On the other side of the fountain, tucked under the walkway in the shade, was a throne. Governor Maurice sat on the throne. He was the same fat, bearded man that Athos remembered seeing on their departure from Damascus. Has it only been a week? Seems like a lifetime ago that we marched by this palace on our way to face the monstrosities in Palestinia.
The governor’s ample form was covered by a white linen robe. He wore a piece of purple silk that rested on his right shoulder and was tied together on his left waist. Around his neck was a gold chain with a large circular amulet. The amulet rested in the middle of his chest. Affixed to the center of the amulet was a large blood red ruby that sparkled when it caught the light.
“Welcome, gentleman, please take a seat,” said Governor Maurice. He gestured, with large meaty hands, to a few dozen seats that had been set up in the courtyard in front of his throne.
The other members of the 5th Parthica were already seated along with the two surviving Toxatoi from the battle. Also seated were Luko and Boulous. Luko was the Droungarios of the 8th Mesopotamian’s light cavalry, and Boulous was his deputy commander. Seated separately from the soldiers was the commanding officer of the Damascus town guard Farid and his deputy, Zahid. Constan’s group took a seat, and the governor began the meeting.
“First off I need to ascertain exactly what happened in Palestinia Province. What manner of army you faced and what possible danger they could pose to Syria Province. When I met with the Persians, they tried to spin fantastic tales about bewitched Arab cannibals and end of the world pronouncements. Unless we helped them of course.”
Governor Maurice then pointed at Luko and asked, “What happened to your cavalry? You were a thousand strong when you camped outside my walls a week ago. Now my agents tell me you have roughly forty men left.”
Droungarios Luko stood and faced Governor Maurice who was seated on his throne. He cleared his throat and began speaking, “Under General Vahan’s orders we traveled south to where the Yarmouk River flows into the Jordan. There the infantry was ordered to wait for the Palestinia Tourma. The cavalry from the 2nd Aleppo was directed to scout the east bank of the Jordan. Specifically, of the 8th Mesopotamian cavalry were tasked to ride ahead and scout for the Palestinia Tourma on the west bank of the Jordan. The General wanted plenty of notice of their approach so that the infantry could put on the best show possible for them. While doing that a sand storm came upon us.”
Servants moved through the group giving each man a cup of wine. Pausing for a moment, Luko took his from one of the servers, a cute young lady in a modest white linen dress, and drank. Satisfied he wiped his mouth with the back of his arm and continued, “We hunkered down as best we could to ride the storm out. We took advantage of the shelter provided by the backside of a hill. It shielded us from the full fury of the storm so that we survived intact. The storm ended, and we continued our journey south in search of the Palestinia Tourma.”
Luko paused and took another drink from his cup, draining it. The same cute servant rushed over to refill his empty cup. When she finished, he continued, “We came across a few scattered individuals wandering aimlessly. They made noises when they saw us. The noises sounded like a growl of sorts or perhaps moans. They immediately attacked us. They came at us with bare hands and teeth heedless of their safety. Several of my men were bit by these accursed creatures. No matter how many wounds we gave them, they just kept coming. In a matter of minutes, the men who were bitten died and rose as creatures themselves.”
A tear came to Luko’s eye, he paused to wipe it away and continued, “We hacked at the creatures with our Spathas. We cut off arms and heads, but the damned things wouldn’t die. If you decapitated one of the bastards. The body of the hellish things would immediately fall, but the heads remained alive. We figured out that striking the skull with our Spathas or having our horses stomp on the head slew the creatures. Armed with this knowledge, we finally gained the upper hand and slew all of the creatures. Half of my men had fallen before we finished this task.”
Governor Maurice gasped in horror at this revelation. “Then what did you do?”
“The wind shifted, and we heard the sounds of combat off to the north. I figured the army must be under attack by more of the creatures. We rode north at the base of the hill. We encountered dozens of the crazed cannibals along the way. Alerted to the dangers they posed; we lost fewer men dispatching them. During this time, we figured out an arrow piercing the head above the ears would immediately put an end to their unholy existence.”
Constan, nodding, added, “Aye, a stab to the brain puts an end to the beasties.”
Luko continued, “The creatures seemed to be drawn to the sounds of battle. The closer we got to the army the more of the devils we encountered. They were wandering toward the sounds of battle. With casualties running high and an increasing number of them around us, I ordered a retreat. We rode straight west until we broke contact with them and then turned north for a few miles. We changed course eastward and rode back to the hill that separated the Jordan Valley from the rest of Palestinia Province. As we approached the hill, we spied Skutatoi of the Imperial Tagmata running north.”
Constan angered at this revelation exclaimed, “Those yellow bastards!”
Governor Maurice spoke, “You’ll get your chance soldier, let the Droungarios finish his report.”
Constan bowed his head to the Governor and sat back down, “Apologies, Governor.”
Luko continued, “We heard the sounds of fighting coming from the south of us at that point. Hoping to find our comrades we rode in that direction. The creatures started thinning out. We slew several more as we rode. After a time, we came into contact with the remains of the 5th Parthica. They were surrounded by the hungry bastards and in a dire state.”
Luko took another sip of his wine and continued, “I ordered my men to use the wheel formation. They complied, surrounding the creatures attacking the 5th Parthica, and rode in a circle firing arrows at them. We succeeded in killing them all. I then gave the survivors my extra mounts and ordered them to follow me. Making our escape, we headed north while killing the occasional undead we encountered. Talking with the survivors of the 5th Parthica, I learned the fate of my comrades in the 8th Mesopotamian. It was then that I decided to bring the survivors of the 5th Parthica here.”
“Very good, Droungarios,” Governor Maurice then addressed the survivors of the 5th Parthica, “Who will speak for you?”
Constan stood and replied, “I am the senior surviving member of the 5th Parthica, I will speak, sir.
“Very well, Dekanos, begin,” replied the Governor.
Constan cleared his throat and began speaking, “We were deployed in the Jordan Valley where the Yarmouk flows into the Jordan. General Vahan arrayed us in battle formation across the valley and up the hill. The 2nd Aleppo against the Jordan, the 8th Mesopotamian to their right, the 5th Parthica to their right, and then the Imperial Tagmata. The Imperial Tagmata occupied the hill separating the Jordan Valley from the rest of Palestinia Province.
“The General wanted to put on a show for the Palestinia Tourma upon their arrival. He deployed the Kataphractoi on the crest of the hill for maximum visibility and the Tagmata’s Toxatoi to our rear. When the sandstorm struck, the General refused to allow us to seek shelter. He ordered us to weather in formation using our shields. At the time I thought he was a damn fool, but his decision saved our lives. The creatures emerged from out of the storm into the midst of us. Somehow they used the mighty wind from the storm to fly past our front ranks and land in the middle of our formation.”
Constan plucked a fresh cup of wine off one of the servant’s tray as she went by and continued, “Chaos ensured and we lost several men to the bastard spawns of Satan. As the storm ended, thousands of the beasties attacked us. It seemed we fought for hours. We lost contact with the 1st Kentarchia to our right, and then the undead appeared on our left and rear flanks as well as our front. The Toxatoi fell back at first and then
rallied. For a time, they kept the creatures off our backs. Then it seemed like everyone around our Kentarchia disappeared in a matter of minutes. From that point, our Kentarchia fought alone and surrounded. Kentarches Nikas, God rest his soul, fought us brilliantly.”
Constan paused a moment and rubbed his forehead with his right hand, “Finally, General Vahan sent in the Kataphractoi to pull us out. That was a sight to see I tell ye, heavy horse resplendent in armor. It was hard to see where beast stopped and the man began. They smashed through the hellspawn with a brilliant charge killing them by the thousands. The air was choked with a purple mist from the blood of the smashed creatures. They rode around us and then wheeled around to rescue us. The Kataphractoi pulled individual soldiers onto their horses as they rode by. Brilliant horsemanship!”
As a servant girl neared, Constan drained the rest of his cup and plucked another from her tray, “We were then brought to the rear of the Imperial Tagmata who were still fighting. Nikas met with General Vahan who had us rearmed and thrown into the breach when the Tagmata’s front line collapsed. We thought the Tagmata had been destroyed when we were surrounded again. ‘Twas clearly a mistake on our part to think that. Those damn yellow bastards!” Constan turned red with anger as he finished his account of the battle and sat down.
“Gentlemen, your reports were both very detailed I thank you for that. Help me to understand everything about these creatures. Dekanos, you spent the most time in close quarters with them. Tell me everything you noticed about the creatures and the effects they had on your men,” the Governor asked.
Constan took a few moments to ponder the question and then replied, “Sir, they smell like days old rotting corpses. Many of the beasties had mortal wounds thrice over. They had one goal and one goal only, to feast on the flesh of the living. They would ignore all around them when focused on that goal. If they succeeded and bit into the flesh of a living being, that unfortunate would die and become one of them in a matter of minutes. Any kind of penetrating attack on the skull resulted in the instant death of the creature. A strike anywhere else had little or no effect on them.”
“Thank you for that information, Dekanos. Droungarios, can you add in anything that you noticed that the Dekanos did not already cover?”
Droungarios Luko stood up, “Yes sir, the creatures seemed to be attracted to sound. As we rode about that horrible evening, I noticed that they were all heading in the same direction towards noise of the battle. The only thing that would interrupt this behavior is when they perceived our presence. When that happened, they changed directions and attacked us.”
“Thank you for that observation, Droungarios.” Governor Maurice stood and plucked a scroll off of the left armrest of this throne. “I received this message from General Vahan this morning. It is the reason I summoned you here today. The General tells me that all is lost for Palestinia and that Syria stands wide open and next to fall. He says he will be using the Anatolian Thema to seal the mountain passes into Anatolia from the creatures. He also sent a dispatch to Aegyptus and Africa Province ordering both of their provincial Themas to proceed with all due haste and erect a wall between the Middle Sea and the Red Sea. This wall is to be built at the narrowest point between the two seas and defended by the both Themas.”
The Governor frowned, “The General then goes on to say that he will attempt to defend Antioch with the surviving members of the Imperial Tagmata. I have a choice, to protect Syria province from the creatures with the forces I currently have or abandon Syria to its fate.”
The soldiers stood as one and shouted, “No we must stand and fight!” Then everyone in the room started talking at once.
Governor Maurice slammed his fists into the arms of his throne, “Silence! I will not abandon Syria to its fate based on the word of the damn fool who lost most of my soldiers. As the survivors of my military, you must work with me to devise a plan to hold against these damned.” The Governor lost his train of thought and paused for a moment, “These damned.” He then shrugged his shoulders and said, “The damned seem as good a name as any.”
The Governor chuckled to himself briefly and continued, “Now gentlemen, you are not leaving this palace until we devise a plan to save Syria!” The room erupted into applause, cheering, and chest thumping. Governor Maurice clapped his hands sharply twice and shouted, “Servant, bring the map of Syria to the banquet hall and lay it out on the main table! With me my brave soldiers!”
As the Governor started to rise from his throne, a courier burst into the room from the entry hall. The man spotted the Governor and rushed over to him. Kneeling down before the Governor he said, “I have an urgent message from the Emperor for you, Governor Maurice.”
Governor Maurice took the tube that was being held over the courier’s head in his right hand. He opened it. Inside was a scroll with a wax seal on it. The Governor glanced at the seal; it belonged to Emperor Heraclius. He then broke the seal and spent several seconds reading the scroll.
Upon completion, he glanced up at the soldiers who were looking at him expectantly. The Governor smiled, “The Emperor has landed at Antioch with reinforcements! He cannot provide us aid while Antioch is threatened, but he has ordered me to hold Syria at any cost!” The room erupted into jubilation at this glorious news. “With the Emperor leading the army surely the damned are doomed! To the banquet hall!” Governor Maurice turned and led them deeper into the palace.
Chapter 23
Afternoon, August 15th 636 Damascus, Syria Province, Byzantium
The Plan
The Governor led them through a wide entryway into the heart of the palace. Athos, feeling better, was able to walk on his own without any assistance. The hallway was wide enough for four men to walk abreast. The walls, like the entry hall, where white and adorned with tapestries depicting scenes from the life of Jesus Christ. The men of the 5th Parthica slowed their pace and marveled at the detailed scenes as they walked.
The first scene showed the birth of Jesus in the manger. The next depicted him as a boy of twelve sitting with the Rabbis in the Jerusalem Temple. The subsequent tapestry showed Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist. Athos looked from one tapestry to the next in amazement. He had never seen wall hangings woven to show people and places.
The next scene was the beginning of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee. Then several scenes showing the miracles he performed during his ministry. Across from each other were two tapestries showing the healing of the blind man. In one Jesus was laying his hands upon the blind man’s head his milky white eyes prominent in the scene. Those eyes are just like the damned Athos thought. He shivered and continued walking.
After that Jesus’ time in the desert being tempted by Satan was shown. The scene showed Jesus on his knees, filthy and dehydrated. In front of him was a demon floating. The demon held an amphora of wine in one hand and a plate full of food in the other. The life of Jesus continued to unfold before Athos as he made his way slowly down the hallway in awe at what he’s seen.
The next tapestry was Jesus’ trip to Jerusalem mounted on a donkey. At one stop he raised Lazarus from the dead. Next, he entered Jerusalem to the adoration of the people. The last supper is then shown, Jesus’ betrayal by Judas and finally several tapestries depicting the path to crucifixion. The trial, placing the crown of thorns upon his head, dragging the cross through the streets of Jerusalem, and finally the crucifixion itself.
Athos took a deep breath excited at what was shown next. Jesus’ resurrection and meeting Saul on the road to Damascus. This city must remain in the hands of Christians. Finally, the last tapestry showed Jesus’ ascension into heaven. The smell of food wafted into the hall from somewhere close, and Athos’ stomach growled to remind him how long it had been since his last meal.
At the end of the hall was a set of double oak doors. On either side of the door was a guard. The guards were wearing plate mail that had been polished until you could see yourself reflected off the metal. In the guard’s right hand was a spear approx
imately six feet tall. Their left hands rested on the pommel of their Spathas. Each guard had a shield that they wore on their back. Their helms also appeared to be made from the same steel that their armor was crafted from. They too were polished to a radiant shine. Atop their helms was a red crest of horse-hair that began at the front of the helm and went straight back across the middle of the helm. Very similar in style to what Roman Tribunes wore in the past.
As the Governor approached, they each tapped their spear shaft onto the floor three times. They then saluted the governor by extending their left arm straight outward and forming their hand into a fist. The guards then brought the enclosed fist inward and touched their heart with it. The Governor returned the guard’s salute. He then opened both doors with a simple push from each of his hands. The well-greased hinges yielded to his slight pressure and the doors opened effortlessly. Athos was amazed how easy it was for the Governor to open those doors. Again, he had never seen anything like it.
Following the Governor inside, Athos stepped into one of the largest enclosed rooms that he had ever seen in his life. Dominating the center of the banquet hall was a large oak table. The table had long benches on either side of it. At the head of the table was a large throne, presumably for the Governor, and a smaller chair to its left.
The Governor's wife used this chair whenever she attended meals in the hall. Near the head of the table, several servants worked. They were rolling out large scrolls with maps on them and setting stones on the corners of the scrolls to hold them down and keep them open.
In front of the Governor’s throne was a large plate of steaming meat. The meat was some kind of enormous bird that Athos was not familiar with. The steaming body of the bird rested on a bed of vegetables. No wonder the Governor is so fat. That is enough food to feed half a dozen men. Athos thought. To say it out loud would likely result in him being slowly tortured to death.
Byzantium Infected Box Set Page 27