Long time ago Greece was divided into small kingdoms. The significant kingdoms were Corinth, Macedonia, Theebs, Athens and Sparta. On minor issues they used to fight big bloody battles amongst themselves or each other. Each one of them ever struggled to gain domination over others.
At that period Macedonia was the most prominent of them. In Macedonia and other kingdoms a democratic form of ruling system was in practice but all the citizens did not enjoy independent right to choose their rulers. What decided the choice was the approval or the disapproval of the prominent people of the states. This prominent class included the senior men of the royal families, chieftains, landlords, influential citizens and intellectuals. After the death of a king these people finally decided who would rule next. We can call it elite democracy or aristocracy. But after the death of a ruler this elite group often opted for a person outside the traditional heirarchy in some special circumstances.
When the king of Macedonia died the natural heir Prince Phillip faced one such special situation. Some people of the royal family and chieftains were not in favour of his gaining power or being chosen for it. The situation degenerated into serious confrontation as some prominent persons rose up against Phillip who also had support of some people who would not yield.
The opponents of Phillip included two persons who held high posts. Those chieftains were Peuropedese and Romoclese. In league with those two other chieftains and courtiers stood up in rebellion again Phillip. With the support of other chieftains and satraps (governors) Prince Phillip seized the throne. After capturing power by force the prince began to eliminate the rebels ruthlessly. One day king Phillip accompanied by his supporters went to the famous Greek philosopher Plato. Plato blessed the king. His blessing meant a lot. Such respect Plato commanded in society that his blessing was like confirmation of Phillip as the King.
The approval of Plato made King Phillip the unrivalled ruler of Macedonia. The most of the the rebels either surrendered to him unconditionally or got physically eliminated. Soon all open opposition to King Phillip died down as he was now legitimate ruler authenticated by Plato. The opposition only came from the rebel elements who had gone underground. Peuropedese and Romoclese were those key elements active secretly.
King Phillip of Macedonia was infact the favourite disciple of the great thinker Plato. He had been educated at the ‘Academy’—the teaching institution of Plato. Amongst the classmates of Phillip were the later day greats like Aristotle and Chirodots. Aristotle had greatly impressed him with his thoughts and wisdom. So the king appointed him as his chief advisor. The other classmate to impress, Chirodots was made by king Phillip the ‘Chief of secret service’ according to his talent. His other deserving classmates, associates and supporters also were given suitable postings.
To deal with the rebel elements and streamlining the administration King Phillip used to hold discussions with his confidants. The resolutions passed in these meetings were forcefully implemented. In the matters of discipline the king was not in favour of using any laxity or softness. The disobedience of royal orders or law breakers were severely punished.
On that day king Phillip was in his secret meeting chamber engaged in a serious discussion on an important issue with his advisor Aristotle and secret service chief Chirodots. The royal guards had special order not to let any visitor or state official disturb the meeting in any circumstances with a few special exceptions. The persons under this exceptional category were to use specially prescribed dress and authority letter under royal seal issued to them beforehand. Thus, the guards and the state officials knew those special people and cooperated with them. It was apparent that those people were also confidants of the king and were part of all affairs at the highest level.
In the meeting chamber Chirodots was saying, “All the rebels have been eliminated or subjugated, but…”, King Phillip arched his brows. “But what? I don’t see any worries if the rebels have been dealt with. Public opinion is not against us. All the chieftains are our supporters…”.
“My king, that is true…largely,” Chirodots spoke nodding his head and added, “All the acts of rebellion have been crushed and situation is under control. There is no visible opposition. But sometimes I get a bad feeling that this peace can be a lull before the storm… of renewed trouble.”
“What is behind this bad feeling of yours, Chiro? There must be some reasoning for it.”
“My king! All the open acts of rebellion have ceased but the ringleaders of the rebellion could not be nabbed. They have gone underground. No information about them is coming which means they are cleverly lying low hatching some secret plot.”
Aristotle coughed and King Phillip looked at him. The advisor opened, “Probably Chiro is hinting at the rebels Peuropedese and Romoclese. I have also not heard about their surrender or elimination. May be, they still carry rebellious mood.”
“Wise Aristotle is right, My king,” Chiro admitted. “All the rebellious activities are out practically. Most of the rebels are dead or in our captivity. Many of them are reformed and now in our camp. I have full details of the rebels surrendered, pardoned, brought in mainstream politics, executed, imprisoned and…” Aristotle intervented, “And in your full detail list Peuropedese and Romoclese figure nowhere. The two have the unyielding evil minds. They are well known persons. If they have been killed or died in some other way it won’t remain a secret. The news should’ve come to us. No news about them is bad news. Why Mr. Chiro?” Chiro scratched his head.
“That is exactly my worry, sirs,” Chiro admitted. The king disagreed. “Their total silence and physical no whereabouts points to the fact that they are dead or have fled from Macedonia. Such rebellious characters can’t keep quiet or remain inactive for such a long time.”
Aristotle said, “King, I am sure the two have not fled from Macedonia. All around us are enemy kingdoms. Wherever if Peuropedese or Romoclese flee to, that state will announce to the world that the prominent figures of Macedonia were in their league against you. It would be a moral victory for them. They should be in Macedonia here lying low successfully evading our soldiers. May be, they are planning something. We must be careful.”
Chiro spoke, “That is why I am keeping the vigil on, and the hunt continues. We can’t afford to relax until Peuropedese and Romoclese are not confirmed dead or in our dungeon.”
King Phillip nodded his head approvingly, “You are doing right thing, Chiro. We can depend on you. Go on worrying and keep your men on toes.”
“Have you anything to add, Aristotle?” King looked at the philosophic advisor.
“I am doing investigation on my own independently on those two rebel chieftains, “Aristotle revealed. Chirodots looked hurt.
He said, “Master Aristotle, have you lost faith in my efficiency? I am doing my best.”
“No…no!” Aristotle shook his head vehemently. “I have full faith in your loyalty and efficiency, my dear Chiro. That is the whole point.”
King Phillip looked at his advisor and said, “I fail to understand the meaning of what you said. Please explain for the benefit of us two.”
Aristotle explained, “It is a mystery how those two fugitives are escaping the notice of an efficient and capable chief of secret service like our Chiro? There is someone around us who is the mole of the rebels Peuropedese and Romoclese. He is reporting to those two about our plans against them. To identify that traitor I have started independent investigation.”
“I think my department is clean,” Chiro claimed. “Then, he must be in my investigating team. Anyway we shall find out soon. Two independent investigations should ensure that at least one of them is uninfected. That will keep the rebels under constant pressure. The traitor shall expose himself by trying to play smart.”
“How long will it take?” King Phillip asked.
“May be, we shall be able to nab Peuropedese and Romoclese today itself and punish them suitably according to our laws.”
King Phillip and Chiro stared at Aristotle who had seriousness written all over his face. Surely he was not joking and he won’t do that in the presence of the king. Then king Phillip and Chiro looked at each other.
Suddenly a bell rang outside which meant some approved agent wanted to enter the chamber with some report or message.
Chirodots did not like anyone disturbing their important meeting.
“Who is this…”, he spoke but Aristotle cut him short.
“Dear Chirodots! Allow the person in.”
Chiro protested, “But we are discussing an important issue, master Aristotle.”
“Don’t have any misgivings, dear Chiro. He won’t be interrupting out discussion but adding a very vital element to it. Believe me, “Aristotle assured.
“Are you sure of it, master?” Chiro was still doubtful.
“Let the man in and see,” Aristotle smiled. “You are the chief of our secret service. Learn to be patient and use some discipline.”
Chiro turned red. King Phillip nodded. Chirodots went to the door and opened it.
A youngman strided in. He had long unkempt hair and his face was masked with thick beard and moustaches. He appeared to be disenchanted youth ready to renounce the world. Equally shabby was his dress which left larger part of his body uncovered. A spear he held in his right hand.
The youngman bowed to the three superiors respectfully. Then he faced Aristotle, obviously his handler or boss. Aristotle asked, “Citagorus! What happens to the mission you were sent in?”
“Success, my lord,” the youngman proudly announced, “I completed the mission before allotted time.”
“Good, youngman. You deserve a reward. What kind of reward would you like to get?”
“Whatever you grant, my lord. You are the best man to judge the worth of my work,” Citagorus spoke with his head dutifully bowed.
“As you wish,” responded Aristotle and spoke to the chief of secret services, “Chirodots! Arrest this youngman and reward him by putting him in blind dungeon.”
It stunned king Phillip, Chirodots and that youngman who had turned pale.
“What kind of reward is that, master Aristotle?” the youngman stammered. “W…What have I d…done?”
“You have done a great betrayal,” Aristotle spoke in edgy voice. “You are getting what a traitor and an unfaithful man richly deserves.”
“But…w…what have I done?”
“You have betrayed our trust and derelicted your duty.” Aristotle looked hard at Citagorus and revealed, “You were appointed to go on the mission to sniff out the traitors Peuropedese and Romoclese. We knew fully well that you needed to go nowhere because you already were in contact with them.”
“H…how??”
“Yes, we knew we could know the secret of those traitors but you could have refused to cooperate and played tricks. But by keeping you free we let you lead us to them. When we appointed you to this mission I had put my confidant disciple Archimedes on the job to shadow you. You were bound to go to the rebels Peuropedese and Romoclese to warn them of our mission. Now we know where those two traitors are hiding and also the plan of the new rebellion you betrayers have made.”
“Master! Now that you three nobles know our plans it would be wise for us not to let the secret leak out of this august secret chamber of yours”, Citagorus had changed colours and he was no more docile. His voice carried aggressive note and his hand was raising his spear high to brandish it.
“What are you going to do?”
“I will make all three of you history.” Citagorus was now in a murderous mood.
“How dare you!?” screamed Aristotle in rage. Swiftly he turned to Chirodots. “He is your case now. Deal with him. I have delivered the traitor to you.”
“Beware!” Citagorus thundered brandishing his spear and mocked, “And who do I find here in opposition here? Three yellow bellies in a fat king, a book worm and a miserable joker acting as secret serving chief! Hah! All of you are unarmed fools.”
Chirodots sprang up saying, “Rebel fool! One you call fat king is respository of all state powers and a master of a mighty army. The book worm is an intellectual giant. I may look to you a joker but this joker will turn you into a bad joke!” Chiro moved forward.
But as Citagorus raised his spear at him Chiro swiftly sat down and pivoted on his bottom with his long right leg stretched forward. The leg hit the knees of surprised Citagorus with such force that his knees buckled and the rebel collapsed. In the process his spear spilled off his hands and clattered away. Chirodots was upon the rebel in a flash and it was all over. He held the spear poised for kill at the chest of the rebel.
Chirodots turned to the king and said, “My king and Master Aristotle, this man is greater traitor than Peuropedese and Romoclese because he had been playing a brazen double game openly cheating us. What is your punishment for him?”
“Put him in prison for the time being. We will pronounce the punishment tomorrow,” King Phillip said.
“I hope our soldiers have already nabbed Peuropedese and Romoclese.” Aristotle got up and to the king he spoke, “Now allow me leave, my king. I have some official matters to attend to.”
“We appreciate your effort in this rebel matter. You may go if you so wish, master.”
Aristotle departed from there.
