An oblique approach b-1

by David Drake

  Once ashore, the man began to tear his tunic and bind up his wounds. They were many, those wounds, but none were either fatal or crippling. In time, they would become simply more scars added to an already extensive collection.

  The wounds dressed, the man rested a bit. Then, still moving silently and almost invisibly, he faded away from the vicinity of the palace. Once in the forest, his pace quickened. Silent, still, and almost invisible. Like a wounded panther.

  David Drake Eric Flint

  An oblique approach

  Chapter 14

  Daras

  Spring, 529 AD

  The good news, thought Belisarius, was that John of Rhodes was an extremely intelligent man.

  That was also the bad news.

  “Why are you lying to me?” demanded the retired naval officer. “How in the name of Christ do you expect me to accomplish whatever it is you want me to accomplish, when you are obviously keeping everything essential a secret from me?”

  Belisarius gazed down at the man calmly.

  John of Rhodes scowled. “Save the sphinx for someone else, Belisarius!” He stumped over to the worktable and made a disgusted gesture toward the various substances and implements strewn upon it.

  “Look at this clutter! Trash and toys, that’s all they are. I might as well be looking for the philosopher’s stone, or the elixir of eternal life.” His glare left the table and roamed about the room, encompassing the entire workshop in its condemnation.

  Belisarius scratched his chin.

  “Stop scratching your chin!” The naval officer flung himself into a nearby chair, exuding the quintessence of disgruntlement in his slumped posture. “Damn all mannerisms, anyway,” he grumbled. He looked up, eyeing Belisarius balefully. “And there’s another thing,” he continued. “What’s this nonsense you and your wife are trying to pull with me and that jackal Procopius?”

  Before Belisarius could dredge up something suitable to put the man at ease, John of Rhodes was back on his feet, stumping about and gesticulating angrily.

  “Don’t bother! Please! Do I look like a cretin?”

  Belisarius decided that, under the circumstances, straightforwardness was probably the only suitable tactic.

  “Explain,” he commanded. “And stop stumping about.”

  “I’m not stumping. I’m pacing, from vexation.”

  “Stop pacing from vexation. And explain.”

  John stood still. Somehow, despite his much shorter stature, the naval officer seemed to be glaring down at the general.

  “Have you heard my reputation?” he demanded. “That I am a master of seduction?”

  Belisarius nodded. John of Rhodes blew out his cheeks and then flung himself again into the chair.

  “Well, the reputation’s exaggerated. But not by much. The fact is, I’ve enjoyed considerable success with the ladies, over the years. Do you know my secret?”

  Belisarius waited. For the first time since meeting John of Rhodes, not two hours earlier, the naval officer smiled.

  “The secret to success in seduction, Belisarius, is the same as the secret to success in warfare. Never fight a battle you can’t win.”

  “Your point?”

  “My point’s obvious. I hadn’t spent more than an hour in Antonina’s company before it was clear as day that she was quite unseducible. While you were off thrashing the Medes, she and I were often alone. At such times, she’s all business and work. That’s all. So why is it, the moment that foul creature Procopius hoves into view, that she suddenly acts as if she’s smitten by me?”

  Even sitting, he seemed to be glaring down at Belisarius. “ What are you up to? ”

  Belisarius sighed and pulled up another chair. After sitting, he smiled crookedly. “We’re engaged in a deep and dark conspiracy, John.”

  The naval officer’s foul mood vanished. He grinned like a wolf-which, thought Belisarius, he rather resembled. A short, sinewy, handsome, blue-eyed, black-haired, grey-bearded, well-groomed wolf.

  “Well!” he exclaimed. “That’s more like it!” He leaned forward in his chair, rubbing his hands together cheerfully.

  “Tell me all about it.”

  When Belisarius finished, John eyed him askance.

  “You’re still keeping something from me,” he announced. “I don’t believe for a minute that these- visions, to use your term-simply came to you out of nowhere. Someone, or something, is behind them.”

  Belisarius nodded.

  “And you’re not going to tell me who it is? Not now, at any rate.”

  Belisarius nodded again.

  John looked away, frowning. A few seconds later, his face cleared.

  “I can live with that,” he said. “For a time, at least.”

  He stroked his beard. “But there’s one other question I must have answered. Now. Is this conspiracy aimed at the throne? Against the Emperor?”

  Belisarius shook his head firmly. John stared at him.

  “Swear,” he commanded. “I know your reputation, General. If I have your oath, I’ll be satisfied.”

  “I swear to you before God, John of Rhodes, that the conspiracy of which you are a part is not aimed against the Emperor Justinian.”

  Again, the raffish grin. “But he doesn’t know about it either, does he?”

  “No.”

  “Does the Empress?”

  “No. Not yet, at least.”

  John rose to his feet and resumed stumping about.

  “Good. Let’s keep it that way, shall we? Especially when it comes to Justinian.” The naval officer grimaced. “Such a suspicious tyrant, he is.”

  After a moment, John blew out his cheeks again and looked toward the workbench. “Not, mind you, that there’s much of a conspiracy here to begin with. Plenty of deep darkness, but precious little to hide.”

  “You’ve had no success at all?”

  “None-beyond some minor improvements in the Greek fire we already had. But nothing that’d be in the slightest way suitable for land combat.”

  Belisarius rose. “Come outside,” he said. “There are some people I want you to meet.”

  When he couldn’t find the Axumites in the villa, Belisarius suspected he would find them in the barracks. And so he did.

  The barracks were crowded full with soldiers, especially in the huge room which had served the former owner of the estate for a formal dining hall. Some of that population density was due to the quarters themselves. The Thracians had been reveling in the luxuriance of the “barracks” since they arrived at the villa. But most of it was due to the contest taking place at a table in the center of the hall.

  Seeing him, his bucellarii drew aside and let him approach the table. Belisarius examined the scene, and sighed with exasperation.

  Garmat, to his credit, was obviously trying to keep a lid on the situation. So was Maurice, of course. And the two soldiers of the Dakuen sarwe were behaving in the rational manner which one expects from experienced veterans surrounded by strange veterans. Politely. Cautiously.

  But the prince, alas, was still a young man, full of pride and eager to show his mettle. And not all of the general’s Thracian retinue were as relaxed in their experience as such veterans as Anastasius and Valentinian (both of whom, Belisarius noted, were lounging about amicably in nearby chairs). No, there were plenty of youngsters in the general’s retinue, most of whom were every bit as full of pride as the prince, and not in the slightest intimidated by his royal lineage.

  At the moment, the mutual pride was taking the form of an arm-wrestling match. A good-humored one, probably, in its origin. But the humor was now wearing thin.

  The reason for the growing ill temper was obvious, and was demonstrated for the general himself almost immediately. With a grunt of anger and disgust, the fist of the Thracian lad named Menander slammed down onto the table. Eon’s dark face was split by a grin.

  Glancing about, Belisarius estimated that at least three other Thracian lads had already been trounced by the Axumite.
And were none too happy about it.

  He sighed again. During the course of the journey from Constantinople to Daras, Belisarius had found the prince to be quite charming. Once Eon got over a certain aloofness, which Belisarius knew was nothing more than his way of maintaining dignity in a sea of strangers, the prince was both good-natured and intelligent. He had even managed-after a few slaps on the head from his dawazz-to stop ogling Antonina in his uncertain adolescent way. And he got along very well with Sittas and, to the general’s surprise, got along even better with Irene. Under the young Axumite’s stiff exterior, there proved to be a sly wit which the spymaster enjoyed.

  But-he was still barely more than a boy, and was inordinately proud of his strength.

  Belisarius had already seen the prince stripped to the waist, so he was accustomed to the sight of that Herculean physique. Obviously, however, it had proved too much of a challenge for certain Thracians.

  “That’s enough, Eon!” snapped Garmat.

  “Let him wrestle Anastasius!” demanded a surly voice from somewhere in the crowd.

  “By all means!” cried Ousanas. “Anastasius!”

  The dawazz, seated at the table next to his prince, grinned over at the huge pentarch.

  Anastasius yawned. “The lad’s much too strong for me. And besides, I’m a lazy man by nature. Contemplative.”

  The prince frowned slightly. On the face of it-but- He sensed there was a mocking tone under Anastasius’ modest words.

  The dawazz immediately brought it to focus. His grin widened.

  “Oh! Such mockery! Such false self-effacement! Is very great insult to royal dignity of young prince! Prince must now defend his honor!”

  Belisarius decided it was time to intervene.

  “Enough,” he commanded. He cast a stern gaze upon the dawazz.

  “Your duty is to restrain the prince from foolishness.”

  Ousanas gaped. “Most insane concept!” he cried. “Impossible to restrain young royalty from foolishness. Might as well try to restrain crocodile from eating meat.”

  Ousanas shook his head sadly. “You very great general, Belisarius. Stick to own trade. Make terrible dawazz.”

  The grin returned. “Only way teach prince not to commit foolish acts is to encourage folly.” He spread his arms grandly. “Then probably-never-King-because-idiot-as-well-as-younger-son gets arm twisted off and maybe he learn. Maybe. Maybe not. Probably not. Royalty stupid by nature. Like crocodiles.”

  He scanned the room majestically. “Many great warriors here,” he commented. “I ask a question. How you hunt crocodile?”

  After a moment, someone ventured: “Stab it with a spear.”

  Ousanas beamed happily. “Spoken like true warrior!” The beam was replaced by a look of humble abasement. “I myself not warrior. Miserable slave, now. Before, though, was great hunter.”

  Someone snorted. “Is that so? Then tell us, O miserable slave, how did you hunt crocodile?”

  Ousanas goggled. “Not hunt crocodile in first place! Great giant monster, the crocodile! Stronger than ox! Teeth like swords!”

  He grinned. “He also very stupid reptile. So I feed him poisoned meat.”

  Suddenly, the dawazz reached out his long arm and slapped the prince on top of the head.

  “You see that one?” he demanded, pointing to Anastasius. “He feeding you poisoned meat.”

  Anastasius grinned. The prince eyed him skeptically. Ousanas slapped him again.

  “Royalty stupid as crocodile!”

  Now the prince was glaring hotly at his dawazz. Not for the first time, watching the scene, Belisarius was struck by the peculiar courage required of a good dawazz.

  Ousanas slapped him again. “Not even crocodile stupid enough to glare at his dawazz!” The two sarwen chuckled.

  “Enough,” repeated Belisarius.

  Eon tore his gaze away from Ousanas.

  “There’s someone here I’d like you to meet, Prince. And you, Garmat.” Then, after a moment, grudgingly: “And you too, Ousanas, and the sarwen.”

  Returning to the villa, Belisarius introduced the Ethiopians to John of Rhodes. Antonina was waiting with the naval officer in the main salon, as were Sittas and Irene. After they had taken their seats, the general said to Garmat:

  “Tell him what you know of the Indian weapons, if you would.”

  Belisarius absented himself while the Axumites filled in the naval officer. He had other business to attend to, back in the barracks.

  As soon as he entered the dining hall, the conversation which had been filling the room died down. But not before the general caught the final remarks uttered by young Menander.

  “The slave offends you, does he?” demanded Belisarius. Menander was silent, but his whole posture exuded pout.

  Belisarius restrained his temper.

  “Tell him, Valentinian,” he commanded.

  The veteran cataphract never ceased from whittling on his little stick, and he didn’t bother to look up.

  “If you don’t learn how to read men, Menander, you’ll never live to collect your retirement bonus. The prince is nothing, at the moment, beyond a big muscle. Later, who knows? Now, nothing. The two soldiers are good. Very good, I’d wager, or they wouldn’t be here.” He paused briefly, estimating. “The adviser is dangerous. In his prime, probably something to watch. But-he’s old. The slave, now, there’s the terrible one.”

  “He’s a slave!” protested Menander.

  “Feeding you poisoned meat,” chuckled Anastasius. The room echoed with laughter. When the laughter died down, Valentinian finally looked up. His narrow, close-featured face was cold. He fixed the young cataphract with dark eyes gazing down a long, pointed nose.

  “That slave could slaughter you like a lamb, boy. Never doubt it for a moment.”

  Belisarius cleared his throat. “I’m going to need three of you to accompany me to Axum. And beyond, to India. We’ll be leaving tomorrow morning, and we’ll be gone for at least a year. The rest of you will remain on the estate. As you know, Sittas is here. At the Emperor’s behest, he is replacing me as commander of the Syrian army. You’ll give him whatever assistance he requires, so long as that doesn’t interfere with your duty to guard my wife and the estate. Maurice will be in charge.”

  Maurice said nothing, but a slight twist to his lips indicated his continuing displeasure with the general’s plans. A faint buzz of startled conversation began to fill the room, then died down quickly.

  “Any volunteers?” he asked.

  Within seconds, as Belisarius had expected, almost all of the cataphracts had volunteered. The younger ones had volunteered to a man, except for Menander.

  “Excellent!” he exclaimed. Then he smiled his crooked smile.

  “Shit,” hissed Valentinian.

  “Poisoned meat,” groaned Anastasius.

  “Those of you who had enough sense not to volunteer are coming. Valentinian. Anastasius. Oh-and you, Menander.”

  By the time Belisarius returned to the villa, the Axumites had finished recounting to their audience what they had been able to learn about the Malwa weapons. It wasn’t much, in truth. Over the past few years, several Axumite traders had observed the new and bizarre weapons in use-but only at a distance. The Malwa kept their special weapons closely guarded, and did not allow foreigners near them. In one instance, they had suspended siege operations against a coastal town until a passing Axumite vessel was shepherded away by Malwa warships.

  When the Ethiopians finished, John of Rhodes leaned back in his chair and began tapping his hands on his knees. He was frowning slightly, and his eyes seemed a bit unfocussed.

  “It’s not much to go on, is it?” asked Antonina, somewhat apologetically.

  “Quite the contrary,” replied the naval officer. “Our friends here from Axum have provided me with the most important fact of all.”

  “What’s that?” demanded Sittas.

  John of Rhodes looked at the Greek general and smiled thinly.

/>   “The most important fact is that these weapons exist, Sittas.” He shrugged. “ What they are, and how they work, remains a complete mystery. But the fact that they do exist means that it is a problem to be solved, rather than a fantasy to be speculated about. There’s a world of difference between those two things.”

  He arose and began stumping about, with his hands clasped behind his back. “We shall need to compile a library here. Unfortunately, the books which I own myself relate to seafaring only.”

  “Books are expensive,” grumbled Sittas.

  “So?” retorted Antonina. “You’re stinking rich. You can afford them.”

  “I knew it,” growled Sittas. “I knew it. Soak the rich Greek, that’s all anybody-”

  Irene cut him off. “What books do you need?” she asked John.

  The naval officer frowned. “It’s obvious to me, from listening to what the Axumites have told us, that the Malwa weapons involve more than simply burning naphtha, or some similar fuel. Every account of the weapons describes them in terms of eruptions-as if they could somehow control the force of a volcano, on a smaller scale. The closest physical phenomenon that I know of is what’s called combustion. And there’s only one scholar to my knowledge who studied combustion to any great extent.”

  “Heron of Alexandria,” stated Irene.

  John of Rhodes nodded. “Precisely. I need a copy of his Pneumatics.”

  Sittas glowered. “There aren’t more than fifty copies of that book in existence! Do you have any idea how much it costs? If we can even find one in the first place without raiding the library at Alexandria.”

  “I own a copy,” said Irene. “I will be glad to loan it to you. It’s still at my villa in Constantinople, however, so it will take a little time to get it here.”