Because his use of the craft had been affected by the exploding barge, Tristan’s meteor plummeted crazily toward the valley floor. Careening madly, it headed in Vespasian’s general direction, then veered north before it hit the ground. Tens of thousands of legionnaires and katsugai were vaporized instantly. The resulting concussion reached Vespasian, throwing him from his chariot.
As Tristan fell earthward he caught a quick glimpse of Hoshi to see that she had used the craft to stop her descent, but she had apparently been unable to do the same for him. Over and over he went, his lungs gasping for air and his limbs flailing wildly. Hoshi acted again, this time sending down an azure bolt to try to catch him. But she missed widely, the bolt streaking by him.
Suddenly Tristan felt a jolt so great that he thought his back might break. The wind was quickly knocked out of him and he felt his left shoulder dislocate. As he slipped from consciousness, he turned to see Ox’s eyes looking into his.
That’s why there were two lightning bolts coming at us at once, he realized. The second shadow didn’t come from another of Vespasian’s clouds…it came from the Tammerland.
Finally losing consciousness, theJin’Sai dangled limply in Ox’s arms as the faithful Minion warrior reversed direction and soared upward.
LYING PRONE ON THE GROUND, VESPASIAN GASPED AS HEtried to gather his senses. His chariot was wrecked and his stallions had run away. Screaming fighters still hacked viciously at one another all around him, and azure bolts from both sides wildly crisscrossed the battlefield. Coming to his feet, Vespasian called the craft to stem his growing nausea, then tried to assess the situation.
Screaming katsugai were attacking his forces on all sides. While he had been trying to kill theJin’Sai, the Shashidans had closed their circle even more, forcing the legions into a compact group near the valley’s center. Although Vespasian found himself at the center of that group, the end would come soon, he realized.
He turned to see three azure vortices nearby. One gallant tribune had taken charge of them, deciding that the time had come to save as many legionnaires as he could by ordering them home to Ellistium. As legionnaires swarmed into the vortices, the situation was becoming hopeless, chaotic. Soon Vespasian was engulfed by soldiers begging him to issue new orders.
Ignoring them, he turned and ran toward the three vortices. As the raging katsugai continued to press his forces from all sides, Vespasian was forced to make a fateful decision.
He turned to look at the senior tribune who had taken charge of the three portals. Although admitting defeat was abhorrent to the legions, the tribune was following his orders to the letter. Still dazed and wobbly, Vespasian staggered toward him and gripped the man’s forearm with his own.
“You know your orders!” Vespasian shouted as yet another azure bolt tore through the air just above their heads. “Save as many as you can, then close the portals forever, and see to it that the same is done with all the others!”
Standing tall, the tribune gave his emperor a perfect salute.
“It shall be done!” he shouted. “I speak for all of us left behind when I say that it has been a pleasure to serve with you!”
At first Vespasian could find no words. “If you wish to surrender to the katsugai, I will attach no shame to it!” he finally shouted back. “They do not kill their prisoners! I will return to this land and free those of you who live, I swear it!”
“You must go now, my liege!” the tribune shouted. “The time grows short!”
Despite the insane fighting closing in on them, for several moments the two men looked each other in the eye with the unique brand of understanding that only years of service in the legions could provide. Vespasian did not know this man, nor would he ever get the chance to do so. Even so, he would never forget this stalwart soldier who sacrificed his own life for that of his emperor.
Vespasian ran into the depths of the whirling portal and vanished.
CHAPTER LII
VESPASIAN SMILED AS HE LOOKED ACROSS THE ARENA. The day would again be hot, and the two blood-red canopies had been stretched toward one another to provide shade for the multitudes that had come to take part in their emperor’s victory celebration. So as to keep the growing crowd amused, he had ordered an initial slate of killings. Blood, wrecked chariots, and dead skeens littered much of the arena floor.
Because so much Shashidan gold had been brought home to Ellistium, no expense would be spared on this celebration day. Attendance would be free, thousands of wild animals and Shashidan skeens would be slaughtered, and the food and wine would be without charge. Every seat was filled, and Vespasian had issued an unprecedented decree that the public might also stand in the aisles.
A fortnight had passed since the Battle of the Vallesis Majestatis. Many legionnaires had been killed, but many katsugai had died as well. To the tribunes’ credit, a surprising number of Vespasian’s soldiers had escaped through the azure portals before the vortices had been closed. Vespasian’s dream of taking Ryoto and killing theInkai had not been realized, but his most urgent need had been fulfilled beyond his wildest dreams.
Even now, the gold count was still being tallied, to say nothing of how busy the Imperial Mint was stamping out new coins. Soon Rustannica’s treasury would be filled to overflowing-creative ways would be needed to deal with all the money. Most important of all, the war against Shashida could be prolonged for centuries if need be.
Vespasian turned to look at his wife. Persephone had long since forgiven the way in which he had forced her to escape the battle scene. Dressed in a long red gown, she wore new jewelry of her own design that had been crafted from the stolen gold.
Lucius Marius sat beside her. Because this celebration was to be unique, he had asked Vespasian if his latest female conquest might be allowed to accompany him to the emperor’s box. His mood generous since returning home, Vespasian had approved. The woman was a lovely creature with long dark hair, and she hailed from an Ellistium krithian family of some note. The way Lucius coddled her caused Vespasian to wonder whether the legendary First Tribune had perhaps met his match.
The usual box reserved for the tribunes was full, as was the section meant for the women of the Priory of Virtue. All twelve members of thePon Q’tar had survived the battle, and they were in attendance as well. Tray after tray of sumptuous food was served by Shashidan skeens, and wine flowed without end. As he waited for the celebration to begin, Vespasian pointed toward his goblet and caused it to float into his grasp. The rich red wine had been made from the best Rustannican highland grapes, its finish sweet and strong.
On arriving home, Vespasian’s first order of business had been to call a meeting of the Suffragat, whereupon Lucius had given the war report and detailed their losses. Many legionnaires and tribunes had perished, and not one of the Bedevilers had returned. By necessity, vast amounts of supplies, food, and support troops had been left behind in Shashida.
Even so, these losses paled when compared with the amount of stolen gold that had been taken. Because the treasury had been so amply refilled, replacing the war materiel would be a simple matter. Given time, thePon Q’tar could easily conjure even larger herds of Bedevilers and other creatures. Even the loss of so many troops did not greatly concern the Suffragat, for now the empire could afford to offer large financial bonuses to entice enlistees. New blood had been needed in the legions for a long time, and at last they would have it.
Vespasian and his counselors knew that the campaign losses should not be publicized; therefore they would be made up a little at a time so as not to arouse suspicion. The Suffragat’s usual report to the citizenry had been censored even more heavily than usual, and it contained only the details of a great Rustannican victory and the taking of much gold. Because the treasury was so full, Vespasian also announced that taxes would be lowered, especially on the trading of slaves. The mood in the country was joyful, and any hint of rebellion had vanished.
Even so, as Vespasian waited for the celebratory portion of the day to begin, concerns still plagued him. On returning home, the Oracle had informed Gracchus of Shailiha’s victory over Khristos, and he had told the Suffragat. When compared to the threat that Shashida continually presented, the world’s other side remained a
