Byzantium Infected Box Set

by James Mullins

  With a look of sadness in her eyes Athea added, “We will put the dresses in our packs and wear that unflattering armor on the ‘morrow.”

  Constan smiled at the two ladies and said, “I thank ye.”

  With dress in hand, he turned and opened the door to the bedchamber that he shared with Amata. Closing the door gently behind him, Amata, who was laying in the bed, greeted him with a smile. Her body lacked a single stich of clothing. Constan, came fully aroused at the sight of Amata’s naked body. Saints preserve me. Is there to be no end to temptations this night? I want her so badly but I cannot have her now. It would keep the others waiting.

  He took a deep breath and let it out slowly before holding the dress up and saying, “I had this purchased for ye today. Can ye put it on? I have prepared a surprise for ye.”

  Amata got up from the bed and walked over to Constan. As she did so, the sound of her bare feet could be faintly heard on the stone. She reached for Constan’s groin area and grasped his growing manhood. As he let out a low moan she replied, “Certainly, love. I can feel that my display has had the desired effect. Perhaps later?”

  Constan, swallowed hard, and nodded sharply as he pushed the dress toward her. She let go of him and took the dress into her hands. She squealed with delight as she pulled the dress close, “It looks like a perfect fit!” She stood up on the tips of her toes and gave him a quick peck on the mouth before saying, “How thoughtful! I can’t wait to see what you have planned for us this evening.”

  As Amata slipped into the dress and admired her reflection in the polished metal plate that hung on the wall, Constan stripped out of his pack and kit. Letting the armor drop to the floor with a loud clank, he sighed contentedly at the relief from the immense weight. He then turned and opened the wardrobe door. He thumbed through the contents briefly and selected one of the Tourmarches dress uniforms.

  He sighed contentedly as he slipped into one of the white linen tunics. The feel of the soft fabric against his skin, was a nice contrast to the harsh and itchy fabric that was used as a pad to protect his body against the armor he had worn that day. The collar of the tunic had a purple stripe set in gold braid, as did the edge of the tunic’s short sleeves.

  He chose a thin metal belt that was gold in color to cinch up the tunic at his waist. He turned around and walked toward the polished metal plate hanging on the wall to check his appearance. All was in order with his uniform. Turning he noticed for the first time that Amata had left the room.

  Constan opened the door and walked into his office. Everyone was still in the room waiting for him, but he had eyes for only Amata. The white silken gown hugged her curves perfectly, and displayed just enough of her bosom to set his heart racing. Seeing her in that dress is just pure torture. I should have gone for a quickie when I had the chance.

  He sighed deeply and said, “You look divine my love.” He extended his right arm and Amata took it. Turning to Athea and Liana he gestured toward the door to the hallway with his left hand and said, “Lead the way ladies.”

  Constan and the rest of the group followed Athea and Liana out into the streets of Antioch. At the gate, they turned left and walked for less than a quarter of a mile. The two ladies stopped and turned around to face the rest of the group before Liana said, “This is the church of St. Helena.”

  The imposing structure that stood before them was built from a white colored stone. The entry way was surrounded by three columns on either side of the large wooden double doors. Immediately to the left and right of the columns was a stained-glass window. The window on the left was designed to look like St. Helena in her purple robes. The one on the right showed the true cross on Golgotha with the sun rising behind it. Visible from the entry of the structure were two bell towers set in the roof directly behind the stained-glass windows and one large one positioned in the middle of the structure.

  Athos laughed and said, “Pretty ironic that we are at a church dedicated to the woman that found the True Cross on the eve of our mission to retrieve it.”

  Before anyone could reply Amata turned to Constan with a frown on her face and asked, “We’re going to attend a service on your last night in Antioch?” I can’t believe he would want to do that instead of being with me. Amata thought to herself.

  Constan smiled at her conspiratorially and said, “In a manner of speaking love, yes.”

  No one in the group had noticed that Liana had slipped away as they stood in front of the imposing structure. Amata frowned and asked, “Since when did you get so religious?”

  Constan returned the frown with a smile and said, “It’s amazing what eight years on campaign and having to face off against the very denizens of hell will do to a man.”

  Before Amata could reply Constan placed his right index finger on her lips and said, “Shhh.”

  In reaction to Constan, Amata’s thoughts raced, What game is he playing out? How dare he shush me! He used to be so sweet and attentive. What has changed?

  Unaware of the thoughts raging in Amata’s mind, Constan clasped her hand and led her through the double doors which had just been opened by Liana from the inside. With a look of confusion on her face Amata walked with him into the church. Whatever game he is playing at, Liana is certainly in on it. Amata thought.

  The first thing she noticed as she walked into the large structure, arm and arm with Constan, was the beautifully decorated ceiling and wall in front of her. The ceiling had a large mosaic of Jesus Christ looking down upon the church from a blue sky and surrounded by perfectly symmetrical puffy clouds. I feel like Jesus is gazing right at me and judging me. I bet the bastard that made the mosaic had that intent. I really hate churches. They are filled with people leading perfect lives that deign to judge the rest of us of our unworthiness. Amata thought.

  Ahead she could see St. Helena, bedecked in jewelry, with imperial crown, and wearing purple silken robes. She was sitting on a golden throne surrounded by two angels that hovered over her.

  Below St. Helena was a series of westward facing windows that the light of the setting sun shined through. To either side of the windows was several mosaics of what appeared to be Saints that Amata did not recognize. Finally, her eye fell straight ahead. At the end of the aisle stood Father Jerome. Inexplicably, he was flanked on his left by Athos and Baltazar, and on his right by Athea and Liana. What’s this? Amata thought.

  Puzzled, it took several moments for the meaning of what she was seeing to sink in. Finally, her thoughts coalesced around the reason for her being there, He wants to marry me!

  Before her thought could burst out of her, Constan turned to her and began speaking. As he spoke, he lowered the veil Liana had purchased onto her head, “Amata, we have spent many years apart. Tomorrow, yet again, I am forced to march off into battle and leave ye. After being reunited with ye after so many years, I cannot bare to part without knowing that ye are taken care of, and will be waiting for me when I return in triumph with the True Cross. When ye said yes to my proposal last night. I saw no need to wait.”

  Amata’s head was filled with a sudden swirl of emotion that overwhelmed her as her thoughts raced. As she opened her mouth to respond, she suddenly felt faint and passed out. As her body began falling to the floor Constan, reacting quickly, reached out and grabbed her before she could strike the hard-stone surface. He looked to his left at the concerned faces of Father Jerome and his closest friends and said sheepishly, “She’s passed out. What do I do?”

  Father Jerome walked down the center aisle and placed a reassuring hand on Constan’s left shoulder, “It’s not unusual, my son, for the emotions of the moment to get the better of a lady. Allow me to assist in waking her.”

  Constan nodded mutely as Father Jerome pulled out a gold-plated wand with a globular head. He shook it at Amata’s face. As he did so he said, “In the name of the lord our God and his beloved son Jesus Christ through the vehicle of your blessed water, wake this woman.”

  As the liquid droplets struck her face
Amata’s eyes began blinking as she let out a soft moan. A few additional moments later her eyelids fluttered open. Filling her vision was the face of Constan looking down upon her with love and concern. She smiled up at him. Her golden hair reflecting the light of the setting sun, and said, “Yes. Oh you precious man yes!”

  Constan’s face broke into a smile and asked, “Can ye walk?”

  Amata nodded and said, “Yes. I’m fine now.”

  Amata stood with Constan’s assistance. As she paused for a moment to regain her balance, Father Jerome returned to his place at the end of the aisle. Turning toward father Jerome, the pair walked arm and arm down the center aisle until they stood before the priest. As they approached him, he slipped a white silken tabard over his simple black robes. The tabard was trimmed in gold colored threads about an inch thick and had a giant cross emblazoned on the center also of the same thread.

  Properly dressed for the ceremony, Father Jerome looked into Amata’s and Constan’s eyes in turn, and then raised his arms and looked to the heavens as he spoke, “Blessed be our God both now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Almighty God hear my prayer. Please bless this man and woman and the warriors of the 5th Babylon. Please watch over them as they face off against the minions of Satan to retrieve our most holiest of artifacts, the Cross of your Son Jesus Christ. Imbue them with your light and strength as they fight against the darkness to give your people hope.”

  Father Jerome paused, took a deep breath, and made eye contact with both Constan and Amata before continuing, “Please imbue this man Constan, and this woman, Amata, with your holy spirit. Bless their union so that it may be fruitful and stand as a symbol of your eternal love.”

  Father Jerome turned to Athos and asked, “Do you have the ring?”

  Athos nodded and held up his right hand, palm side toward the sky, opened his fingers, and said, “I do, father.”

  Centered on Athos’ upturned palm was a ring of gold. Father Jerome then waved his right hand over the ring and said three times in succession, “Father God, bless this ring as a symbol of the love, devotion, and commitment of Constan and Amata to each other.”

  He then looked up at Constan and said, “Place the ring on the finger of your betrothal, my son.”

  Constan took the ring from Athos’ palm and slid it onto Amata’s right ring finger. As the couple turned back to face Father Jerome, he raised his hands in blessing and said, “Father God, let this ring stand as an eternal seal of your commitment to one another. They are now joined as one being in your eyes, and forever shall be inseparable. Constan and Amata may you forever leave your hearts open to each other and the blessings of God. Father God may your angel go before them all the days of their lives, for you are he that blesses and sanctifies all things.”

  Baltazar then moved from his position at Athos side, and produced two crowns made of olive leaves. The crowns were woven from some kind of vine. Intertwined within the leaves were white daisies. The crowns were joined together by a translucent white cloth tied to the rear of each. He held each crown above the head of Constan and Amata. With a nod of approval from Father Jerome, he gently placed the connected crowns onto their heads.

  Once Baltazar stepped back into his position to Athos’ left, Father Jerome said, “Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever unto the ages of ages. May these crowns symbolize the dominion of Constan and Amata over their household. May all within obey their Christian rule as if they were sovereign over it.”

  Father Jerome then took two candles and lit them from a single flame. He handed one candle to Constan, and the other one to Amata. Before stepping back into his position, he reached over and picked up a goblet of wine that had been pre-positioned on a small table prior to the start of the ceremony. He held his hand right hand over the Goblet and said, “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

  He then turned to Constan and said, “Take three sips from the goblet, my son.”

  Constan took the gem encrusted golden goblet from Father Jerome’s hand and sipped it three times as instructed. Father Jerome then took the goblet from Constan and handed it to Amata, “Take three sips from the goblet, my daughter.”

  Amata took three small sips of the red wine in the goblet and handed it back to Father Jerome who downed the remaining contents in one gulp and set it back on the nearby table. Constan took Amata’s right hand with his left and turned to face the door of the church. Father Jerome then took Constan’s right hand with his left and led him down the aisle and out of the church. The Father then proceeded to lead the couple in this manner back to the fort. Athos, Baltazar, Nasir, Athea, Liana, and Maarika followed the couple and Father Jerome.

  As the couple entered the keep, the men that were present in the courtyard, most of them already drunk, cheered for Constan and Amata. As the couple walked across the parade ground, nearby men approached and slapped Constan on the back in congratulations. Father Jerome led them into the keep and up to Constan’s office. He walked the couple across the office and stood in front of Constan’s bedroom door and said, “May your marriage bed be a place of fruitfulness.” He then released Constan’s hand and opened the door for him.

  Chapter 53

  Morning, October 12th 636, Antioch, Syria Province, Byzantium

  The Road to Jerusalem

  The low-pitched wail of the cornu began. Constan groaned at the sound as it jarred him awake. His eye fluttered open and he beheld a mane of golden hair. He smiled remembering the events of the previous night. He wrapped his arms around the naked form of Amata pressed up against him and said, “It’s time, lass. I must wake and leave ye.”

  Amata’s eyes snapped open and she turned her head to look at Constan’s face, “Promise me that you will come back sooner this time. I cannot bear the thought of another thirteen years away from you.”

  Constan, started stroking her hair as he smiled, and said, “If it is within my power love. I will return to thee as quickly as I can.” As he finished the words his baser instincts registered that he had a beautiful woman pressed up against him. I don’t have the time, but to hell with it. What’s the point of being in charge if ye can’t take advantage every now and then?

  Amata felt the shift in Constan’s body. Sensing what he desired her hand dropped to his manhood. She smiled up at him as she felt the physical manifestation of his desire, “One more time, my love?”

  “I thought ye would never ask.” Constan replied.

  Thirty minutes later, Constan stood on the balcony overlooking the men of the 5th Babylon, “Good morning, men of the 5th Babylon.” Constan shouted.

  The men responded with the expected greeting in unison, “Good morning, sir.”

  “I hope ye made the most of ye night. It pleases me to see that most of ye were able to find your way back to the fort somehow.” He held up a wax tablet and said, “I have a stack of complaints on my desk from tavern owners and vigils as to the enthusiasm of your celebrations.” Constan paused for several moments to let the words sink in.

  Looking out at the men, he could see them tense and brace for his next words, “Ye know what I say to that? To hell with them. My men are fighters, and fighters need to revel the night before they set off to risk their lives for the Empire!”

  Constan paused again to let his words sink in. As he did so, he could see the shoulders of the men closest to him relax as they raised their fists in salute and cheered. When the cheering began to die down, he continued, “We have a long journey ahead of us. Traveling that road as individuals will result in the death of us all. We must join together to walk that road, and face the trials ahead as brothers. Only as a unit will we be able to face off against the damned and return.” Constan drew his Spatha and held the blade up in the air. The first ray
s of the rising sun reflected off the blade as he exclaimed, “To Jerusalem!”

  Several hours later Constan rode at the head of the column on a large, well-muscled, Arabian stallion. The stallion’s upper body was predominantly white in color. In contrast to the horse’s top, the lower half was speckled with gray dots. Ahead lay the port city of Seleuciam. He held up his arm to stop the column and turned in his saddle to look back. Stretched out behind him on the Roman road for nearly a third of a mile was the Skutatoi of the 5th Babylon.

  Their light cavalry screening force some five hundred men strong, rode on either side of the road. Half were to the north of the column and half were to the south. Looking down into the city, Constan could see the harbor. Lined up next to some of the dozens of piers were thirty triremes.

  Next to the triremes were five of the large grain ships that usually plied the seas between Egypt and the rest of the Empire. These large cargo vessels were most commonly used to transport grain between Alexandria Egypt and the capital of the Empire Constantinople, but were used for other purposes as well such as the transportation of troops and their supplies when on campaign.

  In addition to the triremes and grain ships were a wide assortment of other merchant vessels in the harbor. Many of those were also tied up to piers, anchored throughout the harbor. Some were in the process of debarking or embarking. The harbor was a colorful microcosm of all the people and cultures of the Empire.

  Athos brought his horse up beside Constan’s and asked enthusiastically, “Are those warships for us?”

  Constan smiled as Athos’ enthusiasm took him back in time a few months prior to when Athos was little more than a boy. Sometimes I forget how young he really is. Constan thought to himself, “Aye lad, have ye ever been on a ship?”

  Athos laughed nervously, “Have I ever been on a ship? This is the first time I’ve actually seen the sea.”

  Constan brought his horse in closer to Athos’, put a reassuring hand on his shoulder, and said, “No worries, lad. For us soldiers there is nothing to it. The sailors take care of everything, all we have to do is enjoy the ride.”