Tomb of the Lost (17 page)

From up on the battlements Julius Caesar watched the scene below as his army slowly took the streets of Alexandria.

“
It is slow work Sir,
”
Germanicus said.

Caesar unrolled a hand drawn map of the city and held it near a torch. Germanicus took one end to steady it.

“
Once we have taken this street as far as those points there,
”
Julius said pointing to two locations,
“
We can hold easily from there and spread in both directions. Then we can set up the Ballista
’
s and concentrate on knocking down the barricades. We need to clear a direct route to the harbour to allow a supply line.
”

“
This map is fairly accurate Sir.
”

“
It
’
s Queen Cleopatra
’
s. She has given it to me.
”

He thought about her again. About their lovemaking.

‘
The Gods. Was that only two days ago?
’

There was a shout from the top of the gate. Both Generals looked up. In the dimly lit street they could see the enemy running towards the Romans screaming their battle cry.

Dolabella both heard, and saw, them coming.

“
Take up positions!
”
he roared drawing his sword.

His second in command rushed over as the legionaries began forming up their basic defence positions.

“
Sir what about the teams assaulting the houses and buildings?
”

“
You
’
d better stop them in case they end up behind enemy lines.
”

“
Yes Sir!
”

The man rushed off.

Dolabella turned to Marcellus.

“
It looks like we
’
re in for a long night.
”

Marcellus drew his sword.

“
I wouldn
’
t be able to sleep with all this noise anyway.
”

Julius Caesar and his General
’
s had retired for the night. They were all sitting, drinking wine. Outside the palace the streets had fallen silent. Spies had reported to Caesar that the Alexandrian
’
s were holding a public meeting to discuss tactics. One thing Caesar had been told was that the Alexandrians had all agreed on one thing and that was the absolute need, and no matter the cost, they had to eradicate the Romans from Egypt forever. And Caesar was sure that was exactly what they intended to do.

“
We
’
ve conquered four city blocks today Caesar and are able to hold them.
”

“
What are our losses?
”

“
Forty seven dead. Thirty two wounded.
”

Caesar bit his lip.

“
Forty seven and it
’
s only day one. There could be another hundred like it. We
’
d better pray help arrives soon.
”

“
Mithridates Sir?
”

“
Yes. Mithridates.
”

“
We
’
ve managed to kill over three hundred of the enemy Sir,
”
Marcellus piped in,
“
Are you not pleased with these figures?
”

“
We have less than five thousand men. Alexandria is, was, a city of over one million and if all the inhabitants fight like this, well, you do the maths.
”

Marcellus fell silent and stared into his wine cup.

“
And what of Achillas Caesar? When will he fight?
”
Dolabella asked.

“
Like a man you mean?
”
replied Germanicus,
“
He hides behind his army like a coward.
”

“
He
’
ll fight soon enough,
”
Julius said.

“
When is what I
’
d like to know,
”
Marcellus said.

Germanicus, feeling frustrated at this stalemate they seemed to be in, got up out of his chair and put his goblet down.

“
The wine is strong tonight. I
’
m going to get a cup of water. Would anyone else like one?
”

They all declined. He walked over to the nearest fountain, took a clean cup, and filled it.

’
That
’
s odd,
’
he thought,
’
It looks cloudy.
’

He raised it to his lips and took a mouthful. His taste buds tasted salt instantly. It was brine. He spat the water out splashing the floor with it.

“
It
’
s brine!
”

Caesar jumped to his feet and rushed over to the fountain. He took Germanicus
’
cup and smelled it, then took a swig, swilled it with his tongue and spat the offending liquid into the fountain.

“
Check the others!
”
he ordered,
“
Have the whole palace checked.
”

Minutes later and the report wasn
’
t good. The palace no longer had fresh running water.

“
Send men out to search for the source,
”
Caesar said,
“
We must pray it
’
s just a broken pipe somewhere in the system.
”

“
It
’
s more likely to be sabotage isn
’
t it Sir.
”

“
I hope not. Gentlemen we must keep this from the men. They can fight without food but water? Thirst can make men go mad.
”

Lucius came rushing in. He beckoned Caesar over.

“
Yes what is it?
”

Lucius spoke quietly for a short time. Then Caesar dismissed him. He came back to his Generals slowly.

“
It seems we have another problem tonight.
”

They gathered round to listen.

“
Queen Cleopatra
’
s younger sister Arsinoe, who I was holding in confinement has apparently managed to escape the palace guards with her eunuch Ganymedes and gone over to Achillas.
”

“
I don
’
t see how such a whelp could be a threat Sir,
”
Dolabella said.

“
Have you not already noticed that the two sister
’
s are so much more intelligent than their brothers.
”

“
I still fail to see of what use she was to us.
”

“
On the contrary I was considering making her and the young Ptolemy joint rulers of Cyprus.
”

Germanicus had a puzzled look on his face.

“
You don
’
t approve Germanicus?
”

“
I don
’
t understand Sir. I heard you say in the street and if I may quote you, you said,
‘
I will not leave until Egypt is mine
’”

Caesar smiled to himself.

“
That was a boast.
”

“
Boast?
”

“
A bluff then. It is true that when I followed Pompey here I did intend to annex Egypt to Rome, but now, since meeting Cleopatra and getting to know her, I
…
.
”
he paused,
“…
.From tonight gentlemen we back Queen Cleopatra
’
s claim to the throne.
”

The General
’
s were silent. Finally Germanicus said.

“
Of course Sir. Whatever you decide on I will follow.
”

“
I agree,
“
Dolabella said.

“
And I.
”

“
And I.
”

“
Then gentlemen let us set up our artillery tonight and tomorrow at dawn we will unleash hell on Alexandria!
”

CHAPTER NINE

Commander Marcus Sejanus raised his hand up to his eyes again and pinched the bridge of his nose. Marcus was tired. All of his men were tired. Marcus hadn
’
t personally slept in thirty six hours.

He was in command of a battery of ballista
’
s. They had worked through the day bombarding the barricades put up by the citizens of Alexandria. Large pieces of stone from demolished buildings had splintered the man made barricades while repeating Ballistae firing large, single arrows, had taken care of any defenders. Two mobile towers that had been wheeled into position had also been brought down and now lay smashed in the street to the cheering delight of the Romans.

The ballista
’
s had been moved up to the barricades and reset to provide covering fire for the legionaries who had worked to clear the debris. The dead had been carried back through the Roman lines and were now burning in the street behind, thus protecting Roman backs.

Marcus had seen some of the casualties as they had passed him. Some of the injuries were appalling. He cringed at the thought of being on the receiving end.

’
Better not to think about it
’
he told himself.

He pinched his nose again, his eyes closed. The relief was instant but he suddenly felt himself sway. He opened his eyes quickly and put his arm out to help his balance. His second in command saw.

“
Are you all right sir?
”

Marcus tried to focus with bleary eyes.

“
Yes I
’
m fine. Just a bit tired is all.
”

“
We
’
re all tired.
”

“
What? Oh yes I know.
”

“
Why don
’
t you try to get some rest sir.
”

Marcus was still rubbing his eyes.

“
No! I can
’
t. There
’
s too much to do
…
.
”

Lucius Scato studied his commanding officer. Marcus hadn
’
t realised that he was so tired he was slurring his words.

“
Sir. I can manage here for the time being. Why don
’
t you get some sleep. We
’
ll need you when it matters and you
’
re not much use to the men tired. You could go into one of the houses to sleep. It
’
ll be safe. I
’
ll post guards.
”

“
No I really mustn
’
t as much as I could do with a nap.
”

“
Sir I
’
m concerned about you. Caesar has ordered the attack for dawn. That
’
s four hours away and you can hardly stay awake now.
”

Marcus rubbed his face hard in an effort to wake himself up.

“
No! I can
’
t leave my duties.
”

“
What we
’
re doing now is just routine. I can handle everything here for now.
”

“
No.
”

“
Then why not have a bench brought out here into the street. I
’
ll wake you if you
’
re needed.
”

Marcus thought about it. A centurion standing nearby spoke.

“
You should get some sleep sir.
”

“
All right but you wake me at the slightest problem.
”

“
Yes Marcus. Of course.
”

Two legionaries brought a wooden bench out and placed it near a wall. Marcus Sejanus lay down on the bench and pulled his cloak up over him. He was almost instantly asleep.

“
Thank you Falco,
”
Scato said,
“
He wasn
’
t going to get some rest until you said what you did.
”