The tide of victory

now the great tale of Majarashtra, and would be for generations to come.

No wind could have swept that palace clean, except that a greater wind had smote its city. Not even the Panther could have cut his way to the Vile One through the mass of soldiery who normally protected the beast. But the soldiery had been drawn aside, all save a handful, in order to fend off the wrath of Ethiopia. Into that sudden emptiness, the Wind had slipped its way. Softly, quietly, stealthily, before it struck the mighty blow.

The deed was done by the hand of the Great Country, yes-and all Marathas swelled in the knowledge. But only because a black folk had broken Bharakuccha, half breaking themselves in the doing, and lost their king besides.

So the crowd gathered-or the gathering crowded-onto those treacherous piers. Because that was where they could see the people of Africa, and touch them, and speak to them, and bring what little gifts their village or town might have scraped together.

Antonina had been standing on the battlements of the fortress above Chowpatty since the break of day. She had come there, at first, out of some obscure need to see for herself the place where Eon had received his death wound. She had watched the sun rise over that place, gazing hollow-eyed into the fortress for perhaps an hour or so.

But then, finally, the sounds growing behind her had registered. So she had turned away from the fortress, to look down at the harbor it guarded. And, in the hours which followed, had begun to find some warmth returning to her soul. Perhaps.

Perhaps.

Ousanas' harsh voice broke into her thoughts. 'Do not presume, woman.'

Startled, Antonina jerked her head around. She had never heard Ousanas' steps, coming up to the battlements. Not surprising, really, given his skill as a hunter.

'What?' Her mind groped for the meaning of the words. 'Presume what?'

Ousanas crossed his powerful arms over his chest. Then:

'You think you are Ethiopia's curse? The foreign woman-the Medea-who wreaked havoc upon it? Slew two kings-the father, and then the son? Spilled half a nation's blood, and broke half its ships in the bargain?'

Antonina looked away. She tried to find words, but could not.

Ousanas snorted. 'Do not presume, woman.'

'How many of them will return, Ousanas?' she whispered, almost choking. 'How many?' She brought tear- filled eyes back to face him.

'This year? None,' he replied forcefully. 'Except the Dakuen sarwe, which will escort Eon's regalia home. That half of it, at least, which is still alive and not so badly injured that they can make the trip across the sea.'

Her eyes widened. Ousanas snorted again.

'For the sake of God, Antonina-think. Think, for once, instead of wallowing in this stupid misery.' He waved an arm toward the harbor. 'That is a warrior nation, woman. Traders too, yes, but a nation built on the training ground of the highland regiments.'

The next snort was more in the way of a laugh. 'I will grant you the beauty of Helen. But it was not because of you that Axum bled. So will you please desist from this idiot imitation of that puerile woman, standing on the walls of Troy.'

The image caused Antonina to giggle, and then laugh outright. Ousanas smiled, stepped forward, and placed an arm around her shoulders. Once Antonina had managed to stifle her laughter, he turned her to face the harbor.

'Look at them, Antonina. There is no grief in those faces. Sorrow for a young king they loved and treasured, yes. Sadness for those of their brave comrades who have died or been maimed, yes. But grief? Not a trace.'

Watching Axum's sarwen below, as they moved easily among the crowd-jesting, laughing, strutting, preening, basking in the admiration of old men and young girls alike (especially the latter)-Antonina knew he spoke the truth. And that small perhaps in her heart seemed to grow like a shoot in spring.

'They know, Antonina. They know. Now, at last-they truly know. That which Eon promised them, if they would follow him, has truly come to pass. Ethiopia is great, now. Axum has its empire. And that empire spans the seas themselves. No obscure land tucked away in a corner of Africa, but a nation which could reach its strength across the ocean and buckle great Malwa itself.'

He drew in a deep breath, gazing across the very ocean of which he spoke. 'Who will doubt now? Who will question Axum's rule of the Erythrean Sea now? Not Malwa! Nor, in the future, Rome or Persia, or anyone else. Axum's coinage will be as good as Roman here. And don't think'-he pointed to the crowd below-'that every one of those sarwen isn't thinking about it, in at least one part of his mind.'

Another snort. 'That part, at least, which is not preoccupied with seduction, and wallowing in the knowledge that no great skill will be needed for that here. Not this night, for a certainty.'

Antonina chuckled. Ousanas continued:

'No, they are already starting to think about the future. About the time after the war, when they will return. War heroes one and all, with the holds of their trading ships full to bursting. Bringing wealth back to their towns and villages, to add golden luster to their already glorious names.'

He gave her shoulder a little shake. 'So it is time-past time-for you to do the same. We do not need your guilt and misery, Antonina. Nor want it. We do need your shrewdness and wisdom. Athena we could use. Helen is nothing but a damned nuisance.'

* * *

On the way down from the battlements, Antonina paused. 'But why aren't the other regiments returning with the Dakuen?'

Ousanas gave her a stony stare.

'Oh.' She giggled. 'Of course. Silly of me not to have seen that.'

'Praise God,' he sighed. 'I think the woman's wits may be returning.'

After they reached the foot of the battlements, picking their way carefully through the rubble which still lay strewn about, Antonina started giggling again. 'That's such a devious tactic, Ousanas.'

The aqabe tsentsen shrugged. 'Not really. Every regimental commander understands the logic perfectly. And why not? Ezana explained it to them plainly enough.'

'You stay here,' chuckled Antonina, 'too far away to even think of meddling. Win more fame and fortune both for Axum and yourselves. While I, commander of the royal regiment to which Wahsi is sworn, will return and give the newborn negusa nagast the large fist the baby needs. Should it be needed.'

She looked at Ousanas through the corner of her eyes. 'And they did not balk? Not even a bit?'

'Not a bit. In truth, I think they were all secretly relieved. None of them wants a disruption in the dynasty, Antonina. With your hand to guide the thing, and Ezana to provide the fist, their distance relieves them of any burden at all. They are simply left with a warrior's simple task, far away in a foreign land. Win more fame, more glory, more fortune.'

His famous grin made its appearance. 'You noticed, I'm sure, that every sarwen in that harbor-wounded or whole-is practically staggering under his load of treasure. So careless of the Malwa, to leave their gold and silver and gems in the fabled vaults of Bharakuccha's harbor.'

The grin began to fade. 'So. How do you plan to guide the thing?'

Antonina scrutinized him, almost as if he were a sphinx posing a riddle.

'I don't know yet,' she said abruptly. 'I'm thinking about it.'

He scrutinized her in return. Almost as if he were a man studying a riddle. Then grimaced, as a man might do when he cannot find the riddle's answer-and remembers that sphinxes have an unfortunate diet.

'Maybe you should go back up,' he muttered.

'Not a chance,' she replied, taking him by the arm and leading him away. 'For one thing, I would be late for Shakuntala's audience. She's an empress, you know. And for another-' She broke off, studying Ousanas out of the corner of her eyes. 'I'm thinking.'

'I have wakened a monster.' Ousanas rolled his eyes. 'I can sense a demon rising.'

'Nonsense. I'm just a woman, thinking.'

'Same thing,' he whined.

* * *