As they came down to the highway road, a rumbling sound came from behind the bushes to the side of the river. It then moved all around the water’s edge. As the captain gave the order to gallop, five long-limbed creatures hurtled towards them.
They managed to get going. The distance between them and the long-limbs became greater and greater. It was at this point that five more appeared to their right, sweeping down on them with great speed. Captain Hayward drew his Adams revolver and shot three times, hitting one in the body and legs.
This only slowed it down. One soldier was dismounted by a long-limb as it reared up and hit him with its arm and claws.
The other five creatures were now catching up. Sergeant Butcher circled his horse as he tried to get to the fallen man but they were quick to respond and isolate their prey. The fallen soldier with his Martini-Henry rifle and bayonet managed to scramble up the banks to the edge of the dead forest.
The soldier was brave and shouted at them to ride. Captain Hayward did not want to leave him, but there were now ten long-limbed creatures between the three riders and the fallen soldier. To make matters worse, flesh-eaters started to emerge from the dead forest further back.
Captain Hayward tried to push through to him, but the long-limbs reared up and forced him back. It did not take long before they were massing and advancing on the captain and the others. The fallen soldier went down onto one knee and raised his rifle. He looked down the sight. A thunder clap rang out coinciding with a long-limb collapsing onto the ground. It had been hit in the head and death swiftly followed.
This signalled the others to turn and go after the soldier. His horse had panicked and tried to bolt away, drawing some of the flesh-eaters after it. The horse got caught in the thicket, thrashing around and kicking as creatures poured on top of it.
Soon it was being swamped by hungry flesh-eaters. They were getting knocked over left, right and centre, but sheer numbers were making it hard for the horse to escape. The horse gave out a shriek as it was hauled over and then ripped apart whilst still alive.
The soldier did not wait around and moved back into the dead forest. He had wanted to give his fellow comrades as long as possible. The forest was unforgiving as he moved through it at speed. The smoke was drifting his way from time to time, creating a thick blanket but also making it hard to breathe.
He could hear them entering behind him, giving out a laughing sound, almost like a hyena. It was sharp and deep, troublesome and fierce.
The soldier loaded his rifle and, with bayonet fixed, backed deeper and deeper into the forest. A long-limb had caught sight of him and was now following his scent. It wanted to get closer before pouncing.
Captain Hayward was disheartened. He never liked having his hand forced in this manner. It took Sergeant Butcher several attempts to tell him they must ride or face being cut off from the other bridge. With a wistful look over his shoulder he then snapped at his reins and rode onto towards the bridge.
The soldier held his breath as a smoke cloud passed through and around him. It was when this had passed that the creature emerged from it.
It was larger up close. It had human characteristics, but also a menacing look and feel about it. Its legs and arms were stretched with sharp claws protruding at the ends of them. Its mouth had giant teeth and a tongue that rolled out and almost tasted the air like a snake.
It lowered its head, allowing its eyes to focus on the solider. They were as dark as the night and carried such menace in them. It reared up onto two legs and then leaned back and made a barking sound. The soldier wanted a clean shot and waited for his moment. As it came back down to the ground, it refocused on him. The eyes were wide and hypnotic, making its prey stare into them. The soldier did just that, but he looked at it down the barrel of his rifle.
“Goodnight, darkness.”
Boom.
It fell to the ground with its head split open.
A smile erupted over the soldier’s face. He looked at the creature with its semi-human body and extra long limbs.
The smoke wave came again. It was brief but blinding, none the less. He fumbled around to load another bullet in the rifle. As the smoke lifted, he noticed something moving around him. He dropped the bullet to the ground as his eyes fell upon two more long-limbs. The creature had called in the others.
He slowly and calmly knelt down, taking in a deep breath as they bared their teeth. Again, they snorted at each other, which seemed to be their way of talking. One stayed in the middle whilst the other two circled around him.
He calmly placed a bullet in the breech and cocked the rifle. There was a fallen tree behind him and a thicket of dead trees to his right. Waiting a second, he accepted his fate, even saying a quick prayer.
Another large smoke cloud rolled in. This was a trigger for the attack. Unbeknown to the long-limbs this soldier was a sniper; he had trained with the marines and had seen some action in Africa.
With the fallen tree to his back he stayed low as the front creature came straight at him. He was lightning fast with his shot, killing it dead the instant it moved. In the same motion he rotated to his right and stuck his bayonet into other oncoming long-limb head. It squealed in agony and flipped its head back, taking the rifle and bayonet with it.
The third long-limb slammed into the left-hand side of the soldier, its teeth puncturing his back. He twisted in agony as he tried to get a grip of his attacker, blacking out for a moment or two.
The soldier’s father had always been a military man; “Was married to the army and Empire”. He had followed suit and wanted to impress him. They’d had an awkward relationship since he was small. His father wanted him to have a senior position like himself and rise through the ranks. He had started well, going to Sandhurst and training as an officer. Then he was assigned to the marines.
Things were on the up until he fell in love with a lord’s daughter whilst stationed down in Portsmouth. The soldier’s father had worked hard to improve the family’s social standing and wealth. She, however, was engaged to marry another officer who was on tour aboard. Even though she had only briefly met this man, both his and her family had agreed it would be a suitable arrangement.
It was not the time for a scandal. When the news broke about the affair it shook all parties involved. The father was threatened with demotion and his son was stripped of his rank and sent overseas.
During the time before he left, his relationship with his father was heavily strained. He had expressed his love for this girl and the pure fact she was in love with him and not this stranger should have made a difference. His father reminded him this was how it was and rules and etiquette were to be adhered to at all times.
He explained how he once knew a fine young lady before meeting his mother at a military ball, but she was of another social standing and it would have meant the same situation his son was now going through. His father told him to keep his head down for the next few years and work his way up through the ranks. He also advised him to live somewhere else in the Empire where his name would not be known amongst the chattering classes.
It was a sombre farewell. His family wanted the best for him and it was only at the end that his father had come forward and wished him well. He told him it would pass and he would rise up the ranks and find a new love. Then he did something out of character and hugged him. As they released their embrace he produced a gift wrapped in a cloth. The soldier took it and put it in his pack to open later.
Two years had passed since then. He was due to be made a Corporal and was awaiting his commission to come through via Paris. The Engineers had offered more chance of promotion than the marines, as the officer who had been wronged had strong links to that regiment. Memories of this whole episode passed in front of him now, his mind racing over the girl he loved as if he were reliving it.
The moment passed as teeth sunk into his back and a claw spun him around. He lay motionless on the floor with blood flowing from his wounds. The creature almost took pl
easure from looking at him and examining its meal, wondering where best to start eating.
Its tongue came out of its mouth and licked at the blood on its teeth. A squeal of delight erupted. It sniffed at the other two dead long-limbs and rose up on two feet to survey the horizon. The stench around the long-limb filled the soldier’s nostrils. He could hear the flesh-eaters making their way through the dead forest towards them.
The creature did not want to share its meal and knew it had to eat quickly. It went down onto all fours and pressed its body up against his. Its eyes narrowed and its mouth started to open. The soldier felt at the cloth, which he had received from his father and was now sitting in his belt. The gift his father had given him that day in Portsmouth turned out to be his life.
As the long-limb prepared to strike, the soldier undid the cloth with his right arm. He waited for the beast to come in even closer.
Its eyes reacted quicker than its body as his injured left arm grabbed its skull. His right arm swung round and stuck an Indian knife through its head, cracking skin and bone. Blood spurted as the creature recoiled and hissed in pain, falling sideways to the ground and shaking and writhing for a moment. The soldier gingerly got to his feet, pulled the knife out of the beast’s skull then stabbed it repeatedly. Alexander Chamberlin was still alive. He did not know for how long, but for now he was. There was no time to reflect; he gathered his rifle and staggered into the dead forest.
Chapter 7
Captain Hayward could see the second bridge.
As they reached it, they could hear the sound of drums; a strong, rhythmic beating, surrounding the area. He did not wait to see where or what was causing it. They gingerly crossed the bridge. Luckily, it was still intact and they were glad to reach the other side.
Once across they started down a road which was sign posted to Uzhhorod. Meanwhile, starting to emerge from the dead forest were more flesh-eaters. The sight of them, with their rotting flesh and razor-sharp teeth, never seemed to get easier on the eye. They were driven by hunger and controlled by the figures in black.
Questions were out there as to why and how all of this had started, but Captain Hayward knew now was not the time to go searching for answers.
The rest of the horde made its way across the bridge in a steady procession. They did not have the speed to match the horses. They did have a second gear to their movement, but that only seemed to kick in if there was a certain guarantee of food.
The captain looked through his Porro prism binoculars and surveyed the road in front of them, not wanting any surprises along the way. Sergeant Butcher had his rifle on his hip and was ready for an ambush. All of them were thinking about Alexander and the sacrifice he had made. In war, soldiers were killed. It was an unfortunate part of battle and life in the army but it never made it easy to expect a death or lose the value of life. Captain Hayward was a soldier, but he was an Engineer at heart. He wanted to return with his family to Surrey and start his own business.
The Hayward family were mainly from India, where his father had gone with the railways. He had worked his way up to a position of power. Charles had wanted to stay, had work out there, but schooling in England and the chance to see the world with the British army had proved too much of a temptation to turn down.
His wife Becky and two children, Arthur and Emily, were in Paris. He longed for their embrace. He missed being away from them. The children were in an international school and Becky was helping a friend with a printing venture. He thought about Becky’s long blonde hair and infectious laugh. She was a sporty woman and kept herself in good shape. She always made him feel alive and her kiss would make him feel giddy at times. Some joked that it was because they were not always with each other that made them still enjoy each other’s company after seven years of marriage. Charles felt it was to do with love itself and how they made time for each other. They argued like any couple, but they did spend time enjoying life together when possible as well.
He prayed that that time would be coming soon. He had seen a dark threat rising here in Austria and hoped it could be snuffed out quickly.
“We can ride for an hour or two and then rest the horses. We must get some distance between us and them.”
The other two agreed and trudged along.
The main convoy was far ahead. They had rested and fed the animals and themselves. Major Richmond and Von Bloch were in discussion on what course of action was best. They both had reservations about Unghvar. With the army of creatures they had encountered flowing through this area, it could surely only mean one thing.
As they passed a dilapidated village, Major Richmond took the opportunity to pin a note to a tree describing how they would pass Unghvar and continue down the road. He did not want to put too much detail, as there would be followers who could intercept it first.
They had decided to press onto Tokay. Von Bloch explained they could hopefully get a train to Vienna and put this nightmare behind them. He wanted to get to the Austrian army headquarters and take command of a regiment. Then he would return and destroy this invading army.
The old soldier in him wanted to fight; he did not like retreating. He had been around long enough to understand defeat and the Prussians had handed Austria a good beating not that long ago. He had lost family and friends during that conflict.
This was different, the new aggressor unearthly. It had one main desire: to feed on its victims. Of the different types of creature attacking them, some were half-human half-demon. He also wanted to know more about the dark robed riders and their role in this conflict.
Vienna hopefully held the answers.
They had lost three soldiers on the journey. The army surgeon and his team had done a remarkable job with the wounded, but some of the injuries inflicted by the wolves had meant they needed specialist help, something they did not have access to on the road.
Their supplies were doing well, but even now the sergeants were telling everyone to ration their intake. They did not know when they could top up supplies, or what lay ahead. Most people’s mouths were dry from the dusty tracks and roads. They had not washed for several days. It was a very uncomfortable situation, but no one complained. If anything, the thought of being on the move made them feel at ease; escaping something that wanted to eat you, felt good.
Chapter 8
Further back with the walking flesh-eaters, a group of robed riders gathered round in a circle.
“Send a messenger to the high priest. It is time to step up the campaign.”
“Shall we send in the riders of the North?”
A rider at the front of the group came forward.
“We have waited many years for this time. The High Priest has given his orders and we shall follow them.”
“Yes, my lord but what of this convoy and soldiers?”
“Destroy them. I will ride and join the main army. They will never know what’s coming.”
With that, three riders galloped off. The remaining two then spoke to the big bald man who had been in charge of the bears. He was given more instructions and was then joined by two soulless-looking individuals. Their faces looked blank and grey. They were not the same as the flesh-eaters; they were human, to an extent, and could follow orders. Their uniforms were black trousers with black tunics. Even their helmets were black.
Both were carrying rifles which looked different to the standard breech-loading rifle. Their backpacks were also black, leaving only their grey faces and hands on show.
The two army militia left after receiving instructions from the bald man. They both had horses and rode off in the direction of the Uzhok Pass.
The remaining two robed riders then linked up with the long-limbs and remaining bears. The bald man was riding a large donkey, which squealed as he kicked it to go faster and as it passed the long-limbs they hissed and twisted their heads at the beast.
One of the robed riders raised his staff and they settled down. Thousands of flesh-eaters started to gather at the bridge and filt
er across. They were under the full control of these priests and parted as the horses crossed the bridge. One large wolf followed them. Its job was to pick up the scent of the British and Austrian soldiers.
The remaining bears followed the riders across and the long-limbs pushed through the flesh-eaters to get to the front. It was a devilish sight – a mixture of creatures with one goal.
Once across, the long-limbs set off to attack the convoy whilst the riders brought up the bears and flesh-eaters.
Major Richmond was happy with the speed they were riding at, but prayed that Captain Hayward and his men would make it across before the horde arrived.
The ten mounted riders hung back and acted as a safety net in case they were attacked from behind. Corporal Heinz was now in charge of them following the untimely death of Captain Egger.
The group were happy when Von Bloch gave the order to stop. Everyone dismounted or hopped out of the wagons and carts. The wounded were eased out and laid on the grass for a well-earned rest.
He had stopped them by a stream outside of a small village. It looked to have around fifteen to twenty houses and a small church.
The scouts were sent ahead to check on the village. The ten mounted riders who were bringing up the rear had a quick change of guard. Von Bloch was fully aware of the implications of being attacked by a large group of flesh-eaters and did not want any unnecessary surprises.
The soldiers cleaned their rifles and helped set up the kitchen for the cook. Everyone was hungry and tired from the constant tension.
Private Brown and several others went to fetch water. Heidi joined him and they took a moment to snuggle and talk to each other. The conversation turned to how she wanted him to meet her family in Vienna. He smiled: part of him felt it was a little soon to meet the family; the other part thought, why not? The events that were unfolding made him unsure of life in the world and made him question some of the things he had learnt at school.
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