Free Hannibal: Clouds of War by Ben Kane

smiled. ‘What does it matter if you know? You will never take the city. Upwards of thirty thousand men are under arms within the walls.’
    ‘Thirty thousand?’ repeated Corax, who had understood the number. ‘How many of those are professional soldiers?’
    Quintus asked the same in Greek.
    ‘More than two-thirds. There will be time to train the rest when the siege begins,’ replied Kleitos proudly. ‘In addition, the slaves freed by Hippocrates and Epicydes number perhaps five thousand. Those are being armed and trained as well.’
    Corax took a moment to digest that, but he didn’t comment further.
    That many defenders would mean fierce resistance to any attack. Quintus had never thought it was going to be easy, but this was bad news.
    ‘What about catapults and the like? How many of those are there?’ asked Corax.
    ‘Catapults?’ Kleitos had recognised the word. ‘I don’t know exactly, but it’s a lot. Scores and scores of them, from small ones up to the beasts that can throw a stone the size of a temple altar.’ He winked. ‘We have no shortage of ammunition.’
    Corax frowned when Quintus told him that. ‘It’s to be expected, I suppose,’ he growled. ‘A city like Syracuse isn’t going to have stood there for hundreds of years without strong defences. It will have its own wells, and enough food to last many months. That’s without supplies coming in from the sea, which will be difficult for us to prevent. It might be a long siege.’ He eyed Kleitos. ‘But Rome will prevail in the end.’
    ‘We’ll see about that,’ answered Kleitos when Quintus had interpreted. ‘Carthage will soon come to our aid.’
    The word ‘Carthage’ and the tone of Kleitos’ reply needed no explanation, although Quintus did so. Corax grinned when he was done, which made him look even more fearsome. ‘One day, we’ll see who was right, and I wager my left bollock that it won’t be him. Tell the dog that. Then he can go.’
    ‘I’ve no wish to take just one of your centurion’s balls,’ said Kleitos. He smiled but the gesture didn’t reach his eyes, which promised something else altogether.
    Quintus didn’t bother translating. ‘You’re free.’
    Kleitos inclined his head at Corax, who returned the gesture. ‘Can I have my blade?’ he asked, indicating a fine kopis on the ground nearby.
    Quintus had to admire his bravery. ‘He wants his sword, sir.’
    ‘He must swear not to attack any of my men for a day and a night,’ said Corax.
    Quintus went and picked it up. Its blade was covered in blood. Roman blood, he thought angrily. Warily, he approached Kleitos. He had never returned a weapon to an enemy. ‘You must take an oath not to harm any of us for a day and a night.’
    ‘I swear before Zeus Soter not to do so,’ said Kleitos, reaching out for the kopis.
    Quintus hesitated for a heartbeat. They stared at each other over the sword.
    ‘May he strike me down if I break my oath,’ said Kleitos in a firm tone.
    Quintus handed it over.
    Kleitos’ eyes smouldered. ‘If we meet again, I will kill you. And your centurion.’
    ‘You can do your best. We’ll be ready for you,’ retorted Quintus angrily. ‘Now, go.’
    Without another word, Kleitos strode past, over the bodies of his men, towards Syracuse.
    ‘A courageous man,’ observed Corax. ‘If all the defenders of Syracuse are like him, the siege might take longer than Marcellus thinks.’

Chapter IV

    ‘WE SEE G-ANNY?’
    Aurelia smiled. As ever, Publius’ reedy voice mangled the word ‘Granny’. Her mother hated it. No matter how many times Aurelia told her that he would eventually learn to say it, Atia had to correct him. She gazed down at him fondly, squeezing his hand. ‘Yes, dear. We’ll see Granny soon. It’s not far now.’
    It was mid-morning, one of the safest times of day to be out in Rome, and this part of the Palatine was a respectable area. That didn’t stop Aurelia’s grey eyes from roving the crowded street,