No one there failed to understand that Diocletian had given an order for the new attack to be launched through the domain of Tiridates. Nor did Galerius object, for his folly in making a direct thrust into enemy territory had already cost Rome several legions and earned him humiliation at the hand of the Emperor.
“Have I your leave to bring veterans from the frontier posts, Dominus?” Galerius asked.
“No more than half the complement holding them now.”
“But will you be safe in Nico ”
“I shall remain in Antioch, Caesar, until the war against Narses is finished.”
Once again the point had been made that even though Galerius would be in command of the new army sent to punish King Narses of Persia, he would be under the eye of Diocletian himself all the while, to be summarily removed from command if he showed any sign of repeating the mistakes he had so recently made.
“You and your staff have my leave to depart,” Diocletian told Galerius as the party filed from the room, leaving only Constantine and two legionaries from the Imperial Guard. As their commander, Constantine was required to remain in the presence of the Emperor until personally relieved, so he did not join the others.
“I received no reports from you, Tribune,” Diocletian said.
“There was no time, Dominus. When we reached the scene of battle ”
“You mean the rout, don’t you?”
“we found ourselves behind the enemy lines,” Constantine explained. “After that I was too busy to send a courier and, besides, he would probably not have gotten through.”
“King Tiridates has told me of your meeting. Do you find battle exciting?”
“Yes, but sickening, too.”
Many soldiers would admit
Diocletian’s eyebrows lifted once again. “Not many soldiers would admit that, though all of us have felt it. But I’m glad you had the experience; it should make you appreciate the virtues of a peaceful rule.”
“I have a few scores to settle with the Persians, Dominus,” Constantine dared to say. “With your permission I would like to be assigned to a command with the force that goes against them.”
“You have a task already, to see that I am not murdered in my bed, as poor Numerian was. By the way, I had another request just this morning for your presence during the coming attack on Narses.”
“Surely not from Caesar Galerius.”
“Hardly,” Diocletian said dryly. “My soninlaw considers you and your remarkable resemblance to your father in ability as well as in appearance a threat to his own rule as Senior Augustus, when I abdicate. Which is hardly surprising, since he aspires to be sole Augustus then, with his own lackeys as Caesars. This request came from King Tiridates.”
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