Chapter 4

Devnum

Ky was again in his quarters, writing out endless stacks of instructions. It had been years since he’d done this, since well before the end of the war with Carthage, and he had forgotten how tedious the process of transferring all the knowledge Sophus could give him onto paper could be. It was also a stark realization of how much they had slowed innovation over the last five years, that he hadn’t written this many technical documents in all that time.

He’d done some, as they hadn’t stopped advancing altogether, but they’d definitely slowed. He kept reasoning with himself as to why that had been necessary and the right call, but part of him couldn’t help but feel that he’d become complacent in the time of peace.

He was pulled from his thoughts when the door to their quarters opened and a very tired Lucilla walked in.

“You look exhausted,” Ky said, setting the pen down.

“I am,” she said, flopping onto one of the short and narrow couches that were still all the rage in Rome. “I’ve been in meetings nonstop for what feels like a month. I swear to the gods, everyone is so concerned with tiny perceived slights and petty squabbles that they’d rather be swallowed whole than put it aside and look to a real threat.”

“For many of them I’m not sure this is real yet. Port Amicitiae is far away, something easily put out of mind. That goes doubly for our allies, who had no investment there and didn’t see the value of having a position so far from the continent.”

“And yet, it seems obvious that this is just the beginning.”

“Which is all the more reason for people not to put their heads in the sand and to stop pretending everything’s fine. I assume you just finished a meeting with someone like that?”

“I did. The Greeks are maddening. They are on the very edge of Asia, and will be the first to feel the effects, and yet they push back at all but the most basic treaties. And that’s with each of them, since none of the fools want to come together and form any kind of single whole, despite what they have in common. Still, I do have some good news.”

“About the Greeks?”

“No, but I’ve managed to arrange the summit we discussed in Eastern Gaul, two weeks from now, with most of our allies. I think I’m going to propose the western alliance, like we talked about, and a unified military.”

“Do you think they’ll go for it, though?” Ky asked.

“I think so. I don’t know, I hope so. Some are on the fence, but Germania and Gaul’s representatives said they think their leaders would agree. The representative from Hispania seemed receptive too.”

“But not the Greeks or the Egyptians,” Ky said, as a statement and not a question.

“They are resistant.”

“But they’re the ones who need this the most. They’re closest to the Easterners. If they come, the first contact will be with the Greeks or the Egyptians.”

“I agree,” Lucilla said. “I’ve made that argument to them, and I’ll continue trying, but both are stubborn and fiercely independent. Same with the Scandi, although I think they’re softening. It helps that we’re the bulk of their supply trade and if the alliance forms, everyone they trade with will be in the alliance. Once I get the Germanics and Gauls on board, I can enlist their help in exerting pressure on the Scandi.”

“Good. I can feel things starting to pick up out there. I know it won’t be long until the Easterners stop picking at the edges and come at us directly. But we’re going to need more than just manpower. What won the war with Carthage was our technological advantage, and we need to have that again, and the only way that happens is if I’m here with Hortensius and the rest. This meeting, summit thing you have set up in Gaul, is more your area, diplomacy and hand holding people, guiding them to obvious decisions, which was never my area of specialty. I think I would be better served staying here than going with you, to ensure we get the new weapons off the ground.”

“No. It’s critical that you go. If we’re going to build this alliance, and especially if we’re going to create a combined army, it needs to be done closer to where the conflict will happen. And it’s critical that you’re there. Everyone, even our allies, know that you’re the center of our technological advantage, and they need to hear that we aren’t going to fall behind. Besides, the Gauls and Germanics love you, more than they love me. If we’re going to get them to agree to put all of their warriors under arms and under our leadership, we need to reassure them that they’re not going to be used as ... what was the word you used? Cannon fodder? They need to feel like they’re part of the overall strategy, not just pieces we’re moving around on a game board. And they’ll only believe it if you tell them it’s so.”

“They hold you in pretty high regard too.”

“Maybe, but comparing the two of us, it’s not even close. You also have to look at how these new weapons will change how we operate. You, yourself, said that it might end up creating yet another new way to go to war. We can’t train the armies here. We’re too far from where the fight would happen and I’m not sure our islands can support the kind of numbers this war is going to take. We’re going to need room to really do that kind of training, which means Gaul or Germania. Probably Germania, considering it’s close enough to Sarmatia and Greece to allow you to respond when the Easterners do appear. I’ll be here, because we’re going to be asking a lot of our own people once this starts, and there’s still some fatigue from the last war. We’ll have the telegraph and you and I can communicate. I’m confident Sophus and I will muddle through and get the weapons you two decided on produced.”

“Lucilla is correct. I believe we will be effective without your guidance,” Sophus added.

“I’m not doubting you. Either of you. Fine, I’ll go.”

“Isn’t it easier when you just agree with me up front?” Lucilla said.

“Apparently. If we’re going to train in Germania, I’ll talk to Bomilcar and have him prepare the bulk of the legions to be ready to travel once we’ve identified and set up the training grounds. Assuming everyone goes for the alliance, of course.”

“They will. They have to.”

A coo from the crib in the corner drew Ky’s attention as their child woke up from his nap. “I will miss Titus, though. I’ve never been away from him for more than a day since he was born.”

“I know. It will be hard, but he’s strong, like his father. Besides, I was raised much of my life by tutors and nannies, while my father tried to hold the Empire together. He will adjust, I promise. Besides, I will be here with him.”

“Which doesn’t help me missing him.”

“I know, but you’ll adjust. Maybe we’ll see if I can put the earpiece in his little ear, let him talk to his father. Besides, maybe there won’t be war, maybe we’re overreacting and this will all be short-lived.”

“Maybe,” Ky said, but his tone lacked conviction.

He knew better. War was coming, and no matter how much he wished it, he couldn’t protect his son from everything. Which meant he needed to go and fight all the more, to make sure Titus had a future to grow up in.

“Get this to the telegraph office immediately,” Valdar said, handing a slip of paper to the messenger, who saluted and ran off the ship and toward the dock telegraph office.

The message was an order to send messenger ships to half the combat vessels in the Middle Sea, ordering them to gather at Port Kalb and lay in supplies for a long voyage. After reading the full report from the ships that escaped Port Amicitiae, he wanted to bring every ship in the Britannian fleet. The report claimed that the Easterners had dozens of ships, which put them at a third of Valdar’s entire Navy ... and they had cannons.

He wanted ... needed, numbers to make sure he did the job, but he had to leave some on patrol. The Middle Sea might have been small in comparison to Oceanus, but it was still huge. Aside from pirates, which would always be a problem, it was possible the Easterners might make their way overland, get ahold of some ships, and start making trouble in the Middle Sea. Depending on how far they chased their ships, and if it was a diversion or not, he might not be able to get back in time to respond to requests for help there. Which meant leaving ships behind.

“Start loading supplies, as much as we and every ship in harbor or coming in now can carry. Including any cannons unassigned to active ships, as much gunpowder and shot as you can load, food, and the rest. Pack us to the gills.”

“Sir, we headed somewhere?” his first mate asked as dock workers began carrying supplies aboard the ship.

“Port Vikhavn, on the west coast of Africa. We need to reinforce their defenses, especially their cannons. It’s the most logical place for the enemy fleet to go next, and I want it to break across our teeth.”

“Do we have enough ships? I read the report...” his first mate trailed off, his conclusion obvious.

“We don’t have a choice. We’ll take as many as we can. Let’s get going. I want to sail before dark.”

The man saluted and ran off to begin his task as Valdar paced the deck, giving out orders and sending signals to ships still coming in, instructing them on loading and their responsibilities for the long voyage south.

Two hours passed as goods were loaded onto the ships, Valdar was pleased with how diligently his people worked, knowing the task ahead of them. As it looked like he was getting close to leaving, a commotion on the dock drew his attention.

Turning and leaning over the railing, Valdar saw the Consul, and the small retinue that followed him everywhere, coming down from the main thoroughfare toward his ship.

“Admiral,” Ky called out, raising a hand in greeting.

“Consul,” Valdar replied, moving to the gangplank and descending to meet him. “Come to see us off?”

“I have. This mission is crucial and I wanted you to know the level of support you have. We need to know what we’re up against and the whole Empire stands behind you.”

“The men appreciate it, Consul. They will do the Empire proud.”

“Your first priority is to protect the fleet. Gather intelligence on their capabilities but avoid direct engagement unless absolutely necessary. We’re still in the dark about their true strength. Don’t take any unnecessary risks.”

“Understood,” Valdar said.

“Good,” Ky said, reaching out a hand. “I’m counting on you, Admiral.”

“I’ll do my best to not let you down,” Valdar said, shaking the offered hand.

“I know. Safe journey, my friend. May the winds be at your back.”

With a final nod, Ky turned and walked back down the dock, his lictores falling into step behind him. Valdar watched him go, the weight of his mission settling on his shoulders.