The Death of Marcellus by Dan Armstrong

Author:Dan Armstrong
Language: eng
Format: azw3
ISBN: 9780983004561
Published: 2017-01-17T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 43

The following morning Hannibal was gone. Even the scouts hadn’t seen him leave. We began the process of breaking down camp shortly after daybreak. The tents went first, then the palisades.

My tentmates had hardly spoken to me except in ridicule through the first ten weeks of the campaign. Since the demonstration with the magnifying lens, however, I had gained a modicum of respect, though to be sure, I still remained an easy target for teasing.

While pulling the stakes, Pulcher asked me what Marcellus was thinking. Our little group stopped working to listen. They all knew I spent several evenings a week in the headquarters’ tent.

“I can’t say for certain, sir. I know he’s as frustrated as you are, but he also hasn’t let down his guard. All through the campaign, his position has remained the same. Never underestimate Hannibal. He has a motive for his every action or inaction. As far as I can tell, our general believes that the best philosophy with Hannibal is to accept that nothing is as it appears. Caution trumps impatience.”

Pulcher nodded at the reason of my words. Decius, another reasonable man when you dug down deep enough, also seemed to understand. Seppius frowned. “Hannibal is a coward. That’s how I see it.”

“And what if this is his game?” I asked. “What if all his stalling is designed to draw us into a trap? Or break the morale of the camp? What if this is his intention? We get so frustrated we take a risk. We do something stupid like rush his camp. I’ve heard that suggested more than once by the men.”

Troglius and Gnaeus returned to pulling out pikes. Seppius continued with his contempt. “The man’s a coward.”

Pulcher cut off the conversation. “It doesn’t matter what any of us think. We have no choice but to trust the consul. Now get back to work.”

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