Destiny's shield

Again, Belisarius clapped him on the shoulder.

'Besides, man-cheer up. We should be getting a new supply of gunpowder and rockets from Callinicum. Good Roman powder and rockets, too, not that Malwa crap. A big supply. I sent orders calling for every pound of gunpowder available. We've got more demolition work ahead of us. Lots more.'

Basil grimaced.

Belisarius, understanding that grimace, made a little mental wince of his own.

I hope. If the usual screw-ups with logistics aren't worse than normal.

But there was no point in brooding on that matter, so he changed the subject.

'What's your opinion on security?' he asked.

Basil's face cleared up instantly.

'It's beautiful, sir. Between Abbu and our scouts, and Kurush and his Persians, I don't think a lizard could get within ten miles of here without being spotted.'

From their vantage point on top of what remained of the ancient dam, the cataphract pointed down at the Nehar Malka. 'The Malwa have no idea what we're doing here. I'm sure of it. The one thing I was worried about was that the Kushans might try to sneak out a few of their men to warn the Malwa down at Babylon. No way to do that in the daytime, of course, but I had Abbu maintain full patrols at night and he swears-swears- that no Kushan ever tried to-'

'No,' interrupted Belisarius, shaking his head firmly. 'That wouldn't-how can I say it? — that wouldn't be something the Kushans would do.'

Basil's brow creased in a frown. 'Why not? Vasu-deva's oath was that they wouldn't try a rebellion-or a mass breakout. He never swore that he wouldn't send a few men to report back.'

Belisarius looked away. It was his turn to hesitate, now. He was as certain of his understanding of the Kushans as he was of anything in the world, but to explain it to Basil would require-

Aide broke through the quandary.

Tell him.

Belisarius almost started.

You are sure of this, Aide?

Tell him. As much, at least, as you need to. It will not matter, Belisarius. Even if he talks, so what? By now, Link will have deduced my presence in this world. At the very least, it will do so very soon. Much sooner than any loose talk among Roman troops could ever find its way to the ears of Malwa spies. Secrecy about me is not so important, anymore. Not as important, certainly, as the trust of your subordinate officers.

Belisarius sighed-with immense relief. He had always believed that his success as a general, as much as anything, rested on his ability to build a team around him. The need to keep Aide's presence a secret had cut across his most basic nature and instincts as a leader.

He was glad to be done with it.

Of course, came the firm thought, that doesn't mean you have to turn into a babbling babe.

Belisarius, smiling, turned back to the cataphract standing next to him. 'I am-sometimes-blessed with visions of the future, Basil.'

The Thracian soldier's eyes widened. But not much, Belisarius noted.

'You are not surprised?'

Basil shrugged. 'No, sir. Not really. Nobody talks, mind you. But I'm not stupid. I've noticed how Maurice-and Valentinian and Anastasius, for that matter-get very close-mouthed about certain things. Like exactly how you got the secret of gunpowder from the Malwa-and somehow managed to get it to Antonina in time for her to build a whole secret little army in Syria before you even got back. And exactly what happened-or didn't happen-in India. And exactly how it was that you were so sure that the Malwa would be our enemy, when nobody else ever gave India more than two thoughts. And why did Michael of Macedonia-Michael of Macedonia? — wind up such a close friend of a general? And just exactly-'

Belisarius held up his hand, laughing. 'Enough!'

He glanced around. He and Basil were quite alone on top of the dam. The nearest Roman soldiers were the small cavalry escort waiting patiently at its base. No Persians could be seen in the vicinity-and there was nowhere to hide, anyway, except in the reeds which lined the Euphrates. The nearest clump of such reeds was thirty yards away. Much too distant for any eyes to see the small thing which Belisarius drew out of a pouch handing from his neck.

He cupped Aide in his hands, sheltered from sight. Basil leaned over, awestruck.

'Michael of Macedonia brought this to me,' said Belisarius softly. 'Over three years ago, now. He calls it the Talisman of God.'

'It is so beautiful,' whispered Basil. 'I've never seen anything so wondrous.'

'It is a marvel. It is a messenger from the future, who came to warn us of the Malwa danger. It did so by giving me a vision of the future which Malwa would bring to the world.'

He paused, letting Basil absorb the shimmering glory of the facets. 'Later, I will tell you all of what I saw, in that future. Indeed-'

He hesitated. Aide spoke.

Yes. It is time.

'I will tell all of you. All of the army commanders. It is time, now. But, for the moment-'

He spoke gently, then, for a few minutes. Telling the cataphract Basil of the vision he had received, once, of a princess held in captivity by the Malwa. Held for them, by a Kushan vassal named Kungas. And he told how, in that future, the Kushan named Kungas had held his tongue when a Malwa lord had entered his chamber to take possession of his new concubine. Had not warned the great lord that his new concubine was an assassin. And how that lord had died, in that future, because a Kushan had his own harsh concept of honor.

And then he told of how, in the future which Belisarius had created, that same Kushan had held his tongue, once again. Held it, and said nothing to his Malwa masters, when he realized that the Romans were smuggling the girl out of captivity.

'And where is he today, this Kungas?' asked Basil.

Belisarius slipped Aide back into his pouch.

'Today, the Kushan named Kungas-along with all of his men-are the personal bodyguard of the Empress Shakuntala. The heir of Satavahana. Rightful ruler of great Andhra.'

Basil looked up, startled. His eyes flashed south, looking toward the distant encampment of the Kushan captives.

'You think-?'

Belisarius shrugged.

'Who knows? Kungas is an unusual man. But in some things, I believe all Kushans are much alike. They have their own notions of loyalty, and duty. They are Malwa vassals, and have served them faithfully. But I do not think they bear any great love for their masters. None at all, in fact.'

He turned away, and began climbing down the dam.

'Most of all,' he added, over his shoulder, 'they have their own peculiar sense of humor. Very wry. Rather on the grim side, too. But they cherish it quite deeply.'

At the bottom of the slope, he waited for Basil to join him. Once he had done so, Belisarius grinned.

'I'm counting on that sense of humor, you see. The Kushans wouldn't warn the Malwa of what we're doing. God, no-it would spoil a great joke.'

That night, in the gloom of his little tent, Vasudeva leaned over and filled Belisarius' cup.

'Good wine,' he said. 'Not enough, of course. The Persians are stingy. But-good. Good.'

He and Belisarius drained their cups. Vasudeva smiled.

'We like to gamble, you know. So we have a great bet going. All the Kushans have taken sides.' He shrugged modestly. 'We have not much to wager, of course, being war captives. But it is always the spirit of a wager which is exciting, not the stakes.'

He refilled Belisarius' cup. Again, he and the general drained their wine. When they lowered their cups, Belisarius stated:

'You are wagering over whether I will succeed. In my plan to drain the Euphrates dry and leave the Malwa