The Winter of Winters: Sphax becomes the scourge of Rome as Hannibal's war begins (The Histories of Sphax Book 2) by Robert M. Kidd

Author:Robert M. Kidd [Kidd, Robert M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Robert M. Kidd
Published: 2021-05-13T16:00:00+00:00

NINE

‘With all respect, Sir, this will drive the Insubres into the arms of Scipio and Longus!’ Sphax pointed out in exasperation.

‘Exactly,’ replied Maharbal coldly.

They were seated opposite the general’s brazier in his pavilion, Maharbal on his favoured stool, Sphax on a couch. He’d just come from a council of war where his eshrin had been ordered to loot every Insubres settlement east of the Trebia up to the very gates of Placentia. Sphax had been horrified. This was a betrayal. They were allies, not enemies! War had already brought famine to the Insubres. Looting them of what little they still possessed would bring about starvation and death. It would surely tip them over the edge.

‘This isn’t a time for noble sentiments, lad. We are at war with Rome. We must prod and poke, use every means at our disposal to stir our enemy into action, otherwise Longus will be inclined to sit and wait. For us that would be fatal. So we must prod and poke.’ Maharbal half-smiled and gave him a shifty look.

‘Your friend Hasdrubal devised this plan—’

‘Hasdrubal! That snake will be the death of us all.’

‘It takes a serpent to know a serpent, so I believe his plan will work. The Insubres will appeal to Longus and Scipio. Rome will have to decide whether to defend the Insubres or abandon them—’

‘What about the six thousand Insubres pledged to us in our camp? You are also asking them to decide between their people and us!’

‘It’s risky, I grant you.’

‘It’s madness, general … madness!’ With that he stormed out.

‘Wait—’ yelled Maharbal, but it was too late. Sphax had gone.

He’d been entrusted with six eshrins. The most he’d ever commanded. Adherbal had twenty this side of the river, watching his back. Under normal circumstances his spirits would be soaring with pride, but all he felt that morning was despair: forever remembered as the officer in command of this shameful act. What had Maharbal said about loot being a terrible curse? “That’s why we have officers. To lead and keep men in check when temptation arises.” Now he was letting them loose like a pack of wolves on a flock of sheep. He was being dragged down to the level of Hasdrubal!

He thought the day couldn’t get much worse, but as they approached the Trebia it began to descend into a nightmare he wouldn’t forget in a hurry.

Last night’s rain had swollen the river and its icy waters seemed colder than ever. Three men were swept away in its deepest course. Assembling his men on the eastern bank he addressed them, riding backwards and forwards amongst their ranks. But the instant he opened his mouth to speak the heavens opened and a deluge of driving rain and sleet drowned his words.

Despite the rain lashing his face he persisted, yelling, ‘The Insubres are our allies, not our enemy. Take only what they can spare. Do not chase any that try to escape. If any of you wound a single Insubres you will have

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