The Rise Of An Empire In Ancient Europe
Chapter 51 The Tukians

Chapter 51: Chapter 51 The Tukians

Clearchus and his companions immediately directed their attention to the man at the center of the Tukian group. Compared to the burly men surrounding him, he appeared slimmer, but his brightly colored, short-sleeved leather robe seemed designed to offset his less imposing frame. Beneath the robe, he wore a yellow-brown Persian tunic, which covered his legs—an unusual choice, as Tukian tribesmen typically left their legs bare.

As his sharp, light brown eyes locked onto the Greek leaders, he raised his right hand. The Tukian elder accompanying him bellowed, "The Great Chief of the Tukian Kesokante Tribe greets the guests from afar!"

The Tukian tribesmen responded by striking their wooden shields with short axes and unleashing primal cries of "Olah, Olah..." The piercing, beast-like howls made Juleios wince. Since the elder spoke in the Tukian language, the Greek leaders initially appeared puzzled, but Marigi quickly translated the greeting. Once the message was understood, they regained their composure, and Juleios even began to observe and appreciate this raw, tribal style of hospitality.

With the leaders’ approval, Marigi responded in Tukian, raising his voice to declare, "Spartan Overseer Clearchus extends his friendly greetings to Chief Kamorlos!" As he finished, the fifty Spartan warriors behind him roared in unison, "Hey! Ho!" The synchronized cry was followed by the rhythmic strike of their spears against the ground, and the precise movement of their shields opening and closing before they returned to silence. In contrast to the Tukians’ wild display, the Spartans’ calm and measured actions radiated an unspoken authority, creating a palpable tension.

Chief Kamorlos’ expression changed subtly. He fixated on the fifty Spartans, each standing tall like ancient pines. The prominent "∧" symbol on their shields caught his attention. Muttering to himself, he repeated a word: "Spartans..."

The reputation of Spartan warriors had spread across the Mediterranean for centuries, even reaching the remote Tukian mountains. Raising his hand again, Kamorlos silenced his people and spoke in clear Persian: "Welcome! Please sit!"

Clearchus, accustomed to dealing with Persians, responded fluently in Persian, "You, too, please sit!"

Thus, the negotiations began.

Contrary to the Greek leaders’ expectations, the seemingly primitive Tukians proved themselves to be astute negotiators. Chief Kamorlos, in particular, was bold and sharp. His demands were audacious, treating the Greek mercenaries as laborers and warriors who would work for the tribe’s benefit. He justified his position with sound reasoning: "By allying with the Greek mercenaries, our tribe risks offending the powerful Persian Empire and becoming isolated from other Tukian tribes. We require significant compensation to secure our warriors’ support for such a decision."

However, the Greek negotiators were no less skilled. Clearchus, trusted by Sparta to manage delicate diplomacy with Darius the Younger, demonstrated his expertise. Juleios, having led negotiations in high-stakes environments in his former life, displayed his business acumen. Marigi, the experienced trader who understood Tukian culture, rounded out the team.

Before arriving, the Greeks had established a clear bottom line: the mercenaries must retain full control of their marching route without interference. During the talks, they deliberately downplayed the importance of the alliance. When discussions reached an impasse, Cleanor hinted more than once that the Greeks were prepared to force their way through if negotiations failed.

This approach unsettled the Kesokante tribal leaders. Positioned as the first obstacle on the Greeks’ route to Armenia, they faced a difficult choice. They could cooperate and gain rewards or risk open conflict with the mercenaries, who had already defeated the Persians. While avoiding a direct confrontation might save their warriors, it would leave their homes, resources, and even Kamorlos’ reputation vulnerable. Such a move could also embolden rival tribes to challenge the Kesokante’s dominance.

After numerous rounds of negotiation, an agreement was finally reached:

Alliance and Non-Aggression: The Greek mercenaries and the Kesokante tribe would form an alliance, coexisting peacefully and refraining from mutual aggression.Control of Route and Shared Spoils: The Greeks retained control over their marching route. Tribes along the route would be attacked jointly by the Greeks and the Kesokante tribe. Loot would be divided 60-40 in favor of the Greeks, while captured enemies would be handed to the Kesokante tribe. The Greeks agreed not to engage in unauthorized killing or looting without tribal consent.Joint Command: Clearchus and Kamorlos would share command during joint operations. In case of unresolved disputes, operations would be canceled. (This clause was included by Clearchus to prevent Kamorlos from prioritizing tribal interests at the Greeks’ expense. However, Kamorlos never invoked it, as he feared losing the Greeks’ support.)Optional Engagements:

If the Kesokante tribe wished to attack targets outside the Greeks’ planned route, they could hire the mercenaries for the task, provided the soldiers consented. (This clause, proposed by Kamorlos, was accepted by the Greeks as a potential means of gaining compensation for their soldiers, who had not received pay since the death of Darius the Younger.)The alliance would remain in effect until the Greeks exited Tukian territory.

The pact was sealed with a sacrificial ritual. Clearchus, anticipating this, ordered the slaughter of three white lambs, whose blood and meat were placed on a tree stump. The Kesokante tribe sacrificed a deer in return. Both sides then planted wooden sticks around the stump, lit fires, and read aloud the agreement inscribed on animal hides in Persian.

With no priests among the Greeks, Clearchus officiated the ceremony, while a Tukian shaman, clad in peculiar attire, performed the rites for his side.

As the ritual concluded, a sudden mountain wind swept through, scattering fallen leaves and extinguishing the fires. Both Greeks and Tukians froze. The Greeks, including the usually stoic Spartan warriors, invoked Zeus’ name with reverence, while the Tukians knelt and worshipped their mountain Divin. Everyone interpreted the event as divine approval of the alliance.

With this perceived blessing, both sides’ attitudes grew more cooperative. Kamorlos even sent one of his sons to serve as a guide for the Greeks.

Twenty days later, the Greek mercenaries left the Tukian Mountains and emerged onto the plains. During their time in the mountains, they collaborated with the Kesokante tribe to capture four mountain strongholds and repel a united attack by rival Tukian tribes. While the battles resulted in significant casualties, the Greeks secured vital supplies that sustained them during their arduous journey.

The Kesokante tribe’s gains were even greater. Many captured mountain dwellers, aside from the most defiant, were absorbed into the tribe, significantly increasing its population. Kamorlos’ satisfaction was evident in the heartfelt gift he presented to Clearchus upon their departure—a finely crafted white wolf pelt.

A few days after entering the plains, the Greeks stumbled upon several villages. Overjoyed, they halted their march, drove out the villagers, and seized supplies. For the first time in weeks, they could sleep soundly without worrying about the dangers of the wilderness.

The next morning, the Greeks reached the Kentrites River, marking the border between Armenia and Tukia. The river, about sixty meters wide, was a potential crossing point. Guided to a site with a pontoon bridge, they discovered it had been burned.

Charred remains of bridge posts lined the riverbank, filling the leaders with unease—clear evidence that Persians were nearby.

Clearchus immediately ordered Lydes’ cavalry unit to scout the area. The cavalry, heavily diminished during their mountain trek, had only five or six usable horses left. At the same time, he directed a few soldiers to wade into the river to test its depth.

Stripping off their armor, the soldiers carefully stepped into the water. As they approached the center of the river, the current rose to their chests.

Suddenly, a cry rang out: "Persians!"

Panic rippled through the Greek ranks. On a hill across the river, Persian cavalry emerged. Below the hill, a formation of Persian infantry stirred up a cloud of dust as they marched toward the riverbank, their movements shrouded in an ominous haze.