Nepotemus' Reign Chapter

Lit Blazers and Guards lined the hallways of the Eronosian palace. Goldis marched down the hall covered in Makool blood. He had just returned from the battlefield the same day victory was assured after many days of fighting. They had lost hundreds of men, but killed twenty times the number of Makool. Each day wave after wave of Makool emerged on their beaches.

Goldis went straight for the eastern wing of the palace. There his mother’s chambers lay next to the servants’ quarters. The Guards straightened up when he approached their area. He finally came to his mother’s chambers and stopped at the closed doors. Her four Crowsian guards wore the Crowsian garb of a spotted leopard tunic with a wool or fur sash. The sash was often worn like a shirt rather than a sash. It was wrapped around the stomach and tucked under the part that draped over the shoulder. All the guards were armed with the oval shield or jug shaped shield. Their weapons were sickles, sickle swords, maces, kopis, and the pole axes with spikes. All four of them opened the door to Queen Yzebel’s chambers.

Goldis entered with blood still dripping from his armor, but it was starting to dry a little. He walked further into the large chamber and found his mother sitting at a table. She turned to see him standing in her room. Yzebel smiled at him appearing happy to see her son Goldis in one piece. She embraced her son very tightly.

“Thank the gods you survived in one piece. Come sit with me let us discuss you uncle’s madness.” She said pulling him over to her bed. His mother looked at him and his clothes.

“You are covered in blood let us change your armor and clothes. Maids tend to my son and dress him in something more suitable.” She commanded.

Five servant girls came up to Goldis and stripped him of his armor and chiton for washing. They quickly scrubbed his body clean and dressed him in finer clothing. When the servants were done cleaning and dressing him Goldis joined his mother. She had wine ready for the two of them. Goldis found his weapon leaning against his chair with scabbard and belt. She poured his drink as he sat down.

“Your uncle is quite stubborn and intends to hold on to his seat of power. While he sits on the throne of Eronos our lives are at stake.” His mother said to him with fire in her eyes.

“Has he forgotten the Hegemony?” Goldis asked her taking a sip of wine. His mother looked at him then at the walls of her own room. She leaned forward and spoke softly to him.

“I know he has no claim to me but his rule was authorized by the Veek Hegemony. Nepotemus intends to marry again. He believes it will stake his claim over Eronos.” She said in a hushed voice Goldis did not express. Goldis stood up in shock over this. He was still outraged that Nepotemus claimed his own mother despite her status as a widow. A widow at her age was not to marry again or be claimed according to Crowsian law.

“That is blasphemy mother! Nepotemus cannot do that with you nor can he have absolute rule without Hegemony consent!” Goldis shouted swinging his arms. He knocked the chalice to the floor. It startled one of the servants, but something else seemed to have startled his mother.

Yzebel stood up looking from one wall to the next. She looked very suspicious of something. Goldis sat back down regretting he had spilled his drink, but that didn’t matter now. His uncle was ruling Eronos as though it was not under the Hegemony. Nepotemus was given the authority to govern Eronos, but never to rule it as an independent sovereignty.

“I do not trust these walls Goldis. Your uncle has many eyes in this palace. They could be watching us now. Come let us go dine with your friend Apkis.” Yezebel said as she walked away from the table. He watched his mother go to her bed and pick up her robe. She put it on over her clothes.

“We only need you Niras and four guards to escort us.” Yzebel went straight to Goldis and took him by the arm. He followed her to the door with Niras at her heels who was carrying the jug of wine. As they made their way to the center of the palace she engaged him in a conversation.

“While you’ve been gone Nepotemus has assumed control over the palace guard and held the royal servants. He gradually bought the loyalty of all the old guards. Over time the older guards died or retired from guarding the palace. When the new guards came in place of the others Nepotemus made them swore loyalty to him alone.” Yzebel informed him in a low voice. He wanted to shove a sword through his uncle’s chest and end his reign. If the Hegemony heard of this Eronos would be turned to rubble.

“You mean to tell me that Nepotemus didn’t have them swear allegiance to the Hegemony?” Goldis asked in an angry voice. He tried to continue but he was cut off.

“Hush Goldis, we shall continue this conversation once we are with Apkis.” His mother since they were still inside the palace. Goldis looked at the younger guards who had sworn their allegiance to Nepotemus and not the Hegemony. If things had gone the way his father ruled Nepotemus or another figure would govern as representative of the Hegemon Gregorius. They proceeded to the entry hall of the palace where scores of guards stood against the walls and entry ways. Goldis had his party exit to the steps and found several hundred of his men waiting for him. She stopped with her personal guards behind them. Yzebel leaned toward him again.

“Are these you men my son?” she asked in a whispered tone.

“They are my sweet mother.” He quickly said to her and her party went straight to the campsites on the beach. Goldis took her straight to Apkis who was busy recording the casualties of today’s victory.

He turned his head to notice the three visitors who entered his tent. Goldis saluted to him while Yzebel smiled and nodded her head. Apkis laughed a little appearing happy to see them. He greeted them with hugs letting some joy over him. For a few moments he was happy until he looked into Goldis’ eyes. Apkis turned more serious and looked to his right. He searched for more chairs in the room. There were two couches Nepotemus gave to him for defending Eronos.

“I assume we are here to discuss more serious matters, am I correct?” Apkis asked. He pulled one of the couches out of the corner of the tent to the center. Yzebel sat down and placed the wine cup next to her.

“What we are here to discuss are sinister matters that concern the loyalty of Eronos.” She told Apkis who would be surprised to hear this news.

Apkis looked at both of them with wide eyes of disbelief. Their expressions told him the truth. The Veek still had a confused look on his face. Goldis could see that Apkis believed Nepotemus was still loyal to the Hegemony until now. They told him what Yzebel said to Goldis as they poured wine for each other. It took some time for Apkis to respond to this as he contemplated the information. Goldis added the parts about bribing and forcing the new recruits to swear loyalty to him.

“So he has the guards under his control now. What about the servants and the people?” Apkis asked Goldis and Yzebel.

“Servants are taught to severe those who rule the state. You should know that. Besides they are not soldiers or guards.” Yzebel informed them.

“Yes that is true mother, but what about the nobles in the city and the other islands?” Goldis asked her, recalling the other islands and settlements under Eronosian rule. His mother made a queer look on her face as she swallowed the wine down the wrong way. The question about the nobles caught her off guard. She turned to her son once she had a drink of water.

“Goldis the nobles are split between their loyalty to Nepotemus and allegiance to the Hegemony. Our state does have those loyal to Hegemon Gregorius.” Yzebel said before taking another sip of her wine.

“At least we have some of the nobles on our side. How are the people of Eronos?” Apkis asked Yzebel who had more knowledge of how things were in Eronos. She closed her eyes and sighed realizing she had no other choice than to answer the question.

“The people of Eronos believed Nepotemus would lead Eronos to greater glory. He single handed convinced them not to fear the Makool anymore. They soon believed that no Makool would attack them again.” She said revealing how naïve the people of Eronos have been for years.

“Is that why only half the militia came to our aid and that was just on the fourth day too?” Apkis asked slamming his cup on the table.

“When he had control over the guards he then bought off some of the high-ranking commanders of the militia. Then he proceeded to abandon four outposts and tow of the southern forts.” Yzebel said setting her own cup down.

“Those forts and outposts are to be manned at all times!” Goldis yelled angered by his uncle’s foolish decisions. Will he ever learn his place in the Hegemony? Those forts guard Eronos’ southern settlements.

“He said he needed them for the protection of the western borders. Your uncle says that the Gythyrian city states were plotting to attack Eronos. Nepotemus is corrupt with power!”

“It looks as though we need to get rid of him. Yesterday a letter came from Neptune with a list of leaders under the Hegemon who need to be replaced.” Apkis informed them holding the letter in his hand.

Goldis snatched the letter from Apkis to see for himself. His mother got up to read over his shoulders. As he read the words of Neptune himself it became clear to Goldis. It was all true that his uncle had assumed control over Eronos.

“We have to act immediately.” Apkis said with vigor in his voice. Goldis looked at him then the letter before handing it back to him.

“When can we confront him?” Goldis asked them. He seemed worried that another confrontation would result in the same way as the previous times.

“Your uncle may call upon you in court to congratulate you and Apkis. It is for the victory you two won today against the Makool. I will see you two there tomorrow. Good night Apkis. Come Goldis we need some rest after today.” Yzebel exited the tent with her servant following at her heels. Goldis saluted Apkis and left his tent for his own quarters.

The very next morning Goldis woke up to a concubine-maid fondling him. She was trying to wake him up and succeeded. Her very touch made him hard with the crave for pleasure. He was about to fuck her when he heard a voice in his room.

“Good morning Goldis, your uncle saw to it you were woken by one of the palace concubines.” The voice said to him in a womanly tone. He turned to see his own mother sitting at a table eating grapes and some morning bread. She had a plate for him on the table. Goldis turned to the concubine who had stopped rubbing his back.

His aroused mood left him when he realized what today was. Goldis jumped from his bead and sat down with his mother. He began scarfing down his food feeling rushed by the time. Yzebel paused from eating and turned to the concubine on his bed.

“Nicrotis, could you calm Goldis down. He needs to be relaxed for today.” Yzebel ordered the concubine.

Goldis glanced over to see Nicrotis get off his bed. He returned to his meal and ate slower. Nicrotis came up behind him and began rubbing his shoulders. She softly rubbed arms and shoulders. Her touch seemed to calm him down. The concubine moved her hands up to his shoulders. She massaged Goldis’ shoulders while he finished his morning meal. Her massage put Goldis into a relaxed state of mind. It felt like he was in a trance from the massage. When Nicrotis stopped massaging his shoulders Goldis was ready to meet his uncle. He stood up to see the five servants his mother ordered to dress him.

In minutes they prepared him and dressed him for his uncle’s celebrations of yesterday’s victory. His armor was placed over his fine celebratory clothing. With his armor donned over his fine clothing Goldis armed himself. He exited his quarters and proceeded down the hall. The commander ran into a score of his own hoplites who followed him to the throne room. Goldis entered the throne room to find Apkis with thirty of his own men waiting for him. The Veek looked ready to get this over with now. Both leaders had to wait until the middle of the festivities before striking against Nepotemus. Their strike of course was the attempt to arrest the corrupt ruler.

His uncle clapped his hands to command the servants and entertainers. They immediately took their places and servants escorted guests to their seats. Dancers began their dancing as musicians in two corners started playing. As guests and nobles were being seated Nepotemus went straight for Goldis. He had as smile on his face, which he usually carried.

“My dear nephew, do not think I have hard feelings towards you. After all you have done for Eronos I am truly grateful. It is safe once more thanks to you and your Hoplites.” Nepotemus said to Goldis giving him compliments. He grinned at Goldis with both eyes and teeth.

“I thanks you uncle for your compliments. Is there anything else you need of me?” Goldis asked Nepotemus expecting his uncle to give him commands.

“All I wish for you to do nephew is sit down and enjoy the celebrations.” Nepotemus said to his nephew just before the music grew louder.

Nepotemus grabbed a cup of wine off a tray one of his servants carried around. He showed Goldis his seat which was next to Apkis and a noble named Parthos. This particular noble had no love for Nepotemus. He did not approve of Nepotemus’ reign over Eronos. Parthos was a noble who expressed loyalty to the Hegemony in his own silent way. Unfortunately for Nepotemus Parthos has the most guards. Each one of them pledged loyalty to Gregorius. Apkis leaned over to Goldis getting his attention.

“When he summons us over to him we must strike then.” He said in Goldis’ ear. Apkis returned to watching the festivities Goldis looked t the partially closed doors where he saw some of the soldiers through the crack.

Then his mother entered the throne room to attend the celebrations. She brought forty of her own personal guards who would also partake in their arrest of Nepotemus. Goldis watched his mother and sisters join his uncle as the dancers kept going. It was some time before the middle of the celebration. Nepotemus and the party guests were several glasses of wine into the festivities. Goldis, Apkis and a few others only had two cups of wine. When his uncle had his last drop of wine he raised one hand. It was a gesture for everyone to stop what they were doing. The room fell silent as the music died down and the dancers stopped dancing. They cleared the floor to allow open space in the throne room.

“Nobles, guests, and those who are my subjects let us toast to this victorious occasion.” He raised a refilled glass and toasted with the whole party. Goldis looked at his mother who then signaled to Captain of the Guard Ennomus who nodded in return.

“The victory of the Makool could not be so without our courageous leaders. Please come forth General Apkis and Commander Goldis.” His uncle urged the two leaders to come up and receive their rewards. They looked at each other and did so without hesitation. When they approached him both of them kneeled and stood up quickly.

“I thank you dear uncle Nepotemus for this celebration. It is with pride that I defended our beloved Eronos from the Makool. My dear uncle I regret to inform you that Apkis and I accuse you.” He paused to let his uncle’s reaction be shown. The entire room gasped in shock at what Goldis said to him.

“W-What!” Nepotemus roared with his nostrils flared up as he grew red with anger.

“Not only do we accuse you but we charge you of treason against the Hegemony. You are also faced with charges of trying to rule Eronos as though it were your own kingdom.” Uncle-“ Nepotemus cut him off and grabbed a fork. He looked ready to stab Goldis.

“How dare you …you…disrespectful maggot!” I shall banish you once and for all GUARDS!” A large group of his uncle’s guards came out of secret passageways in the walls. Their intentions were to arrest Goldis and Apkis. Moments later Yzebel stood up and comes to them right as Hoplites storm in. Then more of the palace guards come in. They were in a standoff against Nepotemus’ loyal guards. Tensions were high as his uncle denies this treason. Yzebel placed a hand on their shoulders and turns on Nepotemus.

“You do remember the Hegemony gave you certain powers over Eronos? If not then banishing officers of the Veek Hegemony are not part of your powers. Please let them go and rest.” She said in his uncle’s ears who seemed to calm down. It appeared to have remembered his limited powers, which made her more fierce than previous appearances in court.

Hoplites and Guards stood down as Yzebel handed Goldis and Apkis their rewards. One received a golden chalice and the other a silver helmet encrusted with sapphires. The two heroes of Eronos stormed out of the palace. Their men followed them out without arresting Nepotemus. Apkis and Goldis headed straight for their encampment realizing they had just avoided a bloodbath in the palace.