ANDROMACHE (A Queen is Crowned - Book 1)

TWELVE

PREFACE

Andromache, the Queen of all barbarians is a fictional person, however, the barbarians were not. These stories are a follow on from the seven stories in my Hippolyta series. The stories about the barbarians are fictional although the European and Asia time line is as close as I can get to reality of the time. At the moment there are seventeen stories in this series, each one follows the last in order and each one is a different story.

Some of the characters that are in the stories of Andromache are also in the Hippolyta series. Andromache was the cousin of Hippolyte daughter of Hippolyta. Everything will become clear during this first story, because from beginning to end Queen Andromache is still a minor queen in the Amazon tribe.

Alexius is the Roman Dux [General] and he is part of the Eastern Roman Empire helping Hippolyta protect her village on the east coast of the Black Sea.

The old queen Andromache is the cousin of Hippolyte, that was the old Queen of all Amazons, and she is also the mother of Queen Echephyle. Queen Echephyle is the mother of the young queen Andromache. Danilo, Vlad, and Omeed are the barbarian hunters, protectors of the queens and Danilo is the father of the young Andromache.

The present Queen of all Amazons is Hippolyta, and she is cousin to Queen Echephyle. She is also the mother of the young queen Hippolyte. The father of the young queen Hippolyte was also a barbarian called Tarres. He died in a selfless act of loyalty while protecting Hippolyta in the first story of Hippolyta series. He was killed by an arrow from an assassin in the Hun army while chasing a Hun commander called Bataar to his capture and eventual death.

Thraso is a female barbarian and second in command of the entire army of Amazons. The four main senior commanders are Scyleia, Molpadia, Eurybe, and Phoebe. At the beginning of this story, Queens Hippolyte and Echephyle are being punished for going against the word of Hippolyta. Between them they were the cause of Danilo and Young Queen Andromache almost being killed by a patrol of Vandals heading east.

Sangiban was king of the Alani, and his palace and kingdom was the other side of the Big River in the east. He was a thief that was forever taxing the trade route too high his side of the Big River and robbing the traders as soon as they were on the western side. Adalric was king of the Ostra Goths but uncrowned. Ernakh the youngest son of Attila was now king of the last bit of the Hun Empire since Attila had died.

Hippolyta had the largest army and by making treaties with all three kept the peace between the western banks of the Big River to the delta at the bottom of the Danube. The Hun, Alani and the Goth armies were depleted because of the continued wars with Attila. Although there was unrest between the Hun and Astro Goth realms there was still a kind of peace.

Athanagild was king of the Visi Goths and had his palace in Gaul. Genseric was king of the Vandals and lived on the Balearic Islands, although neither had a treaty with Hippolyta it was because of their location they traded with each other by sea.

CHAPTER ONE

It was the morning after Vinzenz the rogue Vandal had been burnt at the stake outside the north wall. Hippolyta and the three other queens and senior commanders were in the council room. Hippolyta had told both Queens Hippolyte and Echephyle they could speak, but as their punishment would start that day they could only talk about their tasks in the near future. The council had just finished eating when the lookout shouted down from her high tower in the centre of the village, There is a Goth warrior advancing towards the village at speed from the north-west.

Inside the council room shouting could be heard on the north wall, before the Roman gate commander shouted, Open the gate for the Goth messenger to speak with Queen Hippolyta.The north gates were heard being opened before the noise of a horse galloping up the hill. At the door of the council room an Amazon warrior showed the messenger inside before stopping short of Hippolyta and standing at his side with her sword withdrawn. There was no words spoken by the council as each queen and commander looked towards Hippolyta for her to start the proceedings. Hippolyta looked bemused as she turned to the young queen Andromache sitting on the left of the council and said, What are you looking at me for, Andromache? I informed you yesterday that I have allowed you to be in charge of the village and the running of my realm while I am away in the east.

The entire council room was stunned into silence as they looked towards the young queen. Andromache found her voice and asked, What seems to be the problem that the Goth generals send a commander as a messenger to queen Hippolyta's realm at such speed? I am Queen Andromache, and as you have just heard I am in charge of the daily running of the realm while Queen Hippolyta carries out a more important role.

My Lady, the Goth armies have been attacked to the north-west of the burned out port by a large rogue army amounting to at least ten thousand strong. They have destroyed five thousand of the Goth army in a morning attack twenty thousand paces north-east of the island in the lake.

Ten thousand is not a lot compared with the Goth army that must outnumber this army five to one. Why have you come running to the Amazon tribe for help?

There is a meeting of all the top generals in the north to crown another Ostrogoths King. None of the generals trust the others so they have taken three thousand warriors each for protection. We have only seven thousand at most to send this large army to their God if they have one.

Do you know if they are Vandal’s, Commander?

They were not a Vandal army, my Lady. We the Goths have fought with and against the Vandal’s and these warriors are not them. They seem to be a mixed army of Hun, Vandal’s, and what look like a few Alani. It is only my guess, my Lady but I would say they are no more that a giant band of deserters with knowledge of how to fight battles.

Andromache turned to the Amazon warrior that was at his side Goth warrior’s side, Take the commander to get food and refreshed while the council work out a plan.

Once he had left the council room and the door was once again closed, Andromache began to speak. Before we debate this problem, are they an army or band of rogue warriors here to cause chaos, I would like to speak of what I know to be true. Last week while standing with Alexius in the port market, a Goth trader was informing Alexius of this meeting of generals that is taking place. He also told us that like the Hun and the Alani the generals do not trust each other. It is more than likely the generals have taken some of their army for personal protection.

Now this is only what I think is taking place and not fact. The word has been spread around about this meeting that has allowed a large band of misfits from the armies we have defeated to believe they can gain some kind of power here west of the Black Sea. They might just be trying to steal their way through the Goth villages, and that means if they succeed they will get stronger and we will be next. They have to be destroyed before they get a foot hold into the Goth realm. The general that was left in charge of the remaining armies has been clever knowing that under the treaty we have with the Goths we must help.

There is also the possibility that there is no such army, and it is rogue Goth general trying to take the Goth realm for his own gain. Either way the three-thousand warriors that Hippolyte was going to take with her on patrol in the west are not going to be enough. She will need at least fifteen-thousand with her split into two armies of seventy-five hundred each. You have heard my thoughts and also my advice and it is down to the council to debate or decide on an alternative plan.

The council was looking toward Hippolyta and not answering, but it was Queen Echephyle who said, Andromache has put the problem to the council, so it might be best if we start debating for and against.

You are correct, Echephyle. Andromache has outlined the problem, and given her opinion and it does not differ from mine. Hippolyta said. She has also pointed out that until the Amazon army know for sure we cannot trust these Goths. I don’t think there is a lot of point debating the strength of Hippolyte’s army, because that is the minimum amount she would need. Have you anything further to say, Andromache?

Hippolyte, you are not far from the village and at no time must you get out of your depth. We still have thirty-thousand warriors from the south with Eurybe ready to lead them as an army anywhere. I have also decided that because the three senior queens are on patrol, that army will remain here with Toxis as another commander of a large army if two are needed. Andromache looked at Hippolyta who said nothing.

Then it is settled, but there is one thing before you go, Hippolyte. You have a wolf who is a first class barbarian with you, and you must learn to use him. Now it might be best if you get your army ready to leave before mid day. Will someone go and tell the Goth commander that there will be a small army near the island in the lake in two days.

Hippolyta said, It will not take the army two days for Hippolyte to get to the island in the lake, Andromache.

I know but Hippolyte is not going to the island in the lake. She will be going just north and checking the lake for a rogue army waiting in ambush. They will not be expecting her to come from a northern direction.

Hippolyta looked up at old queen Andromache and Alexius the Roman General who were both smiling. I think that concludes business for this morning, except I think it might be better if both Echephyle and I have seven thousand warriors each for our patrols in the east.

The council room cleared and only old Queen Andromache that was the grandmother of Andromache, along with, Alexius, Danilo and Mundzuc were left there with Hippolyta. What do you think of that meeting, and the plan set out by Andromache, Alexius?

He was playing with his grey beard as he smiled before answering. I think Queen Andromache has everything under control, my lady. That little piece of deceit at the end to give Queen Hippolyte time to check the lay and safety of the land was a master stroke. She has listened to my commanders and me when we told her of the times when we told deceitful plans to known spies, and she has forgotten nothing. She has been listening to the sentries on the walls talking about the battles they were part of, and now knows how battles are fought and won from the commanders and the men they command.

It was moments later when Hippolyte, Echephyle and the young queen Andromache returned to the inside of the council room once more.

The young Queen Andromache is thinking of probabilities and placing temporary solutions in place to show these Goths that the Amazon queens are not gullible. She realises that there were four Goth generals in the west, and if they each took with them north three thousand. It would still leave twenty-eight-thousand in the south of the Goth realm.

How would she know there was that amount, Mundzuc?

I was talking to her up on the walkway last night after the burned body of Vinzenz was taken away. She was asking me what I knew about the realms west of the village, and any danger they might be against the village. I stopped with the Goths while chasing Vinzenz and noted the strength of their army. I also noted a nasty senior commander, but his name slips my mind. He had visions of higher rank, and this might be his idea why this messenger was sent here thinking Queen Hippolyta would do just as she has done. They never realised there was a new generation of queens that had the intelligence of hundreds of commanders, and was better battle ready than they were.

Surely he is not stupid enough to think that twenty-eight-thousand warriors could take the village, Mundzuc.

Alexius replied to the question Hippolyta had asked. My Lady, I am in no doubt that the Goths know that you are leaving for the east, and if they do then they would know that Queen Echephyle is heading north. They would have had spies disguised as traders finding this information out. They are hoping that you will take your armies with you. They were also thinking that if they can destroy Queen Hippolyte and her army then they will have a better chance at entering the village.

It went quiet until Andromache spoke. Hippolyte, when you leave here at midday, you will have only the thirty-five-hundred that your mother originally allocated you. You will head west at a very slow pace on the top western trail until you see the trail heading north after a thousand paces. There you will head north to the end of the northern mountains where you will meet the rest of your army.

Why would she want to do that, Andromache? Hippolyta asked.

I believe that if there was a spy here he would leave by the most southern trail west to tell the Goth army Hippolyte was on her way. Hopefully on hearing and seeing the amount of your small army, their commander will only think he needs a token force. He will make the mistake of underestimating me and the Amazon tribe and make foolish mistakes. The village has invaders from the west and I intend to destroy them, because I am in command of the village and the well being of the realm.

Hippolyta smiled, but Echephyle said, We cannot go and leave you to fight these invaders alone, Andromache. We will have to remain here and defend the village.

Hippolyta saw the look of despair on Andromache’s face and put her hand in the air before replying. No, that will not be necessary, Echephyle, and we will go out as planned. Echephyle opened her mouth about to argue the point, but stopped when she saw the look of disapproval on Hippolyta's face."

Hippolyta turned to face Andromache, said, You are doing no different than I would have done if I was staying, Andromache. I know that I am leaving the village in safe hands. You have Alexius and your Grandmother, with Eurybe to help you beat these Goths so never be frightened to use them. You have a first class barbarian hunter in Mundzuc who will give you his thoughts and bring you fine information.

Hippolyte, your patrol has been cancelled until this threat is over. You will find out all that is taking place in the west and destroy only those that it is safe to destroy. You will use the village as your rest area, and tell Andromache of all things that are taking place out there in the west. There will be council meetings every morning, and nothing will take place unless Andromache and the council approve of yours or any plans. You are now under the command of Andromache because she is in charge of the realm.

Andromache, if things get a little too much for you to handle, send a messenger east to find me and I will return. I believe that is about all until I return in a few months. Remember, Hippolyte, you are still being tested and punished no different than Echephyle.

Hippolyte turned to Molpadia, Once I am on my way, you had better wait until Andromache thinks it is safe, then go north of the northern mountains and meet me there.

It was a short time later when Hippolyte’s army was waiting outside the north gate. She rode down the hill and stopped at the gate where Andromache was standing on the walkway.

Andromache shouted, Remember, Hippolyte, check out what problem the Goth’s have. If you have not sent a messenger back to say you need help, then I will presume there is not enough of a problem for us to get involved with, and have carried on with your patrol.

I will go and look at the village the Vandal army burned to the ground as I go west. It will be in two days time and midday before I reach the island in the lake, my part of the realm is more important than holding the hands of the Goth army.

There was a trading caravan below the walls waiting for the large army to ride off before they could carry on with their journey west. Hippolyte rode out through the gates to the front of her army and headed west at a trot. The traders followed turning to the lower trail close to the shores of the black sea.

It was a short time later when there was another army outside the gates waiting. As Molpadia rode to the bottom of the hill on her own Hippolyta shouted, I will meet you at the bend in the big river in three months, Echephyle.

Just after she had spoken, the guard commander shouted, Open the gate for Queen Echephyle. As Molpadia rode through the gate the guard saluted her. Andromache watched as she led her army up the hill heading north knowing that if the spy was still watching he would see that with Hippolyte’s army, fifteen thousand warriors had left the village."

Everyone walked back to the council room to be seated once more. Hippolyta was smiling as she said, Well I hope the Goths are well and truly deceived if they are planning war against us. We have never been more prepared for war than we are now, and ready to catch our enemy on the back foot.

My Lady, I have just been talking to some traders that have arrived from the north. They too have expressed to me their concern over the Goth armies that look after that part of the trade route. There seems to be a great amount of unrest and conflicting views between the generals over the crowning of their king. So there might well be a conspiracy to oust the new king by some generals and take over. Queen Andromache was correct to be cautious over sending our warriors to the Goths.

"Thank you, Alexius for that information. Echephyle will leave with her army after dark heading north,