Athos stood up and smiled at Athea, “Long night?” I’m so nervous!
“It went well. Unlike your group, most of my patrons appreciate the service I give them and tip accordingly!” Athea chided with a mischievous look on her face. Athos stumbled back as if from a mock blow.
“You wound me, fair lady!” He exclaimed with far too much dramatic effect. Athea giggled.
“Walk with me?” She asked.
Athos smiled and replied, “Sure.”
They walked for a bit, the wall of silence between them seemingly unbreakable. Finally, Athos worked up the nerve to breach the silence, “So does working at the tavern keep you busy?”
“For the most part,” she replied, “Business seems to be on the decline this month. We usually are filled up with thirsty officers, but tonight we only had you and your friends from the 5th Parthica.”
Athos smiled, “The officers are quite busy trying to kill us every day this week with endless drill. Everyone seemed so on edge. That is what brought us to the Thirsty Palm tonight. We wanted to find out more about what was causing the change of routine and the uneasiness we have been seeing in our officers since the Persian Ambassador arrived. Constan suspected that it was a new war with Persia, but he was wrong.”
“I’m glad your need for information brought you to the Thirsty Palm,” Athea said, also testing the waters. I’m so nervous right now. I don’t want to mess this up.
“Me too,” replied Athos.
The pair stopped walking, and Athos turned to face Athea. He noticed that the moonlight reflected off of her hair and made it seem to almost glow in the darkness. The silvery light seemed to dance off her eyes. He stared intently into her eyes. He saw them light up with the look that melts his heart. He stammered a little as he began, “Ath-, Athea, I have feelings for you and would very much like to have the chance to see where we could go, but I fear we will be deployed soon to meet the evil from Arabia.”
“When do you think you will have to go?” Athea asked.
“I don’t know precisely, soon I think,” Athos replied.
It was Athea’s turn to look into his eyes. What she saw both amazed and frightened her, “Let’s take it day by day, and see where this goes.” She took his hand in hers and together they walked in silence thinking about the future.
Chapter 5
August 2nd 636 Byzantium, Palestinia Province, South of the village of Udruch
Yaakov stared off at the setting sun feeling angry. The beauty of the scene unfolding before him was doing little to brighten his mood. Still, he had to admit the stunning contrast of the reds, oranges, and deep purples was a majestic sight. The fading rays of the sun caused the horizon to shimmer.
God was making the end of this day breathtaking. A fly landed on the back of his neck. Yaakov tried to swat it, but the fly escaped his wrath. All day a stifling breeze had been blowing from the core of Arabia, but now with the Sun setting a gentle and much cooler breeze was blowing from the West. The breeze helped to cool Yaakov’s sweaty skin. The occasional bleat of his family’s sheep let him know that all was well with the herd.
As he stood to watch over the herd, his mind drifted back to how he ended up here out in the desert herding the family’s sheep this fine evening. The Herd struggled to find sustenance from the sparse vegetation of the area. The terrain alternated between sand dunes and a harder rocky surface. Neither surface yielded up much vegetation. The sheep would have to make due. There hadn’t been much rain this year, and this was one of the better spots.
Yaakov thought silently to himself, Gadi had tricked him again, the lazy bastard. How is it that every time there is money to go to the tavern with Abba, Gadi screws him? Gadi always seems to connive a new way to ensure it is he that goes with Abba! Damned frustrating is what it is, especially since it is he that does all the work around the farm! Gadi typically spent his days creating mischief or disappearing to who knows where. The disappearances always seemed to coincide with the most dull or strenuous chores of the day. I am going to get that bastard yet.
The day had started well enough. That morning they had sheared their sheep and took the wool to Udruch to sell at the market. He, along with Gadi and Abba, loaded up the wagon. Abba then hitched that old nag, Zarabeth, and headed north to the market. They arrived at Udruch about mid-morning.
The village of Udruch was without walls and consisted of dozens of squat whitewashed mud-brick structures clustered around a well. On the north side of town was an agora, a small marketplace where the craftsmen of the village and local farmers came together to trade. The trio rode through the town and into the Udruch marketplace. Their wagon creaked to a halt. Abba looked around, taking in the scene. Across the agora, he noticed the two merchants that usually purchased wool and struck off in their direction.
Yaakov left the wagon and their wool with Gadi to have a look around. While Abba negotiated with the merchants for the best price, he had a rare bit of luck and ran into Sarah. Yaakov had been in love with Sarah since he was a young boy. She was so beautiful.
Sarah was the reason why he looked forward to helping Abba bring the family’s wool to market in Udruch. There were so many things he loved about her. Her smile, the way she looked at him, the amazing way she always smelled, the list seemed endless. Every time he heard her voice his heart stopped. He loved the way her round cheeks complimented her green eyes, brunette hair, and full lips. She was a rare beauty, and he adored her. Today she was wearing a simple blue dress that hugged her curves perfectly.
They managed to sneak behind the Date Merchant’s stand. The pair found a great spot between his wagon, still hitched to his mule, and the stand itself. They smiled at each other and kissed. As their tongues intertwined, Yaakov felt a stirring in his groin. She tasted so good.
It was at that moment that everything had started going wrong. His brother Gadi had gotten a friend to watch the wagon. He then followed the pair and yanked the string of Sarah’s dress from the back when they kissed. Startled by the sudden pull, she lost her balance and fell backward dragging him with her.
Sarah landed squarely on the hoof of the Date Merchant’s mule still connected to the cart. The startled animal let out a yelp and ran through the Date Merchant’s stall with the wagon still attached. The resultant collision flung dates everywhere! Abba, of course, couldn’t help but to turn and see that Yaakov was now clearly visible on top of Sarah!
Unfortunately, so did the date merchant whose stall was just destroyed. The mule, still attached to the cart, ran headlong into the Spice Merchant’s stand, effectively destroying it. Fortunately, the valuable contents were well bottled and packaged. For the most part, they were launched straight up into the air and deposited in a rough circle around the broken remains of the stand. Once the mule cleared the Spice Merchant’s stand, it broke into an open street. The mule continued running up the street until it managed to get the cart stuck on the well in the middle of the road.
Yaakov sat on a dune seething with anger, I will get Gadi back and somehow make this up to Sarah. In the aftermath, Abba had argued with the Date Merchant and Spice Merchant for what seemed like an hour. Finally, they settled on a reasonable sum for the damages. Most of his money now gone, Abba had to head back to the house with the two dejected boys.
Abba was so disgusted with Yaakov, that Yaakov was given the task of watching the sheep for the rest of the night. The only thing that went right was that Sarah’s Abba was not around to see the result of Gadi’s prank. Yaakov would not have long survived that moment.
Yaakov heard the bleat of a distant sheep off to his left. Far too distant, he thought. Yaakov sighed and started walking toward the bleating sheep. A fly landed on his left arm, and he tried to kill it with his right hand. He missed, and it flew away. Again, another fly landed on him. This time his hand made contact with it and squished it. His voice broke the silence, “It would be just my luck if I lost a sheep tonight. Abba is already pissed at me, and this would further darken his mood.”
Moments before he crested the hill, an overpowering smell of decay and death washed over him and the sounds of a million flies filled the air. As he crested the hill, he looked in horror at the scene. The sheep was no more than a puddle of blood. Bits of it were disappearing into the mouths of several creatures surrounding the puddle. They were completely oblivious to him as they feasted on the flesh of the sheep.
The creatures, or people, he wasn’t sure which, all wore clothing in various states of disrepair. The majority of them seemed to be wearing the deep flowing white robes of the kind favored by nomads of the deep desert. Yaakov froze, stunned at what he saw unfolding before him.
During the time he stood unmoving, Yaakov failed to notice a creature running toward him across the hilltop to his left. It dove at Yaakov’s legs and managed to grab his left leg. The creature sank its teeth into Yaakov’s calf muscle. Yaakov was completely surprised by the thing. His left calf muscle screamed in agony as a result of the creature’s attack. He bit me!
He looked down and saw a creature feasting on his calf. The cannibal, focused on its meal, was completely oblivious to him as it devoured his flesh. Yaakov stomped on the creature’s head with his right foot. The creature’s head collapsed from the blow, and it stopped moving. Yaakov pulled his left leg free from the creature’s mouth and began limping to get away.
Another of the cannibals crested the hill behind Yaakov. They look dead! The creature let out what could only be described as a groan. Yaakov looked back at it. The man had blood running down his chin and bits of the sheep stuck in its teeth. The creature saw him and began to give chase. Yaakov’s calf was bleeding profusely, and he began to feel faint from blood loss, but he limped on as fast as he could trying to stay ahead of the crazed cannibals.
Yaakov again looked back as he ran. What he saw chilled him to his very core. There were now dozens of the beings lurching after him. Yaakov turned to look back in front of him and focused on staying ahead of them. One foot in front of the other, it seemed like every new step was more painful than the last. He managed to limp about three hundred feet and turned to look back toward the hill which had initially hidden the creatures from his view. Dozens more crested the hill each second and gave chase. The nearest creatures sensing victory ran faster toward him.
All of a sudden pain wracked his body. His blood felt like it was on fire. His body no longer his to control, he stumbled and fell to the ground. He felt nothing but numbness as the edges of his vision turned to blackness. Next, he was overwhelmed by an incredibly intense feeling of hunger and then nothing. . .
Chapter 6
Morning of August 2nd 636 Damascus, Syria Province, Byzantium
Mount Hermon
“Get up, ladies!” Screamed Nikas. Athos woke up and was disorientated. The weight of fatigue weighed heavily upon him. Athos, being too slow to rise immediately, attracted Nikas’ attention. Nikas ran over to his cot and began yelling right into his face, “What’s wrong Athos? Are you waiting for your servants to assist you with breaking your fast in bed?” Nikas drew in a huge breath, “I SAID GET UP, YOU WORTHLESS PIECE OF SHIT! I can’t believe you are not enthusiastic about our march today.” With a groan, Athos fell out of his cot and began getting dressed.
The rest of the men of Athos’ Kentarchia were dressed and making their way out into formation in front of their barracks buildings. Nikas left the building and moved out in front of the assembling Skutatoi. There he stood and waited. At last, Athos stumbled out of the barracks building and filled his spot in the line just to the right of Baltazar. Nikas glared at Athos and began to speak, “Good morning, soldiers of the 5th Parthica 2nd Kentarchia.”
The men of the 2nd Kentarchia replied back with the expected greeting in unison, “Good morning, sir!”
“You should be extremely excited for what we have in store for you today,” Nikas said with a feral almost evil looking grin on his face.
While Nikas was speaking, cooks from the unit’s kitchen began passing out the morning meal. The meal consisted of a piece of meat of unknown origin, likely goat or lamb, and a piece of bread. The meat had been boiled and then dipped in olive oil. The typical trooper would rub their piece of bread over the meat to capture some of the juices and olive oil to flavor the bread. One by one the Skutatoi began to eat as they were doled out their morning meal.
Nikas continued addressing the 2nd Kentarchia as the men ate, “This morning, as promised, we are going to take a little 25-mile stroll.” The men groaned. Nikas smiled and continued, “Now come on, gentlemen, today is special. Instead of our usual stroll around the desert, today we are going to ascend to the peak of Mt. Hermon.” The shoulders of the men of the 2nd Kentarchia immediately slumped. “There we will make camp, build a marching fort, and enjoy looking down on the Emperor’s fair city of Damascus.”
Constan, knowing the ways of officers in general, and Nikas in particular, immediately responded, “Sir, I think that is an excellent idea. Climbing such a steep mountain, especially in August, will build a powerful thirst amongst the men. I noticed that sluggard Athos was a bit slow in rousing himself this morning. I propose instead of wearing his normal pack and rations that he carries two amphorae of wine instead.”
Nikas smiled, the kind of smile that all soldiers dread seeing on their officer’s face, “Why, Constan, I think that is an excellent idea. I’m sure the men would appreciate being able to slake their thirst with some wine at the peak of Mt. Hermon. See to it.”
Nikas addressed them in a loud voice, “Men, as soon as you are finished breaking your fast fall out, don your full kit of armor, weapons, and marching pack. You will be issued rations and water for two days march. Athos, do not don your marching pack. Instead, report to the warehouse with your fighting kit. There, you will be issued two amphorae of wine for you to carry. Ensure the openings are sealed tight. I will personally exact a price on your hide for each and every drop you spill today. Dismissed!”
The Skutatoi of the 2nd Kentarchia quickly dispersed to their barrack buildings to don their kits. Constan, Baltazar, Athos, and the rest of the men of their Kontoubernion trotted back to their barracks building to get ready for the march. As Athos looked around the building, he saw the other members of his Kontoubernion scrambling to get ready.
Their names were: Licas, Theron, Damon, Ilias, Zosimos, Jirair, and Caifas. Theron, Damon, Ilias, and Zosimos were Greeks. Jirair, like Athos, was originally from Armenia, and Caifas was a local from Damascus.
After conferring with Nikas for several moments, Constan was the last to enter their barracks. Furious Athos asked him, “What in the nine hells are you trying to prove Constan?”
Constan looked at the anger etched on Athos’ face and smiled reassuringly, “Simmer down, lad. While ye are my subordinate, ye are also my friend so I will give you the courtesy of an explanation. Two reasons, I know ye were out late trying to land that lass, Athea. Never forget that your first duty is to God, your Emperor, your General, your Kentarches, and me in turn. The lot of a soldier of the Empire is to live alone in the service of God and the Emperor. Not to fall in love and start a family. The path you choose is a hard one indeed, lad. I want you to fully understand what you are getting yourself into.”
Constan then winked at Athos and continued, “Plus, I don’t want to have to go a night without some wine.” Constan slapped Athos on the shoulder and moved to his cot to don his kit. Athos’ shoulders slumped.
Athos pondered Constan’s words for several moments and then responded, “I respect what you have to say, Constan. You have been like a big brother to me, but I feel that my path will be different from the one that you have chosen. I will find a way to honor God, the Emperor, and Athea.”
Athos grinned back at him, “Fair enough, old man, fair enough.”
The men reassembled on the parade ground in front of their barracks buildings. Nikas’ voice boomed out at the men of the 2nd Kentarchia, “Men join the line for your rations.” Nikas pointed to a growing line of men in their full battle kits with packs on their backs. “They will issue you rations and water for two days. Nikas turned to Athos, “Athos, your amphorae are waiting for you. See Gaius the Quarter Master, and he will ensure that they are secured to your back. Dismissed!”
Nikas turned back to the other men and bellowed, “Once you have your rations, resume your positions at parade rest.” The men of the 2nd Kentarchia fell out and moved to follow Nikas’ orders.
Athos walked past row upon row of barracks inside the fort to the warehouse. Once there he walked around the building until he saw a large doorway. Walking inside he was greeted with a shadowy interior stuffed with various items used by the fort. The roof had openings in the top every dozen feet or so to let in light giving the inside of the warehouse an eerie feeling during the day. Prior to sunrise, the only faint bit of light came from a torch at the entrance and one torch mounted to a column in the middle of the warehouse. Athos yelled, “Hello?”
After a few moments, he got a response. “Yes, how can I help you?”
Athos responded, “I’m looking for Gaius the Quartermaster.” A loud noise erupted on the other side of the warehouse followed by a string of curses. The cursing finished up with, “Be more careful next time, you damn fools.”
The voice then responded back to Athos, “Well, what do you want?”
Byzantium Infected Box Set Page 7
