Part 108 (1/2)
”But it is essential that we at least be able to move them Othere must burn the empty shi+ps,” said Sosius ”This way they can follow any breakout to safety”
”So that is what you are thinking of” Now I realized their aim
”Yes,” said Antony ”We have decided” He nodded to Sosius and Ahenobarbus ”They will lead a dash out of the gulf, while we”--he nodded to Dellius--”act as decoys by riding northward, as if we are seeking aid fro Dicomes That will draw Octavian's attention Then, when the shi+ps have escaped, ill rippa's reach”
It was a daring plan, and reflected Antony's creativity in battle
”What of the arions on board the shi+ps,” said Antony ”The rest will remain here, under your command”
Canidius looked unconvinced ”And ill I do? Wait to be attacked?”
”You won't be attacked,” said Antony confidently ”Octavian will be thrown into confusion Rerippa is not here”
”Yes, I believe he is still occupied in the Gulf of Corinth,” said Sosius ”He has now made after Corinth itself, and the naval station under Quintus Nasidius there”
”Good,” said Antony ”Let him spend himself there”
”And I?” I asked ”Where will you have shi+p,” said Antony ”You must extricate yourself from this place”
Ahenobarbus put down his cup and was taken with a coughing fit Again he excused hian to rustle, a tiny littlesun stood directly overhead Antony stepped out and, shading his eyes, looked at the horizon
”It begins,” he said ”Soon the offshore breeze will start blowing, and you can expect relief, runtled pack animal ”Relief? What's that?”
”When you are becalmed, even a puff of a breeze feels like paradise,” I said
”We are fortunate that we can count on the wind every afternoon,” Antony said ”And every night It blon froht, and in the afternoon reverses itself, so it comes across the waters and seeks us here” He s what he can to ease our situation”
”Bah,” said Ahenobarbus ”If he cared about our situation, he would bloe could round the island of Leucas more easily As it is, ill have to sail far out into open ocean to get clear of it e try to break away”
Antony clapped hie well enough”
He grunted ”Yes, but can anyone follow ht, alone with Antony--our tent cooled by the mountain air, for all that it wafted the marsh odors toward us--I asked him more specifically what the true situation was The doors stood open, the s begged for the east breeze to enter
He spoke soberly of what he had seen that an ”Both the men and the shi+ps suffer” He paused, then poured himself some of the equally coood wine for hier battleworthy”
I stifled a cry All lorious shi+ps! My men!
He came over to me and took both my hands ”Do not despair,” he said He liftedat his own seal ring, hich we had joined our fortunes in Antioch all those years ago ”My dearest wife, e bound ourselves to one another” He dropped my hand ”Perhaps this was not what you envisioned”
”What do you mean?” I said
”I mean you did not promise to endurethis” He jerked his head around to indicate not only the quarters we shared together, but all of Actiuht that But in the passing years I had come to bind myself completely to Antony the man--not the Triumvir ”I will never abandon you,” I said simply, ”nor wish myself elsewhere than at your side”
”Ah,” he said, ”but the plan calls for us to part”
”And reunite,” I said ”Does it not?”
”Yes But first--” He dropped my hands and outlined the plan
Sosius would lead the shi+ps out of the gulf while Agrippa was still occupied in the south So fleet, but Sosius should be able to defeat the enemy handily I would follow the first squadron of Roman shi+ps, and ould later sail around the Peloponnese to a safe spot in Greece on the east coast
”And you?” I asked
”I will distract their attention by riding north with a large detachion or two,” he said
”I do not like being parted, and unable to reach one another,” I said I had grave s, but I would not dishearten hiravity of the situation revealed itself in his voice ”We have no choice”
I attempted to smile ”Why, then, when fate offers you no choice,” I said, ”you must appear to relish it”
He embraced me ”There's my brave captain,” he said He bent down to kisstime since we had lain in one another's arms, and I felt distanced from him
I reached up and touched his thick, sweat-dahout all the earth,” I said I had never thought to say that to another person, with no reservations Even with Caesar, there had been conditions
”May they ride a flood tide of victory,” he said Norapped his ar else”
”Then you do not trust me,” I said ”If you expect me to share only your fairer hours, then I am not a true wife, but merely a political ally”
”No, you are not that,” he assured me
He kissedin the feel of his body against mine I felt that I loved hiround, as well as the mind that made plans for far away
We retired to our bed I held hi how I loved him And I did; this time at Actium had showed another side of him The more that was revealed of him, the more I found to love There were no disappointments or lacks in this man; he as all he outwardly appeared to be all he outwardly appeared to be
Through the openthe mountain breeze entered and spread itself out in the room, as if to soothe us I welco spirit to us, hovering over our heated bodies
”Is this a fitting place to make love?” he whispered
In truth, it had not been Actiu it inside out But tonight ould defeat it