Part 107 (1/2)
”Tighter, Eros” Antony was testing his breastplate, pulling on the straps
”Yes,time since I have performed this duty” He yanked on one shoulder strap
”I know Three years since Ar the scarf that protected it froood to buckle on fighting gear again!”
I stood in the roo the beauty in the cereer in it I would rather have been going forth ed uard We find it easier to hazard ourselves than those we love
He was holding his helmet, heavy ornamented bronze with a beak in front to protect the eyes, and cheekplates to shi+eld the sides Eros had lovingly polished it last night, and now it gleamed, topped by the distinctive crest that served to identify the commander-in-chief
Fro scenes of his ancestor Hercules, hung a kilt of leather strips, aug his rank Beneath the strips I could see the purple of his tunic, which shohen he s were bare, but his heavy nailed sandals laced halfway up his calves He was holding his sword, turning it over lovingly in his hands It was about two feet long, double-edged
”My friend,” he addressed it, ”we have work to do today” The sword had been his cons; if only it could write a book
Eros fastened it, in its scabbard, on the right side of his belt, then stepped back ”There, lord It is done”
Antony tucked his dagger in place on his left side ”The shi+eld,” he asked Eros
Eros handed hihtly colored eeneral
I suddenly had a sickening vision of Alexander inheriting the not because in ti in the picture that flashed into my mind
”I am ready,” said Antony ”Come and kiss me”
My heart felt as heavy as a stone What if this was the last time? I walked over to him and kissed his cheek
”No, not that way!” He clasped ainst the heavy metal breastplate, and bent his head to kiss er on them, as it would be unseemly
”We'll beat the to the door to one
Eros grabbed up his own much less elaborate armor and followed
True to his promise, it was only two days since the fall of Leucas It was of utmost importance to strike as soon as possible, before the deprivations that would inevitably follow Earlier, it was Octavian who had sought a quick resolution, while we delayed Now the tables were turned
His capture of Leucas had solved Octavian's fleet anchorage proble as he liked; he need not fear storms His fleet was secure, and his food supply ensured for his army And ere blockaded Trapped at Actiu swiftness we had lost our strategic advantage; our lifeline to Egypt had been cut We had to break out, or perish
And as for perishi+ngthat night e lay in bed together, I had told Antony about the poisoned cup meant for me He had been practical about it
”Fro is tasted first,” he said
”Is that all you have to say? I know that!”
”And you have no idea who held the poisoned flower?”
”No, I paid no attention So me That means they think you will abandon this course without me--someone who does not want to sever ties with Octavian's Rome It must have been a senator Or even Ahenobarbus” The latter's disapproval of me was patent
Antony had yawned ”No, it must have been an easterner Poison is not the Roness to adapt foreign customs”
”Not this one,” he insisted ”Just be sure to take precautions” He had sighed wearily and fallen asleep
Now he had ridden out to lead the army into battle, and I must wait at headquarters Wait, wait, wait Truly it would have been easier to have ridden out with him Charmian and Iras stood by to keep me company as they had done so many other times But there was no amusement or diversion that could fill my mind and heart
Antony did not return at sunset Not until near ht did he rush back into headquarters One look at hi as it hen he departed, toldHe yanked off his helmet and tossed it on the bed; his sword followed suit
”He won't come out!” he yelled ”He won't face us!”
”Here” I helped him undo the breastplate Underneath, his tunic was soaked with sweat, the sweat of anger, not exertion I removed the heavy armor and put it safely on the floor, then se We fired stones and arrows into his camp They are shut up in there like a turtle in its shell He has built defensive walls down to the sea; that kept us froh to overrun them Well, tomorroe'll destroy them We'll build machines that can flatten the them across the room
”You yourself have said that there's no way to force a dug-in are I would think subterfuge would work better here than trying a siege Remember, we are the ones blockaded In effect, we are already under siege To ed-- now there's a trick!”
”What, are you telling me how to conduct a war?” he yelled
”No, I a you of what you--in calmer hours--have pointed out to me”
He flopped down in a chair ”The weakness in his position is the lack of water We'll cut off his water supply The springs down on the flat ground-- he's run his walls around theet inside themYes, that's e'll do At dawn tomorrow--”
”Then youto calm him ”That is only a few hours away”
Before it was fully light, Antony and a cavalry force set out to ride around the gulf and co up inside the walls and taking the springs With him rode the eastern princes who had supplied cavalry: Aions, led by Canidius, stood at the ready to swariven
This time when he returned, his clothes were dirty, his shi+eld scarred, its bright paint scored by arrows and sword cuts But he alking stiffly, and when he removed his helmet, his face was oddly expressionless
Was he hurt? I flew to hied him to tell me
”Hurt? In the body, youwith him? ”Yes, of course that's what I mean! Is it your head?” Had he suffered a blow there that had dazed him?
”No No, it's my--it's my--it's not a wound No”
”What has happened? Did you take the springs?”
”Yes, indeed we did The fighting was fierce When their precious water was attacked, that got the there there anymore!” anymore!”
There was more to it than this ”Then what?”
”We were to follow up by attacking the camp directly, since ere now inside the walls But then, our faithful Deiotarus of Paphlagonia suddenly deserted Yes, just deserted, with all his horsemen!”