Somehow begetting to his recent experience in killing the damned, he managed to register the threat to his friend, swing his ax at the head, and end the threat. All in a fraction of a second. Baltazar shook the corpse off his back, and looked down at it in the flickering light from Jerry’s torch. On the left side of the damned’s head was a large hole that dripped purple blood from Athos’ axe blow. Baltazar made eye contact with Athos and silently mouthed the words, “Thank you.”
Athos nodded in acknowledgement and gave him a faint smile in return. Baltazar turned and slowly walked through the rest of the wine cellar. They discovered nothing further but row upon row of amphorae of wine, some preserved foods such as salted meat and fish and dust. The rest of the inn was nearly empty. Baltazar and Athos were forced to dispatch a few damned in the rented rooms. They must have been bitten during the confusion, and made their way back to their rooms before turning.
With the first Inn secured, Constan and the remainder of the officers of the 5th Babylon that were not directly supervising the construction of the earthen wall, and rampart around the entire hamlet, quickly moved into the inn. While Baltazar’s team worked to clear the remainder of the buildings in the town, Constan poured himself and Hovig cups of wine and sat down at a more or less gore free table in the first room with the bar.
Ignoring the smell and the constant buzz of flies in the air, Constan downed his first cup and refilled it. Droungarios Hovig was more measured in his wine consumption. He took a tepid sip and looked about the room with a wrinkle in his nose and his eyes wide as saucers.
Constan whipped the back of his mouth with his sleeve and said, “Ahhhh. That really hit the spot. Washed the dust from me mouth.”
Hovig nodded and said meekly trying to sound ordinary, “Yes indeed, sir.”
Constan stared at Hovig for a long moment, smirked, and said, “Sadly, ye get used to the smell in time.” He paused for a long moment before frowning and adding, “Has there been any word of Damir and his horsemen?” Constan asked.
“No, sir. There have been no reports from Damir’s group since they left this morning.”
“They should have been here by now.” Constan paused for a moment to give Hovig a chance to respond as he did so, the sound of a horse could be heard galloping in. Through the open door the pair of men heard the rider yell. “Woah,” In a load voice as he brought the horse to a stop outside.
The two men then heard the rider ask, “Is the Tourmarches inside?”
Someone replied with a, “Yes.”
They heard the sound of a man jumping off a horse and then saying, “Can you tie my horse up please, I have an urgent update for the Tourmarches.”
The rider then appeared in the doorway. Sweat glistened on his brow and He was covered in dust from the road. He took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the gloom inside, wrinkled his nose at the stench, and then made eye contact with Constan, “Tourmarches Constan?” The rider asked.
“Aye, are you from Damir’s group?” Constan replied.
The man nodded as he said, “Yes sir, my name is Galo.”
Galo paused after replying before Constan impatiently barked added, “Well out with it already, man.”
“Yes, sir. We made it back to Joppa without any issues, and were able to replenish our arrow supplies from the reserves on the ship just as you instructed. While we were making our way back here, we ran into a horde.”
“The same one from a few days ago?” Constan interrupted.
“We don’t think so, sir.” Galo replied.
“Well how do you know for sure.” Constan asked.
“Because if it were the same horde, their numbers somehow must have multiplied five-fold.” Galo replied.
“Are you sure?” Constan asked, holding out hope that his ears weren’t working properly.
Galo nodded somberly, “Aye, sir. The horde numbers at least fifty thousand.”
Unable to quell the strong emotion welling up inside him at this revelation, Constan exclaimed, “Christ almighty!”
Constan poured himself another cup of wine. As he did so, Hovig downed the remainder of his in one gulp. Finishing, Constan passed the clay jug to Hovig, and then downed his freshly poured cup in one gulp. He then asked, “Which direction are they heading?”
“Straight for here, sir.” Galo replied.
“Of course, they are.” Constan snapped and then added, “Nothing has been ever been fucking easy since Satan inflicted this plague of the damned upon us.”
“When I was ordered to find you and make this report Droungarios Damir was just beginning his attempt to lead them away using the same tactics that worked on the smaller horde.” Galo said.
Constan grasped the handle of the jug, poured himself, Hovig, and Galo a cup full and then raised his in toast. The other two men quickly follow suit and Constan said, “May the good Lord grant him success in his endeavor.”
The three men clinked their cups together and then downed them in one gulp. Galo coughed a little and looked at the other two men sheepishly. Constan chuckled a bit at Galo, and then asked. “If Damir is unsuccessful, how long do we have before they arrive here?”
“About a day, sir.” Galo replied.
“Well that’s better than a few hours.” Hovig said.
“Aye, now we need to decide what to do. If we stay here and prepare our defenses as best we can, we will likely take thousands of the bastards with us.” Constan said.
Hovig finished his thought, “But we will all likely perish.”
“We can probably make a better time of it in one of the valleys between here and Jerusalem with our flanks covered and a smaller front presented to the enemy, but if we fail, we are likely trapping ourselves between the horde, and a city full of God knows how many additional damned.” Constan said.
“Not a good choice.” Hovig said.
“No, it’s not. There isn’t a bloody good choice in sight at all.” Constan agreed.
Constan looked up at Galo and said, “Get yourself a fresh horse, and ride back to Damir. Ask him to send another update immediately with the status of his efforts. If he has been unsuccessful in leading them off, I need to know how long we have. Dismissed.”
Galo snapped to attention and saluted to the two officers, before spinning on his heels, and leaving the Inn. Constan poured himself and Hovig another round and said, “Now we need to decide what to do. I’ve thought of one other possibility, but if my suspicions are correct about the horde it won’t work anyways.”
“What’s your idea, sir?” Hovig asked.
“Instead of voluntarily trapping ourselves between an unknown number of damned in Jerusalem, and this horde, we could strike off North or South and follow the hills until we come to another pass and then head east at that point.” Constan said.
Hovig nodded, “We could also march north or south for a time, and then just double time it back to the ships.”
Constan smiled at the suggestion, “True. That would be by far the easiest thing to do. Unfortunately, Emperor Heraclius has given us a little errand to run for him, so if we do that, he’ll stretch my neck for cowardice.”
Hovig nodded and returned the smile, “And in addition to stretching your neck, and likely mine, he’ll decimate however many of us manage to survive. Think of the bright side sir, I’ll be on the gallows right beside you.”
Constan chuckled, “Assuming he waits that long. He might just have our heads severed right in the throne room the moment he pronounces judgement.”
“I heard that’s what he had done to General Vahan.” Hovig said.
“Aye, a fine mess that whole affair was. Caused a damned outbreak right in the throne room it did.”
Hovig made the sign of the cross and said, “Holy Mary Virgin Mother of God preserve us.”
“That’s the bloody problem. The damned are far too well preserved if ye ask me.” Constan said.
“What’s your decision, sir?” Hovig asked.
“I need another c
hoice. One that at least buys us some time so we don’t end up a damned sandwich between two groups of the beasties.” Constan replied, “Let’s think on it for now, perhaps we can come up with a better option.”
Constan sighed wistfully and looked hard at the wine jug sitting on the table, “Let the men finish the marching fort and then bed them down for the night. Whatever we decide they need to be well rested. Hopefully Damir will send word so we don’t get surprised here. Just in case, send ten of our riders back. They are to leave one of their number every hour until they’ve reached five hours distance from us. If they site the enemy, they are to ride hard back to us to report. That leaves five of them at the end of the line. If they are surprised at least one of them should get through. They are to use the fresh horses of those riders left behind and switch out every time they come upon them.” Constan said.
“A good plan sir, that will buy us four- or five-hours’ notice at least.” Hovig replied. He paused a moment and made eye contact with Constan.
“Stop staring at me like a love-struck girl, out with-it, man.” Constan said gruffly.
Hovig swallowed hard and then asked, “What makes you think the damned are capable of ambushing one of our scouts, much less five?”
It was Constan’s turn to stare a moment. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly before saying, “Because if that horde is what I think it is, then it is being controlled by Fonda.”
Hovig visibly paled, “The intelligent one that can control the other damned? The one who took Damascus even after you defeated a horde of fifty thousand with barely more than a thousand of your own?”
“Aye, that bitch. Now leave me be, and go carry out my orders.”
Hovig stood, snapped to attention, saluted, and said, “At once, sir.”
Constan started to pour himself another cup of wine. Before Hovig could leave the room, he paused and added, “Oh, and one more thing. Have Athos sent to me.”
Hovig, turned and nodded to acknowledge the order before spinning on his heels and leaving the room. Constan slowly sipped his cup of wine and thought of ways to survive their predicament while succeeding in the mission the Emperor had given them. If the situation seems impossible, we need to devise a way to even the odds somehow, or at least buy us some time to retrieve the True Cross and make our escape. Constan thought to himself.
He leaned his head back and stared at the ceiling. Heh, the bastards even managed to make a bloody mess of the ceiling. His thoughts drifted and within a few moments the sound of snoring filled the room.
Chapter 56
Afternoon, October 17th 636, Nashon, Palestinia Province, Byzantium
The Dilemma
“Sir?” Athos asked in a whisper trying not to startle Constan. He knew better than to touch the older man to wake him up.
Constan’s snores continued without interruption. Athos looked down at the empty wine jug, and the empty cup sitting on its side not far from where Constan’s hand rested. I guess he’s back to drinking again. I wonder what set the old man off? Athos thought to himself. He then said in a loud voice, “Sir.”
The snores abruptly stopped as Constan sat bolt upright and said, “No sir, I don’t think a wagon load of daisies will cover that stench.”
“Sir?” Athos asked quizzically.
“Meh, where am I?” Constan asked.
“You’re in the Inn of the Holy Pilgrim in Nashon.”
“Right.” Without saying anything further Constan picked up the wine jug and looked forlornly at the empty bottom.
Athos frowned, “Don’t you think you’ve had enough?”
Constan shook his head, “When you hear what I have to say laddie, you’ll understand.”
Athos plucked the jug from his hand and said, “Here, let me get you some more. Why did you ask for me?”
As Athos made his way behind the bar to refill the wine jug using one of the amphorae Constan said, “She’s back.”
Athos froze in mid pour. Turned his neck to look at Constan before asking, “Fonda?” As he did so, he failed to notice the jug begin to overflow.
Constan nodded slowly, “Aye, the bloody bitch is back.”
Athos registered the words in his mind and turned back to his task. Seeing the mess, he had just created he muttered a curse under his breath and stopped pouring. He raised the entire jug to his lips and took a long hard drink from it. He set the jug down on the bar, wiped his mouth with the back of his sleeve, and then picked up the jug and walked over to the table that Constan sat at.
Athos sat down across the table from Constan, who immediately took the jug from his hand and poured himself another cupful of wine. Constan then raised the cup to his lips and drank a mouthful of the red liquid before setting the remainder back down on the table and saying, “We need to figure out a way to even the odds.”
“What’s the situation?” Athos asked.
“We have Fonda about a day’s march west of us, and the damned in Jerusalem about a day’s march to the east. If we continue on toward Jerusalem we will be in rough hilly terrain, that will likely prevent us from leaving the road.” Constan said.
A furrow appeared on Athos’ brow as he said, “So we’ll be stuck with no way out if we go any further east.”
Constan nodded, “Aye, that’s about the size of it, unless.”
Constan’s voice drifted off to nothing. After several moments Athos asked, “Unless what?”
Constan smiled and said, “Leonidas and Xerxes.”
“Who?” Athos asked.
“Didn’t they teach you any history in that goat-ridden mountainous shit hole you call a home?” Constan retorted.
Athos rolled his eyes in response, “Goat-ridden seems a bit hypocritical coming from the son of a Macedonian goat herder.”
“Aye, me da was a goat herder, but we still had enough sense to tell the stories of who we were as a people. We are mainly goat herders now, but once we conquered the entire known world under our most famous son, Alexander. I’ll tell ye that one some other time, right now ye need to learn the one that is going to help us.”
“I can’t wait.” Athos said in a flippant tone.
Constan threw Athos a glare. He paused a moment and took another small sip of his wine, “More than a thousand years ago, a Persian host said to number a million men invaded Greece.”
Athos interrupted with a loud whistle, “Ye know, this is why I hate telling you stories, ye always bloody interrupt.” Constan barked.
“Sorry, please continue.” Athos replied.
“As I was saying, Greece was invaded by nearly a million Persians. The Greek City States needed time to gather their forces in order to oppose this mighty host. To buy Greece that time, King Leonidas of Sparta devised a plan to oppose them in the mountain pass at Thermopylae with his personal guard of three hundred men.”
Athos couldn’t help but to interrupt, “Three hundred against a million? That’s not going to end well.”
Constan ignored the interruption this time and continued, “Aye, it didn’t, but they managed to buy Greece three precious days as they held up that mighty host. They could have held on for several more days if the Persians hadn’t bribed a goat herder to show them a path around the Spartan’s position.”
Athos laughed, “No wonder goat herders are held in such high esteem in Macedonia.”
Constan smiled, “Ye know, I never made that connection. Bright lad.”
Athos beamed at the compliment, “So you’re thinking we could find a pass between here and Jerusalem and hold out against Fonda?”
Constan nodded, “Aye, you’re starting to see it now. If not an actual mountain pass, a place similar to the spot Leonidas and the three hundred stood. A place where our flanks would be covered.”
Athos stared into Constan’s eyes, “There’s more to it than that. What are you not saying?”
Constan took another sip of his wine and chuckled, “Aye, just holding a pass against Fonda’s horde will not accomplish our mission,
and like the Persians we need to find a path.”
“To get around the damned and attack them from behind like the Persians did to King Leonidas and the Spartans?” Athos asked.
“Nay, to make our escape once we have the True Cross.” Constan replied. He took another sip of his wine as Athos opened his mouth to speak. Constan raised his left hand and held up one finger to silence him. Setting the now nearly empty wine cup down, Constan clarified, “To withdraw through once we have the True Cross.”
While Constan spoke, Athos poured himself a cup of wine and took a long drink from it before saying, “So you’re proposing we have what’s left of the Tourma hold a pass or a valley in the hills between Jerusalem and Nashon. While you’re doing that, I’m assuming you’re sending a team into Jerusalem to retrieve the cross?”
Constan smiled, “Nikas did indeed see something in ye, lad.”
Athos beamed at the compliment, “You’ll need someone to lead the team to Jerusalem.”
Constan nodded, “Have anyone in mind? It will have to be a small team to get in and out without rousing the damned in Jerusalem. Someone who knows the damned and is open to creative solutions.”
“I think I might know someone that can do that.” Athos said.
“Who do ye propose then?” Constan asked.
“Myself?” Athos suggested.
Constan sat back in his chair and laughed, “What’s so funny about that?” Athos asked.
“If I send ye, Athea will have me balls.” Constan said.
“True, but if I bring her along, she won’t be around to take them.” Athos replied.
Constan laughed as he refilled his wine cup. Finished, he held it up to the middle of the table. Athos quickly raised his and the two men clinked their cups together before Constan said, “To women.”
Byzantium Infected Box Set Page 88