Zinvor paused, so that Athos and Constan could catch up to him. As Constan and Athos took up flanking position on each side of Zinvor he replied, “Let us say that Tourmarches Garabed was a man of vigorous tastes.”
Not wanting to interrupt his new subordinate, or give him offense Constan kept his thought to himself, Aye, I bet the bugger drank and fucked himself to death.
Unaware of Constan’s caustic thought Zinvor continued, “When we were ordered to abandon the isolated forts that we garrisoned along the Persian frontier, we had much back pay to spend.”
Zinvor paused for a moment to take a breath. Taking advantage of the pause Constan asked, “How did he choose to spend his coin?”
Zinvor smiled, “Like any man should that is heavy of both coin and seed, in a brothel. Alas just a few days ago, when mounted in the saddle of his favorite, he clutched his chest and collapsed to the floor dead.”
Constan nodded knowingly and said, “A most unfortunate circumstance indeed.”
Zinvor smiled, “Aye. He wasn’t a bad man as Tourmarches go, but a bit too inclined to his baser impulses.”
Constan laughed. Slapped Zinvor on the back and said, “The pressures of command require regular release to keep a man sane.”
Zinvor joined in the laughter and said, “Well then our Garabed must have been under an immense amount of pressure, as he sought release every evening in the form of pale creamy skin, fine bosoms, and wine.”
The three men laughed heartily for several moments before Constan, wanting to change the subject asked, “So where is the 5th Babylon barracked?”
“We are currently barracked in the fortress of Arx with orders to man the eastern walls of the city and to control traffic through the Ferrea Gate.” Zinvor replied.
“I ran into a couple of your men coming into the city yesterday. One in particular had sharp eyes and a good sense of wit about him. His name was Jerry.” Constan said.
Zinvor nodded, “Aye, I know Jerry. He’s one of mine. I’ve been considering him for promotion to Dekanos.
Constan looked thoughtful for a moment and then smiled, “Yes, let’s do that. Make it my first official act as your new Tourmarches. Do you bring the men together every morning for formation?”
“We used to when Tourmarches Garabed still drew breath. Since his passing the Kentarchias have been doing their own thing.” Zinvor replied.
“That stops now. Tomorrow morning, I want all of the Kentarchias assembled in the courtyard of the fort. Understood?” Constan said.
Zinvor stiffened and slapped his right fist to his left breast in salute before replying, “It will be as you command Tourmarches.”
Constan replied, “Good, when you are done showing me and Kentarches Athos to my chambers, I need you to send an escort to the Inn of the Wooden Sword and fetch the rest of my party.”
Zinvor turned to look back at Constan before he nodded and replied, “I will see to it as soon as I show you to your chambers within the fort Tourmarches.”
Constan smiled, “Excellent, carry on then.”
They continued to navigate their way through the city streets in the darkness. As they neared their goal, the road became more difficult and their calf muscles burned as they trudged up hill. A large shadow silhouetted by the moon loomed above them as they walked, Fort Arx.
As they reached the imposing gate of the fort which was flanked by two square towers, Zinvor looked up at two guards on the battlements above the gate that stared down at them and commanded, “Open the gates. Your new Tourmarches has arrived.”
Athos and Constan observed the fort as they were led through the gates. Emerging into a large courtyard they paused and looked around. The fifteen-foot-high brownstone walls of the fort followed the contours of Mount Silpius and was neither a perfect square nor a circle. More like four stretched out triangles that came together at their bases. The outward facing four points of the triangles roughly pointing toward the four cardinal directions. The walls were topped by battlements and lined by parapets. In addition to the two towers surrounding the westward facing entrance, four additional towers were built into the outward facing eastern walls of the fort.
They stood on the edge of a large parade field. On the other side of the field was a keep. The imposing structure was also built from a brown colored stone. Likely taken directly from the mountain upon which the fort sat. The large square stone structure had its own battlements on its roof, and a tower in each of the four corners of the building. Situated above the main entrance was a balcony that looked down upon the parade field.
Zinvor turned and pointed at the keep entrance, “This way. Your chambers are on the second floor of the keep. The balcony is attached to your chambers.”
Constan extended a hand toward the keep and said, “Lead on Kentarches.”
Athos and Constan followed Zinvor across the parade field and through the stout oaken door of the keep. Standing just inside the door were two guards holding torches. Zinvor turned and said, “These two men will lead you the rest of the way. Droungarios Hovig is eager to meet you.”
Constan reached and clasped hands with Zinvor, “It was nice to meet your Kentarches. When you reach the Inn of the Wooden Sword ask to be led to my rooms. Dekanos Baltazar and Nasir should be there with my subordinates’ ladies. When you finish bringing them here. I want you to then go to Madame Meretrix’s and return with one of her ladies. The one that goes by the name Amata. Understood?”
Zinvor smiled and slapped Constan on the back, “Trying to follow in the footsteps of Garabed?”
Constan’s face turned red, which went unnoticed in the dimly lit corridor. Taking a deep breath, he returned Zinvor’s smile and said, “The weight of command is heavy Kentarches. Now do as I ask.”
Zinvor stiffened to attention and saluted. Before Constan could return the salute, Zinvor spun on his heels and walked out of the keep through the open door. Constan turned to the two torch bearing guards and said, “And who are you two?”
Having their Tourmarches’ full attention, both men stiffened to attention before the one on the left said, “I’m Dekanos Mardiros and this is Skutatoi Shara.”
“Well met.” Gesturing toward Athos, Constan added, “This is Kentarches Athos. Please lead on.” Constan said.
Mardiros saluted and said, “This way sir.”
The two men led them to a four-way intersection about ten feet from the exterior door up the entry hall. Mardiros and Shara turned right and Constan and Athos followed. In stark contrast to the imperial palace the hallways of Fort Arx were bare of any decorations. The ceiling was black in color, having borne the smoke from hundreds of years of torches. This black ceiling, seemingly sucked the flickering light from the torches into its shadowy abode making the hallway dim and full of gloom. This despite the close proximity of the light source.
Ascending to the second floor, the hallway on this floor looked much the same. This passageway was lined by a series of small wooden doors just wide enough for an average sized man to walk through without turning sideways. The wood these doors were constructed from looked thin and cheap. They walked for several moments before Mardiros paused in front of a large oak door.
This door contrasted markedly with the other doors in the corridor in both materials and craftsmanship. He switched the torch he was holding to his left hand and knocked stoutly upon the door. Not only was the door made of a superior wood, it was twice the width of the other doors lining this corridor.
They heard footsteps from the other side of the door. Leather soles with hobnails, making a click, click, click, noise as the steps approached from behind the barrier. A few moments later, the door opened, and light flooded into the dimly lit hallway. Athos and Constan blinked at the bright light from the room.
When their vision cleared a middle-aged man, with a swarthy complexion, thinning brown hair, and flecks of gray in his beard stood in the doorway. Seeing Constan the man stiffened to attention, saluted, and said, “Welcome to the 5th Baby
lon Tourmarches. I’m Droungarios Hovig.”
Constan returned the salute and said, “Well met Droungarios.”
Hovig stood aside and gestured for Constan to come in. The one-eyed man walked into the room. It was brightly lit by several braziers. Directly across from the doorway in which he stood was two double doors. Those must lead to the balcony, Constan thought.
On the left side of the room was a square of four finely appointed couches that faced each other. Opposite the couches on the right side of the room was a large wooden desk. Behind the desk were two braziers used to cast light onto it, and a finely appointed wooden chair with armrests, and cushions. In front of the desk were two simple wood chairs that lacked both of these enhancements.
Just beyond the desk was another oaken door, smaller than the one that Constan currently stood in. That must lead to the Tourmarches’ sleeping quarters. Constan thought to himself. Constan walked confidently into the room, over to the desk, and sat in the chair behind it. He gestured toward Athos and Hovig and said, “Please be seated gentlemen.”
Once the two men had seated themselves across from Constan. The one-eyed man asked, “Report Droungarios, what is the state of my Tourma.”
Hovig cleared his throat and said, “We have just under three thousand five hundred souls consisting of thirty kentarchias of Skutatoi, and five hundred light horse.”
Constan asked, “A standard configuration then. The light horse, how are they outfitted and what is their capabilities?”
Hovig replied, “They are outfitted to be scouts, light lancers with spear, and mounted archers.”
“Are they any good with their bows?” Constan asked.
“They are of fine Armenian stock descended from men that have lived on the borders between Empires for centuries Tourmarches. Finer mounted archers cannot be had this side of the steppe.” Hovig said.
Constan smiled, “Excellent, and the Skutatoi? How seasoned are they?”
The corners of Hovig’s lips turned slightly downward as he replied, “They know all of the basic maneuvers required of Skutatoi, but they have spent too much time manning walls and forts.”
Constan frowned at Hovig, “I see. Hopefully they remember how to maneuver and change formations quickly. Have you been in any conflicts with the damned?”
Hovig swallowed hard as his mouth went dry, “No, in fact most of the men lack battle experience of any kind. The frontier with Persia has been quiet since we defeated them, and there are few left from that war still in the ranks.”
“Are you one of them?” Constan asked.
Hovig nodded and said with a slight edge of embarrassment to his voice, “Aye, I served in the last two years of the war, once the Emperor’s counter attack had liberated Armenia from the Persians, I joined the ranks.”
Constan nodded, “So you’ve known only victory. Let’s pray to God that is all you will continue to know.”
Hovig’s face flushed a deep shade of crimson as he asked, “Sir? Do we have new orders?” Constan nodded wearily, “Aye. Day after tomorrow we are to form up and march to Seleuciam. From there we will take ship and sail to Joppa in Palestinia Province, march overland to Jerusalem, locate the True Cross of Christ, and return with it to Antioch.”
Hovig’s face paled at the news, “I see sir.”
“Are your families here in the city?” Constan asked.
Hovig nodded as he said, “Aye. When we were ordered to abandon our posts, we brought them with us.”
Athos interrupted, “So who’s left to defend Armenia?”
Hovig replied, “No one. With the exception of the 5th Babylon, the rest of the Armenian units were ordered to withdraw into Anatolia, where they are to join with the Anatolian and Cilician Tourma in erecting walls across the mountain passes.”
Before Athos could ask further questions Constan interrupted, “I’ve given Zinvor orders to have the Tourma formed up on the ‘morrow so that I may brief them of our orders, and conduct an inspection. He will be returning shortly with the rest of the 5th Parthica survivors. Can you see to it? I want the men up at dawn, fed, and then formed up in front of the balcony. Do not tell anyone of our orders, until I brief the men tomorrow. Questions?”
Hovig shook his head as he said, “No sir.”
“Good, then carry out your orders.” Constan said.
Hovig stood and snapped to attention, “Yes, sir!”
Constan grimaced, rubbed his eye patch with his right hand, and said, “Don’t call me sir. I’m not a bloody noble. I had to bleed my way up the ranks.”
Hovig nodded, “As you wish Tourmarches.”
Athos grinned and laughed, “He’s not kidding. I don’t think he has been through a major engagement without an injury.”
Constan snorted, “Ye are one to bloody talk boy. I take thee to one major engagement, and ye manage to get ye brains bashed in. Ye were such a sodden lazy bastard it took thee three days for ye to wake up!”
Before the conversation could continue there was a knock at the door.
Constan stood up and in a deep commanding voice said, “Enter.”
The door opened and Zinvor entered the room. He was followed by Baltazar, Nasir, Athea, Liana, and Maarika.
Athea, seeing Athos, ran across the room and embraced him before saying, “I was worried sick.”
Athos pulled Athea close and she began sobbing into his shoulder, “Shhhh, its ok. Everything is ok now.”
Athea with a tremor in her voice said, “I thought the Emperor was going to have you executed. What happened?”
“He nearly did. The General that led us at the battle of Yarmuk, Vahan, had poisoned the Emperor’s mind against us to cover up his own failings. Constan managed to turn it around on him.”
Athea pulled her head away from Athos’ shoulders, turned to Constan and mouthed, “Thank you.”
Constan nodded and smiled in acknowledgement of the sentiment, “I brought the lad back to ye whole and sound as always lass.” Turning to Baltazar and Nasir he added, “Dekanos Baltazar and Nasir welcome to the 5th Babylon.”
The two men stiffened to attention and said, “Thank you sir.”
“Given your experiences with the damned I believe ye are both ready for promotion to Kentarches. Unfortunately, politics will play a role before that can happen. I mustn’t replace any of the standing Kentarches of the 5th Babylon without just cause. For the time being I’m likely going to use ye in an advisory role for the existing officers. What say ye?”
Baltazar looked over at Nasir and made eye contact with him. The older man gave him a slight nod and encouraging smile. He turned to Constan and said, “I think I speak for both of us when I say that we will support you in any capacity that we can.”
Constan smiled, “I knew I could count on ye to see and understand.” He turned and made eye contact with Maarika, “Lass, though ye have never been an official part of the army I would like ye to join us in the role of advisor. I want ye to teach the men how to use the sling to slay the damned like ye do. What say ye?”
Maarika smiled at Constan, “As long as I get to stay with Nasir and come along on the journey it would be my honor.”
Constan nodded, “That’s settled then. Welcome to the 5th Babylon Maarika. As a civilian advisor, ye will have no rank, but if anyone ever gives ye grief unfairly, just have them come see me and I will set them straight. Me boot is itching to taste someone’s arse.”
Constan turned in his seat and made eye contact with Athea, and Liana, “Bringing ye two along will be a bit trickier. Though ye were an official part of the 5th Parthica as authorized by Governor Maurice, the recruitment of ladies has not been approved by the Emperor here in Antioch. Though ye are skilled with the gladius as ye were trained. Ye do not possess a specific skill that the Skutatoi lack. Do ye want to come along, or stay here in Antioch?”
Liana took Baltazar by the arm and said, “I thought I had lost him and would never get him back. After the fall of Damascus, Baltazar is the only person close
to me left. There is no way that I would agree to staying here and letting him march off out of my sight again.”
Constan looked at Athea and said, “And ye lass? How do ye feel?”
Athea put her arm around Athos and said, “Much the same. I fear if I stay here and let you march off to face the damned once more, that I may never see Athos again. I don’t think I could go on living knowing that he perished.”
Constan took a deep breath and let it out slowly, “We’re in a tough spot then. I cannot allow Athos and Baltazar to bring ye along without allowing the same for the other men of the unit. As we will be crossing lands infested by the damned to retrieve the True Cross from Jerusalem such an allowance would stretch us too thin. We couldn’t possibly defend a wagon train full of women, and God forbid children.”
“May I make a suggestion?” Liana asked.
“Certainly lassie,” Constan replied.
“Bring myself and Athea on in the capacity of advisors too.” Constan opened his mouth to object but Liana raised her hand, “Hear me out. Both myself and Athea fought in the mobile fort with Athos. Unlike any of the men in the 5th Babylon, we have been in close proximity with the damned. As Damascus fell, we fought them alongside you in the corridors of the Governor’s Palace. Think about it. We are both far more expert in fighting the damned than any of your men save the 5th Parthica survivors.”
Constan nodded and then smiled, “I can bring ye on as advisors on the damned. Ye are experts in their habits, tactics, and tendencies.”
Liana returned his smiled, “Exactly.”
“That’s settled then.” Constan turned to face Athos. He opened his mouth to speak, but was interrupted by a loud knock on the door. Constan cleared his throat and spoke in a deep commanding voice, “Enter.”
Kentarches Zinvor strode into the room followed by Amata, “I have brought the lady you requested Tourmarches.” His voice dripped with sarcasm as he spat out the word lady.
Byzantium Infected Box Set Page 78
