Part 86 (2/2)
How concerned he was about that word! He would do anything to avoid it
”--to refuse to dwell on the past, and look to the future I will en in Armenia”
At least that would buy us some time to recoup our losses ”With Octavian away from Rome, that will serve us well,” I said
”If he has not left already, he will soon” The as out that Octavian had found a task for his legions--he would eoing to command his own troops?” I asked
”So they say He is desperate to prove hi himself injured would be helpful,” said Antony ”It has becoht for him, he is totally ineffectual” But then a look of pain passed over his face It was not Octavian who had lost forty-two thousand legionaries The irony, of course, was that Octavian never would have atteone, it would serveout loud ”I could renew my ties there”
With Octavia? Quickly I said, ”If you were to return in person, you would be questioned closely about Parthia There would be no hiding it Don't return in weakness!”
”I have been gone so long, I fear Imy hold there--politically and in the memories of the people It o when Octavian is gone, it will appear you are afraid of hi into the city behind his back, too tih that that was the tio-- when he could have Roht drift back into the wake of Octavian
The strongest nature that's nearest him will always lead him, rule him I could not risk that I o and call hi,” said Antony
”No, no!” I said ” ”Let him stay in Illyria Let him be beaten there--let the Illyrians do your work for you Otherwise he'll be looking for an excuse to leave and turn the fighting over to Agrippa, who'll earn hilory!”
”I suppose that makes sense,” said Antony But I could tell he was far froo later After I can present the Ar in chains in a Triumphal procession”
”Yes That will dazzle the Romans They love Triumphs And so far Octavian has not been able to claie the subject, and quickly ”I aypt I must return soon”
”Yes”
”What are your plans? Will you come, or stay here with the troops?”
”If I could only rebuild ions, I would mount the attack on Armenia as soon as possible But it is already March, and there is no way I could be ready to can this season--it's such a short one in thehere with his three renegade legions I dare not march east and leave my back unprotected”
”So you must lose another year,” I said ”Another year canceled out by other people” First Octavian's dallying, now sextus's How rip of faraway events, when you cannot either surnore them!
”sextus ht, of course And the truth was that Antony needed to regroup after last year, to revive both his army and his spirits
”So you will remain here?”
”For a few more weeks,” he said ”Then I will probably be able to oversee my responsibilities from Alexandria”
”Hurry,” I said ”Your city has missed you”
”Alexandria is wherever you are,” he said, taking ed and the other nor at me
My preparations for departure were alratitude that Isis and the two Gods of medicine--Asclepius and Imhotep--had returned Antony's hand to hione
Then it ca that Octavia was on her way to bring help to Antony: cattle, food, the shi+ps left over from those he had lent Octavian, and two thousand of the best Rouard
A pleasant ht the letter I was forced to entertain hi to find out exactly where Octavia was now The ansas, alo There she would await instructions from Antony
4And ill those instructions be?” I asked Antony as we prepared for bed ”I am sure she will obediently do whatever you ask!” Oh, why had he not divorced her already? Why had I not insisted on it? My mistake!
”I could use the soldiers--”
”This is co to you with aid and coh seas”
”She isn't my wife,” he said lamely
”Why? Have you divorced her? And I ree announcement completely I don't exist as your wife--not in their eyes”
”Oh, I a back on the bed
”Then end it!” I said I wanted to add, As you should have done bng ago you should have done bng ago But INot now ” ”Send her back” That would convey a loud e
”But the ions, and what does he do but send this little token as a bait--or as ayou to heel! They are attached to Octavia, hooked to her, so you are supposed to s the entire thing, like a fish 'Be good, Antony, and perhaps I shall let you have ! Is that what you want--to be his subordinate, dance to his tunes? I tell you, it's an insolent challenge! Two thousand e with his sister--the extension of hi Octavian hi up at the ceiling
”Well, do as you like,” I said, and Ito Alexandria You must board a shi+p for either Athens or Alexandria They lie in opposite directions”
I turned on my side and pulled the covers overfast, but it was only because, like all irrevocable choices, this had descended fast and unlooked for Yet it elcome, in some mysterious way Now it must happen; at last he must sail either north op op south south
It was unlikefurther to sway hiinate in his own heart Otherwise it woulda cheery letter ca herself, ”Your devoted wife” The day after that, Olympos and I boarded a shi+p for Alexandria
As he had e arrived, Antony stood on the shore alone, watching us
I waited, although of course I toldI busied ypt in my absence, especially since the seas had reopened Already trade that had been repressed by sextus had sprung back full force and healthy
”There is no doubt that Octavian did the world a favor by getting rid of hi the amphorae of oil dispatched in April ”Every tiive thanks to Octavian--for both the bread and the oil It matters not whether he is in Greece, Cyprus, or Italy”
I glu the benefits; our o wherever they liked now
”Here's proof of the expanded trade,” Mardian said, lifting sos and a wrinkled neck strained and struggled ”Two tortoises fro sent them He said he knee had a zoo, and hoped we did not already have some of these” He rotated the creature in his hand ”He said their blood does not freeze and they can sleep in the snoith no ill effects”
”Unlike Antony's ht to avert punishment by such paltry presents He was truly stupid