"During the onslaught of vicious fighting," the Athenian began "While defending the walls of the city, one of our highly effective archers got off a sure shot, hitting King Phillip in his right eye.., however, he was, somehow, able to survive, being now blinded."
"BLINDED! In one eye! Hurrah! May the gods be praised!" Queen Sparta exclaimed a bright radiant smile upon her face.
"Being that King Phillip has been so grievously wounded.., it is rumored he has withdrawn from taking the field of battle himself, for he no longer has any perception of depth or distance, making any attempt at accuracy during combat nearly impossible. Our Generals tell us that Phillip now has taken to setting up a small encampment on the hillside above the arena of battle, overseeing in the fighting, but not participating. Leaving his army, which grows in number daily, some 100,000, wreaking havoc throughout Scythia and Thrace."
"How is it he amasses such great numbers of troops?" King Therakles asked with a furrowed brow and pursed lips.
"King Phillip, as he goes from village to village, city to city, he offers up a wealth of gold and silver coins to the citizens, so that they are giving up their cities peacefully without one ounce of resistance. Whereupon the men are given money, along with Macedonian uniforms of War and weapons. They are forced to be conscripts for his Army.., or die. Many of these new soldiers are from the depths of poverty and poorly trained , now being well fed, and clothed, well taken care of, it easy to see how they offer up to him Loyalty, easily following his lead. Why, Phillip took four cities in one day with his bribery's." the old man paused then continued. "It has also come to pass that King Phillip has taken a fifth wife, Olympia, whom has, unlike his other brides, has given birth to a son, Alexander."
"Alexander.., the heir to King Phillip's throne." King Therakles said growing more distressed by the minute.
"Our spies tell us he is a sickly child, we pray that he does not survive, for his mother is a deeply disturbed individual, prone to violence." the elder statesman added.
"You have given us much to think about." Queen Sparta said sitting back tapping her fingers on the armrest of her carved oaken throne. "Go, return to your masters, impart our words with greetings and salutations from our Royal Court." here the three dignitaries bowed to the King and Queen of Sparta, leaving the room under an uncomfortable silence. Whereupon as soon as the doors were closed behind them they heard the room erupt with the voices of angry men filling the chamber, all the voices save for one, General Cothos, who had been standing at the back of the room, waiting patiently for his riding lesson with the Queen.
"BLINDED! In one eye! Hurrah! May the gods be praised!" Queen Sparta exclaimed a bright radiant smile upon her face.
"Being that King Phillip has been so grievously wounded.., it is rumored he has withdrawn from taking the field of battle himself, for he no longer has any perception of depth or distance, making any attempt at accuracy during combat nearly impossible. Our Generals tell us that Phillip now has taken to setting up a small encampment on the hillside above the arena of battle, overseeing in the fighting, but not participating. Leaving his army, which grows in number daily, some 100,000, wreaking havoc throughout Scythia and Thrace."
"How is it he amasses such great numbers of troops?" King Therakles asked with a furrowed brow and pursed lips.
"King Phillip, as he goes from village to village, city to city, he offers up a wealth of gold and silver coins to the citizens, so that they are giving up their cities peacefully without one ounce of resistance. Whereupon the men are given money, along with Macedonian uniforms of War and weapons. They are forced to be conscripts for his Army.., or die. Many of these new soldiers are from the depths of poverty and poorly trained , now being well fed, and clothed, well taken care of, it easy to see how they offer up to him Loyalty, easily following his lead. Why, Phillip took four cities in one day with his bribery's." the old man paused then continued. "It has also come to pass that King Phillip has taken a fifth wife, Olympia, whom has, unlike his other brides, has given birth to a son, Alexander."
"Alexander.., the heir to King Phillip's throne." King Therakles said growing more distressed by the minute.
"Our spies tell us he is a sickly child, we pray that he does not survive, for his mother is a deeply disturbed individual, prone to violence." the elder statesman added.
"You have given us much to think about." Queen Sparta said sitting back tapping her fingers on the armrest of her carved oaken throne. "Go, return to your masters, impart our words with greetings and salutations from our Royal Court." here the three dignitaries bowed to the King and Queen of Sparta, leaving the room under an uncomfortable silence. Whereupon as soon as the doors were closed behind them they heard the room erupt with the voices of angry men filling the chamber, all the voices save for one, General Cothos, who had been standing at the back of the room, waiting patiently for his riding lesson with the Queen.
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