Read Online A Murder in Thebes (Alexander the Great 2) by Paul Doherty - Free Book Online

Alexander replied kindly, “will hold the keys. He will hand them back whenever you wish.”
    The high priestess sighed but took the keys off the girdle around her waist. They were large, their brass heads shaped in
     the form of a snake. She thrust them into Alexander’s hand. Alexander gestured for the soldiers to withdraw from the door.
     When they did so he stepped closer.
    “There’ll be a password. I’ll tell the officer in charge.”
    “What is it?” Jocasta asked.
    Alexander stared across at the Crown.
    “Why,
Oedipus
.” Alexander smiled. He grasped the keys and walked to the door. He went down the steps, Miriam and Simeon following. Alexander
     called the officer over.
    “Four of you will guard the outside,” he declared. “Leave two others in the shrine itself.” He handed the keys over. “These
     are only to be given to the old priestess or to me; the password is
Oedipus
.” He grasped the young man’s arm. “You are well armed?”
    “With everything, my lord king: bows, arrows, spears, swords.”
    “You have a hunting horn?” Alexander asked.
    “No, my lord, but I know where I can get one.”
    “If anything untoward happens,” Alexander declared, “sound the alarm.” He stared around at the dark olive trees. “But you
     are safe enough. No fighting men remain in Thebes and the Macedonian army guards all the approaches. Eat, sleep, but be vigilant.”
     He wagged a finger and smiled.
    “You are Meriades, aren’t you?”
    “Yes, my lord king.” The young man beamed with pleasure at being recognized.
    “Your father was in the guards regiment. He died at Chaeronea. Be worthy of your father’s name.” Alexander spun on his heel
     and walked back along the white chalk path. He entered the olive grove, leading Simeon and Miriam deeper into the trees to
     a small clearing where he sat down on a stump, staring up at the greenery. He gestured for Miriam and Simeon to sit next to
     him. Simeon sighed and looked at his sister. This was one of Alexander’s favorite customs. He loved to walk away from the
     throng and the bustle, then sit and talk, turning over some problem. Miriam suspected he daydreamed. A great deal of the time
     Alexander was anxious; he even had anxiety attacks, periods of panic when he’d sit tense. Afterward he’d abruptly stir himself
     into action, issuing orders, dictating letters so fast the scribes and clerks could hardly keep up with him. He’d charge around
     the camp inspecting equipment and munitions, sharp-eyed for failure: a harsh word to a defaulter, lavish praise for those
     who pleased him.
    “Jocasta does remind me of Mother.” Alexander scratched his head. “The way she walks. Why do women do that?”
    “Do what?” Miriam asked.
    “They seem to grow taller,” Alexander replied. “All of their spirit seems to come into their eyes when they look down at you
     rather disapprovingly. Mother always does that. Even Father confessed he felt frightened whenever Olympias played the royal
     Medea.”
    “You could take her head,” Simeon replied. “She had a hand in Lysander’s death.”
    “Don’t be bloody stupid!” Alexander kicked at Simeon’s knee with his foot. “How my enemies would love that! Alexander, the
     lion of Macedon, killer of ancient priestesses! From what I can gather she spoke the truth. Pelliades was a treacherous piece
     of work. They simply used her to lure poor Lysander out.”
    “But why?” Miriam asked. “Why kill Lysander, gibbet his corpse?”
    “They must have truly thought I was dead.” Alexander undid his sword belt and placed it between his feet. “Somehow this spy,
     the Oracle, convinced the Theban elders that I and my army had perished in Thessaly. They took their fury and hatred out on
     poor Lysander and, by executing him, sent a defiant message to Memnon. He was expected to surrender, to capitulate and withdraw
     from the citadel.”
    “But he didn’t,” Miriam continued. “He was an old soldier,