Free Masters of the Sea - Master of Rome by John Stack Page A

both their careers. Hanno despised his coalition with the Barcid clan, but for now it was in his best interest to maintain the union, his fate inexorably tied to each man. So before he turned back to face the father and son, he buried his animosity beneath a thin veneer of unity.
    ‘Where is the Roman fleet now?’
    ‘Our spies tell us the entire fleet sailed east for Sicily two days ago,’ Hamilcar replied.
    ‘Do we know their final destination?’
    ‘No,’ Hamilcar conceded. ‘Although, given the time of year, I suspect they will make directly for the safety of their harbour in Agrigentum and wait there until Sirius has risen.’
    ‘How long?’ Hasdrubal asked.
    ‘Less than two weeks. After that the weather will once more be in their favour.’
    ‘Then you must be in Sicily when they move,’ Hasdrubal said.
    ‘I will sail for Lilybaeum,’ Hamilcar said. ‘The Romans will strike either there or Panormus.’
    ‘What do you need?’ his father asked.
    Hamilcar didn’t hesitate. ‘The fleet stationed in Gadir.’
    ‘Impossible,’ Hanno scoffed, stepping forward to argue. ‘It is the only fleet we have left in Iberia.’
    ‘Nevertheless,’ Hamilcar replied, ‘I need those galleys if I am to protect the northwestern approaches to Sicily and continue the war there.’
    Hasdrubal remained silent and looked to Hanno, knowing there was no point in trying to persuade his rival. The One Hundred and Four appointed commanders and approved strategy, but it was the Supreme Council that steered the direction of any conflict, and that included the disposition of the empire’s forces. Hasdrubal wished only to know Hanno’s counter-proposal, the price he would demand for supporting Hamilcar’s request.
    ‘What will it take for your support?’ Hasdrubal asked of Hanno.
    ‘I will agree to release the fleet at Gadir to Hamilcar’s command,’ Hanno said to Hasdrubal after a pause, ‘on condition that his land forces now based in Tunis are given over to my command.’
    ‘You still intend to continue the war against the Numidian kingdoms?’ Hasdrubal asked incredulously, and Hanno simply nodded, not deigning to argue his position. Hamilcar made to interject, but his father shot him a look, warning him to hold his tongue. His son had no voice in negotiations at this level.
    Hasdrubal held Hanno’s gaze, but behind his eyes he was examining his rival’s proposal. Throughout the conflict with the Romans, Hanno had also pursued a land war against the Numidians to the south. That campaign had only been suspended when the Romans invaded Africa, every resource having been recalled to defend Carthage. Now that the Roman threat had been eliminated, Hasdrubal was forced to concede there was no argument to prevent Hanno from restarting his campaign.
    ‘Agreed,’ he said.
    ‘Good,’ Hanno replied. ‘I will take command of those forces by the end of the week.’
    ‘And what of Xanthippus?’ Hamilcar asked.
    ‘The mercenary?’ Hanno replied with disdain. ‘That Spartan has served his purpose. Pay him off.’
    Again Hamilcar made to speak but his father forestalled any further conversation. ‘It will be done,’ Hasdrubal said.
    Hanno nodded curtly and left the room without another word.
    Hamilcar waited until the councillor’s footfalls receded before turning to his father.
    ‘I needed those men in Sicily,’ he said angrily. ‘You conceded too much, too quickly.’
    Hasdrubal’s eyes narrowed. ‘I agree the army at Tunis is a heavy coin to pay for a provincial fleet,’ he said. ‘But if we are to continue the war in Sicily, then Hanno must be appeased, now more than ever. He will be suffet this year, nothing can prevent that, and as leader of the Supreme Council he will have considerable influence on the uncommitted Council members, perhaps enough to permanently tip the balance in his favour.’
    Hamilcar was silent, unable to see a way through the enemies ranged against him. Previously his thoughts had dwelt