Athos patiently explained that while yes Fonda did exist, that her powers were limited to her intelligence and her ability to control the damned around her. While these abilities were frightening, they were less disturbing than those the rumor had given her. Real information and first-hand accounts from the trio helped to settle the frayed nerves of the men. They were still in a state of shock from Constan’s announcement that they would be marching into battle against the damned.
Athos made a point of telling everyone, “Salvation lies in your discipline and training. If you hold your formation, protect your shield brother, and listen to the orders of your Dekanoses and Kentarches the damned can be defeated. Through unity of purpose there is strength, and through strength there is victory. That is how the 5th Parthica survived Yarmuk and was victorious in what is now being called the first battle of Damascus.”
At the beginning of the march, Constan had ordered that each Kentarches pick out the ten men in his unit with the best hand-eye coordination. These men were issued slings. As they marched, Maarika worked with the group identified from the 1st Kentarchia. She taught them the basics of slinging. As they walked alongside the rest of the Kentarchia, they took aim at various targets on the side of the road such as a boulder, trees, tufts of grass, lizards that scurried about the cliffs, and other targets of opportunity. For this first lesson they used the small stones that were at hand on the ground and not the purpose fashioned lead bullets that Maarika often used to deadly effect.
When the first group became less of a danger to themselves than their targets, she left them to continue practicing on their own, and moved on to the 2nd Kentarchia. In this way she moved from Kentarchia to Kentarchia throughout the day creating a core of men that had learned the basics of slinging. Cries of nice shot, and well done, echoed off the canyon walls as the men continued marching. These positive voices of encouragement were occasionally interrupted with, “Watch it you son of a whore, you almost hit me!” And many other complaints of a similar nature as shots went afoul of the marching men.
In this way, the men of the 5th Babylon were introduced to the basic skills needed if they were to survive long enough to complete their mission. By mid-morning, the October sun had begun to bite. Sweat dripped from the brow of nearly every man as they continued to slog eastward with their full kit and pack weighing them down. To their credit, not a single man fell out of formation from exhaustion as the sun reached its zenith.
As they arrived at the point of the planned turn around, the road opened up into a large flat plateau. The flat brown stretch of earth was parched and interlaced with cracks from a summer of intense temperatures. The plateau was only occasionally broken by a stone larger than a man’s fist. Constan immediately bellowed the order, “Form battle line.”
With precision born of many previous attempts that day, the Kentarchias one by one flowed into a battle line. As they came together, the line was thirty Kentarchias wide, or a front of seven hundred- and fifty-men width, and four men deep. In total the span of the 5th Babylon was nearly half a mile in breadth as they stood arrayed in battle formation.
Constan beamed with pride as he ordered the formation about the broad plateau. Smiling he turned to Droungarios Hovig and said, “I think the men want their time in the city tonight. They have learned quickly and are doing well.”
“They’re a good group of Skutatoi. They’ve just been on garrison duty a bit too long and needed to knock the rust off. When the time comes, they will acquit themselves well against the damned.” Hovig replied.
Constan nodded, “Maybe, you never know how a man is going to react until faced with real adversity and the possibility of death. Were my orders followed that all spears and bows were to be left in the fort and not brought on the march?”
A puzzled look flashed across Hovig’s face before he replied, “It didn’t make much sense to leave those items behind, but I did as you asked. Was there a reason for that?”
Constan smiled conspiratorially. His single eye gleamed as he said, “Aye, I’ve got one more test for the men here before we head back.” Constan paused for a moment to take a deep breath and then yelled, “Form Testudo and prepare to take a cavalry charge. Our scouts have detected renegade Kataphractoi bearing down on us. They’ll be visible in moments!”
Hovig’s face slipped into a look of confusion. As it did so he asked, “What scouts? This was a route march in friendly territory. We left the light horse behind in the city to prepare their mounts for the trip.”
Before Constan could reply, they all felt it. A dull rumble that could be detected through their sandaled feet. Hovig looked down at the ground and he could see grains of soil begin to dance and move about. As the 5th Babylon finished transitioning into the formation that Constan had ordered, he could hear the rumble as well.
A moment later the leading elements of the enemy force burst from the pass onto the plateau. The riders wore armor fashioned from gleaming bands of steel from head to toe and sat astride magnificent war horses. The horses were also enmeshed in the same style banded mail that the riders wore. The armor caught the light of the sun and gleamed, blinding the men of the 5th Babylon as the Kataphractoi spread out in a line across the plateau before them at a trot.
Athos and Baltazar’s eyes met Constan’s with a knowing look and he winked back at them. The three men looked about at the faces of the men of the 5th Babylon. The expression of the men closest to them showed a swirl of emotions. Most had a dominant combination, one-part determination, and one-part fear.
As the Kataphractoi before them finished forming their line and began their charge toward the 5th Babylon, Constan spoke the words that Nikas had use a few months prior, “Steady, men. If you remember your training some of you may survive.”
The very ground seemed to shake as if in an earthquake, as the mounted warriors rushed toward the 5th Babylon line. As they reached three hundred feet out, they lowered their lances and spurred their mounts to their top speed. Athos’ mind went back to that moment when he felt as if his bladder were going to burst as the lance that was aimed for his head neared. He quickly snapped back into the moment and looked at the men around him. He could see their nervousness betrayed through clenched white knuckles, shaking hands, and the nervous glances to the rear that some of the men made. These men were contemplating breaking and running.
“Hold fast, men. If we break and run all of us will die. Maintain the line and some of us will get through this alive.” Athos said to those around him. As he said the words, he thought to himself, This is too much fun.
At two hundred feet out many of the arms holding shields in the first line began to visibly shake. The Dekanoses used calm voices of encouragement to steady the line and the wavering arms regained their steely resolve. In addition to the shaking hands and white knuckles, many of the men began to gulp for air as their anxiety over what they were facing got the better of them and pressed down upon their chests, making it hard to breath.
As the charging Kataphractoi reached one hundred feet Constan yelled, “5th Babylon do not engage. These are Imperial Kataphractoi here at my request to test you.”
Instantly the tension in men’s shoulders abated and they slumped; however, the Kataphractoi kept charging, “What’s Simon trying to pull? He was supposed to break off at one hundred feet.” Constan said out loud.
As Hovig heard Constan’s words of surprise he bellowed, “Brace for impact!”
The command was relayed up and down the line of battle by the Kentarches of each Kentarchia. Once again, the men’s shoulders squared and they tensed up. Shields snapped back into position and Spathas were made ready to strike at the oncoming riders. At fifty feet horns sounded. Their deep thrum filled the plateau with their dull wailing and the Kataphractoi broke off from their charge.
With practiced ease half of the formation broke to their left and the other half broke to their right simultaneously. As the Kataphractoi executed this precision maneuver, they came within twe
nty-five feet of the first rank of the 5th Babylon. Close enough that the men could feel the rush of air as the heavy horse thundered by at a full gallop.
As a gap opened up in the middle between the two formations of heavy horse breaking left and right a single rider trotted forward. He pulled on the reins of his horse and brought the beast to a stop a mere twenty feet in front of the 5th Babylon. He removed his helmet and searched for Constan amidst the men. When their eyes met he smiled and shouted for the benefit of everyone within earshot, “Well met, Constan!”
Constan returned the smile and shouted back, “Well met indeed, Droungarios Simon!”
Droungarios Simon made a point to look up and down the lines of the 5th Babylon before saying, “This group looks a little green.”
“Aye, but they stood their ground against your men without breaking. That tells me a lot about their character. When the time comes, they’ll do well enough against the damned.” Constan replied.
Simon nodded in agreement as he replied, “I’m sure they will. What did you think of my group? A good many of them are new to heavy horse, having replaced our losses from Yarmuk, and General Vahan’s other defeats as the damned drove north.”
Constan paused for a moment and put some thought into Simon’s question, “I couldn’t tell that many of them were new. They were quite a fright bedecked in their armor with their lances lowered. During the charge and especially when breaking off, they acquitted themselves well. I thought for a moment you were actually going to complete the charge and kill all of my men!”
Simon chuckled, “Then we played our role well indeed.”
Constan began laughing with Simon, “Aye, I’m sure some of me boys were on the verge of pissing themselves.”
Simon stopped laughing and his expression turned somber, “Good luck on your mission my friend. May God and the Angels above watch over you.”
Constan walked up to Simon who dismounted as the older man approached. They clasped hands in friendship. Constan replied in a whisper so as not to be heard by the men of the 5th Babylon, “I thank ye for your prayer my friend. Going where we are going, we will surely need all the help we can get, divine or otherwise.”
Simon came to attention in front of Constan and saluted. He then swung up into his saddle, turned his horse, and galloped off to catch up with his men. Constan turned to the men of the 5th Babylon and barked out gruffly, “What are ye all doing standing about with ye thumbs up ye arses. Form up into column of sixes and let’s get back to Antioch, ye’ve got some drunken debauchery to look forward to!”
The men collectively cheered for a moment and then set about forming up. The voices of the Kentarches and Dekanoses barking orders echoed off the nearby mountains as the 5th Babylon formed up into a column of sixes marching formation. They began marching toward the rough path that they had followed from Antioch. As they made their was down this long, curvy, and treacherous path the column stretched out for nearly a third of a mile.
Despite their obvious fatigue at having marched for many miles in the mountains while bearing their full kit and pack the men were in good spirits as they marched. A new sense of pride had been instilled in them from their experience of facing the Kataphractoi. As they marched Athos thought to himself. I see now why General Vahan made the arrangement with the Imperial Tagmata. Athos paused for a moment and spat on the ground at the thought of the General’s name, Facing down the charge of the Kataphractoi instills a sense of accomplishment and bolsters the confidence of the men. He looked up into the sky and thought, Nikas I thought you were such a mean bastard the way you treated us, especially me. Now I see, truly see, why you did it. Please forgive me for ever hating you.
Athos cleared his mind and waited for the voice to respond to his thought. He remembered the shock over the first time he heard Nikas’ voice in his mind following his head injury. That voice had become so strong that at times it took over and locked Athos’ personality into a prison cell within his own mind. When the expected voice didn’t come, he was surprised and wondered, Has the spirit of Nikas finally left me?
Athos’ thought was met with silence. The miles quickly fell away as the men of the 5th Babylon marched downhill toward Antioch. As the sun sank low in the sky, the lead elements of the 5th Babylon spied Antioch illuminated in the golden light of the setting sun. The walls were cast in a deep shadow by the city. As the column approached, the two large doors of the Ferrea gates opened to them, and the sounds of their sandals striking cobblestone echoed off the tunnel walls as they marched through.
Turning left, the column snaked along the eastern wall of the city which itself curved around the contours in the land created by Mount Silpius. Reaching Fort Arx, they broke from column of sixes and formed up into their individual Kentarchia squares on the parade ground. The squares were arrayed before the keep’s balcony, just as they had been that morning. As the men did this, Constan and his command group including Athos, Baltazar, Nasir, Maarika, and Hovig, climbed the stairs to the second floor of the keep. The group, alighted on the balcony as they watched the Kentarchia squares form up in front of them.
When the last man was in place, Constan took a deep breath and began speaking, “Men of the 5th Babylon, ye have done well today. Not a single one of ye fell out from exhaustion during our route march. To be frank that surprised me as I thought ye had grown soft on garrison duty. I was wrong!”
Constan paused and let the men cheer for several moments. When the cheering began to ebb, he continued, “Today ye proved to me that ye are ready to march into battle and that all of ye had the strength to do it. Getting to the battle is but half of what ye need to do for success. Being able to remember your training and hold the line as ye face ye fears without breaking is the other half. Strength, discipline, and resolve. It has been proven over the centuries that a Roman Army that has the three elements cannot be defeated. Today ye proved to me that ye have those qualities. Take pride in this fact and enjoy yeselves tonight. Report back at midnight, so ye may get some rest as we march out on the ‘morrow to our destiny. Dismissed!”
Three thousand voices roared with approval as they broke formation. Constan turned from them and strode into his office. His eyes immediately noticed Amata’s grinning face, sitting in his chair. He walked over to her as she stood to meet him. He drew her into his arms and embraced her. Aware of the others in the room, the pair quickly separated and Constan asked, “Can ye wait in our bedroom? I have some details to attend to and a surprise for ye.”
Amata’s face once again broke into a huge smile which put her prominent teeth on display before responding, “Sure. Don’t be too long.”
Constan returned the smile and slapped her on her posterior as she turned toward the door to their sleeping chambers before responding, “Aye.”
He then turned to Athea and Liana who had walked into the room the moment that the door had shut behind Amata. The two wore white silken dresses that clung to their curves in a very provocative manner. Constan, not wanting to dishonor Amata, kept his eye firmly pointed straight ahead and resisted the temptation to look down, “Is everything in place?”
The two women smiled and nodded, “It is.” As Athea began speaking she held up a white silken dress to Constan. At the same time, Liana held up a veil, also white, as Athea continued, “We found these three dresses from a merchant in the Agora. You wouldn’t believe how many silks they had on display!”
Athea frowned and added, “Though they had a guard that refused to let us near the silks until we displayed our coin.”
“It was insulting.” Liana added.
“I’m sorry you felt insulted, ladies. Silks are a very expensive commodity out of the reach of most folk. The merchant has to be very protective of his wares to ensure you can afford to pay, should you damage one.” Constan said.
“That makes sense. You should have seen it! There were silks of all shapes, sizes, and colors!” Athea said, insult forgotten.
Liana gently elbowed Athea and she
paused for a moment to share a look with Liana before saying, “Right. We believe this dress will fit Amata. After that we found a church nearby the fort, the church of St. Helena. It is a beautiful basilica. The mosaics are among the most stunning that we’ve ever seen. They were so filled with color and life.”
Constan held up his hand and said, “Please get to the point, Athea. Did ye find a priest to marry us?”
Athea nodded, “Oh yes. Father Jerome is standing by waiting for us to come to the church. I’m sorry for the excitement. I just can’t help myself. This city and its marvels are so exciting. Fountains, baths, mosaics, silks, there is just so much to be captivated by.”
“Aye, there is indeed. It sounds like ye have done well today, ladies. I thank ye. May I have the dress? I’ll get Amata to change into it.” Turning to Liana he asked, “Can ye hold onto the veil without Amata noticing it?” As Constan struggled to maintain proper eye contact. His cheeks turned crimson. Despite the struggle to not look down, he managed to keep his single eye in contact with Liana’s.
Baltazar, noticing Constan’s struggle at the provocative fit of the dresses, stepped forward and said, “I can hold it, sir.” His own cheeks turned crimson as he said, “I don’t believe Liana has anywhere to conceal such a nice piece of silk. I’ll hide it in my pack. It will be safe there.”
Constan’s face showed obvious relief as he was distracted away from the display of Liana’s feminine wiles. “Thank ye, Dekanos.”
He then turned back to Athea and Liana and said, “I trust when we leave tomorrow that ye will be wearing your armor? If ye dress like that while we march to the ships, ye will start a riot.”
Athea and Liana’s cheeks both turned a deep crimson as they smiled at the compliment from the older man, “Thank you for noticing. It’s been a long time since either of us had the chance to feel like a woman.” Liana responded.
Byzantium Infected Box Set Page 80