pull his head under. Nearby was a broken oar and he flailed for it. He knocked it just out of his reach and a small wave moved it further away. Twice his head went under the water. Then he realised he was very close to the ship. The under current had pulled him dangerously close. He panicked and put his hands against the hull to push himself away. Then his head went under the ship and he came back no more. Euphranor watched him disappear with a smirk.
The Roman galley was now broadside a few hundred yards away. The Romans on board were cheering. Euphranor looked up and saw the great Roman on the deck, the wind whipping his cloak about his legs. Euphranor raised his bloodied sword in triumph. He saw Caesar nod once to him then one of the Greek officers ran up to him and spoke.
“Sir. The rest of the Egyptians have surrendered. Shall I have them killed?”
Euphranor turned to look at the group of men on their knees.
“No. They’re Caesar’s property now. Take them into custody.”
“Yes sir. Then the ship is yours but I’m afraid she’s sinking. We must get off now.”
Julius watched until the Alexandrian flagship had disappeared beneath the surface, his men celebrating.
“That was a brilliant coup sir,” Agrippa said, “It had me fooled. Using the Greeks was ingenious.”
Caesar merely grunted. A warning shout made them both look up. The Alexandrian ballistae were starting again and the first heavy blocks of stone began to fall.
“Do they not give up? We’ve sunk their best ship and captured two more.”
“Yes but they have another twenty seven to come and more everyday.”
Julius watched the missiles for another minute then spoke.
“Pull our ships back to the dock….”
“But Sir!” Agrippa interrupted, “Forgive me sir but you said before that if we let them in.”
“They’ll not be able to get past that sunken ship without moving all these others first. That will buy us time. We cannot defend our ships with so few men. Take our fleet back to the dock and burn it.”
Agrippa couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
“I’m sorry sir what did you say?”
Now Caesar snapped.
“Does every one of my orders have to be questioned! I said burn them! Tonight!”
A low sunset hung over the Royal harbour making the sea appear red. It was quiet. The only people to be seen were the Roman guards. Admiral Agrippa walked along the dock flanked by his bodyguards. He stopped at the water’s edge and surveyed the ships bobbing gently at their moorings. He bent and picked up a small stone, turning it over and over in his hand, reluctant to begin his orders.
A dog was scavenging near one of the Roman ships and he threw the stone at it. Though he missed the animal the dog whimpered and ran away. He turned at the sound of heavy wagons. His men were pulling laden carts into the square. The carts were carrying large jars of pitch and oil. Officers began instructing men to their tasks. Oil was soon carried onto the ships and splashed over everything. Once the oil was all used the ships were vacated. Now men carrying burning torches boarded and quickly began touching the oil with the flames. Once an area had been ignited they moved on, always working towards the boarding ramps.
Within minutes fires were burning on all of the Roman ships. A nervous officer was standing near Agrippa.
“It doesn’t seem right somehow sir. How are we supposed to get home without….”
Agrippa turned on him angrily.
“Hold your tongue!”
On the other side of the harbour the new Egyptian admiral Darios was asleep in his bunk when he was roughly awakened.
“What is it?”
“Sir you’d better come and see this.”
He was on his feet quickly, wobbly from just having woken.
“Are the Romans attacking?”
“No sir.”
“Then what?”
“You’ll never believe it,” the other man said, no longer able to contain his excitement, “The Roman fleet is on fire.”
Darios stared at the other man for a moment while his brain digested what he’d just heard.
“On fire?”
“Yes. It’s brilliant news. Come and see for yourself.”
Darios rushed up the steps barely able to keep up. Once on deck he rushed to the rail at the side of his ship, his eyes wide, his mouth open. The Roman ships were ablaze in the evening sky.
“What happened? Did some of our fleet attack?”
“No. The Romans did it themselves.”
“Did it themselves. Why would they in their right minds….?” Then the answer hit him.
“Isn’t it wonderful news Sir. We’ll be