Byzantium Infected Box Set

by James Mullins

  Constan smiled at the guard and said, “Careful what ye say lad, those women could likely best ye, in a fair fight.” Constan took his pack off of his back, dropped to one knee, and began to rummage around in it. He began to speak as he pulled an item from it, “Here is the proof you need, my uniform.”

  Constan held up his Tourmarches uniform. It was a white cotton tunic similar to what the guards wore, but of a much fancier cut. Like the uniform tunic of the guards, the chest was emblazoned with the exact style of cross that the two guards wore. Unlike the simpler cut of the guard’s tunics, Constan’s was embroidered on the fabric with purple in place of the black thread. In addition to the cross, the edges around the sleeveless arm openings had a one-inch purple stripe around them. Finally, there was a one-inch wide purple stripe that ran along the shoulder from the neck line until it intersected with the stripe around the arm opening.

  Upon seeing the tunic, the two guards stiffened to attention and saluted, “Excuse us Tourmarches, we did not mean to offend. We are just following orders.”

  Constan smiled at the two guards and said, “None taken lads, ye were doing a fine job of it. Especially noticing that the units depicted on our shields did not match the unit we claimed to be a part of. At ease.”

  The two guards stepped to either side, faced each other and dropped into the parade rest stance. This was accomplished by placing their right hand on their spear, putting their left hand behind their backs, and planting their left and right foot about two feet from each other. The guard that had been speaking this entire time turned his head toward Constan and asked, “My name is Jerry. May I be of assistance, sir?”

  Constan smiled at Jerry, “Aye you may. Do ye know of a good inn suitable to my station within the city not too far from the agora?”

  Jerry returned the smiled, and said, “I do indeed sir, situated between the agora and the amphitheater is the Inn of the Wooden Sword. You will find it on Thracian Street. Each of the roads near the amphitheater are named for one of the gladiatorial schools of style. The Inn has fine accommodations for officers such as yourself and Athos.”

  “Very well Jerry, thank you for the information. From what unit do ye hail? If I happen to run into your commander, I want to ensure he is informed of your professionalism and keen eyes.” Constan said.

  Jerry smiled, stood up a little straighter and stuck his chest out, “We hail from the 5th Babylon. We were previously stationed near Lake Van, but ordered here to Antioch by imperial decree. Seems the Empire is worried less about Persians these days, and more about the damned.”

  Constan nodded, “Aye, sad but true. I’ve seen it with me own eyes. Palestinia province, along with most of Syria has been overrun by the spawns of Satan.” Constan finished the statement by spitting on the ground.

  Jerry swallowed audibly, “So the rumors are true, and the damned are near?”

  Constan frowned, “What have they been telling you about the damned, soldier?”

  “That, they are minions of Satan. The dead reborn. Come to punish us all for our sins.” Jerry replied.

  “Nothing about their proximity to Antioch?” Constan asked.

  “No. We are instructed to remain vigilant. In fact, we were threatened with death, if we do not do so. That if we saw anyone approaching the gate, that smelled of death, had gray skin with a purple pallor, or milky white eyes, that we were to close the gate immediately.” Jerry replied.

  An incredulous look flashed across Constan’s facial features before his mask snapped into place, “So like this one all of the city gates remain open to the outside?”

  Jerry nodded, “Aye, the people may come and go as they wish. At least as long as they meet with the criteria that we were given.”

  Constan nodded in understanding to Jerry, Is the Emperor mad? Antioch is now the front line in this unholy war. One mistake with these open gates and the city will be lost. “Thanks for the information soldier. We’ll be heading to the Inn now.”

  The two guards stiffened to attention and saluted Constan as the group entered Antioch.

  As they walked along the streets of the city, Maarika marveled at everything. The buildings that loomed over them, the people that went about their daily business, and the fact that this was the first intact city she had been in since entering the Empire. I wish I could have seen Damascus before it fell to the damned, instead of being locked in that room. In addition to not seeing the city, having to endure Farid’s endless advances was very tiresome.

  Maarika involuntarily shivered at what took place during her six weeks of captivity in Damascus, At least my acquiescence to that animal kept my beloved Nasir, and Baltazar alive. It’s a shame I didn’t get to end that bastard’s life personally. Maarika’s face broke into a smile at her next thought. At least I got to end his unholy existence.

  She looked over at Nasir walking beside her and smiled. He put his arm around her waist and she rested her head on his shoulder as they walked. Thank the Gods he never asked me what happened during his imprisonment. In addition to the anguish of losing his men, I fear the burden of my shame would be too great for him to bare.

  As the group navigated the streets of Antioch, they observed the various buildings as they passed. The structures were of many shapes and sizes and constructed from a variety of materials. The most common materials used consisted of the local red and brown colored stone. Most of the buildings also had rooves of red tile and stucco. The more opulent homes, were constructed of bricks that had been plastered over. The plaster, often mixed with dyes, were of varying colors depending on the taste of the homeowner. This made the more well to do blocks a cornucopia of color.

  They passed a myriad of residences and businesses as they walked deeper into the city. Most of the residences in the poorer sections of the city were tall, multi-story ramshackle affairs that towered over the street. Maarika, unfamiliar with such buildings pointed and asked, “What are those taller buildings?”

  “Those are called insulae. Many families live within.” Constan said.

  “The families all live together? Are they all related?” Maarika asked.

  Constan chuckled, “No, each of the families rent a room within the structure. The entire building is usually owned by one person.”

  “Oh, I see, so the building is sort of like the tents of my tribe. Each room represents a tent and they all pay homage to the chief through tithes?” Maarika said.

  Constan smiled, “You have a uniquely refreshing point of view, and yes something like that.”

  Antioch differed from Damascus most in its use of aqueducts. Since the city drew its water supply from springs within Mount Silpius every single building, was physically lower than the origination point of the water. Thus, every building, rich or poor, within the city had running water.

  As a result of this fortunate circumstance, every intersection had a fountain, and every block had a public bath. All of the group members marveled at the fountains as they walked. Many were constructed of marble, and all contained a statue or statues from which the waters emerged. The people of Antioch seemed to congregate around the fountains and discuss the news of the day with each other. As they did so, children often played at their feet, or within the fountains themselves.

  “Antioch is the only city in the east that comes close to the grandeur of Constantinople.” Constan said proudly.

  Athea, eyes open wide in wonderment said, “This city is amazing.”

  “It’s hard to believe that men were able to build something like this.” Baltazar said.

  “Ye should see Constantinople.” Constan said.

  “Constantinople is more magnificent than this?” Liana asked.

  Constan nodded, “Aye, the difference between Damascus and Antioch in size and scope is similar to the difference between Antioch and Constantinople.”

  “Constantinople is twice the size of this city?” Athos asked.

  Constan smiled, “It is indeed lad. Though it smells like a cross between a who
re’s armpit and dead fish, Constantinople’s size would take ye breath away. Antioch is but the third largest city in the Empire.”

  Athea took Athos’ hand, looked into his eyes, and said, “I hope we get to see Constantinople one day. I can’t imagine how grand the Imperial City must be. Today I’m excited to explore this city. Let’s find the agora!”

  Reaching the forum, they turned south and walked toward the Theodosius gate. In the distance the amphitheater loomed above the other buildings of the city. It was shrouded in the golden glow of the sun which was low in the western sky. This meant that the vendors in the agora would soon be closing their stalls for the day.

  Wanting to see the wonders of Antioch’s agora today and lacking the patience to wait until the sun rose on the morrow, they set a quick pace as they wove their way through the crowds of people. The group ignored the various shops and street vendors that lined this main road. They were filled with the common wares required by the day to day lives of the citizens of Antioch, and not the exotic imports from faraway lands that could be found in the agora.

  They smelled their destination before they saw it. The scent of several different kinds of meats being cooked was their first sign that the agora was near. The aroma of the succulent meats made their mouths water, and they realized that they hadn’t eaten anything since they broke their fast many hours earlier.

  The row of buildings dropped away on their left and there it was. Sitting in the shadow of Antioch’s ancient amphitheater sat the agora square. With the exception of Constan, the group’s eyes grew wide with the wonders they beheld. The combinations of smells, colors, and sounds was overwhelming. The group just stood there and marveled for several moments, senses overloaded, at the marvels of the agora.

  After several moments of observation, the chaos of the scene began to organize into recognizable sights. Vendors of all varieties within the square hawked their goods. Everything that the group members could possibly imagine and quite a few things that they couldn’t were for sale in the agora.

  The variety of goods available for purchase within the agora boggled their minds and overloaded their senses with a cacophony of colors, sights, and smells. Most of the vendors within the square sold food. There was an incredible variety of meats, sweet treats, baked goods and produce from every corner of the Empire and beyond for sale. The ladies’ eyes were immediately drawn to the vendors selling fine silks from the Far East.

  As one, the three ladies pointed at the silk vendors and Athea said aloud what all three desired, “Let’s start with the silk vendors.”

  Constan, looking forlornly at the row of vendors selling meats, sighed deeply, smiled in resignation, and said, “Aye, let’s do that. We need to stay together until you are more familiar with the ways of the city. Though this scene looks innocent enough there are all sorts of dangers lurking for the unsuspecting.”

  With stomachs growling in dismay, Nasir, Athos, and Baltazar looked over at the row of meat vendors. The smell of meats sizzling over flames made their mouths water. As they turned to walk toward the silk vendors on the far side of the square their shoulders slumped in defeat.

  The ladies walked ahead of them eager to reach the silk vendor stalls. As they did so, Constan walked up behind the three men, stretched his arms out wide, set his hands-on Nasir and Baltazar’s shoulder and said in a low voice so as not to be overheard by the ladies, “Trust me lads, this is the best way to go about this. The silk vendors will want to close soon, so that they can spend the evening eating and drinking their profits for the day. When they do, we’ll eat and drink our fill at the Wooden Sword.”

  “Can’t we just make them wait until tomorrow?” Athos asked.

  Constan snorted out a laugh, “Aye we could lad. We could eat our fill right now at the stalls of the meat vendors, while the ladies looked on with impatience. By the time we have eaten our fill, the silk vendors would have closed.”

  “That doesn’t sound so bad. We could just bring them back tomorrow and then they can shop until they are content.” Baltazar said.

  “Silly lads, trust me you want to suffer a little now for ye greater good. Just imagine how this night would unfold if we didn’t let them shop. It starts with us getting to eat our fill, and they miss the opportunity to shop tonight. After they have been looking forward to it all day, do ye not think they are going to be disappointed?”

  Nasir nodded, “Aye, Maarika has talked of little else over the last two days of travel.”

  “Exactly, and what happens when a female gets disappointed?” Constan asked.

  Athos rolled his eyes and replied, “They find fault in everything.”

  Constan smiled at Athos’ response, “Smart lad. Now imagine two very different evenings. One evening you have a full belly, but Athea didn’t get her shopping in today. As ye said, she will find fault in everything ye do, and ye end up sleeping on the floor of your expensive room at the Inn, while she enjoys the bed. Alone if ye catch me meaning. Does that sound like the evening ye want to have?”

  “No.” Athos admitted.

  “Now imagine this evening. The ladies, get to shop the silk vendors today, and ye darlin’ Athea gets to buy something colorful that feels good against her skin. When the vendors close in less than an hour, our satisfied ladies will want to go to the Inn and fill their famished stomachs. After they do so, they’ll want to model their new purchase for ye. How is the rest of this evening going to go for ye?” Constan winked at Athos, “I imagine it will be a good deal better than sleeping on the floor.” Constan punctuated the last sentence by slapping Athos on the back.

  The three younger men’s faces broke into broad smiles, “Constan, you’re a genius.” Athos said.

  Constan smiled at the complement and added, “Oh it gets better me lads. Now imagine how tomorrow is going to go. They’ll want to head back to the silk vendors so that this time they are not rushed, but since ye have already been, you’ll be able to distract them away in an hour or two. Whereas if ye wait until tomorrow to take them, all stiff and sore from your night on the floor, ye will have to spend all day there.”

  The men, all the wiser thanks to Constan’s words, caught up with their ladies. They busied themselves by touching the various silks, and holding them up to each other to see how they would look. The men smartly stood back, and watched the females enjoy themselves. Occasionally one would walk up and ask a question such as, “What do you think of this one? Or, does this color go with my eyes?” And many other questions that men of the world have been hearing for thousands of years as their mate tries on garments.

  After forty minutes or so of that, the sun disappeared behind the horizon altogether. The silk vendors urged Athea, Liana, and Maarika to make their purchase, or return the next day to continue browsing. As Constan predicted each of the ladies bought something that would feel good, next to their soft skin.

  As the silk vendors packed up his wares for the night Constan asked the nearest one, “Do ye, know whereabouts I could find the Inn of the Wood Sword?”

  The vendor pointed at the amphitheater and said, “Aye, ‘tis just on the other side. Follow it around to the left, and you will soon run into Thracian Street. You’ll recognize it, as the fountain at the intersection has a statue of a gladiator outfitted in the Thracian style. The statue has a sica in his right hand and a small round shield in his left hand.”

  Constan smiled at the vendor, “Thank you my friend.” He turned to the rest of the group and said, “Come, let us go find the inn, have a fine meal, and get ourselves a real bed to sleep on tonight.”

  The companions followed the vendor’s instructions and soon found themselves standing in front of the fountain the man described. It had a gladiator, carved in limestone, outfitted in the Thracian Fighting Style. As describe the statue had a small round shield held in the left hand and a curved sica in its right hand. The statue was wearing a Thracian helmet.

  The companions turned onto the street, and continued walking. Within mo
ments Constan spied a large wooden sword hanging from a sign up ahead and said, “That must be it.”

  They stopped in front of the Inn of the Wooden Sword. It was a well-appointed affair with real glass windows. The building was five stories tall in height and the plaster was of a light red hue. The sun, now below the horizon from their position on the ground, reflected off the glass in the windows of the topmost floor. Just above, sticking out from the roof, was evidence of a garden.

  “This looks like a fine establishment indeed,” Constan said.

  He opened the broad oaken double doors, and ushered everyone into the Inn. Inside, the first thing that caught their eyes was the light. The main room, must have been lit by at least a hundred candles. A candle seemed to occupy every flat surface in the room. On the chandeliers overhead, on the tables, atop candle holders that stuck out from the walls, and all along the bar.

  They were immediately greeted by an attractive young lady, in a low cut white silken wrap that accentuated her generous curves. She smiled at them and asked, “Welcome to the Inn of the Wooden Sword, my name is Olivia. What’s your business here?”

  Constan returned the smile and said, “Good evening lass and nice to meet ye. I’m Constan and my companions are Athos, Baltazar, Athea, Liana, Nasir, and Maarika. We’re interested in a fine meal, four rooms for the night, and a bath for each of us.”

  Olivia’s smile brightened at hearing the long list of the party’s needs, “Well you have certainly come to the right place. Our chef prepares some of the finest meals this side of the river. Each of our rooms has running water, to include their own private bath. You do not look like the normal well to do clientele that we receive here at the Inn. Do you have enough coin to pay?”

  Constan nodded and said, “Aye, we do indeed. He pulled out four gold nomismas from his purse and set them in Olivia’s outstretch hand.

  With a well-practiced motion, the coins quickly disappeared into her ample cleavage, “This way please.” She led the group to a large round table that could seat eight people, “Please be seated, our attendant will be out shortly to tell you this evening’s choices.”