They Speak of Alexander

Prince Euenios was resupplying in Attica when he heard of his father's death. When he was given reinforcements again in Corinth, he learned that the Romans lifted the siege in Bylazora.

Their new target?

It was Pella and Thessalonica.

The two cities so close to each other are now being marched upon by the Romans. King Antigonos II anticipated this and sent Prince Gyros there in advance. And the Bylazora citizens that 'escaped' were actually sent to Pella, the women and children made to work as laborers for food, and the men trained.

Well, Prince Gyros is now King Demetrius II.

Almost 26,000 people moved into Pella, making public order a hassle, but the rise of the soldiery was an increase in patrolling.

Corinth was no different, when Prince Euenios saw the city the place was mobilizing, with 700 professional Hoplites already present in the city. He looked at his old home one last time, and as he was turning back to reembark, someone held his hand.

He looked back to see Lysandra staring back at him, his little maid has all grown up at this point, with the face of a Corinthian and those same eyes looking at him, he hasn't seen her for three years, now she's like, 19 or so.

Her eyes searched his for answers, but his gaze was firm, "You need to leave this place," he said, "the war is coming here."

"Please let me come with you."

Prince Euenios looks back at her, and sighs.

"I suppose I need a servant in my ship quarters, come along now."

The ships left Corinth under the cloak of night. The moon painted a silver path on the dark sea. The saltwater mist kissed their faces as they sailed towards Africa, and the memory of Lysandra's desperate grip filled Euenios with a warmth that seemed out of place amidst the chaos of war.

She's asleep in her room after he made her scrub his entire room clean, only to find out she's a learned woman now, she learned how to do arithmetic in one of those schools. That'd be useful for the budgeting team.

He just instinctively treated her as how he treated her his entire life, but people change.

The waves crashed rhythmically against the ship's hull, lulling Euenios into a deep thought. He couldn't shake off the feeling that Lysandra wasn't just his childhood servant anymore. Her eyes had held a silent plea, a depth that spoke of fear and hope intertwined.

He wondered what her life had been like in the three years they were apart. Did she find happiness in the bustling city of Corinth, or was she just biding her time, waiting for an opportunity to escape?

She didn't even bring anyone with her. Does she have a family there? Children? Spouse? Well, if they exist, she didn't bring them with her.

Euenios decided to keep his distance for now. It was better to not get too attached, especially in a time like this. The sea air was thick with the scent of adventure and danger, and the last thing he needed was another burden weighing on his heart.

But as the ship sliced through the dark water, he found himself drawn to her room, the gentle sound of her breathing a siren's song that pulled him closer.

He leaned against the doorframe, watching her sleep, her features softened by the moonlight.

The years had been kind to her, and she had bloomed into a beauty that made him feel a pang of something he hadn't felt in a long time.

He was torn between his duty to his men and his curiosity about Lysandra.

But everything has to wait. He needs to evade the Roman Navy, the Carthaginian navy, resupply in Africa, and all of those logistical problems in transporting this many men, this many colonists.

His brother, now King Demetrius II has been uncharacteristically good to him, now that he's far away from Greece. He asked his other family members to come with him to Iberia, but they all stayed.

Now he feels like a traitor, but he's not a traitor, he'll build up Macedonian power in Iberia and he'll return soon, it's not like he's going to live and die in Iberia.

The journey ahead was fraught with challenges, but the promise of a new life and the allure of the unknown called to them all like a siren's song.

The ship's crew worked tirelessly, navigating by the stars, their eyes peeled for any sign of danger. The men were a mix of seasoned soldiers and hopeful colonists, all bound by a common goal: to carve out a piece of the world that would be their own.

Euenios knew that his presence on this voyage was more than just a command from his father. This was all him, he started all of this. He wanted to go and do all of this.

The ship swayed in the night, a cradle carrying them to their destiny.

And in the quiet moments between the creaks and the calls of the seagulls, he allowed himself to wonder what lay in store for him in the land of the Iberians.

He turned to leave, the softness of his gaze lingering on Lysandra for a heartbeat longer than necessary. As he stepped away, the door creaked open, and she stirred, her eyes fluttering open to meet his.

For a moment, the world around them ceased to exist, and all that mattered was the silent conversation passing between them.

Then, as if the spell was broken, she sat up with a start, the reality of their situation crashing down around them once more.

He cleared his throat and offered her a small, reassuring smile. "Rest well," he said, his voice a gentle rumble in the quiet of the night.

She nodded, the shadows playing across her face as she watched him leave.

The door clicked shut behind him, and Euenios returned to his own quarters, his thoughts swirling like the sea outside.

He knew that once they reached the shores of Iberia, his life would change forever.

The battles ahead, the alliances to forge, the empire to build.

And Lysandra.

The girl who had grown into a woman he hardly knew, but who still held a piece of his heart.

Their fates were intertwined now, whether he liked it or not.

He just hoped they would both survive the storm that was brewing on the horizon.