All of the cooks traveled with the 5th Parthica and perished during the fight, so the kitchen stood empty. It didn’t take long for Baltazar to locate where they kept the wine. He grabbed two bottles and headed back to the barracks.
The moon cast the fort in a silvery glow. Baltazar emerged from the kitchen and paused to let his eyes adjust. He then looked around ensuring there was no one else hiding in the shadows. Satisfied he made his way back to the barracks building he shared with Constan, Athos, and a few other survivors from Constan’s Kontoubernion.
Entering he saw that Athos had fallen asleep. He walked over to Constan and handed him both of the bottles, “Here ya go, old man. I’ve got some business in town I need to attend to.”
Constan’s face broke into a grin, “Aye, make sure you give that lass a good parting memory should ye fall to the damned during your mission.”
Baltazar shook his head. The old man always sees right through me. He broke into a smile and said, “That I will.” Winking at Constan he sauntered out the door.
Chapter 24
Morning, August 16th 636 Damascus, Syria Province, Byzantium
Athos awoke to the sound of activity coming from outside. Light streamed in through the cracks in the window shutters and the door. He felt something warm pressed up against him. Smiling with the realization of the source, he turned slowly so as not to disturb Athea.
He watched her as she slept. So beautiful. Her long brown hair surrounded her face. A bit of sunlight from the shutter cast her face in an almost divine light.
Athos then looked over at Constan’s sleeping pallet. It was empty. What the? The door opened up, and Baltazar came walking in. He looked over at Athos’ pallet, and their eyes met. Seeing Athea there with him, Baltazar gestured with his head toward the door indicating that Athos should join him outside. Athos nodded in response and began to get up slowly so as not to disturb Athea.
Athea muttered something, and Athos froze. After a minute, she settled back into the rhythmic breathing indicative of sleep. Freed, Athos leaned over and lightly kissed her hair. He then turned and slowly walked to the door, careful to not make any noise as he did so. He opened the door gradually and stepped into the blinding sunlight.
His eyes, used to the darkness of the barracks, were overwhelmed with the bright morning sunshine. Placing his hands against his forehead he squinted to see what was happening. Fifteen wagons were lined up pointing toward the gate. Each wagon had a driver and a team of two horses. Each driver was armed with a Spatha and an ax. On the bench with each man was a bow.
Surrounding the line of wagons were approximately forty guardsmen mounted on horses. In addition to the guardsmen, there were eight riders led by Boulous from the 8th Mesopotamian. Baltazar, Constan, and Justin stood at the head of the formation talking. Athos decided to head over and see what was going on. He remembered vaguely hearing about recovering armor from the battlefield at Yarmuk. He still wasn’t feeling himself. He also noticed Farid and Zahid loitering nearby. “What’s going on?” Athos asked.
Constan turned towards him and replied, “Justin and Baltazar are leading these wagons and city guardsmen back to Yarmouk. They are to collect as much Kataphractoi horse barding and armor as they can find.”
“I see,” Athos frowning asked, “Am I going with them?”
“No, you are to remain here and help me to train these city guardsmen to be Skutatoi. As soon as this group is off, we will begin.” Constan gestured over at several hundred men standing awkwardly on the parade field looking about nervously.
“Besides you are still too hurt to travel.” Constan turned and continued his conversation with Baltazar and Justin. “Don’t take any unnecessary risks. Keep moving to the battlefield and back. If you see citizens in need of assistance, only render it if you feel you can do so without losing men and endangering the mission. Each one of the men is too precious to lose now with so few fighters left. Completing your task is your sole focus. Justin, ye are in command. I am promoting ye to Kentarches.”
Justin smiled, “Aye sir, thank you.”
“Besides meself, ye are the most experienced Skutatoi left in the 5th Parthica. Get the armor, bring it, and most importantly your men back. We cannot afford further losses if we are to hold Damascus when the damned come for us. Understood Kentarches?”
Justin smiled, “Understood, Tourmarches.”
“God be with you, Kentarches.” Justin came to attention and saluted Constan.
Constan returned the salute and then said to Athos, “With me.”
“Yes, sir,” The pair stepped to the side of the wagons and riders. Baltazar handed the reins of his horse to Justin and followed the pair. Athos turned towards Baltazar and said, “Good luck, my friend, and God Bless.”
“Thank you. If we do not return and things get bad here, promise me you will take care of Liana?” Baltazar asked.
“You have my oath, my friend. I will do everything in my power to keep Liana safe,” Athos replied. The two friends came together in an embrace and then separated. Baltazar walked over to his horse, took the reins from Justin, and mounted it.
Justin drew his Spatha, turned, faced the men, and then pointed his Spatha at the gate. “Recovery team forward,” he shouted.
The wagons, following Justin’s lead, started moving and headed out of the gate one by one. Athos and Constan watched them depart. The group turned right on Straight Street and disappeared. Constan then gestured to Damon who had just emerged from their barracks building to join them. “Damon, I need you to carry an urgent message to the Governor. Tell him last night a dead man who had not been bitten rose from the dead and became a damned.”
Damon gasped in surprise at this statement. Constan continued, “He needs to get the word out that anyone near death must be tied down. If they die, they will rise as one of the damned and try to feed. We could lose the city from the inside if one of these things gets loose and starts biting people. If he has any questions, he can summon me. Otherwise, I need to coordinate the training of the guardsmen today. Understood?”
“Aye sir, understood.” Damon saluted, turned, and walked toward the gate briskly.
Constan smiled and said to Athos, “Lad, Nikas and I both saw the potential to be an exceptional leader within you. Unfortunately, events have overcome us, and we do not have the years to groom ye that this process typically takes. I know this is asking a lot of ye lad. This is all very sudden, but I need you to step up and be the leader I know you can be. Instead of someday, I need that day to be today. Can you do that?” Constan looked Athos in the eyes and placed his left hand on Athos’ shoulder.
Athos took a deep breath and replied, “These last six months have been difficult. You and Nikas, God rest his soul, saw something in me. At first, I had no idea what. Everything here seemed so overwhelming and arduous. That day we marched back from Mount Hermon. You know after you volunteered me to carry that damn wine so you would not thirst, Nikas helped me. He helped me to understand what I needed to do within myself to be first a man and then a leader.”
Athos gestured at the city guardsmen over on the parade ground, “Six months ago I was in the same sandals those men out there are in now. Scared and frightened of what is to come next. I haven’t had the chance to digest and figure out where within me the strength to be a leader resides. Thanks to you and Nikas I know that I must discover it for myself, and given the circumstances figure it out quickly. As long as I have your guidance on that journey, I know I will meet with success.”
“Aye, you will lad. I have faith in ye,” Constan’s face transformed from what could only be described as a look of fatherly love to consternation. “I hate having to play politics. Farid is feeling slighted right now because I was promoted over him. To put a salve on hurt feelings, I must appoint his younger brother to the next most prestigious post in the 5th Parthica, command of the 1st Kentarchia. I will name Damon as his first Dekanos to keep him straight. I want to appoint ye, Kentarches of the 2nd Kenta
rchia. I think Nikas would have wanted that. What say ye?”
Athos was stunned by Constan’s offer, “I thought you were going to appoint me as a Dekanos. Merciful saints, a Kentarches?”
“I know it’s asking a lot. You’re going to have to grow up a lot sooner than me and Nikas intended.”
“Aye,” Athos took a deep breath and let it out slowly. I will be worthy of Athea as a Kentarches. “I accept, you old buzzard,” Athos said grinning.
Constan clasped Athos on the shoulders with his hands and looked into his eyes, “I know I could count on ye. I need men I can trust to watch my back.” Constan pointed over at the city guardsmen milling around the parade field. “Now let’s go put the fear of God into those candy arse wretches and make them worthy of the title Skutatoi.”
Athos and Constan walked over to the parade field. Constan stepped up onto a wooden dais. The remaining 5th Parthica survivors were in formation to the left side of the dais. Farid saw Constan and walked over to the dais. Zahid followed him. Athos took a position to the left and Farid stepped onto the dais with Constan. Constan turned toward Farid and extended his hand in greeting, “Farid I presume?”
“Yes, these are my men,” Farid said gesturing toward the city guardsmen.
“No, these are our men,” Constan corrected.
Farid stared at Constan for several seconds. As he did so a bead of sweat lazily traced its way down his forehead, onto his cheek, and finally slid off his cheek landing on the Dais with a faint splat noise. “You miserable spawn of a flea infested goat herder. How dare you address me so disrespectfully,” His face shifting from rage to a look of pretentious disgust.
Constan’s face turned red with anger, “Farid, we are going to get one thing straight right now. Governor Maurice appointed me the Tourmarches of the 5th Parthica. Regardless of what you think of my parentage or my experience, that means one thing,” Constan paused giving Farid a chance to ask the question.
“What is that, peasant?”
“It means that I own your arse. If ye ever presume to address me disrespectfully ever again. I will have ye clapped in irons and executed.” Constan paused for effect, “Slowly. Am I clear?”
Farid took a step back from Constan but somehow worked up the courage to keep the argument going, “I have three hundred and sixty men here that answer to me. Do you really think they will stand idly by while you do that?”
Constan smiled evilly and pointed at the thirty members of the 5th Parthica standing in perfect formation and fully kitted for battle, “Do ye honestly think a mere three hundred and sixty of those fools can take my thirty hardened warriors? Your pathetic excuses for men couldn’t defeat us last night when they outnumbered us five to one and we armed with only daggers. Do you think ten to one will be any better? We can butcher those fucking louts all day. Now get your arse off my dais.” Constan pointed to the ground to the right of the dais, “Down there where you belong. Am I clear, Droungarios?”
“Crystal clear, Tourmarches,” Farid stepped off the dais and stood where Constan directed him to stand. Constan turned to the gaggle of men in front of him staring open mouthed at what had just taken place, “Good morning, men, and welcome. Today ye begin a journey to earn the right to call ye selves Ironmen. In the past, those of ye unworthy of this title would just be dismissed and led to the gate.” Constan paused and pointed to the fort’s front gate.
“These are troubled times, and you will not be granted that luxury if you fail. Instead, I will line you up in front of the Ironmen, and you will be used as fodder against the damned.” Constan paused once again to give his words a few seconds to register. The crowd collectively gasped at this revelation.
Constan continued, “The men arrayed here in front of ye are all that survives of the 5th Parthica that marched out of Damascus less than a fortnight ago. They survived through their skill and determination where thousands of others fell. Listen to them. Let them guide ye, and none of you standing in front of me will be fodder for the damned, you’ll be Ironmen putting an end to those bastards!”
The men erupted into a cheer. When the new recruits settled back down Constan finished his address, “Ironmen, make brothers out of these men.” The thirty survivors of the 5th Parthica immediately broke formation and started yelling at the new recruits. Athos looked up at Constan expectantly. Constan smiled at him, “Well lad, get in there!”
Athos smiled, saluted, and replied, “Aye sir!”
Athos joined the other members of the 5th Parthica working to get the city guardsmen formed up into four kentarchias of ninety men each. Shouts of stand up straight, form a line, eyes forward, and chest out echoed off the whitewashed buildings of the fort. Constan tried to look stern but smiled at the scene unfolding in front of him despite his best efforts to hold it back.
Movement over by the gate caught Constan’s eye. Turning to look Constan saw members of the Governor’s guard marching through the gate. They were followed by a large litter being carried by muscular slaves. Beside the litter walked Damon. Constan strode over to the litter. The guards halted and Constan heard the voice of the Governor, “Stop, put me down.” Damon looked over at the Ironmen shouting and yelling at the hapless members of the city guard and walked over to Constan, “May I join in the fun?” he asked with eagerness in his voice.
“Aye lad, give ‘em hell,” Constan replied smiling and jerking his head in the direction of the four kentarchias taking shape.
Damon smiled and saluted, “Yes, sir!”
Governor Maurice stood up and heaved his immense bulk from the litter. He turned his head and stood for several moments watching the efforts to get the city guardsmen into a passable formation over on the parade ground. He then faced Constan and smiled, “Looks like you have things well in hand, Tourmarches. I knew you were the right man for the job.”
Farid snorted at the Governor’s statement, remembered himself, and then pretended to sneeze. Constan met Farid’s look of malice with a cold stare. Just try me you arrogant bastard.
The Governor continued, “How long before they are ready to face the damned?”
Constan replied, “Under normal circumstances with raw recruits about six months. Since these men have had limited training as city guardsmen, I believe I can have them ready in a few weeks to fight a defensive battle from our walls.”
Excellent. I have made the proclamation we discussed last night. On the ‘morrow, you should have a sizeable amount of additional men to train.”
“Excellent, sir. Any idea on when I can expect axes, Spathas, and shields for them?” Constan pointed over at the parade ground, “This lot already has shields, and we have enough weapons in the fort to kit them out.”
“I spoke with the manager of the armory before I came here. He said that he could produce one hundred Spathas and single headed axes per week. Unfortunately, they are not equipped to produce the same quantity of armor. They will only be able to make fifty suits of chainmail and fifty shields per week.”
Constan frowned, “That is unfortunate. This lot already has suits of leather. I’m pretty sure leather will be enough to stop a bite from the damned, so we are ahead there at least.”
“On to other matters. Your messenger stated that you observed a dead man become one of the damned without being bitten?”
“Aye, ‘twas an unfortunate circumstance. It seems that even an unbitten person will wake as one of the damned a short time after death.”
“God has truly forsaken us then. Most unfortunate indeed. How can we protect the city when the damned could appear within our walls at any moment?” The Governor’s voice was filled with anxiety and apprehension.
Constan pondered the question for several seconds and replied, “First you must direct all people near death to be brought to the fort. I will designate one of our barracks buildings for them and put it under constant guard. If someone dies, my men will ensure that they do not rise again as the damned. Second, I will have a kontobernion of my trained Skutatoi stand
by in the forum mounted on horses. If anyone in the city dies unexpectedly, when called, they will rush to the site and put down any damned they encounter.”
“A sound strategy. I will send heralds to proclaim the news and what the people must do.”
“Thank you, Governor.”
“Is there anything else you require?”
“No sir.”
“Good, then I can remove myself from this dreadful heat,” the Governor’s skin was flushed. He fanned himself and wiped the sweat from his brow. He climbed back into the litter and ordered his slaves to take him back to the palace.
Constan’s gaze returned to the parade ground. He smiled. Athos and the rest of his veterans had gotten the men into a semblance of a formation. Judging by their movements and gestures they were teaching them the basics of marching. “God help us get these men into fighting shape before the damned come a calling,” he prayed. He made the sign of the cross. Cast a glare in Farid’s direction and then began walking over to the parade ground.
Justin, Baltazar, and the rest of the group moved down the Tyre road toward the Middle Sea. At first, everyone looked about nervously expecting the damned to jump out from behind every rock outcropping, or large boulder they passed. After a few hours of being on edge, everyone relaxed and started chatting amongst themselves. As they passed Mount Hermon, Baltazar’s mind wandered back to that day they had ascended it. Athos, carrying two amphorae of wine, had an arduous day.
The group passed the path that led up into the mountains to their right. The Tyre Road was wide enough for the wagons and one rider on each side. During normal times they would have passed several wagon loads of goods being transported back and forth between the port of Tyre and Damascus. Today they did not run into a soul. Justin, Baltazar, and Boulous rode at the head of the formation. Each man scanned the terrain in front of them looking for any signs of movement. “The lack of people here is eerie,” Justin stated.
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