"I trust you have brought Clearchus and Ariaeus?" Cyrus asked.

"I have, Great King. They are just outside the tent."

"Good, you may bring them in now," motioned Cyrus, pointing back to the entrance.

Papak began to retrace his steps, until he came upon the two commanders waiting rather impatiently outside Cyrus' quarters.

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"He is ready, let's go," said Papak, almost stunning the both of them to attention. Carefully, they filed in behind him, until they came into Cyrus' quarters, and a large table set out in front of them. Ariaeus a.s.sumed one position on the far end of the table, while Clearchus occupied the opposite side, with Cyrus between them.

"Now that you both are here, we can begin to discuss strategy. I intend to offer battle to my wretched brother tomorrow," Cyrus began, looking back and forth between the two men.

Both Clearchus and Ariaeus immediately looked to each other, and then back to the Great King. Papak wondered which of them would be the first to object. He didn't have to wonder long.

"Tomorrow?" Ariaeus asked, looking decidedly more nervous than before he entered. "Is that a wise course, Great King? Just from my scouts alone, it looks like Artaxerxes outnumbers us almost two to one."

Cyrus spit on the ground, his temper flaring up, "Two to one? Bah, Ariaeus! He has conscripted peasants and farmers who haven't held spears in twenty years. We are warriors, and veterans of many campaigns. Not to mention, our men have fought together since we came from the lands of Lydia. And lastly, I have one thing he doesn't, and that's Spartans." Cyrus pointed to Clearchus to emphasize his point.

Clearchus, for his part, said nothing and let Ariaeus continue on.

"Surely, no one doubts the quality of our army, Great King, but even a pack of wild dogs can kill a lion if they use numbers. Not only do they outnumber us in infantry, but they have a great amount of archers and over twice the cavalry we have," Ariaeus pointed out.

"Almost twice the archers," corrected Cyrus, pointing at troop dispositions on the map.

Ariaeus hesitated, and looked to Clearchus for some level of support. Clearchus, the ever typical Spartan, chose not to reply.

"Then why so eager to attack, my Great King? Do we have a secret weapon, or reinforcements that can help turn the tide?" Ariaeus pressed.