by Ken Farmer
In addition, all were flying the black crossed streamer that identified a ship of the Clavius family - a well known banner for ships in parts of the Great Sea, and giving identity to a vessel that was not known to be an easy mark. As to whether any reavers off the coast of Egypt had ever seen or heard of such, would have to be seen.
Chapter 44
The ships in the little fleet would usually have carried trade goods in their course to Egypt, rather than just waste a voyage in the transport of air, but the cruise had been engaged with no time for such lading to be purchased and loaded. As such, the ships were tender, but light in the water and their haste was increased for the reason. In the half month, the spark of flame on the incredibly tall tower that served as a beacon for ships at sea was seen many stadia away by the late night watch and on the next morning they hove into the big port of Alexandria.
Had this been a usual porting, Julius would have enjoyed the visit to a new and fascinating city again, but on this voyage there was little time to waste. He allowed the crews to visit the dockside tavernas while the Numerarius, Gordino, made transaction with the grain factors. The unrest in Latium - a major buyer of Egyptian grain - was known, and such would have inflated the cost of the goods, but with trade inhibited from the lack of hulls to carry the produce of the season in fear of expanded pirate activity, and bags of grain almost choking the port, their barter was short and in favor of the Romans.
Now, the men were called from their drinkeries to give watch as streams of porters walked the boarding planks, each with a bag in carry. Even the Petrel was loaded with a full burden - grain is bulky, but with only moderate weight, compared to most cargo, and would give only slight hinder to the agility of the ship.
On the morrow, the wind was foul for their course, directly from the northeast, but Julius stood the fleet out, and to the west, to follow the southern coast of the Great Sea. His hope was that by the time they reached the city of Kyrēnē, the eye of the wind would have moved to its usual bearing for this time of the year. As a sop to the longer course, a westerly pointing would take them away from the reavers coming down the eastern reaches of the Sea.
A few coastal trudges were seen, traveling close inshore and rarely, a full merchant ship on an opposite course - no doubt, it also to seek the grain from Alexandria. None came close to their fleet, and even turning to avoid any close passage. A group of ships moving in convoy and not of military purpose was unusual, and Julius had little doubt that the fear of those far Captains was that this might be a pirate band scouring the sea passages for quarry.
Unfortunately when they reached that huge bulge in the southern coast, the wind was still light and directly from the course they needed to take. They stood in to the big port for a few hours to gain fresh victuals and water, then continued to follow the southern coast. Eventually, the point of land was reached, almost five thousand stadia from Alexandria, that now held only the shades of the Carthaginians and Legionaries that fell in the gigantic battle a lifetime ago. From there, they could take the tack up the western side of the island of Silicia, past the city of Panormus, then a slant across the Tyrrhenian sea to Neopolis.
"This will not be voyage to give vaunting tale to your coming infantulus," said Patroclus. He was sitting with Julius and Densus on the forepeak, watching the sun begin to touch the western horizon.
"Aye," gave the reply of the first mate. "Even one of the plodding hulks of Arrinius would have seemed as a speculatoria in comparison to our ambling pace. I have never seen the wind stay in that quarter for such an extended time."
Julius twirled his cup, long empty, then smiled and said, "My Grandmater, Lydia, used to give Aulius and I her wisdom when we thought the day was not proceeding to our desire. 'Man may propose,' she said, 'but only the gods dispose.' It was her way of teaching us to not chafe over happenings that we cannot affect."
"Your presence will be sorely missed," said Densus, "if we are still drudging along in the troughs when your mate comes to term."
Julius nodded. "Aye, and I will sorely miss the occasion, but... the work of a man for such a voyage is done months before."
"And for all our worry, we saw not a single shadow of reavers." Patroclus offered the jug to the Captain, but it was denied with the wave of a hand. "By my reckoning, we should give sight to the coast of Latium after midday tomorrow, if this wind does not become perverse again."
And in fact, by the midday meal, Ngozi called from the forepeak, his raptor-like eyes seeing the shadow of land an hour before it became apparent to the rest of the crew. In a while, Flavius made the recognition, "That is the aestuarium of Areci, Capitaneus."
Before them was a cove of the small river to the north of Neápolis. They were some distance above Neápolis to the memory of Julius. Patroclus shook his head in self-disgust. "It would appear that my skills are reaching their dotage with my being. We are almost fifty stadia north and west of our destination."
Julius clapped the old man gently on the back. "Have little worry, my friend. You will not be cast onto the shore as yet, to starve with the wretched beggars of the port. With the perverse winds and plodding gait of our voyage, any other archigubernus would have had us on the rocks of Hispania, rather than a pair of hours from our harbor."
With the three merchant in follow, the Petrel turned south to the northern point of the bay of Neopolis, then almost due east to find the port. In the two hours given by Julius, they began to see indication of their destination, but...
"Densus! Drop the sail! Give the signal to the merchants - heave to! Then lower the skiff." The light airs, still from the northeast, now meant that the vessels were in the shadow of the land to the wind. The small boat would be easy to row - much easier than attempting to make the Petrel close on each ship in turn that Julius could shout orders. With two of the new men at the oars, he closed the big ship of Kaeso, shouting up at the Captain. "Pull to the shore, there, and anchor out as far as the line will reach. And maintain a goodly watch." The merchant Captain called down his understanding, and Julius continued, "Watch for our signals. The white streamer to wharf in the port, if the red, then stand out and wait at the island of Ischia." That tiny islet was only a few handfuls of stadia to the west - indeed, they could see it even from where they were now hove to. "Send your boat and give the orders to Kaka and Amulus while I examine... what has happened."
A last wave of acknowledgment and the small boat returned to the Petrel. Even as he boarded, he saw that the men had made much preparation in his short absence. Several of the wooden barriers were raised, to give cover to men from incoming arrows, and every man had his iron and bow at hand, and quivers of shafts ready at each station.
Julius looked across the waters, the port of Neápolis still at least five stadia in the distance. Even so, none needed the predator-sharp eyes of Ngozi to see the burned buildings and empty harbor. At the stretch of shore where the shipyard of the family was, he could see the charred timbers of a vessel among the midst of the general destruction.
"It would appear that Melglos has struck during our absence."
Julius just nodded, his attention on the figures they could see moving around the port. As none seemed to be in flight, or fleeing from peril, he turned to call to Densus. "Hoist the sail. Move us in to an arrow's distance." Eventually, to the Sage, he said, "This is not recent destruction - there is no evidence of embers or smoke. What happened here is many days in the past."
As they glided to a wharf - none of the water structures were burned, or even damaged to his view - he turned again to the first mate. "Touch the bow, then back out and wait. Ngozi, Judoc, with me." Quickly, the three leaped across the narrow gap to the board, then assisted the polers on the vessel with a hard push back into the bay.
Now they strode along the wood to the dirt of the land, gladii still sheathed but with hands on hilts. Judoc had his bow, strung and in carry position across his body, but such a weapon is for range, not for the use in a sudden assault in a burned port c
ity. The inn, they could see had not escaped the flame, but the stone fence and pillars of support were still standing, if blackened. Interestingly the stables and outbuildings inside the compound were untouched which was somewhat incredible, as the former had a thatch roof which should have taken fire with ease.
"There, Capitaneus!"
Julius turned to look along the pointing hand of Judoc. "Praise to the gods!" he exclaimed to himself. At the edge of the family shipyard, he could see the old shipwright, Lartius, waving in their direction. Without doubt the oldster had seen the ships in the distance, and the Petrel in approach. His eyes, even at age, would not have mistaken vessels that he himself had maintained for years. Hurrying down the empty road, they quickly approached the old man, Julius taking him by the shoulders and giving his relief at the survival of an old friend. "You are well, Sos? And not injured?"
"Nay, Capitaneus," came the firm reply. "I have no reason to fear those rancidus brigands. I have thrashed men of far more robustness than slaves giving pretend of fierceness... It was... eight... nay, nine day ago when the mob swarmed into Neopolis."
Julius nodded with a smile. "What of our men?"
"Most are in the city, Sos. Some were taken with forces, but several have returned." Taken? The shipyard did not employ slaves - no merchant or manufactory of the Clavius family did so.
"Forced to follow the rebels..." Julius paused, then said, "Nay, let us not discuss this in the midst of stinking ashes. Come to the Petrel for a meal and a cup. Judoc, wave to Densus to touch at the wharf again."
In a while, they were sitting in the waist of the Petrel, now pushed away again and merely sitting unanchored in the light airs. All of the crew were gathered around as the oldster gave his tale. "...swarmed in at the break of day, looting food and weapons. And any horses and asses they could find. All of the slaves in the port were gathered and either forced to accompany, or mayhap they gave choose to do so. But, also, many of the freemen of the city were forced to assist in the loading and many were again, either made to follow or did so by choice. By the mid of day, the motley ridicularis for an army trundled down the coastal via with carts and wagons loaded to overfilling."
Now with some worry, Julius asked, "What of the women in the port?"
"Those in bond were taken, but I have heard no talk of mass ravagement by the putrid spumae. The mates of Capitanus Amulius and his first, Volusius..." He stopped to put his memories together. "And Kaeso, Pulcherius, their women are well - they have come to the yard several times to ask of your return. Ummm... the wife of Faenius had gone to Aqunium and I know not of her."
At least the slave army had not entered the city for slaughter and rapine. Apparently, Melglos was still building up both army and supplies for the cold season - now still a trio of months away. He turned to Densus, ordering, "Send up the white streamer. Bring the merchants to anchor in the shallows, but not to touch land." He wanted quickly to give the news to the Captains and crews that their womenfolk were seemingly untouched by the ravage.
Now, back to the oldster, he asked, "Why did they burn the port?"
Lartius lowered his cup, obviously enjoying the first wine for almost the half month. "They did not, Capitaneus. At least, not by order of the leaders of the putrid army. But, after the caravan of loot-filled carts disappeared to the south, many of the rabble that had found hidden cellarage of drink, did not hesitate to swill themselves into oblivious squiffs. They rampaged around the port area, shouting oaths to the gods and singing the praises of this Spartermus bastardus - their leader, so it is said. A fire was started in the port magistracy building, and that was the signal for the polluted mob to cast torches into the rest of the edifices along the shore." He pointed vaguely toward the east. "Fortunately, the residence areas did not burn to any extent, and many... most of the citizenry have fled either to Capua or northward to Sussesa or mayhap Voltunum..."
The fleet hove to in the water for the night, with several of the men being allowed to row to shore to find their families in the city. By dark, most had returned with the good news of finding their mates and children and were given place and meals on the ships until the morrow. Julius called a meeting of the Capitanei, giving what would be done at first light. With the ships anchored out into the water, no possible threat from land-bound rebels was possible - indeed, the men of the fleet would have gladly welcomed flatboats and fishers putting out from the shore, with men of the rebellious uprising attempting to give assault. Feeding the putrid marks to the fish and crabs would have alleviated a small portion of the rage that each was feeling.
As there were no mounts left in Neopolis, all having been taken by the raiders, Julius and Ngozi set out for Capua at a fast walk. The half-day of striding was strange, both seeing the road empty for the first time in their lives. Not even a frantic man or woman, fleeing the terror now loose in the land, was seen.
The gates of Capua were closed, of course, and guarded by men now at the top of the walls, rather than standing in the road in converse with people wanting entry. Julius was well known by the men of the city watch and the small sally port door was quickly unbarred and both men were allowed entry. After answering some questions by the officer at the gate as to the condition of the road, he quickly set foot to his household, there to find the family in great relief at his arrival.
After the welcome by the woman, and assurance that Camelia was well - and now well in show of the coming event - Aulius and he strode for the Tabularium, his entry gaining sudden attention from all. The men knew of the pillage of Neápolis - many citizens from that port city had fled to Capua on the first day of the attack. Julius was given the happenings during the months at sea. "...seemed to have split his forces in twain, one to the south and the other across the peninsula to the Apulia. It is that latter band that is looting and taking tribute from villages and cities. Scouts give that just the mob roaming the countryside is from twenty to thirty thousand in number."
"You have returned with grain?" asked another.
"Aye," was the reply from his brother. "Three merchants and the Petrel full and in wait in Neopolis."
"Then it is needed to be brought to safety, here, and before the rebels return."
"Along a road infested with slaves and brigands?" Julius had been wondering just how to get the cargo moved the hundred stadia across country without being swarmed by the slave army.
"Nay," said the senior Aedilis. "Rome is forming four Legions under Consul Lucius Gellius, and he has scouts roaming the peninsula to keep watch on the rebels. He cannot begin a campaign until the end of winter, else he would be leading an army of lung-sick men, just as did that fool, Praetor Varinius."
"Aye. In fact, there is a unit of Eques speculatorae stationed in Capua now, and Quiricus..." The noble pointed to the city leader, the Bergomagister. "...has made sure of their welcome and comfort, thus we get reports from the mounted scouts whenever one returns from the outlands."
"And the latest knowledge is that the looting rebels have receded far to the east, to the region of Apulia."
Carts and wagons were quickly gathered from all parts of the city, then a long and straggling train of ass-drawn conveyances departed for the port. Julius secured a mount from the family stables, preceding the procession by several hours that the three ships and the Petrel would be wharfed and ready to be unloaded. Three days passed, but eventually the last of the grain bags was behind the walls of the city and safely stored in the granaries, ending the possibility of severe hunger - and least for the remainder of the winter. The citizens of Capua could not feast as in the harvest season, but with careful rationing, it would suffice.
Back at the household, Aulius and Julius discussed their next needs. As there was no benefit in three goodsome ships to be wharfed for the winter, they were to be sent to make the voyage to Alexandria again, with Kaeso as commander of the fleet. Two vessels of the family had fled the port when it was attacked, including the pair of speculatoria in the family flotilla, although the one u
nder the command of Plinus had stood in a half month ago to give that the hulls were now waiting in Ostia until safe to return. And another had returned from its voyage to Hispania.