The group hastily crossed the meal chamber and moved into the kitchen. The kitchen was dark. They could make out the shadows of two mighty hearths. The large stone cooking hearths were set into the right and left wall of the room.
As soon as everyone was through, Athos snatched the bar to the door up off the floor. He then closed the door, and dropped the bar into place, “There, let’s see how long it take those bastards to claw their way through two doors.”
Sharven laughed, “Those sons of whores will probably still be clawing at the door trying to get us a month from now.”
Revig joined in the laughter and added, “Just imagine the little bloody nubs left of their fingers.”
Before Revig could finish his sentence, Daisy’s nose twitched and picked up the scent of fresh air. She let out a happy yip, and dashed toward the open doorway. The rest of the group quickly followed suit. They emerged out of the kitchen’s dim interior into the orange rays of the setting sun, “Golden hour.” Maarika intoned.
Turning to Jerry Athos asked, “Have you scouted ahead? Are we close to the edge of the city?”
Jerry smiled at Athos and nodded, “The eastern gate is right over there.” He pointed at a large imposing gate set into an enormous wall that Athos had failed to notice. As soon as his eyes adjusted from the sudden shift in light, he saw it. Athos immediately fell to his knees and said, “Praise God, Jesus, and the Angels above for our deliverance!”
Maarika rolled her eyes and snorted, “The only thing that delivered us was sharp blades, stout arms, and keen aiming.”
Athos threw Maarika a glare and opened his mouth to rebuke her blasphemy. Before he had the chance, Athea set a restraining arm on his shoulder and whispered into his ear, “She’s lost a lot today. Let it go.”
Athos nodded. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly to calm himself. Looking up, he saw that the distance between the monastery and the gate was bisected by a large broad avenue. The group looked left and right following the line of the wall with their eyes. Both the wall, and the road continued on out of sight in either direction.
Everyone in the group smiled, “We’re actually going to make it.” Liana said.
Maarika frowned, “Some of us at least.”
Liana put an arm around Maarika’s shoulder and said, “I’m so sorry I didn’t think before I spoke.”
Maarika gave Liana a faint smile, placed her hand upon Liana’s arm, and said, “I get the sentiment. I just can’t be a part of it.” Maarika paused and let out a sob before continuing, “At least not now.”
Liana nodded, “I understand.” She threw a glance at Baltazar and said, “I could think of nothing else when I thought I had lost him.”
The east gate of Jerusalem hung ajar. The immense doors stood about a third of the way open, “Gor and Revig. Grab the cross and let’s get moving.” Jerry said.
The last word died in his throat as everyone’s ears picked up the sound of dozens of feet approaching the gate from the other side.
Everyone’s shoulders slumped as the realization sank in that they would have to fight an indeterminate number of foes, to be free of the city. They stood there stunned as they tried to wrap their weary minds around the idea of yet more fighting.
A single figure emerged through the open gate. He wore an eye patch and a grin, “Why does everyone look so glum?” Constan said as he entered the city. “Ye have the cross and we’re here to meet ye. We even brought a wagon, and the horses you left in the stable. As well as ye two men that were supposed to be guarding the horses. Though ye could have made a better choice on that score, so fixated on dice they were, that we snuck up on them unawares.” He paused for a minute to look at the much-reduced group before continuing, “Though it looks like ye won’t be needing all the horses anymore.”
Before Constan could continue, Daisy bared her teeth and let out a low growl, “What’s with the mut?” Hovig asked as he walked through the gate and joined Constan.
“Daisy, no! These are friends.” Liana said in a high-pitched voice.
Daisy let out a whimper and ran to Liana, who kneeled down and scratched her on the head in between the ears. Looking up at the pair of men standing in the gateway Liana said, “We found her in the city. She was nearly starved, but stayed as close to her master as she could. Even though her master likely tried to make a meal out of her.”
Constan nodded gravely, “Ye made the right decision. Such loyalty should be preserved.” Turning to Athos he added, “We should get going, it’s almost dark and there’s a damned horde about.”
Athos nodded and said, “Indeed, we’ve got one of our own not too far behind.”
They quickly loaded the cross onto the wagon, and exited through the east gate of Jerusalem, “Where are we going?” Athos asked.
“With dusk being so close, we need to put some distance between us and the damned horde that has been harrying us since ye left us. We’re going to head south toward Bethlehem. The town is likely infested, so we’ll keep our distance and make our way to the opposite side. Hopefully the walls will keep the damned locked within, and discourage those following us.” Constan said.
Athos noticed the state of the 5th Babylon for the first time, and drew in his breath sharply, shocked. There were less than a hundred men left, “So few?”
Constan nodded somberly, “Aye. Fonda found us. The wicked bitch attacked us around midnight on the day ye left us to come fetch the cross.”
“Yet you managed to break contact, despite the fact she’s leading the damned?” Athos asked as the group began marching southward toward Bethlehem.
Constan nodded, “Aye, I can’t explain it. We were surrounded a few hours before dawn today. The horde was on the verge of overrunning the few of us that were left, when they just stopped.”
“What do you mean stopped?” Baltazar asked as he joined in the conversation.
“They simply ceased attacking and faded away into the night.” Constan said.
“What did you do next?” Athos asked.
“We were tired and exhausted. We could’na lasted another hour so we did the only thing left for us to do. We high tailed are arses out of there.” Constan said.
“Then what happened?” Baltazar asked.
“We ran for as long as our weary legs could carry us. Then we collapsed in exhaustion. I let the men sleep while myself and the other surviving officers stood watched over them. It wasn’t long before the horde found us again.” Constan said.
“How did you escape?” Athos asked.
“We didn’t. Thanks be to God, there was only a small number of them that came across us. As soon as we killed the bastards, we hightailed it east again. During the fight I realized we were just shy of Jerusalem. I figured if we could make our way around the city, that unholy bitch would have a hard time finding the rest of us.”
“Now I understand the haste.” Athos turned to the surviving members of his group and added, “Mount up, we need to get moving. You can tell us how you came across my two men and the horses on the way.”
Completely exhausted from their day in Jerusalem, the group nodded wearily and pulled themselves up into a saddle. Constan followed suit by mounting Viribus, “Let’s ride out in front of the men at a walking pace. Athos with me, I want to hear what transpired since we parted ways.”
“Yes, sir.” Athos replied.
The remnants of the 5th Babylon began their ride south toward Bethlehem. As the rays of the setting sun cast them in soft orange light Athos and Constan recounted the tale of their day to each other as the rest listened.
Chapter 70
Dawn, October 20th 636, A Mile South East of Bethlehem, Palestinia Province, Byzantium
The Journey Home
The pitifully few survivors of the 5th Babylon, numbering around a hundred with the addition of Athos’ survivors arrived at the walled town without incident. The gates of the town had been barred against an attack. Though this failed to keep the damned out a few months prior,
as long as they remained quiet it would keep the damned sealed up in the city, and oblivious to their presence.
The 5th Babylon kept their distance as they circled the wall of the city. Unlike Jerusalem, which had sprawled chaotically in all directions from the Temple Mount, Bethlehem had been neatly sealed up behind a square shaped wall. Being the birthplace of Jesus Christ, the Empire spared no expense in the construction of walls to protect its holy ground.
The walls had kept the town untouched by the random raiders that occasionally emerged from the desert. Unfortunately for the citizens, it failed to keep out the damned. As the first rays of the rising sun hit him, Constan blinked and awoke. Groaning, he stiffly sat up and wiped his eyes, I’m getting too old to sleep on the ground. He thought to himself.
He looked around at the slumbering forms of his men, and the three ladies who slept nearby. The sounds of snoring and other noises that men make while sleeping along with the accompanying smell washed over him. He smiled as his eyes scanned many of their faces, They look so peaceful in slumber.
His eyes fell on Maarika. She held Daisy in her arms, who was curled up in a ball, Ye were so troubled yesterday at the loss of Nasir. Your face looks so angelic now in slumber. Ye are so beautiful. Perhaps in another life we could have. . .
Constan’s mind raced at the ramifications of this stray thought before his thoughts settled back down, No! I canna think like that anymore. I’m married to Amata. Despite his attempt at having the correct thoughts that a married man should have, his eyes slowly traced the curves of her body, and his loins stirred.
Without warning a hand grasped his shoulder. Startled he gasped, and tried to rise, and draw his Spatha all in one motion, “Shhhh, sorry to startle you sir. Worried about Maarika?” Athos said.
“Lad, ye nearly startled the life right out of me.” Constan said.
“I apologize, sir.” Athos replied.
“Just donna do it again, clear?” Constan said.
Athos nodded. Constan smiled up at him and said, “Aye, I canna imagine how the lass is feeling right now. She looks so peaceful in slumber.”
“Nasir was a good man.” Athos said,
Constan nodded and said, “Aye, we lost to many good men to the damned, “Nasir, Damon, Nikas, Jirair, Issac, Hadad, Justin, and so many more. Far too many.”
“Shall I get them up?” Athos asked.
“Neigh, let them sleep a bit longer. They deserve the rest.” Constan replied.
The two men sat in silence as the sun slowly rose above the horizon. As the morning chill began to disappear others awoke. Before long several campfires were burning as the men worked to break their fast. As they ate, the officers strategized on what do to next.
“So where do we go from here?” Hovig asked.
“The way I see it, we have two choices.” Constan said. He paused to take a bit out of his campaign biscuit before continuing, “We can march north through Palestinia and most of Syria to reach Antioch on foot.”
Before he could continue Athos interrupted, “What about the ships, and our men in Joppa?”
“Patience, lad, I was getting to that.” Constan paused and took a swig of wine, “As I was saying, we could march straight to Antioch from here. It’s about a seven-day journey if we press hard.” Constan said.
“That’s seven days, if everyone is mounted on horses.” Jerry said.
“True, and I doubt we’d be finding much in the way of good horse flesh around here that isn’t sitting in the pit of a damned stomach.” Constan replied.
“Then we go to Joppa.” Athos said.
“How long will that journey take from here?” Baltazar asked.
“About four or five days I reckon.” Constan said.
“Makes sense. It took us four days to get here, but we were often double timing it, to avoid the damned, or get to away from them.” Hovig said.
“Aye, and there’s the fact that we only have food for three more days.” Constan said.
“Seems like the choice is clear then, we make for Joppa.” Athos said.
Constan cleared his throat and said in a strong voice, “Gor, can you join us please?”
A figure amongst the men stood, turned to face Constan, saluted and said, “At once, sir.”
It took Gor about a minute to pick his way through the assorted men lying about enjoying their meal. Arriving at the gathering of officers, he saluted Constan again and said, “Skutatoi Gor, reporting as ordered sir.”
Constan returned the salute and said, “At ease, lad.” Gor dropped into a parade rest stance as Constan asked, “Is there a way to get to Joppa through the hills, that doesn’t involve using the route we took to get to Jerusalem?”
Gor pondered the question for several moments and said, “My father always stuck to the main road because of the wagon, but the terrain isn’t that difficult. With this size group, and everyone being in good health, we should be able to just make our way through the hills.”
“That sounds like a harder journey than the one we undertook to get here. How many days do ye reckon that would add?” Constan asked.
“I’ve never really done it before sir, so I’d say at least one, maybe two more days to make that trip.” Gor said.
“Sounds like we are going to have to tighten our belts for the trip back.” Baltazar said glumly.
“It would be far worse if we made for Antioch over land.” Hovig said.
“We’d be on half rations the whole time, and go without the last day.” Jerry said.
“Maybe we’ll get lucky and come across a village, or farm with some food stores that we can help ourselves too.” Athea said.
Constan nodded, “Perhaps, but we shouldn’t count on it. We are on half rations until we do. That will give us an extra day of food in case Gor is wrong about the five days. We march for Joppa.” Constan said.
Hovig turned and faced the men who had mostly finished their breakfast and were now lounging about, “Pack up! We’re moving out to Joppa.”
As the men packed up their camping gear, Constan walked over to the True Cross. He reached out with his hand and touched the wood. Turning to Athos who had joined him he said, “It’s warm.”
“We discovered that when we first picked it up.” Athos said and then added, “I thought it was going to be a fake. What are the odds that the Empress Helena managed to discover the exact cross that Jesus was crucified on three hundred years after he was put to death?”
“Pretty damn slim. Add in the fact that the Persians spirted the cross away when they took Jerusalem and the odds become narrower still. The reality cannot lie. God must have led St. Helena to the cross.” Constan said.
“Indeed. There was a part of me that doubted God even existed. I don’t have that doubt anymore.” Athos said.
Constan said, “Hopefully the terrain doesn’t get too treacherous. If it does, we’ll have to leave the wagon behind and carry the cross. How heavy is it?”
“It’s fairly heavy, but nothing that two or three Skutatoi can’t manage on their shoulders for a long march.” Athos said.
“Good, the men carrying it can trade off as well so they don’t tire and slow us down.” Constan said. He turned and saw that the men had broken camp and assembled for orders, “All right you sluggards, we got four maybe five hard days march in front of us. Some of it will be over rough terrain. After that we reach Joppa and our ships. Then two more days on the sea. Once we reach port, the first drink is on me!”
Then men smiled, snapped to attention, and saluted Constan. What they didn’t do was cheer. Such noise could attract any nearby damned and the men had enough discipline to avoid doing that.
“All right you heard the man, let’s get moving!” Hovig said.
As they made their way around the southern side of the city of Bethlehem, they came across a single damned. He was outfitted in chainmail armor that had begun to go to rust. The damned’s armor had been torn asunder over his abdomen. His left shoulder was misshapen and his left a
rm dangled uselessly at his side. Baltazar pointed at the unfortunate and said, “Look, that poor bastard had his armor ripped open.”
“And his guts eaten away.” Athea added with obvious disgust in her voice.
“What’s with the arm you think?” Liana asked.
“I’d say the poor bastard fell from a height and landed on it.” Constan said.
“I wonder what his tale is?” Athos added.
“That armor looks second hand. He wasn’t a Skutatoi of the Tagmata, or even of the Palestinia Tourma.” Constan added.
Hovig pointed at Bethlehem which was only a few hundred feet away and said, “He probably was charged with guarding the walls of Bethlehem.”
“Poor bastard probably died in agony.” Baltazar said.
“And then fell off the wall when he woke up damned.” Athos added.
As the damned noticed them, it began running toward them as fast as its putrid legs would carry it. Before he got within a hundred feet of the group the silence was pierced by a high-pitched hum as Maarika twirled her sling above her head. She carefully took aim at the approaching misshapen undead horror, and hurled the stone at the damned’s head. With perfect precision, her bullet covered the fifty feet that separated them and smashed through tissue and bone, until it came to rest in the unfortunate’s brain. The former member of the Bethlehem City Guard, collapsed to the ground.
As the group reached the body, curious Constan dismounted, along with Athos, and Baltazar to examine the corpse, “He doesn’t have a sheathe for a Spatha.” Constan observed.
“Which means he was probably just wielding a spear like most city guardsmen.” Athos said.
Constan rummaged through the man’s possessions until he drew out a letter that had been tucked between the man’s armor and his clothing. Constan carefully unfolded the letter and began to examine it. It had gotten wet at some point and most of the ink had been washed away, or blurred, but the name the letter was addressed to was still clear, “The man’s name was James.” Constan said.
Byzantium Infected Box Set Page 102
