Alexander (Vol. 2) by Valerio Massimo Manfredi Read Free Book Online Page A

other bank, then ever louder calls culminating in the drawn-out, plaintive sound of a horn accompanied by other signals. The Median and Scythian scouts were sounding the alarm.
    Alexander, who was already half-way across the ford, shouted, ‘Trumpets!’ and the trumpets sounded one single, sharp, piercing note, which sped like a bolt to the other side and mixed with the deeper sound of the horns so that the mountains echoed repeatedly with all the various signals.
    The Granicus seemed to boil with foam as the King and his guards crossed it as quickly as they possibly could. A shout was heard and a Macedonian horseman, wounded, fell into the water. The Median and Scythian scouts were grouped together on the banks and were firing wildly into the approaching group without even taking aim. Others were hit in the neck, in the belly, in the chest. Alexander undid his shield from its bracket and spurred his bay horse forwards again. He had reached the other side!
    ‘Forward!’ he shouted. ‘Forward! Trumpets!’
    The sound of the trumpets became even sharper and more piercing and in response came the neighing of the steeds, excited by the confusion and the shouts of the horsemen kicking them on and even making use of the whip to urge them on against the strong pull of the current.
    The second and third rows had crossed the centre of the ford now, and the fourth, fifth and sixth were just entering the water. Alexander with his squadron were now climbing up the slippery bank. Behind them came the booming, rhythmic marching of the phalanx as they advanced in their regular lines in full battledress.
    The enemy scouts, having run out of bolts, turned their mounts and spurred them on at full speed towards the field, from which came a terrible, confused din of weapons, while the indistinct shadows of soldiers ran everywhere in the darkness, torches in their hands, filling the air with calls and shouts in a hundred different languages.
    Alexander had the Vanguard assume formation and took his place at its head, while two squadrons of the hetairoi and two of the Thessalian cavalry arranged themselves behind and on the flanks, in four rows, under orders from their own commanders. The Macedonians were led by Craterus and Perdiccas, the Thessalians by Prince Amyntas and the officers Oenomaos and Echekratides. The trumpeters waited for a signal from the King to start sounding the charge.
    ‘Black,’ called Alexander. ‘Where are our foot-soldiers?’
    Cleitus trotted over to the end of the line and looked out towards the river. ‘They are scaling the banks now, Sire!’
    ‘Then sound the trumpets! Forward!’
    The trumpets sounded again and twelve thousand horses galloped off together, head to head, panting and neighing, their pace dictated by Alexander’s massive Sarmatian bay.
    In the meantime, on the other side, the Persian cavalry was gathering together at full haste and with considerable confusion – those already lined up were waiting for a signal from their supreme commander, the satrap Spithridates.
    Two scouts arrived at top speed. ‘The Macedonians are launching an attack, Lord!’ they shouted.
    ‘Then follow me!’ ordered Spithridates without any further delay. ‘Let’s send these yauna back where they came from, we will throw them back into the water as fish food! Forward! Forward!’
    The horns sounded and the earth shook under the hammering gallop of the fiery Nysaean steeds. In the front line were the Medians and the Khorasmians with their big double-curved bows, while behind came the Oxians and the Kadusians with their long curved sabres, finally the Saka and the Drangians brandishing enormous scimitars.
    As soon as the cavalry was under way, the heavy infantry of the Greek mercenaries, already in battle trim, followed at a march and in close formation.
    ‘Mercenaries of Anatolia!’ Memnon shouted to them, raising his spear. ‘Your swords are sold! You have neither home nor homeland to which you may return!