“They were given the pepper by a rich merchant.” Maarika replied.
“That is some demonstration of piety. Do you know how much pepper costs? It comes all the way from India.”
Maarika shook her head and said, “No. Nor do I care. Do you want another spoonful?”
Nasir nodded emphatically as he said, “Yes please!”
With Maarika help, Nasir was able to finish the entire bowl of soup. He leaned his head back and held his gut with his right hand. Looking over at Maarika he asked, “You were going to tell me the story of how you got me all the way from North West Arabia to St. Catherine’s, remember?”
Maarika nodded and Nasir smiled, “What happened after you stabbed me and I passed out?”
I laid atop you, and tried to stop your bleeding with my hands. It was an awful wound. You just bled and bled. You became pale and ghostly white. Finally, at about the time the sand storm blew itself out, you stopped leaking blood.”
“Then what happened?” Nasir asked.
“The occasional hungry would come lurching toward us, as soon as they spotted me.” Maarika said.
“You used your sling, right?” Nasir asked
Maarika nodded, “Yes, once the sandstorm ended, I was able to see them coming from a distance.”
“How many did you end up killing?” Nasir asked.
Maarika pursed her lips and her eyes looked up to the left. Her right hand came up and she rubbed her chin as she thought about the question, “Oh, I’d say six in total.”
“The hungry seemed to be wandering randomly all over that piece of the desert.” Nasir said.
Maarika nodded in agreement, “So it seemed. Fortune smiled upon us, as the sun began to get low in the sky they stopped appearing. By nightfall the temperature plummeted. You started shivering, so I wrapped my arms around you in an attempt to keep you warm. Before long you must have warmed up as you became still. Your breathing was very shallow. I was very worried. I must have fallen asleep as the next thing I remember is waking up in the sunlight. As I looked south down the road, I saw some camels approaching.”
“Who were on the camels?” Nasir asked.
Maarika frowned, “Patience, I was getting to that part.”
“Sorry.” Nasir said.
Maarika kissed him lightly on the top of his head and said, “No worries. You cannot help yourself.” She placed a hand between his legs and rubbed gently before continuing, “You have one of these after all. They addle your brains with thoughts of glory and sex.”
Nasir moaned softly as his manhood stirred from Maarika’s touch. He almost allowed himself to be consumed by the feeling Maarika was engendering within him before saying through clenched teeth, “This is a house of the Lord. We mustn’t.”
Maarika slipped her hand into his trousers and began rubbing him directly. Nasir reached out with his left hand and grabbed her wrist, “Please no.”
Maarika, disappointed, gave Nasir her pouting looking and then said, “Suit yourself.”
“The story, quickly before I change my mind.” Nasir said.
“Very well. The camels turned out to belong to a Nabatean merchant by the name of Imran. Luckily for us, he was traveling with a healer who used much of their precious water to clean your wounds. The healer was unsure if you would survive or not, so Imran suggested we load you onto one of his camels and take you to St. Catherine’s.” Maarika said.
“It sounds like this Imran was a spice merchant transporting a supply of spices from Arabia Felix, to Petra. Why did he agree to bring us all the way to St. Catherine’s?” Nasir asked.
“You’re right. He was transporting something called pepper. The pepper was being carried in tins, placed in boxes that were strapped to the backs of his camels. We did stop in Petra, where Imran sold much of the pepper. I told him that you were a soldier of the Empire. Since he was heading here to St. Catherine’s regardless, and several of his camels were without cargo, he offered to transport you here.” Maarika said.
“Why didn’t we stay in Petra? It’s closer to Aqaba. Perhaps I could have sent word to the garrison there about the hungry.” Nasir said.
“We lost all of our money, and most of our gear in the storm. I asked around but no one was willing to take us in without payment. Though several of them offered us lodging in exchange for me laying with them. I refused. Imran had treated me honorably and his personal physician had kept you alive. I thought it was best to stay with them while you recovered. They offered to bring us here, so I accepted.” Maarika replied.
“That is mighty generous of him. Are you sure he did it out of the goodness of his heart, and not for the opportunity to lay with you? Perhaps he was hoping that you would eventually feel indebted if he kept up the generosity.” Nasir asked.
Maarika’s face flushed a deep crimson and she slapped Nasir in the face, “How dare you. I’m not a whore. Imran has been nothing but honorable towards myself and you.”
Nasir, rubbing his face with his right hand, held up his left in supplication and said, “Peace woman. That came out wrong.”
“By Bismillah you are right it did. I’ll forgive you. This time. Apology accepted. Imran has been nothing but a perfect gentleman. In the desert, he had many opportunities to simply slit your throat and force me to lay with him. He is a devout man of your God who did no such thing. He came here on a pilgrimage to pray from atop Mount Sinai. He wanted to speak to God and feel his presence in the same spot that he revealed the commandments to Moses.” Maarika said.
“A pious man indeed. I will ask for God’s forgiveness for speaking ill of him.” Nasir said.
Nasir opened his mouth widely and yawned, “Get some sleep. I must retire for the evening to my chamber. Father Quibilah will look in on you tomorrow morning.” Maarika said.
“I hope his examination yields good news. We must get back out on the road and warn Aqaba of the hungry.” Nasir said.
“There is no need for that. We stopped in Aqaba on the way here. I tried to tell the guards at the gate of the hungry, but they would not listen.” Maarika replied.
“I’m a soldier of the Empire, they’ll listen to me. We must try.” Nasir said.
Maarika let out a sigh, “Very well then. I would like to leave this place sooner rather than later. They are forcing me to take lessons with children about God.”
Nasir chuckled, “I feel sorry for the poor bastard that has to deal with your wit.”
“You should feel sorrier for me. Sister Nenet has no sense of humor what so ever.” Maarika said.
Before Nasir could open his mouth to reply Maarika placed a single finger against his lips and said, “Enough for tonight. Rest.”
Nasir nodded without protest. The sounds of his snoring reverberated through the room, before Maarika could cross to the door and shut it behind her.
Chapter 27
Afternoon, August 17th 636 Tyre Road, Palestinia Province, Byzantium
Baltazar looked down into the green valley below as the wagon he was riding began its descent into Palestinia Province. The Sea of Galilee shimmered on the horizon to his left. He had taken the seat beside the driver of the last wagon.
Baltazar turned and took one last look back at the fields where Justin fell. He said a brief prayer, “Rest now, Justin. Your fight is finally over.” Baltazar finished his prayer by making the sign of the cross.
Turning to the driver, he asked, “Are you familiar with this area?”
The driver Walid nodded, “Aye, I’ve carried many loads through these parts on the way to Tyre.”
Baltazar smiled and looked relieved, “Good, I’ve only been here once, and all I can remember is the dust I was eating from the Imperial Tagmata. Are there any defensible places to stop for the night up ahead?”
Walid pondered for several moments and then replied, “Yes, there is a small walled village by the name of Tuba. It’s off the main road atop a hill about an hour south of here. We will have to take a small path up a hill. The village is built a
round a natural spring.”
“That sounds perfect.” Baltazar placed his hands around his mouth and yelled to the wagon ahead, “Summon Komes Boulous and have him ride back here so we can talk.”
The guardsmen in the wagon in front of them nodded in acknowledgment turned and yelled at the wagon in front of them. After several minutes Boulous appeared on his horse.
He rode up alongside Baltazar, “How are you holding up, Dekanos?”
“I’ve seen so many of my comrades fall in the last few weeks that I’ve become numb to death. Is that bad?”
Boulous smiled reassuringly, “No, it’s an entirely natural reaction. There will be time to mourn your fallen comrades when we have victory. Until then it is best not to weigh yourself down with such thoughts. Give your sorrow to God and press forward.”
Baltazar nodded, “Wise words. With the death of Kentarches Justin, you’re now the ranking officer. I’ve been talking to Walid here.” He indicates the driver of the wagon, “He says there is a village by the name of Tuba off the main road not far from here. The village is on top of a hill, and it is walled.”
Boulous smiled in relief, “That sounds perfect. How far is it from here?”
Walid replied, “About an hour’s ride.”
“Baltazar, I’ve been riding beside the wagons listening to the men talk since Justin fell. They sound demoralized, and on the verge of mutiny. I need you to keep these guardsmen from falling apart. I can’t protect all of these wagons with the eight men I have.”
“Understood, sir.”
“When we get to the village, I want you to divide up your men amongst the wagons as evenly as possible. The men must know which wagon they belong to. It will limit confusion if we need to escape quickly. It’s a damned shame about your horses.”
“Yes, sir.”
Boulous pointed back up the road, “I don’t think it is a good idea to stop and assign the men to wagons now. No telling how many damned are wandering around out here. I do not want to make us a sitting target for another ambush.”
The convoy continued descending into the valley. They arrived at an intersection at the bottom of the hill. In front of them the Tyre road continued west toward the coast, and to their left, the Jerusalem road headed south. Off in the far distance, they could see the Sea of Galilee. A faint tinge of humidity could be felt as the wind blew gently out of the south.
The group turned to the left and rode south toward the visible sea. They could see a large hill set back from the road about two miles distant. The sun was setting. Its rays were shining directly on the village of Tuba.
Baltazar said to no one in particular, “Nice of God to light the way for us.”
Walid smiled, “Aye, won’t be long now.” His stomach grumbled, “I am looking forward to a warm meal and a roof over my head.”
“I know what you mean. Sleeping under the stars, especially with the damned about doesn’t exactly make for a good night’s rest.”
When they reached the path that turned toward Tuba they took it. The road circled the hill three times and ended at a flimsy looking wooden gate which was open. The gate sagged on its hinges. The walls of Tuba were a crumbling mud brick and looked like they dated back to the time of Jesus almost seven hundred years prior.
Boulous rode up to the open gate and attempted to hail the inhabitants, “Hello! Is there anyone in the village?”
Boulous waited several seconds, but no reply came. They heard movement coming from inside and then the sound of a baby crying.
“Baltazar, get your men formed up. We’d best enter on foot.”
Baltazar hopped down from the wagon he was riding and began barking orders, “Form shield wall!” He pointed back down the road they had just ridden up, “I need five men to hold the road. The rest of you with me.”
Boulous turned to his men, “Dismount and guard the wagons.”
Boulous entered the village. There were perhaps a dozen mud-brick hovels in the village. At the center was a fountain. Springwater bubbled up in the middle of the fountain from a simple spout. The guardsmen cautiously followed as Boulous moved forward. Suddenly a wail came out of the alley to Boulous’ left along with a person that lunged and tackled him to the ground. It was one of the damned.
Surprised, Boulous fell to the ground on his back. The assailant, a female dressed in a simple homespun dress bit off his nose before he could put his arms up in defense. He screamed in agony. Baltazar drew Spatha and thrust it into the side of her head as she swallowed Boulous’ nose in one gulp. She immediately went limp and collapsed onto Boulous. Boulous pushed her body off and stood up trying to stem the bleeding with his hands.
Wracked by sudden pain Boulous collapsed back to his knees and between gritted teeth said, “Kill me.”
Nodding Baltazar said, “May God forgive me.”
Baltazar swung and severed Boulous’ head. The head tumbled and struck his chest as the lower half of his body toppled backward. The head landed on the ground then rolled to a stop on the left ear. Suddenly the eyes opened, and it let out a snarl. Several of the guardsmen made the sign of the cross in an attempt to ward off the evil spirit and began praying.
Baltazar just stared in horror, “My God. . .”
Baltazar then stabbed the head with his Spatha, ending the hell spawn’s unholy existence.
“Form a square in case there are any more of the damned in the village.” The men quickly complied with his order, “Now bang your weapon on your shields. These things are attracted by noise so if there are any more in here that should draw them out.”
Several of the undead came running out of open doorways and were clumsily dispatched by the guardsmen. Several more creatures pounded on closed doors from inside the huts. One by one the doors were opened, and the hungry denizens dispatched. Finished, they went to the door that the first damned to attack them had been scratching.
Baltazar turned to a guardsmen, “Last one, open the door and let out whatever is in there.”
Baltazar took his fighting stance ready to dispatch whatever came out. The guard then opened the door, and nothing came out. After several moments had passed, a baby started crying from within.
Baltazar asked, “Hello? Is there anyone in there?”
A male voice answered, “Who are you? Bandits? We’re armed. If you come in, we’ll kill you.”
Baltazar replied, “No, if we were bandits, I’d already be in there pulling my Spatha out of your corpse. We are soldiers, a detachment from the 5th Parthica out of Damascus.”
A female voice said, “Praise God, we are saved!”
“Be quiet Sarah. How do we know you are telling the truth?”
Baltazar responded, “Again, if we were bandits, you’d be dead already, and I’d be cleaning your blood off my Spatha using your clothes. Come on out. We will not hurt you.”
The man came out first holding an old gladius. Baltazar noted that his grip was wrong, This man isn’t trained to use the sword. The man then looked back into the hut and motioned for someone else to come forward. A woman, clutching a baby to her chest, came out.
Baltazar sheathed his Spatha and said, “Well met, I’m Dekanos Baltazar. I’m the ranking member of our team.” He gestured to indicate the rest of the men.
The man replied, “I’m Samuel.” He pointed back at the woman. “And this is Sarah, my wife.”
“Well met,” Baltazar replied.
Sarah asked, “Are you going to take us back to Damascus?”
Baltazar ignored the question, “What happened here?”
Samuel replied, “A few nights ago we were about to close the gate up for the evening. We were waiting on Matthew to bring in his flock. He was coming up the road when he was attacked. There were three of them. They tore into the sheep and just started eating them. Matthew tried to stop them, but one of the things bit him in the leg. Fearing for his life he gave up on his sheep. He limped back into the village, and we barred the gate.”
Samuel had a pained look
cross his face. Baltazar said, “Go on, we need to hear what happened.”
Samuel nodded absently and continued, “We could hear the sheep scream as those demon spawns ate them. We couldn’t believe what we were hearing. That’s when it happened. Matthew fell to the ground dead. Our healer David ran to help him. Matthew’s eyes snapped back open and bit David right in the neck! Matthew ripped a huge piece of David’s neck away.
“The rest happened so fast.” Samuel took a deep breath and whipped away a tear, “Matthew jumped and grabbed a woman that had screamed when he bit David. He bit her too. Then David woke up and started biting people. I grabbed Sarah, and we ran back to our hut where I barred the door. For the next twenty minutes, we could hear screaming. Then things settled down.”
Baltazar asked, “How long were you trapped in your hut?”
“About three days before you arrived. The creature that was trying to get in heard our baby Tabitha crying. They seem to be attracted to sound.”
Baltazar nodded, “Yeah, we’ve picked up on that too. Light also seems to draw them at night. We learned that the hard way.”
Samuel asked, “Will you be taking us back to Damascus with you?”
Baltazar shook his head, “I wish we could, but we have a mission to complete first. We are heading back to Yarmouk to collect armor and weapons.”
Sarah interrupted, “Why would there be arms and armor there? Doesn’t Damascus have an armory?”
“It does, but it cannot replace all of the equipment we lost at Yarmouk fast enough. Nor can it make the armor used by Kataphractoi.”
Samuel frowning asked, “If you are going back to a battlefield then you lost the battle?”
“We barely made it out. The entire Syrian Thema plus the Imperial Tagmata fought there. Out of nine thousand souls of the Syrian Thema, only forty of us Skutatoi made it out. The rest perished. The Imperial Tagmata rescued us once but then later abandoned us to our fate and fled. We’re trying to raise a new Tourma to defend Damascus and ultimately the rest of Syria from the damned.”
Samuel questioned, “So these things. Are they truly spawn of Lucifer?”
Byzantium Infected Box Set Page 38
