The Indian tradition was otherwise. Massive also, at times—Ezana had seen, and been impressed by, the size of the Malwa Emperor’s palaces and pavilions. But not austere. Not practical.
Never seen so many gewgaws in my life, he thought sourly.
His eye fell on a ivory carving perched atop a slender table by the entrance. The carving, incredibly ornate and intricate, depicted a half-naked couple entwined in a passionate embrace. Ezana almost winced. It was not the eroticism of the carving which offended him—Axumites were not prudes—but the simple absurdity of the thing.
On a warship?
First storm, that thing’s so much ballast.
Garmat pushed him forward into the cabin.
“We’re diplomats,” he whispered. “Be polite.”
Shakuntala was perched on a pile of cushions against the far wall of the cabin. Dadaji Holkar sat to her left, in the position of her chief adviser. Next to him sat the religious leader, Bindusara.
Shakuntala’s military commanders were clustered to her right. Kungas was there, along with his two chief Kushan subordinates, Kanishka and Kujulo. The Maratha cavalry leaders Shahji and Kondev were accompanied by three of their own top aides.
Wahsi, also, was there. He had arrived earlier. He was perched on a little wooden stool. Two other stools rested nearby. The Empress had provided them, knowing the Ethiopian preference in seating. All of the Indians were squatting on cushions, in the lotus position.
Once Garmat and Ezana took their seats, Shakuntala spoke.
“The first stage of our strategy has been a resounding success. We have broken free from Kerala and eluded the Malwa. It is well-nigh certain that our enemy believes we are headed for exile in Tamraparni.”
She paused, scanning the room for any sign of dissent or disagreement. Seeing none, she continued.
“I believe we can assume that our arrival at Suppara will come as a complete surprise for the enemy. That being so, it is now possible for us to concentrate our attention on the more distant future. We will surprise the Malwa at Suppara, and we will take the city. The question is—then what?”
Kondev stirred. Shakuntala turned toward him, cocking her head inquiringly. The gesture was an invitation to speak.
For a moment, the Maratha officer hesitated. He was a relatively new member of the Empress’ inner circle. Accustomed to Indian traditions—he had been a top officer of Shakuntala’s father, whose haughty imperial manner had been legendary—he was still nonplussed by her relaxed and easy manner with her advisers.
Recognizing his uncertainty, Shakuntala promp-ted him.
“Please, Kondev. Speak up, if you have some doubt.”
The cavalry officer tugged at his beard nervously. “I do not have doubts, Your Majesty. Not precisely. But I thought our course of action after seizing Suppara was simply to march on to Deogiri. Join our forces with Rao’s.” He ducked his head in a quick, apologetic manner. “Perhaps I misunderstood.”
“You did not misunderstand, Kondev,” replied Shakuntala. “That was our plan. But the unexpected arrival of the Axumites, and their offer of an alliance, has led me to reconsider. Or, at least, to think in more ambitious terms.”
She turned toward the Ethiopians.
“If we held Suppara—permanently, I mean—could your navy hold off the Malwa fleet?”
The three Ethiopians exchanged quick glances. Wahsi was the first to speak.
“No, Empress,” he said firmly. “If the Malwa did not possess their gunpowder weapons, it might be possible. Their navy is much larger than ours, in men and ships, but ours is better. Besides, most of their fleet is tied up in the Persian invasion.”
He shrugged.
“The fact is, however, that they do possess the demon weapons. That nullifies our advantage of superior skill. We cannot close with them to board. Their rockets are erratic, at long range, but they are fearsome weapons against a nearby enemy.”
Shakuntala nodded. She did not seem particularly chagrined, or surprised, by Wahsi’s reply. “You could not break a Malwa blockade of Suppara, then?”
Wahsi shook his head. Shakuntala leaned forward.
“Tell me this, Wahsi. If we were able to hold Suppara—keep the Malwa from recapturing the city—could you run the blockade?”
All three Axumites burst into laughter.
“Be like stealing chickens from a cripple!” chuckled Ezana.