A smaller table to the right of the main one had forty brass plates in several stacks. Arrayed on the smaller table was more food than Athos had ever seen in his life at one time. Even in the large kitchens at the fort. The table was heaped with several dishes Athos recognized, lamb, chicken, and goat. The table also held many dishes that he did not recognize. Seeing the food, Athos’ stomach once again growled.
All of the men lined up eagerly for the chance to pile their plates high with the wondrous bounty the Governor’s servants had prepared for them. Constan and Baltazar hovered near Athos to ensure he didn’t have a dizzy spell and re-injure his head. Baltazar asked Constan, “So, old man, have you ever seen so much food in one place?”
Constan not missing a beat as he piled food onto his plate from the various dishes offered replied, “Aye, when we took Ctesiphon the Emperor gave our field kitchens all of the food in the palace larder. Though our cooks did not do as fine a job with the bounty as the Governor’s cooks have done for us, it was magnificent. We ate quality food and drank fine wines all day. For once, our cooks were able to overcome their incompetence by using all manner of exotic spices. This helped to transform even an ordinary plate of chicken into a sumptuous treat.”
Finishing up at the buffet table, the trio took their heavily laden plates and found seats at the main table. As they sat, Athos glanced at the Governor. In the time it had taken them to select their food he had devoured half of the feast that had been laid before him. The men talked amongst themselves as they ate. Most of the conversations centered on the feast itself.
When the Governor had finished emptying his plate, he clapped his hands together loudly. The double oak doors opened, and five servants entered the banquet hall. Each carrying a tray with eight plates on it. On each plate was a fruit that Athos had never seen before. The fruit was red and triangular in shape. The surface of the fruit had tiny seeds embedded in it. Covering the fruit appeared to be honey. A servant immediately picked up the Governor’s empty plate and replaced it with a plate containing a double portion of the strange fruit.
The Governor tipped back his gold goblet and swallowed the remaining contents in one gulp. He then took the goblet and banged it on the table until the room fell silent. The Governor started speaking, “I hope you have enjoyed your meal.” The Governor paused for a moment, and everyone commented positively on the excellent meal. When everyone fell silent again. The Governor continued, “For dessert, we have an absolutely divine treat. Fruit from the birthplace of our Empire, Italy. The fruit is called a strawberry. Topping these little red beauties is a layer of honey. This is one of my favorite desserts. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.”
As each of them finished their plate, a servant took the plate and replaced it with a plate of the honey covered strawberries. The Governor quickly finished his dessert. He then wiped his face with the back of his arm. This created a stain on the white linen sleeve, a combination of grease from the bird and honey from the dessert. He drank deeply from his gold goblet, let out an impressive belch, and banged the cup on the table until the room fell silent once more.
“Gentlemen, you represent an invaluable resource to Syria Province. As you know from my earlier briefing, we are on our own in fending off the waves of the damned that are most assuredly descending upon us. Before we leave this room, we must devise a plan to rebuild our Thema and defend our lands against this threat.
The first item we need to discuss as a foundation to our planning efforts is the damned. During your experience with them in battle what tactics and weapons worked best to slay them? Which weapons worked poorly? Think about that for a few minutes and then I will speak with each of you that has something to contribute. By sharing, all of us will have a better understanding of the damned and what we must do to defeat them.”
Athos was amazed at the cleverness of Governor Maurice’s request. This is a different kind of leadership from what I experience with Nikas. Nikas tried first to toughen our bodies, and then improve our armament skills until each weapon felt like an extension of our bodies. The combination of muscle and weapon turned us into the perfect battlefield machine to bring woe to our enemies. Then he trained our minds by instilling in us a sense of brotherhood with the other members of our Kentarchia.
Governor Maurice wants to get as many perspectives as possible about the damned, by exposing us to as much information as possible about this strange new enemy. Through shared knowledge of the enemy’s strengths and weaknesses, we will be able to devise a solution. I just learned how to soldier, and now I am part of a group that will come up with a solution to save Syria! Excited, Athos took a deep breath and tried to relax. It didn’t work, still nervous he broke out into a cold sweat.
Several minutes passed by in silence as everyone pondered the Governor’s words. After seeing eyes begin to drift and minds wandering the Governor spoke, “All right gentlemen, what have you come up with?”
The thirty four men in the room look expectantly at the Governor, but none volunteered to speak first. The Governor sighed audibly and began talking again, “Since none of you volunteered to get the discussion started this is what we will do. As soldiers of the empire you are trained in a variety of weapons and which situations call for them. This training, of course, centers on defeating a living opponent with their own weapon to strike at you with.
“You men will form the nucleus of our new Tourma. We do not have time to go through the standardized training process for Skutatoi. Therefore we need to figure out which weapons are most effective against the damned and begin training new recruits on those weapons immediately. This will also help me to set the focus for the armory. We don’t need to waste our limited production capacity on ineffective weapons.
“Skutatoi are equipped and trained with the Spatha, spear, ax, and bow. Let’s start with the spear, did any of you attempt to use or observed the spear being used against the damned?” Justin raised his hand; he had a sheepish look on his face. “Dekanos, what did you observe,” asked Governor Maurice.
“One of my boys jammed a spear right into the chest of a creature. The damned thing ignored the spear in its innards and kept coming. It pulled itself up the shaft until it got close enough and bit the wielder,” Justin said.
“Excellent, Dekanos. Anyone else? Come on, we need to know more about the spear,” pleaded the Governor. Another Skutatoi nervously raised his hand. “You there,” the Governor indicated.
“Ye, ye, yes, Sir. I used my spear to pin one of those bastards to the ground. I then smashed its head with my foot,” said the Skutatoi, Athos was unsure of his name.
“Good observation. The spear seems to be ineffective as a weapon but useful as a restraining device. Perhaps I ought to hide one under the bed?” This brought a chuckle out of the men. “Anyone else,” asked the Governor.
Constan stood and spoke, “Aye sir, the spear is a weapon we were trained to use against cavalry charges. The spear proved to be of little use against the damned for that purpose as Justin indicated. I believe it would also be difficult to use against the damned. It would be extremely unlikely that a Skutatoi holding a shield could jam a spear with enough force into a small target like a head.”
“Very impressive, Dekanos. I appreciate your insights into battlefield realities and the limitations they cause on the spear. Based on your testimony and the others that spoke, it would seem a spear is a poor choice with which to equip our new army,” stated the Governor.
“The next weapon to be discussed is the Spatha. Please relate your relevant experiences with that weapon against the damned. For the first time, Athos decided to speak up. Not waiting to be called Athos began to talk. The Governor smiled at this. “Sir, the Spatha was somewhat useful against the damned. Thrusting it into the damned had the same effect that the spear did, none; however, using it as it was intended as a slashing weapon against the head usually slew the creature,” Athos sat back down.
Constan immediately stood up and spoke, “The Spath
a is a fine weapon and in the skilled hands of a Skutatoi is devastating. Against the damned, I am not so sure, in order to strike a lethal blow to the top of the head, you have to swing the Spatha over your shoulder. This makes the wielder vulnerable to a lunge attack. The damned love to lunge, so the moment of vulnerability can be exploited. There has got to be a better sword. Let me ponder it. Perhaps I can work with my men on the ‘morrow to figure out a better sword to use.”
Governor Maurice smiled and nodded at Constan, “Certainly, Dekanos. For now, I will reduce the focus Spatha production pending the outcome of your investigation.”
“Let us now discuss the ax,” stated the Governor. The entire room raised their hands all at once except Farid and Zahid of the City Guard. Athos noticed that they had been talking quietly amongst themselves for the last several minutes. Those two men look a lot alike, thought Athos. They must be brothers. Farid kept glancing at Constan with an angry look. I wonder what that is about.
The Governor pointed at Constan, “Dekanos, you first. Your observations have been very enlightening.”
Constan stood up and began talking, “The ax was the best weapon we had against the damned. Smaller than the Spatha you can swing it much faster at a downward angle. This enables you to take the bastard out in front of you without giving the beastie a chance to lunge at your throat. The one thing I didn’t like was the double head of the ax. While it balanced the weapon, it also made it heavier. Given the length of likely engagements with the damned a heavy axe is no good as it wears the men out too quickly.”
Constan paused for several moments and review possibilities in his mind before continuing, “Also, the horizontal ax blade limits your ability to get creative with it, such as throwing it. I need to try some experimentation with it. Perhaps the ax could be adapted as a throwing weapon? Granted that throwing your ax would be an act of desperation as anyone short of an expert in ax throwing will likely miss the head. Having said that I still see some possibilities with the ax against the damned especially if we redesign it.”
“Excellent insights, Dekanos,” The Governor then looked at several other men that wanted to speak about the ax. He gave them each a chance to speak. They all give accounts of how they used it to kill the damned. As the commentary went on about the weapon, several men tried to outdo each other with tales of their battlefield prowess. Athos kept noticing the angry glances both Farid and Zahid kept sending Constan’s way. Athos decided to pretend he had to relieve himself and got up to leave the room. Baltazar noticed and moved to assist him. Athos signaled him to stop with his hand.
Athos made a production of acting hurt and walking slowly. As he drew closer to the two City Guardsman, he was able to overhear snatches of their conversation. “Go back to the barracks,” a loud round of laughter blocked out the next sentence. “Ambush him when he…” stated Zahid. Once again, the sentence was drowned out by the others in the banquet hall.
“Ambush him when he leaves to piss,” repeated Farid.
Farid glanced up at Athos as he drew closer to the pair and stopped talking. Who are they going to ambush? Athos asked himself. Athos moved slowly through the door into the hallway. He shut it behind him and leaned against it trying to still his heart. It seemed like it was going to beat its way out of his chest. One of the guards, with a look of concern on his face, asked Athos, “Are you ok, soldier?”
Athos replied, “Yes I’m fine. Just a little light-headed is all.”
“Do you require help to get where you are going,” asked the other guard.
“No, I’m fine. Gratitude for your concern.”
Might as well piss for real since I’m out here, he thought. “Where do I go to have a piss around here?”
The guard on his right replied. “We have an inside latrine here in the Governor’s Palace. Go down the hall until you see an opening to your right. Then look to your left. The door in front of you will be the latrine.” Athos nodded by way of reply and set off down the hall. Another wave of lightheadedness washed over him, but it soon passed. He made his way down the hall and found the opening and the door the guard described. I’ve never got to use one of these before, he thought.
Athos opened the door to the room. The room was empty, except for three openings set into a marble rectangle sitting opposite the door. The marble construct came up off the floor about thirty-six inches. He could hear the sound of water running from underneath the marble. He looked into the hole and saw water rushing by. Shite and piss must go in there.
Athos did his business into the hole and returned to the banquet hall. The guards nodded to him as he passed. When he opened the door, he noticed immediately that Zahid was missing. Athos saw Baltazar looking at him, so he pretended to stumble. Baltazar rushed over to assist him.
Baltazar grabbed him and helped to steady him. Athos started feeling lightheaded for real. He also experienced a faint buzzing noise in his ears. What the? Baltazar walked him back to his seat and sat him down. Athos said, “Baltazar, sit down with me I need to tell you something.”
“Sure.” Baltazar sat down on the bench with a look of concern on his face.
Athos spoke, “Constan is…” The buzzing sound in his head intensified. Athos tried to form words to warn Baltazar, but he couldn’t. He put his hands up to his ears to try and stop the buzzing noise. The room began to spin, and Athos slipped into unconsciousness.
The Governor saw Athos’ head slowly lowered to the table with Baltazar’s assistance. He frowned, “Passed out drunk already in the midst of our strategy meeting? I’ll have him flogged!”
Constan turned and addressed the Governor, “Sir, the lad there Athos, took a blow to the head during the battle. The poor fellow has been unconscious until this morning. I believe he has taken ill and is not drunk.”
“I see. Poor fellow indeed. You there beside him is that the case?”
Baltazar stood and spoke, “Yes, sir. He went to take a piss. It was the first time he had walked unassisted since the battle. I wanted to help him, but he waved me off. A bit shy it would seem.” This brought forth some snickers from the group. When he returned, he was dizzy and out of sorts.”
“Very well then.” The Governor turned to a nearby servant. “Show,” he pointed at Baltazar.
“Baltazar,” Constan interjected.
“Assist Baltazar and Constan with Athos. Take him to our closest sleeping pallet and watch over him.” We might as well take a break, follow Athos’ example, and relieve ourselves. Without passing out of course.” This brought out another round of laughter.
Constan and Baltazar picked Athos up by his legs and shoulders and followed the servant. The servant led them to a room off the main corridor beyond the latrine. The two men took Athos’ sandals off and laid him on the sleeping pallet. Constan turned to the servant, “Can ye bring some water and a clean rag?”
The servant replied, “Aye,” and left the room.
“Stay here and watch over him, lad,” Constan said.
“Yes, sir,” Baltazar replied.
“I’ll fill ye in on the rest of the meeting afterward. Don’t let the lad get up out of this bed. He needs rest. Constan put his hand on Baltazar’s shoulder and squeezed it. He then turned and left the room, closing the door gently behind him. Baltazar pulled up a chair beside Athos and sat down in it.
Constan looked down the hallway and saw the doors to the banquet hall. The two guards were standing there trying not to look bored. The sun had set, and the torches had been lit. The torches left shadows as their light danced about likely caused by a breeze from outside. Constan stopped in front of the latrine and smiled. “I haven’t used one of these since Ctesiphon. Might as well drain me lizard before I return,” Constan stepped into the room and saw the three openings. He ambled over to the nearest one and whistled as he did his business. Done, he turned to leave.
The door opened, and a man let out a startled yelp as Constan stepped out. It was one of the servants. Constan smiled at him and said, “I k
now, I look quite a fright.” Constan turned to his right and headed down the hall to the banquet room. He proceeded slowly down the hall admiring the tapestries in the flickering light of the torches.
The guards were no longer standing at the door to the banquet hall. Odd. He looked behind himself to see if they had merely repositioned themselves. They were nowhere in sight. He was alone in the hallway.
Constan began walking toward the double oak doors of the banquet hall. His steps echoed off the marble floor as he went. He thought he heard someone else in the corridor and paused. Again, he turned and looked behind himself. Must be hearing things, he thought. He turned back toward the doors and continued walking. The sound of laughter emerging from the banquet hall drowned out the sounds of his footsteps and the crackling of the torches. He reached the doors and pulled the right one open.
Constan walked inside and saw Justin on top of the banquet table pretending to couple with an imaginary female. The Governor was laughing and yelling at his antics. Constan closed the large oak door and thought, Maybe the Governor decided to give the guards a break since his soldiers surround him.
The Governor noticed Constan and said, “Good, Dekanos, you have returned. Your information on the weapons most effective against the damned has proved most insightful. I will prioritize the armory to focus on axes and arrows, starting tomorrow. If there is any capacity beyond that, it can be used for continued Spatha production. If you could provide them with a sketch of your idea for a better ax at your earliest convenience, I will instruct them to work with you on creating it.”
Constan replied, “There is one weapon we haven’t discussed Sir, Kataphractoi. It seemed the riders with the armored horses merely had to ride through the damned, and they slew scores of the beasties.”
The Governor sighed and replied, “Even so, the armory here at Damascus doesn’t possess the knowledge to make Kataphractoi armor.
Constan replied, “There is an abundant supply of armor available to us. We merely have to retrieve it."
Byzantium Infected Box Set Page 28
