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Today, though, it is not hot enough for that - and beyond this, the men are provided boiled river water and watered wine on every third circuit. Shading tents line the riverbank as well, for the men who collapse. None have yet died, through the careful ministrations of the Apollonian priests - adepts practiced in the Asclepian balancing of the bodily humors. More soldiers will arrive every day, and you will partition them by day of arrival, painting their leather gear to distinguish them, and running them until they lope tirelessly like wolves. Once this conditioning is achieved, then the largest war drills in the history of Argos will commence – the men will drive against each other with dulled training spears, learning battlefield movements and formations. War teaches men fastest - dullards are sent below to the Lord of Many - but you have the time to educate them slowly; more conservatively, more efficiently. As for your uncles, Mecisteus and Pronax, they are seizing all manner of carts, horses, chariots, and slaves in the Argolid – anything that can be used for the transport of rations and war materiel to Thebes.
King Adrastus’ announcement came only two nights ago; the meager three thousand struggling through your field represent only a small fraction of the total might of the Argive army. The bulk of your own forces are still en route – you had sent Eupous there to retrieve another two thousand soldiers from your estates yesterday. You anticipate as many as eighteen thousand may march on Thebes – and perhaps Myceneans as well, if Polynices is successful. In fact, Polynices, Tydeus, Amphiarus and Capaneus are all due to leave Argos this very afternoon – you were planning to return to the city to wish them well, although you may have time for only one such visit. With the radiance of Helios Ὑπεριων ascending to his peak, and your men soon collapsing for their noon-rest, it is time for you to return.
>who to visit, /qst/?
>Visit with Capaneus, your aggressive cousin, in the training yards. Humbling the man before his venture to Arcadia might temper his rage and keep him cautious.
>Visit with Amphiarus, the seer. What was he arguing with your uncle about two nights ago, at the feast?
>Visit with Polynices, exiled king of Thebes. You still haven’t had a chance to speak with the man one-on-one, and you must know how he plans to approach High King Agamemnon.
>Visit with Tydeus, prince of Caledon – you understand that he’s barely left his guest room of the Royal Palace, enjoying the company of his new wife, your cousin Deipyle.
>Rather than visit with one of these men, instead take the time to build the legend of your command with the assembling Argive army. You will fight against two entire squadrons – 100 to 1 – and defeat them all. Such a display will do much to build confidence among your troops.
>Visit with your wife – perhaps a pleasant mid-day nap with your wife?
>Visit with someone else?
