Hannibal: Clouds of War Read Online Free PDF

right.’
    Hanno saw some of Hannibal’s intent now. ‘I am no spy, sir. I’m a simple soldier. Fighting is what I do. There must be other men you could send in my stead.’
    ‘Maybe so, but I have need of them here. That’s not to say that I don’t require you also,’ Hannibal added reassuringly, ‘but your second-in-command can fill your place for the moment. You’re an experienced officer, used to leading men and making decisions in a crisis. Hippocrates and Epicydes had the same opportunities as you, but neither ever made a particularly good leader. They have done well to achieve so much, but I worry for their future. You can help them. You’re intelligent and, even better, you are decisive. You showed that today.’
    The praise made Hanno’s cheeks flush with renewed pride. ‘Thank you, sir. So you want me to assist them, militarily?’
    ‘Something like that, yes.’ Hannibal saw his indecision. ‘I won’t order you to go if you don’t want to. I’m asking you because I think you will do well.’ His eye burned with an intensity that held Hanno’s gaze.
    Hanno forgot Bostar and Sapho. Forgot Mutt and his men. ‘I’d be honoured to do it, sir.’
    A pleased nod. ‘I want you to be my eyes and ears in Syracuse. You will gather intelligence – about everything you can – and send word of it to me when possible. Hippocrates and Epicydes will be told that you’re to act as a military aide to their cause. You’re to win their trust if you can, and to help them carry the fight to Marcellus and his legions with all of your ability. When reinforcements arrive from Carthage – and within twelve months, they will – you are to try and ensure that relations between the two sets of leaders are cordial from the start. When the Romans are beaten on Sicily’ – here a wolfish smile – ‘you are to keep Hippocrates and Epicydes sweet. Once that happens, all Carthaginian forces on the island will need to be transferred to Italy, but I’ll want Hippocrates and Epicydes to provide us with soldiers and supplies as well.’ Hannibal finished and studied him in silence.
    Hanno’s heart thudded in his chest. Gods, he thought. This is massively important to our cause. To the war. Far more important than leading a phalanx. ‘I will do my best, sir, or die in the attempt.’
    ‘Good man!’ Hannibal clapped him on the shoulder. ‘Let us hope that you succeed, and that you also survive to appreciate the fruits of your labours.’ He slipped a heavy ring off the index finger of his right hand and held it out. ‘I will give you letters of introduction of course, but this will act as proof that you are my man.’
    Awestruck, Hanno took the gold ring, the top of which was embossed with a lion: one of the symbols used by the Barcid family. He would never be able to show this to Sapho. ‘I …’ he began, ‘… thank you, sir.’
    ‘May the gods go with you to Sicily. We’ll talk again before you leave.’ Hannibal turned back to the parchment he’d been studying when Hanno entered.
    He was being dismissed. Gripping the ring tightly in his right fist, Hanno stood. ‘Thank you, sir.’
    Wrapped up in his thoughts, with the ring burning a hole in his hand, Hanno wasn’t watching where he was going. Thump . His head collided with someone. ‘I’m sorry. That was my fault.’ Even as the words left his mouth, he was stunned and delighted to recognise Bomilcar.
    ‘Of all the men in the army to walk into!’ cried Bomilcar, rubbing his forehead and beaming at the same time. ‘It’s good to see you, Hanno. How long has it been – six months?’
    ‘That and more,’ replied Hanno ruefully. ‘The funny thing is, I was planning to seek you out this very evening.’
    ‘That’s what they all say!’ Bomilcar winked to show that he meant no offence. ‘Time just passes us by, eh? How are you keeping?’
    Hanno moved the hand holding the ring to his side. ‘I’m well. And you?’
    ‘Fine. Been to see the