How to raise an army was simple in ancient times,In ancient times, raising an army often involved conscription, where citizens were obligated to serve during times of conflict.
But here,well That's another story,as i ponder another thought flash in my mind."wait didn't I start as vassal?",Alexios said silently he just know realized this fact,"i must ask Theron about it,he really is patriotic about Sparta,but he did not mentioned this"Alexios must ask him privately,and to do that he must ask everyone to leave.
"Esteemed Elders,I will begin planning of a way to assembling an Army,and to do that I kindly ask of you to leave,except Theron" Alexios said with tone so authoritative he could command the heavens themselves.few Elders exchanged words,and started to leave without questions.
"What can I do,my king"said Theron humbly and slowly kneeled in front of the Alexios,"please,stand up I cannot stand a wise Elder to kneel on his old knees"said Alexios awkwardly,he is not used to watch old people kneeled,he feeled awkward.
"I am not worthy of your words my king,this is nothing" said Theron with a smile,this was embarrassing for Alexios he was afraid,they would even hang himself if he commanded to him.
"I am very pleased of your wisdom to not given to their demands" Alexios said "but of course,every spartan would do the same thing..well almost",Theron said with a sad tone,and his smile was fading "I wanted to ask why was such esteemed Elder who is passionate about our culutre,did not bring the issue of being someone's vassal?".
Alexios was right,somebody who is so prideful about being a Spartan,and not be bothered by this fact?,it seemed like it was against his beliefs."Well my king probably did not hear the story,but five years ago,we were under attack by hordes of beats,we fought them hard,we fought them well,out in the plains we gave them hell".
"Too many came,to much for Sparta and we were about to be annihilated,but at the last moment,Prince Xenophon the sixth came with his army and saved us from certain doom".Alexios thought for a second about something,what a coincidence that the prince sixth prince showed up,that smells fishy,but started listening,as Theron took a deep breath.
"The only thing that Prince Xenophon asked in return was,that we become his vassal,of course this caused stir in the council,but it did not last long.Fact is that Prince Xenophon saved us from extinction and we,had to oblige" ,well no suprise if the army was crushed by the horde of beats,there was not much options.what could they do? Die by the hands of humans?,yeah it was a no go.
"Prince Xenophon promised us some autonomy,and we must tribute every month a fifty percent of food and drachma (silver coin used in Ancient Greece).Also in case of war we must join him and other treaties we must oblige when the time comes". Alexios was scared of the thought that Prince saw the potential in Sparta warriors,because he knew they would come handy one day,because we owned them our life's."Fuck" whispers Alexios silently,this was very bad,he knew the moment they would join Prince Xenophon side to take the throne,he would not survive,Sparta too.
"Thank you Theron for this knowledge,and last question before I will go make necessary preparations,how long does it take from imperial capital here?" Asked Alexios in hope,so he could have time to prepare army,and break those chains that bind Sparta."about…three months..my king".answered Theron,Alexios would breathe a huge sigh of relief,there is hope,three months are more than enough time for preparation.
"Thank you Theron,now If you excuse me I will go to my chamber,and please go to bed early you almost overheated during the debate,that's not good for your health" said Alexios with a smile big enough to make joker blush."ah…yes my king,thank you,and good night". Theron said with a flustered face and started walking to the exit that was on the opposite side of the hall.
"Well with that out of the way,I will go to my chamber…..uhm where is my chamber?".Said Alexios worryingly,he started looking around the Hall with its white and smooth pillars that were on the sides of the wall with some paintings,he noticed two guards standing beside the throne.Alexios started to walk toward one of the guards,King's personal guard called Hippeis.
They were elite warriors chosen for their exceptional skills and loyalty. The Hippeis were distinguished by their red cloaks and long hair, which they wore as a mark of honor. They were among the best-trained and most respected warriors in Sparta, sworn to protect the king at all costs.
Holding spear in right hand,shield in another with,Corinthian style helmet,same helmet that Alexios wear.
Should I just tell them to escort me to my chambers?,well I can ask another Hippeis for direction,but I don't know if they were assigned to be here,or to follow me,ugh fuck it I just gonna do it,I don't care I am too mentally tired to care."guards escort me to my chambers at once"Alexios said with thunderous voice,one could give someone heart attack with this."it will be done my King"said one of the guard with attitude that sounded like,he was through hell.
"I did not even notice them,they we silent as a mouse…cool"thought to himself Alexios they take a path that was at the right side of the hall and begin walking straightfoward,with Alexios in the middle and one guard in front of him,who was leading the way and one behind.As they walked,Alexios couldn't not help but noticed military achievements on the walls beside him.Whole new experience when you see it close.
"Wow those heroic deed done by my ancestors,it is beautiful,I hope I could get one hehe"Alexios was exited at the thought of being in a painting,doing heroic deeds,his ancestor who was wearing identical armor was defending a wounded Spartan on the ground with his shield,while piercing a chimera.
The Chimera was a monstrous creature with the body of a lion, the head of a goat emerging from its back, and a tail that ended with a snake's head. It was a fire-breathing hybrid creature."and right in to his goat head,I am really envious" said Alexios he could not wait the day he will be on one of the paintings defending Sparta against a prince Xenophon.
"We are here my king" said the guard in front of him who stopped in front of a wooden door,while stepping aside so King Alexios could walk through."Thank you,for escorting me and watching over this palace" Alexios said proudly,this was true,he didn't know how many of king guards are here yet,but he was confident that one could take ten warriors with him.
"We are not worthy of your kind words,my king"said guards simultaneously while kneeling "those who serve me as personal guards are always worthy,remember that,and stand up there is no need no kneel" said Alexios "and good nights said Alexios who closed his door behind him,put Down his helmet.
"Wait this armor is quite heavy,yet I'm not feeling like it would dragged me down,strange"Alexios pondered,then he noticed a necklace around his neck,after closer inspection,he noticed that this is not a normal necklace
Necklace of strength [rarity:uncommon]
+ 5 points to strength
+ a slight chance to make critical bit
"So that's,it's like feather,but I still can't see my stats",said alex after putting his helmet beside him on the bed,"i don't care if it's a daylight,i will get my sleep either way,I can't take this anymore,it's acting like a game but it's not,I'm tired"
Said Alexios who's could not keep with this,"at least this bed i comfy I must take bath and then.." Alexios stoped when he noticed a screen before his eyes after few seconds he was in shocked,"motherfuc.." said Alexios after he realized what is this is a 'city-state system'