Hope of Earth

by Piers Anthony

And there, in the middle of the channel, was the Corinthian fleet. It had been trying to sneak past without notice. Admiral Phormio had anticipated that ploy, and acted to catch the enemy ships away from the shore, in open water. That was where he wanted them, Jes knew.

  But that fleet was still more than twice the size of this one, and packed with fighting men. What strategy could prevail against it?

  Yet as the two fleets closed on each other, it was the enemy who blinked. The Corinthians formed their ships into a large circle, their bows pointing outward. The smaller supporting vessels and merchantmen, which weren’t counted as part of the fighting fleet, were sheltered within that circle. But also there, oddly, were the five fast ships—-the only ones that might match the Athenian craft in speed.

  Then she remembered her history: a formation like that had been used successfully against the overconfident and surprised Persians at Salamis. The fast ships would rush to support the outer circle wherever it was attacked, so that it would not be breached. They would have only a short distance to go, and would be almost instantly in play. So this made maximum use of them. It was a good formation. If the Athenians tried to envelop the circle, in the standard tactic of periplous, the vulnerable beams of their ships would be exposed to a sudden outward rush by the Corinthian rams. That could virtually destroy the Athenian fleet in one move.

  So what could be done? The enemy position seemed impregnable to attack by even a much larger fleet. What was the source of Captain Ittai’s confidence in victory? Jes played her pipe, automatically following the directives of the boatswain, while her mind struggled with the mystery. Were they simply going to try to hold the Corinthians in place indefinitely, so they could not get where they were going? That didn’t seem feasible; the enemy should be able to wait as long as the Athenians could.

  The Athenian fleet formed into a single line, and circled the enemy formation at a distance. The Athenian ships were too far out for a sudden thrust to be effective; by the time an enemy ship got there, the Athenian ships would have changed position, and the Corinthian formation would be broken.

  The enemy admiral was too smart to fall for that. He kept his ships in place, not only pointing outward, but making constant adjustments so as to orient on the closest Athenian ships. The Athenians would have to approach to have effect, and then they would be vulnerable to the outward rush. This was like circling an angry bear: its swift paws would strike when anyone came within range.

  The Athenians did not approach. Instead they circled continually around the Corinthian formation. It seemed to be an impasse.

  Then Jes realized that the circling wasn’t static. With each pass, the Athenian fleet was slightly closer. The approach was so gradual that there was no point at which the Corinthians could act to resist an attack, but an attack seemed constantly imminent. So the enemy oarsmen had to keep stroking and backing, staying clear of their neighbors without allowing a gap to open in their defensive ring, aiming outward.

  As the Athenian ring tightened, individual ships would change course slightly, as if about to turn inward for a thrust. The enemy ships oriented on them, ready to counter. But no thrust was made. The Corinthians were clearly becoming uncomfortable. This was becoming a war of nerves.

  The helmsman walked along the gangway, speaking to the oarsmen in a low tone. When he came close to Jes, she overheard his message: “Maintain present cadence. Do not respond to the piping. Wait for my signal. Ignore the piping.” Then he turned to Jes. “Play the full repertoire, loudly, until I signal Stop.”

  She abruptly went into the Turn melody, loudly. They were now close enough to the enemy formation so that the nearest ships could hear the music. They knew its meaning. They thought the attack was starting. One ship started to move forward, before countermanding. Then it had to reverse and recover its position. But others were out of position, and there was almost a jostling of oars before they got it straight. There was a low chuckle among the Athenian oarsmen. They liked the joke.

  Jes realized that the Corinthian oarsmen lacked the skill to maintain such a difficult formation for long. They were being cruelly teased. But still, even a ragged formation was more than the Athenians could safely penetrate. So all this was doing was making the enemy angry. Something more was needed.

  The helmsman signaled Jes to silence, and walked the gangway again. “Resume honoring the pipe,” he told the oarsmen. “The joke is over.” He made sure they understood before moving on. Then he signaled Jes to play the normal Forward tune. They continued in their line, circling the enemy formation.

  The wind freshened, as it normally did at dawn. And suddenly Phormio’s strategy became clear. The Athenian vessels had no problem, being under oar and with room to maneuver. But the Corinthian ships were in a compact formation, pointing in every direction; they could not turn to ride with the wind. They were getting blown out of formation, or sideways into each other. The deckhands had to use poles to push them apart. As the wind continued to gain strength, this got worse. They tried to take evasive action to avoid their neighbor ships, but there was nowhere to go. Seamen and oarsmen were shouting at each other, and soon cursing each other. They were no longer listening to the words of command, or to the boatswains. The oarsmen, not well trained, could not recover their stroke in the increasingly choppy water. The helms became unresponsive. “Now, at the worst possible moment for the enemy, Admiral Phormio gave the signal to attack. Jes saw him waving his flag on the flagship, and saw Captain Ittai acknowledge. Then Ittai turned and spoke to the helmsman. Now was the time.

  The boatswain gave Jes the Turn signal. She went into the melody, and the ship swung sharply around. Almost simultaneously, all the other ships of the fleet did the same. Like ferocious birds of prey, they swooped in.

  The enemy ships were helpless. Their flagship was caught broadside, unable to turn in time, and Jes heard the crash as it was rammed. Her own ship did not catch one in ramming position, but did manage to sheer off a row of oars. The Corinthians were in utter confusion, not even trying to fight.

  There was a brief period of intermeshing. The oarsmen kept rowing vigorously, while the hoplites stood and hurled their spears at the enemy craft. Some even threw from a seated position, surprising her with their power and accuracy. Then the Athenian ships passed each other in the center and moved on out to clear water. They turned, ready for additional ramming runs. But the Corinthians were already reorganizing, in their fashion: to flee back to Patrai. Not one ship tried to fight.

  It became a rout and pursuit. Ittai’s ship overhauled a troopship, and made a wide sweep so as to come at it from the side and ram it. But by the time the position was right, they were close to shore. The enemy troops jumped into the water, deserting their ship as they swam for land. So did the oarsmen and hoplites. In a moment the Corinthian ship was deserted. So there was no point in holing it. They drew up alongside, carefully, and transferred a limited crew to take it away. It had just become an Athenian ship.

  Most of the enemy ships escaped, but when the action was done, one had been sunk—it wasn’t as light as the fast ships—another disabled, and twelve captured. It was a stunning victory, with no Athenian losses.

  They made their leisurely way home, towing some of the ships that they hadn’t manned. The men were still under orders, but they were smiling and joking, and the officers made no objection.

  During a break, Captain Ittai ambled by Jes’s station. “Now you know,” he said with satisfaction.

  “Indeed I do, sir,” she agreed.

  Kettle, nearby, nodded. He had not scowled at her all day.

  There followed a bout of repairing and refurbishing, as they got the captured ships into shape. They would not be used for some time, because they lacked captains and crews, but they bode well for the future of the Athenian navy hi these waters. The crews were given leave time for a few days; they had earned their rest.

  Then Captain Ittai approached Jes when she reported for duty, as she had to to be sure of her
pay. “We are not going out today,” he said. “But come aboard anyway. I have been meaning to tell you something, and to ask you something.”

  She joined him on the otherwise deserted ship, uncertain what this was about. He gave her the helmsman’s vacant seat in the stern, and took his own. From this deck they had a good view of the surrounding harbor.

  Ittai looked around, seeming vaguely uneasy. “May I speak candidly?”

  “Sir?” Because of course a captain had no need to ask permission of any crewman for anything.

  “I have in mind a matter that does not relate to business. It is personal and private.”

  Oh. “Of course, sir. I will not repeat it elsewhere.”

  “Thank you.” He hesitated, then plunged in. “I will not be marrying Wona.”

  Oops. “If I offended you by introducing—”

  “No offense. She is a beautiful woman, and most obliging in the female way. She made me realize that I am after all ready to consider marrying again. But she is also vain, faithless, lazy, and inconsiderate of those of whom she believes she has no need. I believe I would regret marrying such a woman, who is not at all in the class of my former wife.”

  He had Wona precisely targeted! Jes could not in conscience argue the woman’s case. “I am sorry, sir.”

  “Don’t be. There are many men who would be quite satisfied with such a woman. Perhaps I was spoiled by my wife, who was no beauty, but a creature of sterling personal qualities.”

  This remained awkward. “Surely so, sir.”

  “So I wanted to make clear to you my decision in that respect, before asking you my question. Wona and I have no future, regardless.”

  She looked at him questioningly. What else was on his mind? This hesitancy was unlike him.

  “As I mentioned before, I am not adept at social relations,” he said after a pause. “I command men, but I do not know how to speak to a woman in a truly courteous manner. I am a man of the sea.”

  She waited. She felt much the same when dealing on a social level with men, but she couldn’t say that.

  “So I ask you to understand that no affront to you is intended, and to hear me out before you answer.”

  “Of course, sir.”

  He set himself, and spoke again. “I know you are a woman.”

  Oh, no! He was going to fire her. He would have to, because women were not allowed on warships. So he was apologetic because he didn’t like having to do it.

  She held her chin up, determined not to cry. ‘“If I may ask—how did I give myself away?”

  He smiled. “You didn’t. You play your part so well that I could not be sure, though I fancy myself an astute judge of crewmen. I marveled that a stripling should pipe so well, with such feeling for the sea and oars. Usually it takes a man some time and experience to develop that spirit—yet you lacked experience. Your explanation of rowing alone sufficed, but the matter did not quite leave my mind. It was a minor mystery. Then when you introduced me to Wona—”

  “She told you?” Jes asked, appalled.

  “No. She did not betray you. She does have loyalty to you, a person she respects beyond others. But I made a connection. There had been a story of a beautiful woman traveling in the company of a stripling brother who nevertheless could handle weapons; it was said that he killed several Persian raiders last year, and did not brag of it. That was why that story remained in my memory, another minor curiosity. As a manager of men, I have an awareness of details that don’t quite mesh; sometimes there is a larger pattern. I concluded that you must be that stripling.”

  “I did not realize how news travels,” Jes said ruefully. “I take no pride in killing, but I had no choice.”

  “So I gathered. One of my suppliers is a trader named Crockson. He—”

  “Crockson!”

  “I do not know him personally, but I know of him. He fancies stripling males, and treats them well. He is currently without one. There was a story that one with a beautiful sister came to work for him, but that he did not take that particular stripling as a lover. Not, I think, because of refusal, for he gave that stripling money and a flute, and the lad played well.”

  Jes brought out her flute. “Yes, it is his flute. He helped me practice, and had me study the ships, so that I could do—as I did.”

  “That third memory finally enabled me to see the larger pattern. But though I could fathom a reason why you were not his lover, I still wasn’t sure. So I verified it.”

  She looked at him questioningly.

  “One of my bowmen has exceptional night vision. I asked him to spy on you in the night, during the bivouac. He reported that you found it necessary to squat to urinate. He was instructed to tell no one but me, and he obeys instructions. I was then satisfied with my diagnosis.”

  He had certainly been careful and competent in his investigation! “I—I will go without fuss, sir, so as not to embarrass you. I—”

  “No. You are an excellent pipeman, and I want to keep you. You did not panic under Stress in the battle. It is my prerogative to hire whom I please, regardless of gender. But it would be better if the remaining crew did not know. The oarsmen, in particular, have their superstitions, and the hoplites might seek to take advantage, the moment you left the protection of the ship.”

  “Yes, sir.” She thought of Kettle, the commander of the hoplites, who would surely be furious to learn he had been backed off by a woman. She had been on the way to earning his grudging respect; this would destroy it.

  “So keep your secret, and so will I, for the duration of your service on my ship.”

  “Oh, thank you sir! I love it on your ship. I—”

  “Do not be grateful yet. There is worse. I don’t know how to make this sound appropriate, so I won’t try. I want to marry you.”

  Stunned, she stared at him. “What?”

  “By the time I had ascertained your gender, I had learned a good deal about you. You are a fine person. You possess all the qualities Wona lacks. You have courage, integrity, constancy, discretion, and ability. And I think you could learn love. You are the kind of woman I want. A woman who could replace my wife without seeming inferior.”

  “But I’m not beautiful!” she blurted.

  “You are not buxom, agreed. Your face is not pretty. But you are slender and graceful. In any event, you are quite attractive to me in personality, and I think in body-too, were you appropriately garbed and coifed. Much lies in the way a woman presents herself.”

  That was true, as Wona had taught her. She could act like a woman, if she tried. But she was still so amazed by his offer that she could not truly believe it. “I—I can’t—”

  “I realize I am old,” he said. “And stout. I can’t blame you for not finding me desirable as a man. But I can offer you an excellent life in other respects. A life that will continue well after I am gone. That should be some compensation.”

  “Oh, it isn’t that, sir. I respect you as a man. I just never thought—”

  “In any event, there is no need to make an immediate decision. All I ask is that you consider the matter for a fair period, and give me your answer, of whatever nature, before this tour is done.”

  “I think I am dreaming this,” she said. “But even in a dream, I have to say that I came here with Wona to find a husband for her, not for me, and I am honor bound not to desert her until she finds a suitable man.”

  “I will obtain another officer for her. One who will satisfy her, and be satisfied by her. You can assure yourself on that score before saying anything further to me.”

  “And I—I never even thought of marriage. Not to a man of your stature. I—I like being a crewman. I don’t think I could be a gracious woman, confined to a house. I would always want to put on mannish garb and go out for more adventure.”

  “If that is the price of you, I will gladly pay it. I would ask only that I be allowed to accompany you on your adventuring, so as to be assured of your safety.” Then he frowned, reconsidering. “Unless yo
u are saying that your taste is not, after all, in men.”

  “Oh, no, sir! I want to be with a man when—I mean, I try to look like a stripling male, but that’s to enable me to go about my business safely. I am a woman. I long to be—to be a woman with a good man. To be desired as a woman.”

  “I am very glad to hear it. Then I trust we are agreed: You will continue your position here, in male guise. But you will also think about the role I offer you as a female.”

  “I will certainly think about it. But—may I speak candidly, sir?”

  He laughed. “There is another level? Speak; I will not be angry.”

  “You—in your position—you can command women, any women you desire. You can—can command me. As a woman. I am young and inexperienced in this respect, but I—I would do whatever you asked, just to keep my position on your ship. And I would not—not find it unpleasant, though I would lack the ability Wona has. You surely know this. You could use me and discard me, without commitment. Why do you speak of—of marriage?”

  “That is easy to answer. Because I don’t want easy passion, or experience. I can get that from women like Wona. I want a true relationship. I want love. That cannot be compelled, and I would not compel it if it were possible. You are young, but you understand honor. I know you would not speak love to me unless you meant it. If—if it is your desire to marry me without the commitment of love, I will accept that, hoping love will come in due course. But I would much prefer to have your love, and give you mine. I realize that this makes me a foolish man, but it was the way it was with my wife. So you must come to your own conclusion, and if you realize that you can never love me, I will let you go without rancor. But I sincerely hope that is not the case.”

  Jes found herself flattered as well a£ surprised by his offer. But marriage? It was so far beyond any notion she had ever entertained that she simply could not assimilate it. “I will think about it, sir,” she finally said.

  “Thank you.” He stood, in that manner dismissing her. “In the interim I will see about placing Wona.”