Sound like a conscientious commander to me, " Said Alexius . " I would be working the men just as hard in his place."
" I'm sure you would. But this is not the custom of previous prefects. More worrying still is that most of his officers seem to be fiercely loyal to Quintus and hold him in high regard." Pallas opened his hands ." You must see that i have reason to regard the man with a degree of suspicion."
Alexius raised his eyesbrow, while Zenious started to think the implication in her mind.
" There's more . Last month one of the tribunes of the guards was killed on the road ."
Alexius frowned ." I'm listening, well now."
" We must put out Cato Scapula died as killed by brigands. which actually in the report mention that he was in command of a bullion convoy sent from the mint in Narbonensis. The search party found his body stripped by the side of the road, no doubt to make Scapula look like the victim of a robbery. It didn't take them long to allocate the remains of the vehicles from the convoy. But the bullion chests were gone . About three million denarii lost in all."
Alexius whistled . " Fantastic sum. "
Pallas nodded " Indeed, a vast sum and the thing is only is handful men , Imperial servants and Praetorians , knew about the convoy. This was an inside job. No question of it, I've had those in know questioned, and some of them put under tortured, but Narcissus interrogators as well mine got nothing out of them. Either they are innocent, or they are hard enough not to crack under pressure."
" Perhaps, word of the convoy leaked out." Alexius suggested . " Someone over heard or saw something that gave it away."
" It's possible . But I trust my men to be discreet. They know the price for against dissapointing me will be severe. So that leaves the Praetorians. Either their security is slack , or there are traitors in their ranks. That's how it seemed to me until a few days ago, we had stroke of good fortune . One of the Praetorians got drunk and started a fight in some drinking hole close to the Great Circus. He was confined to quarters. On closer investigation it was discovered that he had been spending money all day buying drinks foe comrades and passer by . He had also lost a small fortune in silver at the races, and yet he had not drawn any money from his savings at the barracks. I gave orders for him to be released and his Centurion put him on fatigues for a month . Two nights ago asked Narcissus to gave orders on his agents for snatch that man and take him to a safe house outside the city for questioning . He proved to be tough customer and more rigorous methods of interrogation were necessary base Narcissus , then I agree . Alas, before he died he confessed to being involved in the attack on the convoy and he gave up one name. A centurion who is serving in the cohort entrusted with guarding the Imperial palace, Properius Monsius. According to the man, Monsius is one of the leading conspirators. Now we know that there is a faction of traitors in the Praetorian Guard."
" Did the man mention any link to the Liberators? " zenious asked Pallas.
" He did ." Pallas took a breath . " The situation is serious ." There's only one reason why they would be after such a fortune . They're amassing a war chest . Once they have enough . It's my belief that they'll use the money to bribe the Praetorian Guard to back them when they attempt to overthrow the Emperor. "
There's was a brief silence . Alexius drained his cup slowly and asked in thoughtfully engaged . " All of this was very interesting, but what's this got to do with her?". Alexius pointed at zenious whose remains silent and sink at her own thought.
" It's simple . I need some men on the inside who can trust completely. I want zenious taking care of this , and you Alexius to join Praetorian Guard."
Zenious leaned back ." Let me guess penetrate the conspiracy, identify the leaders and then, if necessary eliminate them, and locate plus restore the stollen billion."
Pallas looked at her and smile " Indeed , my beautiful General.".
Zenious stared at Pallas and made herself laughed in a cold laughed. " As Easy as that. Surely you and Narcissus have agents who are used to all this cloak - dagger bullocks ? I'm a soldier and wouldn't have clue about how to go and stab man in the back . There has someone better than me and my men , that the Imperial high rank officers can use."
" Oh, Indeed . I have a small circle of men i can rely on. A very small circle, and men I can Ill afford to lose . Beside, for this job i need people I really trust and can pass as the soldiers , and of course smart." Pallas smiled thinly. " Narcissus and Callitus as well as me decided that would be you . "
Zenious laughed with icy sound as her head jerked back and slowly staring straight at Pallas. " I'm a woman. There's no way I'm going to be Praetorian Guard. "
" That's all we know, but let's say we not asking your men either my dearest General, we know you can disguise even to be a man . Beside, I know you will accept . How can you do otherwise ?"
Alexius shook his head ." She be mad to accept such a task ."
" She have no other choice, given that what she desire most is within Emperor to grant and our power withhold , as we see fit ." Pallas switched his gaze at zenious " Is that not so ?"
For a moment there's a death killing silence in the room as both zenious and Pallas gauged each other power. Until zenious nodded reluctantly. " He's right, Alexius.".
" Absolutely ."
"No," Alexius replied . " They'd see through you in instant. You're not going to end up with the throat cut and body dumped in the Great sewer . Not you . You won't do it . Nor will you if you have any sense . I don't agree with this . You're General in here ."
Zenious smiled charmingly as she replied at Pallas. " So in any power you hold to grant ? Anything I desire, right ?"
Pallas smiled widely ." Yes ."
" This is not some scheme I dreamed up on the road from Ravenna ," zenious spoke with icy intensity . " I am certain that your men have a better chance of succeeding than me . You are experienced with the circle of yours and bet some of them had experienced soldiers and will fit in with the Praetorians. And you sure to give what i desire the most ?" She sneered .
" I give you my word of honour that you will be generously rewarded ."
" All right . I want your head ."
Alexius surprise by the General words and he looked at the two people in front of him .Cleared his throat " I'm not sure about her words. But as we know all she's joking on that.".
Pallas smiled and says in calm tone . " The truth we need each other, we have considered the matter carefully. And we have no idea how far we can trust ."
" You don't answer my question, Pallas ? Are you willing to give your head to me ? I don't need the Imperial Secretary power to get what I want. "
Pallas sinked in his deep thought as he looked at her determine eyes . " I'm aware of that . I appreciate your words, and if that satisfied you I'll give my head to you straight from my hand ."
" Really ?" Zenious struggled to suppress a smile, " All right , play your part and you'll come out of it all smelling of roses. In the meantime, the classic case of the stupidity of your direct answer to me is showed me your loyality to Claudius You're all right by me ."
Pallas smiled smartly as he poured the wine to his cup . " I know you very well, After all that you has done for the Emperor you served Claudius loyally ."
Alexius stared at zenious for a moment and then shook his head . " You're a fool. They will get your killed . Why should you succeed in uncovering the Liberators when the Emperor's agents have failed all these years ? You already had responsible with Defici Marc Anthonius chest, remember ?"
" Nevertheless, I'll do it ."
Alexius sat back and folded his arm " If she decline the task ?"
Pallas fixed him with a cold stare . " We haven't considered that yet . For the very good reason that we cannot imagine she would be so foolish as to refuse her duty."
Alexius snapped , " There's army bureau over there . Find some other mugs to do your dirty work. She's a general.".
" And shall I remained you Alexius, how she can seat in the Senate like today if she doesn't had the legitimate powerful connection for her career . She must to do it . And it's our job to look for dangerous signals. And so she knew damn to well about the ground where she must stood."
Alexius glanced at his fiancee and saw her ring at her finger which design had been carefully carved into the Blue stone ; a depiction of Roma astride a sphinx and eagle .
" It's served it's purposed ." Pallas looked at them both . " So have you found another Legates or Tribunes on the army whose linking with the Liberators?".
Impassively she looked at Pallas eyes." No ." She answered firmly .
Alexius knew zenious hide and covered her evidence of some Legates and Tribunes , Prefects names list.
Alexius's mind switched to another matter that had been causing his fiancee anxiety . Earlier in several months ago zenious summoned Legate Vespasian at Rome , about his wife Flavia involvement with the Liberators, it was ironic, thought Alexius as he recalled the event, that it was Vespasian's rather as the potential conspirator than his wife, Flavia.
Flavia had seemed to be the loyal wife and model citizen in every respect and impossible given her husband ,Vespasian, such big lie and dangerous position. That Flavia become involved in more perilous than a trip to the public baths . But the small society lunches she had given or been invited without his presence looked positively sinister, especially as a numbers of those with whom she had dined had subquently been condemned following investigation by Imperial's network of agents. Vespasian still did not know how deep her involvement was with those who were plotting against Claudius, until he confronted Zenious, and being stonewalled as he saw Zenious suspicious with several secret records. As zenious had been led to understand the danger of the Liberators under army fraction . With General Aurelius Plautinus they been doing some investigation and researched and countered the issue with high secrecy in the course of action under zenious way .
Once more Alexius cursed in his heart that zenious must covering it up some Legates and Tribunes who being try to overthrow Claudius quietly . While Zenious and Aurelius Plautinus pressing the issues with the consideration destroy unity of the eagles taking care as carefully as possible. As Alexius looked across Pallas the Imperial Treasury of Rome.
" Say Pallas, is this your little schemes for how long, I wonder ? To keep me rotting with this matter than you'll send me to frontier. "
Pallas drumming his finger on the table as he leaned back. " I don't know what you referring too ?"
She stared at him a while , then turned over and gently arched her body into Alexius and thinking. The Liberators demanded absolute secrecy and threatened the most terrible revenge on those who failed to honour that secrecy . She acknowledge the plan had always been to undermine any campaign that sought to boost Imperial prestige. With every military defeat , and every whispering campaign launched in the streets of Rome, the credibility of the Imperial family would be steadily whittled away. In the end, the mob would be begging the aristocracy to seize control of the empire . The Liberators agents on Aventine already running their plan . But if the Imperial was aware surely some Legates and Tribunes include Vitelllius already dead by now . Now, she need to measure ,gauged the player of the dangerous game . Using herself as bait to lure out other members of the conspiracy . She had come to realise . " The air's foul here."
" I believe you find a way ."
" With my way, If you insist with the smelling rose you could reap in short time . As you know I must rally the Empire Circuit until Hispania. And I must deal with that pirates ."
" Did you sent Artemis to the battlefield ?"
Zenious replied . " I suppose so. With my way, or better off you go ."
Pallas didn't reply for a moment, and remained quite still, head fixed in one direction. " You must assure this man completely could be trust it ."
Zenious's expression empty. Bunched her hands into fist for a moment Alexius was afraid his fiancee might take it into pulverise the Imperial Treasury. The same thought occurred to Pallas who flinched back. Zenious stood up abruptly. " I thought you said you knew me , and smarter than this . I was wrong. You're on your own. That's my best answer. "
Pallas replied quickly and stared at zenious cold expression. " I agree with your method of way, General ."
" Good! Now please excuse me, gentlemen. I'm late to go to my office."
Zenious strode to the door and wrenched it open, slamming it behind her . Alexius heard her footsteps receding with a sinking feeling in his heart. She could see such a mission through without the tough and dependable. For the first time in his life, he felt a pang of fear. The prospect of zenious facing the Emperor's shadowy enemies on her own was daunting . And lose her.
" I shouldn't worry about her," Pallas chuckled " Now she's had a chance to unleash her anger at me. She'll come round with my idea soon enough.".
" I hope you're right. "
" Trust me , I can read almost any human like a scrolls and our brilliant friend Zenious Alea is challenging than most human we know. You know her well enough ."
Alexius reflected for a moment . " She is capable of surprising turns of thought. You should not underestimate her . But yes, I think she'll come . Once she's had a chance to simmer down and reflect on the fact that you might make her life very difficult. I take it you meant by that ." Alexius rose to leave .
Pallas's thin lips twisted into a faint smile as he slowly nodded . " What you think ?"
" Fair enough. But I have one piece of advise for you . If you want this mission to go well and kept your head still on your neck ." Alexius paused . " Never ever treat her as your pawn to her face again. She despise you, for what you did to Claudius . Mark my word. She's might be woman,but she's not ordinary woman we most know. Specially she had pure descended of King Aetolian blood in her vein. Mark my word. "
♧ Italy Ravenna, Year 51AD, Roman Naval Base ♧
A team of mules was towing the vessels against the current and their driver, a skinny , barefoot slave boy, flicked his whip once in a while to keep the pace up. A thick pall of smoke hung over the city as the inhabitants struggled to stay warm through the dreary cold air, adding the out put of the communal fires they were permitted to the smoke of the tanneries, smiths and bathhouses that plied their trade in Ravenna.
Here in the Guard there were four men to a room, which was airy and we'll lit by the shuttered window on the wall. Valerius looked up from Artemis's report. " He gave is two months ?"
" Yes,Sir."
Valerius glanced back at the wax tablets." Now, to the other matter, the tribune he's demanding for attacking our colonies . That's his first big mistake ."
" I agree with you, Sir. "
" That man is getting to greedy, the scrolls are one thing but this demand for tribute is quite another. There's no question of us paying it. The Emperor would never stand for it."
They were still discussing when the sound of footsteps approached and a figure appeared in the Legate's room. Artemis looked round to see the build tall muscle man with a handsome heart-shaped face watched them coldly. He walking towards the chair. 925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtoy3193uT
" Continue the discussion, I'm listening. "
Artemis nodded and turned his head back to Valerius , " Why not? We already pay off any number of tribes in Germany to keep the peace ." Artemis was struggling to work through the logic of the situation. Rome would pay upwards of twenty million sestertians for some scrolls , yet balk at half that for saving the lives of thousands of her people and dozens of her colonies.
" That's different. The Germans act as a buffer between the Empire and other barbarians of an even more violent and distasteful disposition. Pirates are different no more than a gang of thieves and murderers."
" It would seem they have grown to become more than just a gang, sir."
" That's probably true, but we can tell you now that Claudius will not demean himself by permitting these pirates to run a protection rackets . He'll give order for them to be found and destroyed and we'll not be allowed to rest until that has been carried out. "
" Even at the risk of losing Mark Anthony, Scrolls ?"
" We'll figure out about this , thats why we all here ." legate Valerius nodded as he rose from his chair followed by Legate Alexius, crossed the office to the map. Artemis followed them behind . Three of them stared at the Illyricum coastline . As they all concentrated in the detailed map as Alexius collected his thought and spoke . " Base of the intelligence reports it would have to be somewhere off the trade routes, by the land and sea, Tharsos couldn't afford to be near any spot where a passing merchant vessel might beach for the night. So the rules out the Liburnian Coastline, and there, further to the south in Macedonia , far to many colonies and ports , at the same time he need to be sufficiently close to the trade routes to prey in them . If he using oarsmen the he provisions his ships like we do that gives him an operating radius of five or six days sailing at most ."
" You're saying Tharsos somewhere between Flanona, and Dyrrachium ?" Valerius asked Alexius.
Alexius nodded. " Most probably in one of those inlets , or on one of the small island just off the coast."
He cooked his head at Alexius . " I agree . So that's where we'll start looking for them. So let Vitellius leave the garrison here, and take the fleet over to Illyricum and establish a Base near Birnisum, so they can draw the supplies from that colonies. " Valerius glanced round at Artemis . " I'll brief the officers at noon. You may go and rest , and send my chief clerk to you soon ."
Artemis saluted and matched out of the Legate's office . 925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WbX4jeuCa
Alexius sniffed. " An undistinguished unit as far as I recall ."
" Which unit ?"
Alexius raised his eyebrow . " Vitellius."
" Ah , that ." Valerius chuckled slightly. " Don't worry, a wise words says it does ' em good to keep them on their toes . He's out of our league's."
Alexius smiled. " Are you sure ?"
" So we've noticed, so what's your story? From the look of you, new thing? "
" About the bloody Praetorian treason, and now it's difficult situations . As far as I am concerned, she'll be drag soon enough back to capital ."
" I'm listening, ..... I thought you liked that aspect ."
" Not this time ."
" How so ?"
" The bloody freedmen Pallas, Narcissus, Callitus, shifty little grafters everyone of 'em. They'll be looking to make an alliance with their chosen candidates for the purple. Between Britannicus and Nero, which someone seem accelerate the process. By killing some Praetorian prefect and unusual aliment for Claudius. He got freak out and send his freedman to drag her inside the palace in different manner. Penetrate conspirator ."
There was a pause while Alexius let his words sink in, Valerius answered cautiously. " Must know who your friend are and sometimes the enemies from the closest one. So she took the job?".
Alexius stared at him and responded in deliberate low, hard voice. 925Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgF7TXPY7fd
" She might just do that ."
For a moment they stared at each other then he slapped Alexius on the shoulder " There's nothing we can do about it ."
" I know."
" We'll, you'd better, I'd guess that's put our names about and hints we might be amenable to an approach from those who are opposed the Emperor. That's a good sign so we know how to survive our own ground. "
" Mnm, what devious turn of mind , that's why i always hate you, man ."
Valerius roared with laughter. " You nearly had me there !"
Artemis turns to the officer's quarter, changed into some fresh tunic and made for the bath house , as he entered the Calderón he saw Marius sitting on one of the marble benches . Marius looked up and smile with genuine relief. " Artemis ! Good to see you.How did it go?".
He explained at Marius as he listened attentively as Artemis recounted the meeting with the pirates. Marius dabbed at his face with a sponge , then turned back to Artemis. " The pirate chief what was he like ?"
Artemis recollected as much possible of the detailed of the encounter.
" He seemed capable enough, tough and fast with a blade . His ships seemed to perform well, of course, I'm no judge of seaman ship, but that's what Neximus reckoned, and ruthless ." Artemis recalled the memory of the casket content . " Certainly his men seemed afraid of him.".
" Sound like a tough nut to crack." Marius mused . " They'll put up quite a good fight."
" Maybe. " Artemis shrugged . " But as I've always said , men fight hardest for the things they believed in, not for what they fear."
" Honestly, now you think you're an expert on what motives men ."
Artemis wiped the water from his brow . " I believe I have some idea of what works.".
" All right then." Marius frowned. " Some idea ,but ' am telling you, these pirates are like us. Harsh discipline is the best motivation for fighting men. Inspiration, ideas they're for artist and those pansy philosopher like...... "
" Like me ?"
Marius shrugged. " You said it. Now don't go and sulk on me."
" Sulk? "
Marius laughed. " Come on, let's go."
" Go where ?"
" For drink. We're meeting with Maximian in the port. "
" Are we ?" Artemis smiled . " I'm tired . I just came in here to relax, not to be roped into one of your all night benders."
" It won't be like that. Maximian is taking us to meet his women. She owns a tavern." Marius smiled." Every soldier ; dream girl." He looked round at Artemis . " Any normal soldier's dream girl, I should say."
" Marius ?"
" Yes ?"
" Just fuck off."
Marius slapped him with the towel and laughed. " That's my boy. Come on, you're wasting our good time."
Artemis shook his head slowly after moment he nodded. " All right ."
As the last note of the midday signal died away , officers of the Ravenna fleet assembled in the Vitellius's office . The clerks had pushed all the furniture, aside and filled the space between the map on the far wall. All the Centurions and optios from the marines were present, as well as the trierarchs of every vessel in the fleet.
As soon as all the officers had entered the room and taken their seats, the air filled with an excited hubbub conversation. Valerius's chief clerk, lornadius, stepped smartly into the doorway and called out . " Commanding Officer present!".
The benches grated as the officers rose quickly and stood in attention. The legate at first and followed by the Prefect Vitellius entered the office and strode down the gap left in the middle of the rows of benches and took up position to one side of the map . He glanced over his officers for a moment before he spoke.
" You may be seated, Gentlemen. " when every one had settle down, Valerius stared at Vitellius and nodded . " You may start the briefing, Prefect Vitellius ."
Vitellius stood up and clasped his hands , and spoke, " As you know, in recent months the coastline of Apulia, Umbria, Liburnia, and Illycrum have been ravaged by new pirates threat, a few days ago they destroyed the Colony at Lissus. This morning we had news of the sacking of a second Colony, this is the most disturbing development, gentlemen . It's bad enough that they been preying on our trade routes without being punished, but wiping out our colonies demands action and punishment of the utmost severity. " He paused as he looked at his Superior to Proceed .
" As you all know their leader Tharsos, has recently communicates to us demand for tribute to refrain from destroying any more colonies, our answer to him is unequivocal : Rome does not negotiate with pirates. Our orders were to remove the pirate threat,and today we take the first steps towards achieving that end . Six biremes for defence of Ravenna. The rest of the fleet and the marine reinforcement will be leaving the ports in five days time to sails across to the coast of Illycrum." Legate Valerius added the information . As he picked up a cane and pointed to the map. " Land near Birnisum,from there under the Prefect Vitellius command some of you will search the coastline, mile by mile, until locate the pirates lair, take and destroy their ships and kill their crews, any prisoners will be sold into slavery . Execute the leader. "
Vitellius turned to all the marines officers . "Any question ?"
" Sir." A hand wentt up towards the back of the room.
" Yes, Neximus ?"
" Those alterations being made of those triremes on the wharf ..."
" Yes, what of them ?"
" One of my men told me they were installing a crow." The crown had seen being fitted to the triremes. The crow was the Navy's term for the rotating boarding ramp used on some ships. Vitellius listening as he glanced at Valerius. " That's right , it would help engaging the pirate ship to ship . I quite understand how maneuverable their vessel are. And we need a method of fixing them so that our marines can decide the issue. "
" Sir, I chose boarding ramps drop down and pin them in the place." Vitellius said suddenly.
" But ,that won't be fitting them to brireme as well, Prefect Vitellius. "
" Sir, My point of view better in every ship. I guarantee you, Sir."
Veralius exchanged concerned looks with the Trierachs. " Let's follow Prefect Vitellius idea."
Neximus shook his head slowly and there was some muttering. Vitellius rapped the bottoms of his cane down on the mosaic floor to signal for silence. " Is there a problem with my decision,Neximus ?"
" Yes, Sir. "
Vitellius bristled at the condescending tone. " Explain yourself ."
" With the load they're carrying, the biremes aren't really big enough for a crow, Just like Legate Valerius said. Aside from the deck collar, there's the ramp itself, the side guards and all spars and tackle needed to raise up and swing it out towards the enemy ships. It'll make the bireme top heavy . If there's a storm, or even heavy seas, they'll be dangerously unstable."
Vitellius face red and hardened as he replied at Neximus. " Don't worry I've thought of that." Vitellius replied sharply . " The ship will be taking on extra supplies and equipment. That ballast as I believe you navy typed call it - should counteract the weight of a crow. "
Neximus considered the idea for a moment and then shook his head.
"What's the problem ?" Vitellius irritation was apparent to all.
" Sir, the amount of ballast required would overload the vessels, they have a low enough freeboard as it is."
" Oh, I'm sure the freeboard, will be adequate for our crossing. And once we have crossed the sea and unloaded our supplies and equipment, that need not concern your anymore. As far being top heavy, we can experiment with the required ballast when the times comes, Any other question ? .....Good, then gentlemen, you may collect your orders from my clerk as you leave headquarters. You'll need to see your men and make sure they're fully prepared and equipped for a lengthy campaign. We're in for a busy few days and a hard fight. But if these pirates have been half as successful as we're led to believe, there'll be plenty of booty for all. That's enough, Sir? "
Valerius scanned Vitellius detailed as he nodded . " Gentlemen, may Fortuna ride on you. I bid you good day ." Valerius strode towards the door and left Vitellius in his office . He wondered about Vitellius recently how a man like him could achieve such a promotion while in the battlefields he always blind with the ground .
As the centurions, optios, and trierachs shuffled towards the door. Artemis relived only staring Vitellius, glowing with hatred . Marius slapped Artemis on the shoulder and gave him an exaggerated smile. " You heard him. Booty for all. If it goes with his plan, we'll be rolling in it. No more squalid digs in the arsenal end of Rome for us."
" If that goes with the plan ?" Artemis shook his head heavily . " When does it ever go to the plan ? And aren't you forgetting something?"
" You mean the bloody chest ?"
" It's all down to the chest and scrolls as far as we're concerned, that's why we here , giving the pirates a goof kicking and grabbing a share of their loot is just aside issue. "
Marius grinned . " I know . Just trying to raise your mood ."
" Thanks for the thoughts. Now we've got work to do. Let's go."
Over the following days the naval base was a chaos of activity . Most of the ships in the fleet had been laid up for winter, and some of the larger vessels had not left port for several years . These ship had to be beached and cleared of the foul smelling weeds and barnacles that had fixed themselves to the hull below the waterline. A fresh coating of pitch was painted on to the scoured timbers and the acrid stench caught in the throats of men across the Base. Standing rigging had to be checked and any worn or frayed ropes replaced. The heavy sails were carried over to the workshops and closely examined for any signs of weakness, before being patched up and returned to their ships . Only when the vessels were deemed ready for action were the supplied loaded aboard, spare armour, stacks of javelin shafts and heavy chests filled with the replacement iron tips , arrows, lead slingshot , boots and finally the provisions that were to feed the man for the voyage across the narrow stretch of sea, sustain them for the first few days on the far shore .
While the ships were readied for action by their crews, the marines practice ship to ship fighting, and familiarised themselves with the tackled for operating a crow. A series of pulleys fixed to spars raised and lowered the ramp and allowed the marines to rotate it towards an enemy vessel approaching on either side of the bows. Artemis and Marius were introduced to the rudiments of fighting at sea. While Maximian was sent to North to Hispontum to purchase spare cordage for the fleet.
" As far as I can make out ," Marius said at the end of the first 's day's instructions. " It's just like fighting on land, except that the navy ferried you to and from the fighting bears all that marching about we had to do in legions."
Artemis shrugged. " As long as I get ferried back from the fight I'll be a happy man ."
At the end of each day's training the marines returned to their barracks to clean and check their kit, records their will, and those with families in the port were allowed to spend their night in Ravenna.
In order to preserve the secrecy of their operations as far as possible, the General had closed the port and no shipping was allowed in or out, not even fishing vessels . Everyday the General had to deal with angry representatives of the town's council and merchant guilds . But she was unmoveable and the town's worthies could only fume
at the loss trade and business, already reduced by the depredations of Tharsos and his pirates fleet, and Caius Alea Zenious put many legionary in undercover as merchant, artist even gladiator to prevent Tharsos entered Ravenna .
On the fifth day the ship were fully provisionEd and ready for sea. Loaded with extra stores and equipment, they floated low and sluggish in the calm waters of the back harbour. Beyond the Moor of the sea was rough, and huge grey waves shattered on the breakwater in thunderous cloud of spray. A keen winds snatched the falling spray and swept it across the decks of the nearest vessels, drenching the men still on the deck.
The air was filled with the clatter of halyards rapping on the masts, and there was a low moaning underbite from the wind sweeping through the rigging. It had taken all the persuasive skills of the trierachs to talk the prefect out of giving the order to set sail. Loaded down as they were, most of the ships would have foundered before they were even out of sight of land. At length Vitellius gave the order for the crews to be stood down and the marines tramped back to barracks. The less experienced men played rice or drank and swapped jokes and stories to try to take their minds off the delayed operations. The expertise marines took the chance to get some sleep knowing well how miserable a rough sea crossing could be. All day the wind strengthened and the sea became more wild as dark clouds gathered on the horizon. The storm swept in towards the shore and battered Ravenna with deafening shower if hailstones that rattled off the rooftiles and bounced off the paved streets before gathering in little drifts where the wind settled them.
Even in the comparative shelter of the harbour the wind and the waves engulfed the ships moored at the docks or laying at anchor. Darkness fell, anxious trierachs set their crews to bailing the water that their vessels were shipping from sea and sky. Watches were set in the anchor cables to make sure that they weren't dragging and the more nervous of the crews laud down spare anchors and prayed that their gods Poseidon and Neptune would see them through this terrible night.
When at last, the last glimmer if dawn feebly struggled for purchase in the horizon, the furry of the storm finally began to abate. The sky remained overcast, clear of rain and hail. The wing died away to a hushed breeze while the waves subsided into an oily smooth swell.
The officers of the naval base emerged from the shelter of their barracks to survey the damage. The shattered remains of loosened tiles lay scattered about the buildings but the worst of the damage, as ever had been wreaked on the shipping. Inside the mole, the breakwaters was strewn with the timbers of vessels washed ashore and wrecked on the rocks, here and there lay the twisted shaped of men, like discarded toys. A handful of ships had foundered at their anchors and only the tops of their mast, with sails furled on the yards, we're visible above the surface of the sea .
ns 15.158.61.17da2
