The Triumph of Venus - Chapter 28

Syrakousa, Sicilia

Ky sat with Bomilcar and Auspex as the two legions fanned out, marching toward the wall of Syrakousa. The only good part of the slow march down Italy, chasing the fleeing Carthaginians, was that it had given the men a lot of practice of assaulting a fortified position with rifles and cannon.

After first Daramouda and then Rome, they had learned that, in spite of the technological difference in their forces, the Carthaginians were far from helpless. Ky assumed there'd be a trap waiting for them, as there had been outside the walls of Rome. That went doubly, now that they'd learned the Carthaginians had, somehow, managed to acquire the ability to make cannon of their own. What bothered Ky was that this time, it wasn't just a copy of Britannian weapons. These cannon were much simpler than the weapons Ky had taught his people to build, using techniques from developmental stages of artillery production Ky had skipped over, deciding to go straight for early and then late nineteenth century designs.

According to Sophus, these were close to designs found in the last fourteen hundreds. A little better built maybe, but still un-reinforced tubes made of brass that would have serious structural problems if fired too much.

Not that they weren't dangerous. These were the types of weapons that had brought down the walls of Constantinople and toppled the last remnants of the original Roman empire, back in his future's past.

Which is why they had the lines well separated, to keep from letting the cannon tear them apart. It had also meant that his men would have to form squares if Cavalry appeared, which was another reason for the slow approach to the wall.

Of all the things Ky had expected and prepared for, none of them covered what actually happened. As the legions closed to within range of the walls, the city gates began to creak open. Ky was ready to sound the call for the men to form into squares when, instead of cavalry, a small group of what appeared to be civilians emerged from the gates, waving a white strip of cloth, stopping a few steps from the gates. Ky and Bomilcar looked at each other.

Every fiber of Ky's being shouted that this was some kind of trap. It had to be. Nothing else made sense, and the Carthaginians had shown how willing they were to resort to those very tricks.

Still, unless they were ready to open fire on unarmed men, there was little choice in the matter.

Ky and Bomilcar nudged their horses forward, signaling several squads of legionnaires to follow them, leaving a nervous-looking Auspex behind. Ky knew what the younger legionnaire was thinking. If this was a trap, his two superiors would be in the middle of it, leaving him on his own.

It was a point, but Ky wanted to know what was happening, and he didn't want to get it secondhand. As they drew closer, Ky could see that the men were elderly, their clothing generally of better quality than most people he'd seen under Carthaginian rule. The man holding the white cloth stepped forward, looking between Ky and Bomilcar and the soldiers, clearly very nervous.

"Greetings. I am Evander, the mayor of Syrakousa."

Ky studied the man for a moment before saying, "I'm not sure why the Carthaginians sent you out, but if they want to surrender, we will need the highest military leader in the city, and not a civilian. Otherwise, our attack will commence promptly."

"I think you misunderstand. There are no Carthaginians in the city."

"What do you mean?" Bomilcar asked, again exchanging concerned glances with Ky.

"The Carthaginians abandoned the city two days ago, taking everything they could carry with them."

Ky frowned. In other situations, it would make sense for an outnumbered military facing an opponent that had shown its capability for taking down defensive walls to run, the Carthaginians had never done that before. They'd retreated, as they had in Italy, but when given the chance to stand at a fortified city, they always did. They'd captured enough of men to know their emperor had issued orders to not give up one meter of soil.

For them to just run from a fight was antithetical to everything Ky had seen so far from them.

"Where did they go?" he asked.

"They left the city by the west gate and headed further in that direction, but I overheard them talking about going to Africa once they reached a port closer to the coast. I do not know if that was true or not, however."

"That doesn't make any sense," Ky said. "We've had reports of their movements all along, and there are more of our ships in the area now, not less. There's no chance their entire army gets across. Why wait until we're almost at the gates to make a run for it?"

"Perhaps they didn't think we'd make it across and land in Sicilia," Bomilcar Offred.

"Maybe," Ky said, not sounding like he believed it. "Or maybe it's a trick. They've gotten very good at coming up with ways to get around our superior weapons lately."

"I'm not lying, I swear it! You can march through the front gate and see for yourselves. The city is empty of Carthaginians."

"If you wanted me to believe this wasn't a trap, trying to get me to march my legions into tight streets where our weapons gave no advantage is not doing it."

The man looked helplessly from Ky to Bomilcar and back, clearly trying to figure out how to convince them he was serious.

"Either way, unless we just want to stay outside these walls forever, or put it under siege and starve everyone out just in case, we're going to have to send someone in to look at things. We were ready to take the walls by force, so there was risk either way."

"You and your group wait here," Ky commanded the Mayor.

He doubted these nervous men were part of a plan to notify people inside or that the Carthaginian army, if they were inside the town, would care about sacrificing a civilian to pull it off, but Ky still wanted to keep him and his group here as hostages until they knew it was safe.

"Send two squads forward to check it out," Ky ordered Bomilcar.

At the general's command, twenty legionnaires came trotting forward out of the main line.

"Take your men into the city," Ky commanded one of the decani in the group. "Search as many streets and buildings as you can, looking for any signs this is a trap or that the Carthaginian army may still be inside the walls. If you find anything suspicious, no matter how minor, report back immediately. If not, return in thirty minutes with a full report."

"Yes, Consul!" the man said, saluting sharply, then barking orders to the men with him.

The minutes ticked by, Ky straining his remarkable hearing as far as he could, listening for gunshots, shouts, or anything else that might indicate the men had sprung a trap. The fact that he heard nothing only served to unnerve him more. Not only did he hear no sign of warning from his men, but there was little noise at all coming from the city. It was still occupied, but normally massive cities required Sophus to dial filter much of the noise, to keep it from damaging Ky's enhanced senses.

None of that was needed now. For a city, it was eerily quiet.

Finally, as the chronometer in Ky's vision had almost clicked down the last of the thirty minutes, the Decanus emerged from the gates, his men following close behind. He approached Ky and Bomilcar, saluting once more.

"Consul, we found no signs of Carthaginians within the city. The people seem to be mostly hiding in their homes, but otherwise, everything is quiet. No indication of any military presence."

"I'm still not comfortable just marching the legions in. They must have known we'd send in a group to check, and there's no way the squads made it to the south gate. There's still lots of places for their soldiers to be hiding."

"We could send in a full century," Bomilcar suggested. "Have them spread out through the city. As they secure each district, more can follow until we have complete coverage. That way, we're not spread out and the men can hold each block, keeping them prepared for an attack."

"Risky, but better than nothing, I guess. Work outward from this gate, establishing a parameter and have the men make sure any one group does not get too far ahead."

Orders were passed and groups of legionnaires began moving into the city, one century at a time. Ky sat patiently, as a hundred and then thousands of men passed through the gate, slowly spreading out through the streets and alleys, almost making the city sound alive again with the noise they generated.

An hour progressed, and still every report back was that there were no signs of the Carthaginians anywhere in the walls. A full legion now patrolled the streets, yet they encountered only frightened civilians huddled in their homes.

"This doesn't make sense," Ky said to Bomilcar before turning to the mayor. "You're coming with us. We're going to see this for ourselves."

The man looked nervous, but fell in behind Ky and Bomilcar, Ky's Lictor pressed in close to them. The city looked closed, as if everyone who lived here had taken the day off or traveled to somewhere else. Shutters were closed, doors barred. Only the occasional child's face peeked out from a window before being hurriedly pulled back.

"General," One of the legions Tribunes said, riding up to their small group. "We've reached the far wall, and still no sign of the enemy. We've searched any large public building and have men on most street corners. If they're here, they're very well hidden."

"They must have known the city was going to fall," Bomilcar suggested to Ky. "Perhaps they truly did flee west, to a port where they could escape to Africa."

"Maybe," Ky said, still sounding unconvinced. "But I won't believe this city is truly empty until we've scoured it from top to bottom."

"I can have the men conducting a house to house search. If they're still here, that's where they'll have to be. It will take time, however."

"Fine. In the meantime, have the remaining legion set up a fortified camp outside the city walls. I want all our artillery positioned there, just in case. Your legion will quarter here in the city tonight, but stay on high alert. And let me know if you find any wooden horses."

"As you command, Consul," Bomilcar said with a slight chuckle.

***

Devnum

As Cormac made his way from the docks to the Palace Complex, he was amazed by how much the city had grown in his absence. He didn’t know if the city, already seemingly the busiest place in existence, had actually grown and become more lively, or if it was just the six months he’d spent in Hispania, with its much slower pace, relatively, that made him forget how mad this city was.

Even with a squad of Praetorians accompanying him, they had almost been run down twice by carts piled so high with goods it seemed as though they would topple over.

Arriving at the Palace, Cormac dismounted and handed his reins to a stable hand that had just run up. Thanking the guard for the escort, Cormac made his way into the palace, which was, thankfully, much more controlled and reasonable than the streets outside.

Nearing the residences, he saw a servant heading in the other direction. Although he hadn’t been here in quite some time, and even though he knew that the palace had many servants, Cormac suddenly realized he did not know, from either face or name, any of the servants who’d previously waited on him, before he’d left for the continent. While he’d grown up with servants, and had been used to them, it wasn’t until very recently that he realized the importance of them.

A lot of the information he had gotten about the tribes in Hispania had come from servants, many disgruntled, who heard and saw a lot more than their masters thought them capable of. If that was true in a more primitive setting like he found in the tribes of Hispania, that had to be doubly true in a place like this. It made him realize his completely ignoring them, as if they were furniture, was a mistake. Thankfully, one that had not become fatal to him before it was too late to realize it.

That passed through his mind in a moment before he flagged the servant down and asked, “Could you inform Medb that I have returned and will be in our quarters at her convenience?”

“Yes, Prince Cormac,” the servant said, bowing deeply.

“Thank you,” Cormac said, causing the servant to pause a moment before rushing off.

Cormac entered the chambers, and immediately saw that the city was not the only thing that had transformed in his absence. Medb had clearly been busy, redecorating their quarters with an even greater level of opulence than before. Rich tapestries adorned the walls, many depicting scenes from their homeland that must have been made custom. The furniture, too, had been upgraded, with intricately carved wooden pieces and sumptuous upholstery in deep shades of green and gold.

He walked the room, taking in the lush carpets that looked to be from Anatolia or Persia, vases and decorative touches from Greece, and even what looked like a Scandinavian carved bone horn cradled in a carved stand on one table. For an empire at war across the known world, the width and scope of the finery here was impressive.

“Do you like it?” Medb said behind him, coming through the door to their quarters.

“I do. You certainly have outdone yourself.”

“I’m surprised you didn’t send word that you were coming home. I would have prepared a proper welcome.”

“It was a last-minute decision, really. With the Arandur suppressed and more tribes signing alliances by the day, Llassar and I agreed it would be better if I came home.”

“Really? You don’t think it would be better to stay until the alliance was more solidified?” Medb asked.

“You’ve been reading the reports I sent back, I see,” Cormac said. “No. We started seeing a growing number of whispers that, since I set up the alliance, or at least got it started, I was making myself the ruler of Hispania. That was not exactly the message we wanted to send, nor how we wanted to start the alliance off, so I thought it better to leave Llassar to manage the next stage of their development and take myself out of the mix. I’ll go back in a few months, meet with the allies I made there, tour what’s being done at Port Invictus. But generally, they need to become more used to dealing with the empire and not me specifically. At least if we’re going to make it work in the long term.”

“That’s … actually very clever, Cormac,” Medb said, giving him an appraising look. “Yes, I have been following your reports closely and I was already impressed with the work you managed there, but I hadn’t realized just how much you’ve … grown up.”

“You know, there was a time I would have taken offense to that. But you’re right,” Cormac said with a slight smile, which dropped almost as quickly. “Enough to know that last year, you were using me, leading me by my desire for you, into near treason.”

“I see.”

“Not to start our reunion on a sour note, but it is something I’ve spent a fair amount of time thinking about. Being in Hispania, dealing with the tribes, the politics, the constant negotiations... it made me see things differently. Made me see how naïve I was.”

“And what do you see now?”

“I see that you somehow managed to convince the Empress to not only give you a second chance but to put you in such a position of power. I can’t help but wonder how you managed that?”

“I did what I had to do, Cormac,” not answering him directly. “I won’t apologize for how I used you. It was necessary, at the time.”

“I know, and I’m not asking you to. I think you’re wrong, in that it wasn’t something you had to do, but something you only thought you had to do. I’ve thought a lot about, while I was in Hispania, actually. I have to ask... do you still plan on trying to make yourself Empress?”

Medb paused, her face impassive as she stared back at Cormac. He couldn’t figure out if she was deciding to tell him the truth or sizing him up. She had an amazing ability to be almost completely unreadable, something he knew he was not nearly as good at.

“No, Cormac. I no longer plan on trying to make myself Empress,” she finally said.

“Really? That’s a surprise, considering where you were this time last year. What changed your mind?”

With a small shrug, Medb said, “Having spent time in Lucilla’s chair, I’ve come to realize that I don’t actually want it. Not in the way I thought I did, at least.”

She walked over to a nearby settee and sat down, gesturing for Cormac to join her.

As he sat down next to her, she said, “I’ve gained a great deal of respect and authority in this position, Cormac. More than I ever thought possible, given my past... indiscretions. But with that respect and authority comes a burden that I hadn’t fully appreciated until now. I thought I knew what it would entail, from how my kingdom had been, but this empire … it’s an entirely different level. Especially set up as it is, with so much power shared between the various factions and limitations on what a ruler can do. Managing it all, even for a short while, made me realize that I don’t want that responsibility. Not permanently, at least.”

“So, what do you want, then? I couldn’t imagine you happy, closeted in an estate somewhere, brooding children.”

“God no,” she said, letting out a light trill of laughter. “A child, eventually, might be nice. Maybe two, but that’s where I draw the line. No, I’ll be more than happy to give the reins back to Lucilla when the time comes. Let her deal with the headaches and the constant demands. I’ve found that I much prefer being a power behind the throne.”

“I think that’s probably wise, and it would suit you. The ruling behind the throne, not the babies, although I’m sure you’d excel at that just as well. Speaking of babies, where does this leave us? I’m not satisfied to continue being your pawn, Medb. Not after everything that’s happened.”

“No, clearly that won’t work anymore. You’ve grown, Cormac. Matured. I can see that now.”

They way she spoke about using him, so matter of factly, was almost chilling. And yet, in a way, also intoxicating. She was unlike any woman he’d ever met, or probably ever would meet.

She must have seen the look on his face, because she placed an arm on his hand and said, “That isn’t a line, I mean it. Before … that was different. At the time, I thought it just how you were, another man only focused on armies and fighting. I see I was wrong. You simply needed a chance to expand your role. I see a much bigger role for you, beyond simply a piece to move around the board.”

“What kind of ‘bigger role?’“

“With your new found victory, confidence, and ability, I believe we can become a … what was the phrase Lucilla used once. A power couple? The Empress, she’s too soft. Kind hearted. Not always, but often. The thing she has going in her favor is that she knows it. She knows she needs to have someone behind her, willing to do what she isn’t. It’s whys he keeps Ramirus around. He’s good, but he’s too much in the shadows. The nobles and wealthy see him as a functionary, not a superior. No, sometimes she’ll need someone in the public eye, part of society, but with authority and a willingness to accept a … wider range of options. Let the people adore their Empress, their beloved Lucilla. And when they cross her, let them fear us.”

“And do you think the Empress will want you doing that?”

“I do. I did something like that for her before she left and put me in charge, which I think was what convinced her to put me in this position in the first place. I might need to convince her, but I don’t think that will be too much of a hurdle. She’s smart … smarter than I originally realized. She’ll see the value.”

“I see,” Comac said, considering her. “I appreciate your honesty, Medb. It’s refreshing, a different side of you.”

“I’m not always trying to manipulate people, Cormac. Do I work to get what I want? Yes. Does that sometimes require manipulation and deception? Also yes. But that isn’t always needed. With you, I think we can work together more effectively if we are honest with each other.”

What surprised Cormac the most about all of that was … he believed her. Of course, she was a master manipulator, so maybe he was just deluding himself into believing her, but if he wanted a real relationship, one built on actual foundations, he’d have to give her the chance to prove she could do that.

“I believe you. And I’m willing to support you, and be your partner, in every sense of the word. I know I was too credulous before, but I’m not that person anymore. Please don’t let this chance go to waste. I probably won’t give a second one.”

“Well, I’ll have to be on my best behavior, won’t I. Maybe I should start now,” she said, pushing him back against the edge of the settee and leaning over him.

“Maybe you should,” Cormac said, smiling.