Chapter 30

Syrakousa, Sicilia

Ky and Bomilcar once again rode through the streets of Syrakousa, but the experience was much different than the one they had just a few days prior, when the city had seemed equally peaceful and still.

In spite of the smoke still rising from fires not yet completely under control and cobblestones still slick with blood, the streets were suddenly teeming with the previously missing women and children. They still didn’t know for sure if the civilians had been missing because they had been held captive by the Carthaginians or had been hiding because they knew the Carthaginians were still in the city, although if Ky were a betting man, he would have assumed the former.

What was clear was the sudden relief they all shared that it was over. Not all had made it through unscathed, caught in the fight between the Britannians and the Carthaginians, but most had. In spite of that and the damage to their homes, the threat of future violence was over, and they were able to do what civilians throughout time had found a way to do, exist under occupation.

“I should have trusted my instincts,” Ky said to Bomilcar as they passed a group of bandaged legionaries.

“You didn’t do anything wrong,” Bomilcar said, pulling his horse to a stop. “It was a clever plan, one they must have been working toward for weeks, maybe longer. Ever since it became clear their plan in Italia wasn’t working. The Carthaginians weren’t just hidden in people’s homes. They dug out concealed spaces beneath floors and within walls to avoid detection, then threatened the civilians to keep their presence a secret. It made the trap exceptionally difficult to spot. Even with all of that preparation, you knew there was a danger here and took steps to deal with it. Ordering the men to keep dispersed and the continuous inspections of houses throughout the night looking for the soldiers you suspected to be hiding ... Those actions ultimately exposed the Carthaginians, triggering their ambush before they were fully prepared.”

“Small comfort to the men we lost,” Ky said.

“It’s a comfort to the much larger number of men we might have lost but didn’t. If the Carthaginians had been able to gather their forces and fortify their positions, taking back the city would have been a much bloodier affair. Consider the alternative. If we had been forced to breach the city walls under a traditional defense, our losses would have been far greater. The Carthaginians’ unconventional strategy left them vulnerable to a swift counterattack once their presence was revealed. We had to enter the city if we were going to keep to our timetable. We managed to do it and defeat the only full army on Sicilia with what would be very minimal losses compared to a more traditional siege. You should be proud.”

“Perhaps. But the cost was still high,” Ky said, nudging his horse forward again.

Nothing the general said was wrong, but Ky could still feel the absolute surprise and chaos of the battle, replaying the video stored in Sophus’s data storage. Maybe it was true they took precautions, but the surprise had still been total. And the fault for being surprised by the enemy like that stopped with him.

What it did tell him was that they had played it safe and were still surprised. They’d taken Britain, Ireland, and Europe through aggression, not by this slow stepping, careful progress. Ky had let what happened in Italy color his thinking too much, and allowed himself to slow down despite himself.

“Our intelligence indicated that there was only one major army in Sicilia,” Ky said, changing the subject. “And the forces that retreated from Italia are pinned up north by Aelius. It’s unlikely any went west, let alone to Africa.”

“You don’t think they could have slipped past our lines? Our navy is fairly spread out.”

“I know, but they don’t have any large ships for transport. It’s one of the reasons I was so skeptical their army had fled to Africa. To move enough men to make a difference, they would have to use enough ships to handle that, we would know.”

“And...” Bomilcar said, giving Ky a look as to say ‘What’s your point?’

“I don’t want to wait to clear the rest of the island. I want to cross to Africa now.”

“Now? But Consul, that could be dangerous. Even without another army in Sicilia, there are probably scattered forces that could be a problem.”

“I know,” Ky said. “But we can’t afford to delay. Every day we wait, Carthage has more time to prepare their defenses. I want Auspex and his legion here. That should be enough to hold the island and assist with the other priorities.”

“Other factors?”

“Valdar has moved out of the Mediterranean and requested more legionaries. And Llassar in Hispania has also asked for reinforcements. I want to start clearing the rest of the islands, just in case.”

“Consul, that will leave us with only two legions for the attack on Africa. Is that wise?”

“I know it’s a risk, but we’ve allowed the enemy to dictate our momentum for months now, and I’m not going to let it continue. The Carthaginians are running out of provinces and places to draw manpower from. I’m not going to let them march men from Greece or Persia and consolidate.”

“But two legions ... Africa is a large place.”

“And more sparsely populated than the areas we’ve been through so far. We’ve come this far by striking hard and fast, not by playing it safe. If things get bad, Auspex can turn Sicilia over to Marcus and come join us.”

“The enemy has shown an impressive ability to overcome our technological advantages and surprise us. By moving quickly, we give them more opportunities to do so.”

“If they do, we will adapt to them. I trust the men. I’m set on this, my friend. I want to be in Africa by the end of the month. We need to press our advantage while we have it.”

Bomilcar was silent for a moment, his eyes searching Ky’s face. Finally, he nodded, though his expression remained troubled.

“As you command, Consul. I’ll make the necessary arrangements.”

“Thank you,” Ky said, reaching across the space between their animals and slapping the Carthaginian on the shoulder. “I know you’d prefer we go slower, and I appreciate your warning. Keep telling me when you think I’m wrong. I might not always agree or follow your advice, but I promise I’ll still listen and weigh it carefully.”

Bomilcar gave him another firm nod. It had been several years since he defected from Carthaginian service, but years of autocratic, top-down command that brooked no disagreement or discussion had their effect on its commanders.

Ky never wanted to be like that. Bomilcar might be overly cautious, but he had more experience with men in the field than Ky might ever have. He wouldn’t let such a valuable resource go to waste.

Germania Lucilla emerged from the small hut she had been quartered in since coming to Germania, feeling a cool breeze whip past her. Summer was coming to an end. She allowed herself a moment to feel the air and take in a deep breath before opening her eyes again.

It only took her a moment to find the man she’d set out to find. Not surprising, since Modius was very rarely out of sight of whatever room she was in at the moment. She found him a dozen paces away, engaged in conversation with a tall, broad-shouldered Germanic warrior.

It was a good sight to see, a Britannian and a Germanic engaged in what looked to be a friendly conversation. The last few months had been filled with difficult negotiations, as tribes distrustful of anyone becoming a new overlord trying to control them made setting up a lasting relationship difficult. In spite of that, they’d managed it, and most of the tribes of Germania had signed on. She predicted that in a year’s time, maybe two, they’d form a more cohesive political body with their neighbors, much like the world Sophus often described to her.

One where all sections of the planet were controlled by political entities made up of a range of people, rather than small tribes fighting over every patch of land they could get their hands on. The level of overall prosperity and security Sophus described, outside of a few fairly devastating wars, was something she wanted for her people. She could only imagine a time when the main pursuit of a populace wasn’t just trying to feed itself, constantly worried about someone taking what they had.

There were pitfalls from the future Sophus described that she wanted to avoid, but with what it and Ky knew, it was possible to build a new future for themselves.

Of course, first, they had to end this war with the Carthaginians. Which is why she came looking for Modius. Attentive as ever, she had been outside for only a beat or two before her guard captain noticed her, politely excused himself from the conversation and made his way to her.

“Your Majesty,” he greeted her with a respectful bow. “Is everything alright?”

“Who’s your friend?” she asked, pointing at the man who was now walking away from them.

“His name is Dagmar, part of a group from the Anarti way out east. He’s one of their chieftain’s guards, and we got to talking while you were meeting with his chief. They’re returning home now that most of the negotiations are done, and he stopped to say goodbye.”

“Did he give you any sense of how his master feels about how things have gone here?”

“Not directly, but I get the sense they’re pleased. He’s talking about traveling to Britannia next year. He’s desperate to see the train after I described it to him.”

“They’ll get a chance. One of the things we agreed on was building out a railway here as well, which will help us as much as it does them.”

“They know that, but I think they’re still curious to actually see it. Hearing about it isn’t the same as seeing it.”

“If you speak to him again, please tell him the Empire welcomes him and will give him a grand tour when he visits. The more of their people we can win over and send home to talk about it, the better it will be for our relations.”

“I’ll make sure to mention it.”

“Good. Since it seems our job is done here, I want you to begin preparing a small guard force to escort me to Italia. Large enough to take us beyond the peninsula and on to wherever the legions will be when we get there.”

“Your Majesty, with all due respect, I must advise against this course of action. Joining the legions on the front lines is far too dangerous for the Empress.”

“Considering the deal we just finished making and the relationship we have with the Germanics, do you believe the journey to Italia would be unsafe, Modius?”

“Well, no, but...”

“And did you not just say that our relations with the Germanics are better than they’ve ever been?” Lucilla pressed.

“Yes, Your Majesty, but that doesn’t mean we’ve eliminated all threats. There are still bandits and other dangers lurking in the wilderness. And from what I hear, the situation in Italia is far less stable than it is here.”

“Which shouldn’t affect us. The first group of Germanics heading to the peninsula to bolster security there is set to depart within the week. Over a thousand warriors. It’s highly improbable that any bandits would dare to challenge such a formidable force.”