Read Online Alexander (Vol. 3) (Alexander Trilogy) by Valerio Massimo Manfredi - Free Book Online

from inside. The man knocked again without replying and the historian opened the door. There before him was a rather stout man with a thick beard and black, curly hair who greeted him with a bow.
    ‘My name is Hermocrates and I am a soldier in Antipater’s guard. Aristotle has sent me.’
    ‘Come in,’ Callisthenes said, with a worried expression on his face. The man entered and looked around; he moved in that faltering way typical of those who have spent a long time at sea and he asked to be allowed to sit down. Callisthenes told him to make himself comfortable, but before doing so Hermocrates took the bag and placed it carefully on the table before them.
    ‘Aristotle told me to give you this,’ he said, taking a metal box from the bag. ‘Together with this message.’ The historian took the letter and continued to study the box with increasing apprehension.
    ‘Why are you so late? This box should have arrived here much earlier. I do not know if now . . .’
    He started reading the letter. It was certainly from Aristotle, but it was in code and had no heading. It read:
    This drug will bring about death at a distance of over ten days with symptoms similar to those of a serious illness. Destroy it when you have used it. And if you do not use it, destroy it anyway. Do not touch it for any reason and do not inhale its smell.
     
    ‘All of this would have made sense a year ago,’ said Callisthenes as he picked up the box gingerly.
    ‘Unfortunately I encountered many problems on my journey. My ship was struck by a strong northern wind and was blown off course for days and days until it finally sank off the desert coast of Libya. My shipwrecked companions and I marched for months, eating fish and crabs until we reached the border with Egypt, where I was given news of the King’s expedition to the sanctuary of Ammon. From there, still on foot, I reached a port on the Delta where I found a ship that had also been pushed off course by a northerly wind. They explained to me that they were heading for Tyre, where the King and his army and his companions were awaiting them, and they let me on board.’
    ‘You are a brave and loyal man. Allow me to reward you,’ said Callisthenes, reaching for his purse.
    ‘I want no reward,’ replied Hermocrates, ‘but I will accept some money because I have none and I do not know how to return to Macedonia.’
    ‘Do you wish to eat and drink?’
    ‘I would gladly eat something. The food on the ship was terrible.’
    Callisthenes placed the box he had been given in his personal chest, which he then locked. He then washed his hands in a basin and put bread, cheese, and some grilled fish and oil and salt on the table.
    ‘How is my old uncle?’
    He is well,’ replied the man as he bit into the bread after having dipped it in oil and salt.
    ‘What was he up to last time you saw him?’
    He was leaving Mieza and heading towards Aegae. And with the bad weather on its way.’
    ‘So his investigation continues,’ said Callisthenes, almost to himself.
    ‘What did you say?’
    ‘Nothing . . . nothing,’ said Callisthenes shaking his head. He sat for an instant observing his guest who was tucking into the food and then asked, ‘Has there been any news regarding Philip’s assassination? I mean, any rumours in Macedonia?’
    Hermocrates stopped eating, swallowed what he had in his mouth and sat there in silence with his head bowed.
    ‘You can trust me,’ Callisthenes reassured him. Anything you may say will go no further.’
    ‘They say it was Pausanias, that he was acting on his own initiative.’
    It was clear to Callisthenes that the man did not want to speak, and he also understood that his question had rattled him somewhat.
    ‘I will give you a letter for my Uncle Aristotle. When are you setting off again?’
    ‘With the first ship I find.’
    ‘Good. I leave tomorrow with the King. You may stay here in this house until you find your ship.’
    Callisthenes picked up his pen and