Carbo came clattering up the nearest set of stairs. ‘That’s just about everyone. There are probably a few stragglers sleeping it off somewhere, but we couldn’t find them.’ He threw a hate-filled glance at Crixus, but the Gaul didn’t notice.
‘Well done.’ Giving a signal to the trumpeter beside him, Spartacus turned to face the thousands of men below. Pride filled him at the magnificent sight. May the gods let them follow me, he prayed.
Tan-tara-tara-tara.
An expectant hush fell over the assembled troops.
‘Friends! Comrades! I salute you!’ Spartacus shouted. He waited as his words spread through the watching host.
‘SPAR-TA-CUS!’ It began as a low, rumbling cheer, but soon grew in volume until the very walls of the city rang with it. ‘SPAR-TA-CUS!’
Spartacus ignored Crixus, who was glowering at him. He began to speak, and men quickly fell silent. ‘Yesterday, we won a famous victory. Our first in open battle against the Romans! Much of it was thanks to Castus, Gannicus and Crixus.’ He indicated the Gauls beside him. Castus and Gannicus were quick to raise their arms in acknowledgement. Crixus looked furious as he did so, however.
Nonetheless, a huge cheer went up from the slaves.
Directly below the leaders, Pulcher stood forth from the crowd. ‘But we owe most of our thanks to you, Spartacus,’ he shouted.
‘SPAR-TA-CUS! SPAR-TA-CUS!’ A sea of weapons was borne aloft. Men hammered their swords off their shields, making an unbelievable din. Crixus’ face grew even more sour, while Gannicus’ grin grew a little strained. Castus didn’t bother to hide his scowl. Spartacus nodded and smiled, waving in acknowledgement. This augurs well. Eventually, the racket died down.
‘I asked you to be here today because we have a choice to make. Staying in this area is not an option.’
‘Why not?’ yelled a voice. ‘Look at the cities we’ve sacked. Metapontum, Heraclea and now Thurii. Why give up on a good thing?’
Many men shouted in agreement. ‘Good point,’ shouted Crixus.
‘Three reasons,’ answered Spartacus. ‘The first is that here we have our backs to the sea. If the Romans block off the way to the north, we would be trapped.’
At this, there were unhappy grumbles.
‘Trapped? Ha!’ growled Crixus.
‘And the second?’ asked Pulcher.
‘At the last count, the army numbered more than fifty thousand men. After yesterday’s victory, thousands more slaves will come to join us. Soon there will not be enough grain to feed us all. That is serious enough, but the last reason is the most important.’ Spartacus paused. ‘Rome does not suffer defeat lightly. When those who rule in Rome receive word of what happened to Varinius and his men, they will be furious.’
‘So fucking what?’ roared Crixus. ‘That’s good!’
His men whistled with delight.
‘The soldiers who have been sent against us are but a drop in the ocean that is Rome’s manpower. When the consuls take to the field, as will surely happen now, they will lead four legions. That’s twenty thousand legionaries. The Republic’s best units may be abroad, but that many men in armour, and carrying good weapons, cannot be discounted. Only a few thousand of you are that well equipped.’
‘Are you saying we’ll lose?’ challenged Crixus belligerently, waving his arms to encourage the jeering that had started.
‘No. What I’m saying is that after those soldiers, more will come. The veterans in Iberia and Asia Minor will be recalled. Six, eight, ten legions of solid men who have fought together for years. Will we be able to defeat those too?’ The taunts died down, and Spartacus could see doubt writ everywhere on faces now. Good.
Carbo’s heart was heavy. He’d heard this dozens of times. This was Navio’s favourite topic when he’d been drinking.
‘Who’s to say we won’t win?’ blustered Crixus. ‘And even if we fail, we fall in battle, winning a glorious death for ourselves.’
A muted cheer rose up from his men, but many more of the slaves looked unhappy.
‘Every man who has seen me fight knows that I am not scared of dying,’ said Spartacus. ‘But there is another way. A way with honour!’
A ray of hope lit up Carbo’s heart.
‘What are you suggesting?’ Pulcher called up.
‘That we march north. The Romans will try their damnedest to deny us the passage, but I tell you that if we stick to the mountains, we can reach the Alps by late spring. Never fear, if we have to fight, we’ll fight. After any battles, I would lead you out of Italy — away from the land that enslaved you. To a freedom that can never be taken away!’
Pleased muttering broke out. Faces lit with expectation.
‘Where would that be — in Gaul?’ asked Gannicus loudly.
‘If that’s where you want to go. I am sure that your ancestral people would welcome you,’ answered Spartacus with a smile. ‘Everyone will be free to do as they wish. Some will want to travel to Germania, Iberia or Scythia. I myself will return to Thrace.’ Where I will give Kotys the shock of his life, before killing him.
‘What of the Alps? They are perilous to cross,’ shouted a man.
‘Yet Hannibal crossed them with more than twenty thousand men and his elephants. So too did Brennus the Gaul with his armies — twice. Mere mountains will not stop us! Besides, if we leave now we will reach them when it’s still summer.’
A confused clamour broke out below as his words spread.
What will I do if that day comes? wondered Carbo uneasily. He had never imagined leaving his homeland.
‘I say that you’re a fool and a coward, Spartacus!’ cried Crixus furiously. ‘Italy has everything we need. Grain, money, women and countless slaves to swell our numbers. Why in all the gods’ name would we leave it? Why run away?’
‘CRIX-US!’ yelled a Gaul. His voice was quickly joined by others.
More men took up the cry.
Motherless cur, thought Carbo angrily. He longed to draw his sword and attack Crixus, but he couldn’t. He’d given his word.
Spartacus’ supporters began shouting his name in reply.
I knew it would come to this. Spartacus was saddened by the numbers who appeared to support Crixus. It was more than a third of the army. Can they not see further than the riches he offers them? Clearly not. He glanced at the Gaul again. Crixus was stalking towards him, stiff-legged. Castus and Gannicus shuffled backwards, out of the way. Spartacus tensed, and let his fingers trail across the hilt of his sica. So it comes to this again. Great Rider, stay with me now, as you always have.
‘I’m sick of this shit. I ought to stop pissing about and kill you now,’ snarled Crixus. ‘That would sort the argument once and for all.’
‘CRIX-US! CRIX-US!’ shouted his men.
‘You tried to beat me once before, and failed. If you want to try again, go ahead,’ challenged Spartacus, raising his voice so all could hear. ‘Your last memory of this world will be of my blade opening your throat, and sending you to Hades.’
‘I don’t think so,’ hissed Crixus. The knuckles of his right hand went white on the handle of his gladius.
‘No? Come on, then.’ Spartacus dropped into a fighting crouch. This was going to be a tricky fight. The top of the ramparts was only six paces wide. One false step for either of them and they’d end their lives by having their brains dashed out on the cobbles far below. He was grateful for the small advantage of having his right arm against the wall. With each blow, he had the chance of throwing Crixus off balance, and over the edge.
‘You dare to speak of the gods, Crixus, yet you have not been chosen by one!’ Ariadne’s tone was commanding. She’d been at the foot of the steps from the beginning, waiting for an opportune moment to appear and speak in Spartacus’ favour. This wasn’t what she’d had in mind. Her heart was thumping off her ribs with fear. Dionysus, do not let them start fighting. Please!
Spartacus stared in astonishment as Ariadne glided past to stand between him and Crixus, who had been shocked into momentary silence. Castus, Gannicus and Carbo were little different. Grim delight pulsed through Spartacus at the sight of her.