The Princess and the Pirates(17)
“These are my marines. Their commander is Epimanondas. They are all Macedonians, chosen from my father’s guard.”
Macedonians, although they speak a dialect of Greek, are not to be confused with true Greeks, who are a degenerate and effeminate people. The Macedonians are primitive, ferocious, and probably much like our own Roman ancestors. These wore old-fashioned armor of bronze and layered linen and open-faced helmets of bronze, looking more like Homer’s heroes than modern legionaries. This made sense, as a Roman mail shirt would quickly rust under seagoing conditions. They carried small, circular shields and held half-pikes at their sides. Their captain was a scar-faced veteran whose arms were a bit fancier than the rest but were still eminently serviceable.
“A fine pack of villains,” I said approvingly. These men, at least, I was going to be glad to have with me on my pirate hunt.
“When do we commence operations?” Cleopatra asked. “I’m eager to begin.” I had to remind myself that this queenly young woman was still little more than a girl. Only the very young or very stupid are anxious to go out and court death.
“I’ve alerted the harbor master to inform me the moment report of a pirate action comes to him.”
“Well, you are the admiral, but it seems to me that the place to look for pirates is not where they’ve just been but where they are going to strike next.”
“You are very perceptive,” I commended her. “But we have to start somewhere. I hope that a pattern will eventually reveal itself and give us something to go on. In the meantime we will begin cruising. If nothing else, it will demonstrate Roman presence in these waters and drill our sailors in combined operations.”
She smiled. “I’m ready now!”
“I can see that, but your rowers aren’t. If you race chariots, you don’t race the same team twice in the same day. Besides, tomorrow I plan to hire sailors and marines to fill out my crews. You are already splendidly manned. I suggest you rest your men tomorrow. We begin cruising the day after.”
4
I ARRIVED AT THE NAVAL HARBOR EARLY, wide awake and clear-eyed. The night before, mercifully, Silvanus had decided to spend at the villa of Gabinius, allowing me to excuse myself from the evening revels without giving offense. I dined lightly in my chambers and rolled into bed early, all too aware of the rigors to come.
In the little plaza before the house of Harmodias, that worthy sat behind a wooden table with a scroll, ink, and reed pens before him. Beside him sat Ion. All around the plaza sat, leaned, or otherwise lounged a pack of nautical-looking men, perhaps two hundred of them. Some wore the brief tunics and caps of sailors, others had the sturdy physiques and multiple scars of professional soldiers. Some of the latter had arrived bearing their own arms and armor, and from the look of them they had deserted from every army in the known world.
“By Jupiter Best and Greatest!” I said to the two behind the table. “These look worse than the lot I already have!”
“Senator,” said Harmodias, “if you’re looking for schoolboys, we have an academy of decent repute right here in Paphos. Go over there and you’ll find plenty of well-bred lads who can quote Pindar for you all day long.”
“No need to be sarcastic,” I admonished him. “I’m just expressing my disgust with the material, as has been customary with every recruiting officer since Agamemnon. All right, let’s divide the labor. You two know sailors, so pick out what we need. I’ll interview the marines. First, I’ll address this pack and acquaint them with the situation.”
I walked around in front of the table and looked over the assembled scum, letting them know how little pleased I was. They, in turn, looked less than impressed with me. I reached to one side, and Hermes slapped a sealed tablet into my palm. I held this aloft and proclaimed: “I am Senator Decius Caecilius Metellus! This is my commission from the Senate and People of Rome to scour these waters of the pirates that infest them! The job is pirate hunting; the pay is what every sailor in Roman service receives.” The sour looks got sourer.
“On the other hand, I have wide powers of discretion concerning any loot obtained during this operation. I have drawn up a table of shares for every man who serves with me. What this means is that if you serve diligently, at the share-out—when we have bagged these pirates and their loot—each of you may depart with more money than you have ever seen.” This was more like it. Grins began to appear on the villainous faces.
“All right!” Hermes announced. “I’m sure you’ve all done this before, so line up in front of this table, sailors to the left, soldiers to the right. Be ready to give your name and prior service, and no lies!” He sat and took his writing materials from his satchel.