Eumenes 1, Chapter 3: Pet Elephant

“It's time you enter your tent and go to bed, Princess.” Apama says.
“I bet they are elephants!”
“What?”
“There, it's roaring now! Swinging the long nose, you see?”
There are a lot of domestic animals, chickens, goats, cows, and elephants around our camp.
I say, “You are right. Have you ever seen elephants?”
“Never, I have only seen them in a relief.”
“A relief?”
“Yes, carved in the palace wall. It was also painted with colors. Elephants, as well as lions, hippos and crocs. Animals of all over the world.”
“Which palace?”
“I visited Parsa33 (Persepolis) where I saw it. Have you seen real elephants before?”
“Yes, many times. In Egypt, they were all wild elephants. Also in Assyria and Babylonia, they were domesticated war elephants.”
“War elephants?”
“They are trained to carry baggage as well as humans, and to fight in battles.”
“Like horses?”
“Exactly.”
“I would like to ride it. Apama, can you ask our King the permission for me?”
“Excuse me, permission for what? Riding that long nose big animal, Princess?”
“Sure.”
I say, “The King is too busy and too tired to hear your request.”
“Then, find someone else who can permit me to ride an elephant. And ask him, please.”
Apama says, “OK, I'll manage to get approval from authority. Today you've got tired, too, so now you have to return to your tent and have a good rest, sleep well, and wait until tomorrow morning, Princess. Right?”
“I rely on you, Apama.”
“Certainly.”
“Good night.”
“Good night, Princess.”

“Miss Apama, whom do you intend to ask?”
“Sorry, Mr. Eumenes, I have no idea. But if I didn't accept her request, Princess won't to sleep.”
“Don't worry Miss Apama. Let's go to Ptolemaios34.”
“Who is he?”
“A Makedonian aristocrat. Entrusted by King with everything about our army. Moreover, he and I were both King's classmates at Mieza.”
“You mean at Makedonian academy?”
“Yes.”
“Do you know where he is? I'm afraid he already goes to bed.”
“No, no. It's too early. Probably he is still drinking with his comrades around the campfire.”
A night banquet has started. Soldiers are drinking and eating, relaxed around fire. It'll last until tomorrow morning. Ptolemaios is also there. He must have been very busy today, got tired, constructing a floating bridge with boats across the Sindhu, gathering provisions and supplying to soldiers, and finally setting up a camp, building tents, and so on.
“Look, Miss Apama.”
“What?”
“All persons you need are present there. Ptolemaios, the captain of King's bodyguards. Vakhshuvarda, father of Princess Amastri. And Ardhanara, the governor of Suvastu city. That saves you time.”
“I hope so.”
As we approach the fire, Ptolemaios notices us. “You join us?”
“Yes, of course, but later. We have something to discuss.”
“Urgent?”
“No, but it's about Princess Amastri.”
“Younger one of Persian princesees?”
“Yes, I bring her care manager.”
Ptolemaios turns to Apama, “How can I help you?”
“Oh, sorry General, disturbing you late at night.”
“Not too late, only the beginning of night, but I'm already drunk, and my colleagues, too.”

“Mr. Eumenes, I found it.” Vakhshuvarda speaks to me, with rosy cheeks as a baby, holding his wine goblet in his hand.
“Found what?”
“You know this man, Ardhanara. His real name is much longer. Ardha-Nara-Ardha-Nari-Shvara. It means, literally, Half-Man-Half-Woman-Lord.”
“Yes,” Ardhanara says, “Ardhanarardhanarishvara is my guardian god. I was named after him. Usually, I am called shortly, Ardhanara.”
“I see.” Ardhanara is also drunk, looks very happy.

Then another man steps into us, says, “Could you please introduce me to the lady you are escorting, Eumenes?”
“Miss Apama, this is Hephaistion35. King always takes him around anytime and anywhere, and King is always mistaken as a servant of him, because he looks much more prominent and vigorous than the real King.
Be careful, he devotes his life to chasing any types of women. Moreover, he already got heavily drunk.”
“My honey, don't believe his insulting words. I am a faithful man, as faithful as a dog. Are you a Gandharan, or Punjabian?”
“No, Sogdian.”
“Sogdian, well, you holy maiden, or Artemis, the goddess of wilderness living in forest. Why don't you come over here and sitting beside me? Here is everything. Dishes and drinks, you see. From Persian herb pilaf to fatty lamb sausages and sweet plum juice. Have a good appetite.”
Apama laughed merrily. “Sorry, but I've done with my evening meal.”
“Then how about having lunch together?”
“Tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
“I am willing to if I have time…”
“Are you busy? What's your occupation? A kitchen worker?”
“Not much difference. I am serving for Persian Princesses.”
“A housemaid of Persian royal family.”
“That's right.”
“I have to say for the sake of her honor,” I say, “This is Miss Apama, she is a daughter of a Sogdian soldier. Not a servant. She is just assigned by King to take care of Princesses.”
“I see, therefore, you have lots of chance to take her around with you, Eumenes.”
“No, I don't, Hephaistion.”
People are gathering one by one, wondering what is going on.

“How do you do, Miss Apama. Could you please give me an opportunity to introduce myself?” a young man says with politeness. “I am Seleukos36, a son of Antiokhos37, a newcomer from Makedonia, drafted into this army called by my cousin Ptolemaios.”
“A pleasure for me, Mr. Seleukos.”
I say to Apama, “He is the youngest general in this army.”
“Really, wow, you look so young to be a general. Are you so brave or clever?”
“No, because, ahem, I had no choice to get old enough to be a general. I lost my father and I have to succeed his position.”
“Oh, so sorry to hear that.”
“You are welcome.”

“I didn't know you are a lady-killer, Seleukos?”
“Are you falling love with her at first sight?”
“Do you prefer elder woman?”
Some laughter occurred in the crowd.
“If I remember correctly, Miss Apama, you are the daughter of Baron Spitameneh38, the most heroic Sogdian general. I respect him. I'm so glad to get acquainted with you today.”
Spitameneh. The name recalled the Battle of Sogdia fought three years ago. Hecklers became silent.

“Thank you, Seleukos, for your mentioning of my father. I'd like to talk with you more, but I have a task to do now. It's a little bit hurry. It's about Princess Amastri.”
“What is the matter with my daughter?” Vakhshuvarda says.
“Sir Vakhshuvarda. She hit upon an idea to ride an elephant when she saw a herd of elephants in pasture near the camp.”
“A girl wants to ride an elephant?” Ptolemaios is amused.
“Yes, so I came here, to have permission for her to do so.”
Ardhanara says, “I think the younger daughter of Sir Vakhshuvarda is also the sister in law of King Alexandros.”
“That's right, Governor Ardhanara.”
“What kind of elephant does she want? Male or female, young or adult?”
“Sorry, I don't know.”
“Then I select a suitable one for her by myself and give it to her.”
“Excuse me, Sir, but she just happened to have an idea to ride an elephant. I think you don't have to give her an elephant.”
“Never mind. This is a gift as a sign of my friendship to the Makedonian King and Sir Vakhshuvarda.”
“So I have to select a fine Sogdian horse by myself and give it to you as a return to your courtesy,” Vakhshuvarda laughs.
It's beyond our expectations. An elephant for Amastri's pet! It will cause a disaster! I signaled to Vakhshuvarda and Ardhanara with my eyes, but they don't aware.

Next morning, Princess Amastri is allowed to see around the city. The Dionysia is still going on.
Amastri stares the gift standing in front of her tent for a while, then touches it cautiously. It's a child female elephant as large as an adult horse.
“It's for me? Can I take her around everywhere?”
“You had better refrain from accepting it.”
“What's wrong?”
“If you ride it, you will be soon dropped down, then your head will be stomped by his foot.”
“A brave woman who is not afraid of a horse can ride it, whereas a timid man who is afraid of it cannot do it. Horses can smell human's fear and happiness, perform unexpected reactions when being ridden by a nervous person. Elephants must be the same.”
“I don't understand what you want to say.”
“You must know us Sogdians. When I was eight years old, I first rode a donkey. Sogdia is a mountainous land. Kids also ride donkeys. We can go nowhere without donkeys. My father permitted me to ride a horse when I was ten years old. Horses are much taller, much more powerful and dangerous than donkeys. But soon I accustomed myself to riding horses. I know their minds very well and am not afraid them. They also feel happy when ridden by me.”
“But cats are not dogs, as well as elephants are not horses.”
“It doesn't matter. She is very gentle. She must love me. She won't hurt me, I believe!”
I'm so embarrassed.
"I must ride it. I must." Amastri insisted. “Ardhanara gave me this as a symbol of peace. If I refuse his kindness, he will get angry and Punjabians start war again.”
“That's almost unlikely.” What an excuse!
“Anyway, it's my elephant! It's my duty as a Persian princess to ride this Punjabian gift in public to deepen the mutual friendship.”
“You will break your neck if you fall.” I warned.
“It's a child elephant! It's as short as a horse. I have ridden horses and donkeys. It means I must be able to ride a child elephant. If you mind, you also ride it with me. Hold me tight from my back, all right?”
“Apama, can you help me? I think you are more suitable for her persuasion.” I looked at her face. She goggled at me. “Nobody can persuade her, even her parents or sister.”
“Then you ride it together.”
“I apologize but I'm not good at riding any sort of animals.”
“Any sort of? Animals with four legs?”
“Pardon me, but I don't understand what you are saying, Mr. Eumenes?” She explicitly shows her anger.
“It's just a joke. With no meaning. No Intention. Forgive me if I made you feel bad.”
“Your princess wants you to ride together. I know she loves you.” Apama whispers to my ear.
“You are kidding.”
Reluctantly, I'm climbing up the elephant first, pulling up Amastri, and holding her in my arms.
“Don't tickle me, Master!”
“I didn't. Hey, be still please, be patient my Princess. Or I can't hold you.”
“It walks very slowly. How about galloping? Please teach me how to gallop an elephant, Master.”"
“I'm your teacher, but not a trainer of horses. Nor elephants.” Nor an idiot girl.

“Look, Master. What are they doing?”
“They are performing rituals.”
“Is it a festival? So curious, with funny music, in peculiar costumes.”
“You are Persian, and here we are in India. Customs vary.”
“What are they carrying? A statue of a divine creature? A sort of a god or something?”
“I'm sorry, but I don't know Indian religions quite well.”
“I don't believe a scholar like you don't have such knowledge.”
“You misunderstand me.”
“Oh, they are enjoying singing and dancing, look so enthusiastic.”
The central square of the city is filled with sweet, alluring fragrance. A mass of men and women are sitting in big circles, waving their hands, shaking their heads, singing to the rhythm of the drumbeats. Amastri is watching at the spectacle, with her eyes shining. At the center of the circle, a pair of a man and woman, who are almost naked, start a sexual performance in ecstasy.
“Don't see that, Princess. You are not old enough to see it,” I say to Amastri.
“I want to drink that. A kind of grape juice, I guess.”
“No, that is wine. A girl cannot drink it.”
Apama also says: “That's right. You can drink it after you become an adult.”
“Don't teach me, Apama. Your duty is to serve me, not to teach me.”
What a nuisance girl the princess is.
“How about having a drink, Miss Apama. I will try it. And you? I learn the taste the Gandhara wine.”
“I cannot stand you adults only amuse. Except me!”
Apama is so anxious about Amastri that she replies, "Thank you Mr. Eumenes, but I should decline your kind offer, since I used to get drunk very easily.”
“A-ha I see, you cannot be drunk while you are serving your Princess.”