourself what he would choose. Your Parmenion is dead, may the Source guide his soul. But this Parmenion is also a strategos. What would the King do?'
For a time Leonidas was silent, swinging away from them to stare through the trees. Then he spoke. 'You have been honest with me, Parmenion. For that I thank you. We will go to Sparta and raise the army. I do not see how we can win, but I will fight alongside you. But if we do survive you must leave us. You are not my. . brother. It would be wrong for you to stay.'
'You have my word on it,' said Parmenion. 'Is there an oath you wish me to swear?'
'No oaths,' Leonidas told him. 'Your word — like my brother's — is promise enough.'
'Then we will continue with this. . drama,' said Parmenion. 'I will need your help. There is much I do not know about this world and you must advise me, especially when we reach the city. Who are the ephors I can trust? Where are my enemies? Time is short.'
'You believe we can defeat Philippos?'
'I know I can nullify his sorcery. You and I will discuss the strategy. But it will still depend on the numbers we can raise.'
'I will do all that you ask of me. And you will remain King until the battle is decided.'
Leonidas offered his hand and Parmenion took it. 'Victory or death,' said the young Spartan.
'Victory is preferable,' Parmenion answered.
The Spartan smiled and moved away and Parmenion turned to Thena. 'You think I was wrong to tell him?'
She shook her head. 'No, you will need a friend in the city.'
'I have you.'
'No,' she said sadly, 'I will not come to Sparta. I shall ride south-west to the Giant's Gateway.'
'But I thought. .'
'As did I. It was not to be.'
'I will. . miss you, lady.'
'And I you. Is there a message for Attalus?'
'Yes. And for Brontes. Will you and I still be able to commune from such a distance?'
Thena nodded and stepped forward, taking his hand. 'Across worlds,' she promised.
They sat together for almost an hour as Parmenion outlined his plans. Then Leonidas returned. 'The men are ready,'
he told them.
'As am I,' answered Parmenion.
The City of Sparta