for defense, and Belisarius knew that he had to overwhelm any enemies before they could organize such a defense. So, for one of the few times in his life, he decided to order a straightforward frontal assault.
He looked to Hermogenes.
"Did you bring scaling equipment?"
Hermogenes answered by simply pointing to the rear. Turning, Belisarius saw that squads of infantrymen were already rushing up with ropes and grappling hooks.
He was pleased—somewhat. He studied the wall more closely. It was at least eight feet tall.
"We really need ladders, too," he muttered, "to get enough men over in time to—"
He broke off, seeing the look of restrained exasperation on Hermogenes' face.
"We trained for this," growled Hermogenes. "I didn't want to haul a lot of bulky ladders around, so instead—" He took a deep breath. "Just watch, general. And relax."
Belisarius smiled. Watched. Smiled very broadly.
At thirty-foot intervals, down a two hundred yard stretch of the wall, ten-man squads of infantrymen anchored
He looked to Hermogenes.
"Did you bring scaling equipment?"
Hermogenes answered by simply pointing to the rear. Turning, Belisarius saw that squads of infantrymen were already rushing up with ropes and grappling hooks.
He was pleased—somewhat. He studied the wall more closely. It was at least eight feet tall.
"We really need ladders, too," he muttered, "to get enough men over in time to—"
He broke off, seeing the look of restrained exasperation on Hermogenes' face.
"We trained for this," growled Hermogenes. "I didn't want to haul a lot of bulky ladders around, so instead—" He took a deep breath. "Just watch, general. And relax."
Belisarius smiled. Watched. Smiled very broadly.
At thirty-foot intervals, down a two hundred yard stretch of the wall, ten-man squads of infantrymen anchored