Styxx slammed his helm down on his head then swung up on the back of his stallion, who was as black as his mood. He took his hoplon from his old trainer's hand and slid it to his back for the ride. "Fine, Galen. Thank you for asking."
Frowning, Galen glanced up at the royal family while Styxx spurred his horse forward without bothering to look back at them. He knew where all of them stood on his well-being.
Gods willing, they'd all get their wish to not see him again.
October 25, 9532 BC
Styxx let out an elongated breath. Tomorrow, they would be in battle. For the last few hours, he'd worked with Galen on the speech he was supposed to deliver to their men to rally, unite, and inspire them for war.
As he rode to the front to give it, the hostile thoughts of the Didymosian army assailed him like rapid-fire arrows.
We have to follow that worthless quim into battle? Seriously?
The king insults us to send a boy in when we need a man at our helm.
When did Didymos become such a joke? The other Greeks mock us, and why shouldn't they? We're led by a beardless child who should still be suckling at his mother's tit.
But what truly hurt was that their thoughts mirrored his own. At least the ones that weren't sexual in nature.
Damn, Estes could have made a fortune here selling him to all the soldiers who wanted to grudge-fuck him. It was extremely disconcerting to know they'd be at his back tomorrow....
Heavily armed.
Styxx reined Troian in so that he could address them with Galen on a horse by his side. His stomach shrank as he faced their outright and obvious contempt and disdain. Though he was used to it, for some reason it stung more today.
Because you're about to ask them to die for you and they hate you for it.
He looked down at the scroll in his shaking hands and the words they'd so carefully penned. I can't read this. To them, it would sound disingenuous. They were pissed enough. His luck, they'd think he was mocking them and attack.
Better to address their real concerns.
Look at the royal quim. He's too scared to speak. How's that frightened little girl supposed to lead us into battle?
That's to be our future king? Gods help us.
Is it too late to defect to the Thracian army?
Lifting his chin, Styxx forced himself to face them. He cleared his throat then wadded up the parchment in his hand. Please don't let my voice tremble.
"I know what all of you are thinking...."
What a pathetic quim leads us?
Those were bad, but Styxx ground his teeth at the one thought that rang in his head louder than the others-We come to fight for a king who sends his worthless child to hang back and watch us die.... Least you could do is share that sweet little ass of yours with us before you ask us to die for it.
The animosity and criticisms mounted until Styxx couldn't speak. They were right. He had no business being here. Maybe that was his father's plan. To have him killed by his own people.
"Enough!" Galen roared.
It was only then Styxx realized they'd not only been thinking their hostilities, many had been shouting them, too.
The old veteran they did respect glared at them. "All of you should be ashamed of yourselves. The prince, himself, came here to personally thank you for your service, even while the lot of you sneered and jeered at him. You humiliate a warrior who has more courage than the entire Greek cavalry. Any other strategos would have you beaten for this impudence. And I will not see him so debased and insulted when you know nothing of his fierce skills or true noble character. I swore after our war with Phthia that I would never again bleed in battle for any king or cause. Nor would I fight for any banner. Yet here I am this day. Why?"
Galen placed his hand on Styxx's shoulder. "Because I have seen, in spite of his young age, the wisdom and courage of our strategos. And it is an honor for me to fight under his banner. How many men who are the age of our prince would come to battle with his army without a single word of protest? Prince Styxx could be at home, right now, with a wench in his lap and wine in his hand. Instead, he has laid aside his own comforts and safety to be with all of you as you fight for his father. He does not deserve your scorn, but rather your respect."
"Doesn't matter. He'll be dead in battle tomorrow anyway."
"Or fucked in the ass by an Atlantean hero while he chokes on the testicles of another."