Clay Legionary (Clay Warrior Stories Book 1)

by J. Clifton Slater

  “It’s a good night for a stroll,” Horus said to the man poking the fire.

  “Not good for fishing,” replied the man. He didn’t look up.

  “Still, I’d like to see your boat,” Horus insisted.

  “If you’re going to be like that Sergeant,” the man said standing and reaching out to grasp Horus’s wrist. “We can be gone as soon as you gear arrives.”

  There was a noise further up the incline and Alerio reached for his gladius.

  “Steady there, Private,” Horus said. “It’s only our gear.”

  Two men trudged into sight hauling their equipment bag. The man at the fire walked to the shoreline and began pulling on a rope. At the end of the line, rested a midsized fishing boat. It slowly came towards them.

  Chapter 42 - Raider Post Eastern Provence

  Two men rowed and the third handled the rudder. At the entrance to the harbor, the men hoisted a sail and the fishing boat tracked into the wind. Horus curled up in his robe and went to sleep. Alerio on the other hand sat watching the dark shoreline race by. As they traveled, the land shifted from flat to hills. As the moon rose, the shore’s profile grew taller until the hills loomed over the water.

  Someone shoved a piece of bread and a wedge of cheese into his hand. He ate as he marveled at the waves and the illumination of the moon reflecting off the water.

  Later as the sun touched the smooth horizon, the boat turned and entered the mouth of a river. Steep cliffs loomed over both sides of the waterway. Horus stood, stretched and yawned.

  “Introductions,” he announced as two men pulled down the sail. “This is Private Alerio Sisera. He’s good with a gladius and has a price on his head.”

  Alerio was shocked the Sergeant would reveal information about the bounty.

  “How much?” the man on the till asked.

  “Private Sisera, this is Lance Corporal Remigius,” Horus said. “It’s seven Republic Golds.”

  “Ba, I’m up to nine,” Remigius bragged. “Welcome to the Raiders, Sisera.”

  “The two rowing are Lance Corporal Wido and Private Ireneus,” Horus said before turning to the pilot. “Remigius. We overheard our favorite rebel Captain, Speckled Pheasant, chewing out two of his Lieutenants. Can you find out what they were discussing?”

  “Absolutely Sergeant,” the Lance Corporal replied. “After we do a little fishing. We have to maintain our cover.”

  “Just get me the information,” Horus ordered as the fishing boat bumped against a rough dock.

  While the Raider Sergeant jumped to the dock, Wido and Ireneus hoisted the equipment bag and tossed it onto the rickety pier. Alerio jumped next.

  “Private Sisera bring the bag,” Horus ordered as he started up a narrow trail.

  Alerio looked up to the top of the hill looming over the river. The trail was no more than a winding footpath carved into the side of the towering knoll. He lifted the bag and placed a foot on the track. It slipped on the small pebbles scattered over the risers.

  “Careful there Private,” Lance Corporal Remigius shouted as the crew dipped the oars and moved the fishing boat down the river.

  High above, Sergeant Horus reached the top and vanished over the crest. Alerio adjusted the load on his shoulders and gently placed his foot. Behind him, laughter rolled across the water from the retreating fishing boat.

  Chapter 43 - Legion Raider Camp

  Alerio struggled to the top. The land flattened and stretched for about twenty yards before dipping off. He trudged to the other edge and happily found a set of steps carved into the hill side. Below him, Legion tents were neatly arranged in a wide valley. On the far side of the valley, the slope rose until it was higher than the plateau where he stood.

  Off to his right, three Legionaries stood watch on a peak with a large sighting scope. They had their backs to him looking away from the valley. To his left, a range was organized. Legionaries and men in robes performed weapons training. Behind the range a small well-traveled ravine marked the exit to the encampment.

  He was three stepped down when a Corporal and a Lance Corporal jogged up. They waited for him at the bottom of the stairs.

  “Private Sisera. I’ll take Sergeant Horus’ gear,” the Corporal said. “This is Lance Corporal Velius. He’s your squad leader. I’ll get with you later.”

  The Corporal opened the bag and grabbed the Sergeant’s gear. He jogged off without another word.

  “Is he always so talkative?” Alerio asked Lance Corporal Velius.

  “Centurion Stylianus is off Post and Corporal Manfredus has been running the show, solo,” Velius replied. “He has a lot to discuss with Horus. Follow me.”

  They strolled between evenly placed tents on straight walkways. On the last row before the range, Velius turned towards a tent. Men were sitting outside watching the action on the range while sharpening Gladii, mending armor, or patching big heavy infantry shields.

  “Private Sisera is our new guy,” Velius announced. “Show him the ropes. I’ve got an NCO meeting.”

  The Lance Corporal spun on his heels and rushed off.

  “Alerio Sisera,” Alerio said introducing himself to the seven Legionaries.

  None looked up. After an uncomfortable length of time, one stopped and jerked as if just noticing Alerio.

  “Wow, where did you come from?” the Legionary asked. “You shouldn’t sneak up on a man like that. Bad for the nerves, you know.”

  Another stopped honing his blade with a stone and studied Alerio from toes to head.

  “He’s a big lad,” he observed. “They must feed them good in recruit training these days. When I graduated, I was nothing but skin and bones.”

  A rock flew over and struck the man in the shoulder.

  “That’s because you were on quarter rations the whole time,” another squad member teased.

  “Because you are uncoordinated,” the rock thrower added.

  “I’m not uncoordinated,” pleaded the Legionary. “It’s just the instructors didn’t like me.”

  “Don’t mind them Alerio. Their mothers dropped them on their heads when they were babies,” another Legionary said as he stood. “Name’s Didacus. Let me show you to your bunk.”

  Didacus ushered Alerio into the tent and pointed out a wooden pallet next to the entrance.

  “We slept on the ground in training. This is much better than being a Recruit,” Alerio stated.

  “Mountain spiders and scorpions,” Didacus replied flatly. “They like the body’s warmth so we sleep off the ground.”

  Before Alerio could say more, shouting came from outside the tent. They stepped out to find a bowman standing nose to nose with one of their Legionaries.

  “If you think you can do better, unknot your coin purse and lay a few down,” the Archer challenged.

  Didacus looked at another squad member, “What now?”

  “Pholus there, said the targets were too close. Said, he could hit those targets with his javelin,” he recounted. “Seems the bowmen heard him and took offense.”

  “Come on big mouth,” the Archer challenged. “Let’s see what you and your javelin can do.”

  “Not only me,” Pholus bragged. “My whole squad can hit those targets.”

  Didacus slapped a palm to his forehead and exclaimed, “This is going to be expensive.”

  “Why’s that?” Alerio asked.

  “We are Second Squad, Heavy Infantry, Raider Century,” Didacus said with pride. “You take on one of us, you get all of us.”

  “Hold on a second,” Alerio said loudly. The Archer and Pholus turned to look at him. “How about we go javelins against bows, then double or nothing, gladii against gladii,” he suggested feeling proud about maybe saving his new squad some coin.

  “No, javelin against bow,” the Archer offered. “Then we switch to bow against javelin.”

  “Done,” Pholus shouted. “Five coppers each.”

  Alerio was shaken. He’d meant to tilt the competition in his favor. Now,
with the bow as the second weapon, he worried about letting his new squad down.

  The eight Heavy Infantrymen grabbed their three javelins and walked to the range.

  “Three javelins at the targets and we’ll shoot three arrows.,” the Archer explained. “Then we switch and the archers will throw three javelins. Afterwards, we’ll sit back and count our money.”

  Every Archer laughed knowing they were proficient with the javelin; the infantrymen probably not so much with the bow.

  Didacus, Pholus and the other five threw their three javelins. The targets bristled with spears near the center point. Alerio stepped up and one after the other of his javelins hit center mass. His new squad mates pounded his back and taunted the Archers.

  The Archers released three arrows each and their arrows matched the javelins. Bows were brought out for the Infantrymen and javelins for the Archers. The bowmen threw first.

  Only a few javelins landed center target, yet the Archers acquitted themselves nicely. The first seven Infantrymen shot arrows.

  After the round, the Archers held an edge. Everyone stepped back as Alerio walked to the line.

  Seeing as Alerio had saved the Infantrymen with his javelin throws, the squad expected their new guy to win the match.

  “Just like you did with the javelins,” encouraged Pholus.

  Alerio’s palms started to sweat. He had to inhale deeply several times while trying to steady his nerves. The first arrow hit the edge of the target. A groan erupted from the infantrymen. When his second hit the bottom of the target, they remained silent. On his third shot, they held their breath. It zoomed over the target and stuck in the earthen embankment.

  “Told you the instructors were getting soft in recruit training,” complained Pholus. “With bow work that sad, he should have been on quarter rations.”

  None of the infantrymen would meet the new guy’s eyes. They handed over their coins to the elated Archers. Alerio surrendered the bow to an Armorer.

  “That’s really bad archery,” Horus called out.

  The Sergeant, Corporal Manfredus and Lance Corporal Velius had arrived to watch the competition. They stood in a group on the slope by the tents. Behind them, a Legionary was positioned with his back to the NCOs. He wasn’t watching the match; he was focused on the high hill with the spotting scope.

  The Sergeant dug into a pouch and pulled out a coin. He flipped it into the air and the sunlight reflected off the spinning Republic Silver.

  “Sword drills,” he announced as he closed a fist around the coin. “Private Sisera will represent the Infantry. Archers, pick your two best swordsmen. Four touches for the win.”

  Alerio pulled his gladius and walked to a sandy pit. He swung the weapon a few times before letting it rest on his right thigh. The Infantry squad had no idea if the new Private was any good with a gladius. Nevertheless, he was one of them so they reluctantly pulled out more coin. While bets were placed, two broad shouldered Archers joined Alerio in the pit.

  “Private Didacus, loan Private Sisera your gladius,” Sergeant Horus ordered.

  Didacus drew his weapon and, with confusion on his face, walked to the pit.

  “Is something wrong with your gladius?” he asked Alerio.

  “I believe the Sergeant is going to redefine gladius drills,” Alerio replied as he took the sword with his left hand.

  “Now we know Bowmen are tough but they spend most of their time with the bow,” Sergeant Horus stated. “It’s not fair to pit them up against an Infantryman who practices daily with the gladius.”

  The Archers nodded and murmured about the unfairness of the sword fight. Even if they had the advantage of rotating fighters against one infantryman, the gladius wasn’t their primary weapon.

  “So, for this fight it’ll be two against one,” the Sergeant explained as he flipped the Republic Silver to the Legionary managing the bets. “Place that on Sisera.”

  Suddenly the Archers crowded around the Legionary shoving coin at the hurried man. Betting was heavy yet, only a few infantrymen added to their wagers. The Light Infantry Scouts, who had been watching from the hill sides, walked down to add their coin to the pile for the Archers. One hesitated and studied the young infantryman.

  Corporal Ceyx Eolus of the Scouts watched as the Infantryman’s left hand grasped the gladius offered by Didacus. The grip was firm and the arm moved with no hesitation. He walked over, and to the surprise of his fellow Velites, tossed coin onto Alerio’s pile.

  “Private Sisera are you ready?” Horus asked. When Alerio slammed the hilt to his chest, the Sergeant turned to the two Archers, “Archers. Are you ready?” They also saluted. “Begin,” instructed Horus.

  Rather than placing the blades in a high guard, Alerio held them down as if he were about to skew a charging bull. The Archers separated by four steps and shuffled forward.

  The first to strike was the Archer facing Alerio’s right gladius. His strike was designed to engage the blade and keep it occupied defending against the attack.

  While the blades clashed, the Archer, facing the left gladius, delivered a powerful smash. It was designed to put the blade in the weaker arm out of position and open a path to the infantryman’s chest. The ploy would have worked if Alerio’s left arm was weaker.

  Alerio dueled with his right gladius countering the Archer move for move. When his left blade was smashed down, he didn’t resist. Instead, he used the power of the Archer’s wallop to propel his gladius. The blade swung down and around. Before it arched higher than his shoulder, the Archer stepped forward trying to score the first touch. Momentum carried the blade from the apex of the arc directly into the advancing Archer.

  As the point of the left gladius stopped the advancing Archer, Alerio rotated his right wrist. The blades went from clashing against each other to Alerio’s spinning around his opponent’s blade. The effect halted the Archer’s blade in mid move. Alerio’s blade reached out and touched the Archer’s shoulder.

  “Two touches for Private Sisera,” Horus announced as the fighters separated.

  The infantrymen were yelling and slapping each other on the backs. It didn’t matter they’d been shy in betting on the young man. As one of their own, he’d get their full vocal support.

  Corporal Eolus, the Light Infantryman, didn’t display any outward emotion. His face was scrunched down as the Scout mentally went over each move of the first round.

  The Archers saluted the Infantryman and brought their blades up in a high guard. Alerio bowed to them, raised his Gladii above his shoulders and held them wide apart. It seemed as if he was inviting the Archers to go for his unguarded chest. They did.

  As their blade tips dropped and thrust forward, Alerio rotated his blades inward. The four blades met. Alerio’s were circling rapidly while the Archer’s were on a straight line held almost at arms’ length. The Infantryman’s blades drove the attacking blades apart. Now it was a race to see which of the combatants could recover first and bring their blades back to the attack.

  Alerio let his blades continue to circle until they were inside his opponent’s. He stepped forward and each blade touched an Archer’s chest.

  “Two touches,” Horus announced. “The winner is Private Sisera.”

  Didacus raced forward and took back his gladius. He inspected the blade before saying, “You’re going to grind out the nicks. Oh, and nice sword work.”

  Alerio was halfway out of the pit when a voice cried out, “Signal! Alert Signal!”

  The Legionary standing behind the NCOs was speaking to the Sergeant. On the high peak, one of the men at the scope was waving his arms.

  “Go,” he said to the Signalman. Then to the Lance Corporal, “Velius, have you squad stand by.”

  Lance Corporal Velius shouted down to his men on the practice field, “Second Squad gear up.”

  While the Infantrymen of Second Squad jogged to their tents, a Legionary from the spotting scope was fast roping from the high peak. He touched the valley floor as the dut
y Signalman reached the foot of the cliff. They exchanged words and, before any of Second Squad had time to strap on the rest of their armor, the Signalman was back speaking with the Sergeant.

  “Lance Corporal Velius. Two wagons pulled by oxen teams. Plus, four guards are traveling from the North,” Horus reported. “Get your squad to the pass. If they don’t have contraband, collect a tax and let them go. And remember, it’s easier to dispose of Rebel bodies than to replace a Legionary.”

  Chapter 44 - The Eastern Pass

  A squad of Light Infantry had led Second Squad out of the Legion Camp. Some went to reinforce the defensive positions guarding the approach to the camp. Others continued down the gullies and ravines making sure the way was clear for the men in heavy helmets, thick leather armor and carrying the large curved shields.

  In battle formation, the Heavy Infantry formed a moveable and almost impenetrable wall. Conversely, in steep sided canyons, their movements were restricted by the terrain. The Light Infantry patrol went first to give the heavies warning of any ambush attempted by an enemy force.

  Once on the flat land of the pass, the squad of Heavy Infantry was in its element. They went online blocking the center of the gap.

  Alerio rested the edge of his shield on the ground. As an unproven Legionary, the Lance Corporal had placed him third from the far right. This was the enemy’s left side and traditionally the weakest point of an attacking line.

  Private Pholus anchored the far right side. Private Didacus anchored the opposite end of the eight-man line. Both ends were key to pivoting movements and both Legionaries were proven combat veterans.

  Lance Corporal Velius paced behind the line talking to each Legionary. His job was command and control. If this was a Century formation, he would be looking to the Corporal or the Sergeant for guidance and orders. But this was a patrol stretched across a third of the narrow pass between the foothills. Here, his word was law and his orders unquestionable.

  The Scout, who had gone into the hills for a better view, reported back.

  “The two wagons are about a half hour out,” he reported to Lance Corporal Velius. “I couldn’t see what they’re hauling. But their guards are armed with bows and long swords.”