Chapter 56 (2/2)
Burkes heard a slight hope, so he adjusted his ines of Italy, had invaded the territory of Thurii After a unaniress of Thurii decided to send troops to fight back the Lucanians Therefore, we sent 10,000 hoplites and 1,000 cavalry, but it resulted in our defeat…the savage and cruel Lucanians slaughtered our soldiers, cut their bodies into pieces and stacked thee to return to the city…When I departed, the aborigines had not yet attacked the city, but they had occupied the city north of Thurii, Amendolara, which caused considerable panic to the citizens of Thurii…now, all their hopes have been entrusted to me! Therefore…therefore…” Burkes wept as he said this
Davos, who had seen a lot of tragedies in this past year, was cold as steel About Burkes' grieved, although he was familiar with it, but he didn't saw it, and so he asked him in astonishment, ”So many soldiers, are they all citizens of Thurii?”
”Yes, Thurii is one of the na Graecia!” Burkes wiped his tears and said with a little pride
”11,000 troops have failed, are the Lucanians for questions
”No, in fact, the Lucanians seems to only have 8,000 people” Burkes was afraid that Davos would be frigtened, so he added, ”It's just…it's just that the internal of Thurii…uood coot ambushed…”
”Oh, so that's how” Davos stroked the stubble on his chin and asked, ”Why not seek help from the other city-states?”
”We have a defensive alliance in the southern Italian Greek city-states, but in recent years, we don't knohy the aborigines began invading the territory of the city-states, Taras and Locri…and Krotone doesn't have the extra strength to support us, and Syracuse is facing the attack of the Carthaginians…I have also asked Sparta for help, but Sparta see with Persia, and had refuse reed to make it convenient for me to hire soldiers in Greece…” Said Burkes helplessly
”The whole of Greece is currently not short of troops Why do you look for us?” Davos once ly, ”I already recruited soe to safely return froth have been strongly proven If we can hire you who are experience ar, then there won't be a proble the Lucanians! Therefore, as soon as I heard from a merchant shi+p at Ephesus had spotted you in Chrysopolis, I had immediately rushed there However, I didn't expect you to once more return to Byzantiu, he nodded and continued to ask, ”Are the Lucanians strong? What kind of weapons do they have?What is their equipment? What are their combat characteristics?…”
One question after another, like nails hitting the brain of Burkes At first, Burkes was able to answer it with ease, but later, it was very difficult, because Davos had asked so is the territory of the Lucanians? How many cities they have? What do they mainly live on? What about their political systen contacts?…
Burkes tried his best to answer Davos' questions, and at the same time, was surprised that a mercenary leader could ask such advanced questions After feeling Davos was different, his confidence had also increase, because only those anted to go would think of a detailed understanding of the situation
”I have a general idea of the situation” After Davos' said this, Burkes took a long breath This was several ti the questions at the ecclesia!
”I think Timasion, Xanthicles, and Cleanor had all rejected you, didn't they?” Said Davos
Burkes once more looked at him in astonishment
”My cah them before you can reach o back to his hometown, Aeolian Xanthicles and Cleanor were invited by one of the Thracians' tribal leader to work for him And Xenophon is noith Anaxibius, so I'm your only choice, isn't it?”
Davos' shrewdness has , and frankly said, ”Yes, leader Davos, you are my only choice! Will you then refuse or accept?”