Without the sail, the overloaded merchant vessel slowed and began to rock in the gentle waves of the Ionian Sea. Once the oars were dipped and put into use, the ship moved toward shore.
“Back-her-down,” shouted Captain Hadrian.
The four oarsmen reversed strokes and the ship slowed. But momentum allowed it to travel enough that the merchant vessel gently nudged the sandy bottom.
“Hold water,” he instructed and the transport stopped before running onto the beach. “That’s as close as I can get you, Lance Corporal.”
“It’s close enough Captain Hadrian. Thanks for the ride,” responded Alerio.
Decanus Sisera leaped from the foredeck and landed in waist deep water. Hadrian tossed down a bundle containing his armor, helmet, and gladii. As he waded to the beach, he heard Hadrian shout, “Stroke. Stroke. Get us away from the shallows.”
By the time Alerio reached the shore, the transport was in deep water and turning eastward.
***
Alerio marched across the sand and gravel to a set of wide steps cut into a rocky hill. Twenty steps later, he came level with the first buildings of the settlement. The rest of the clay brick structures rose as the trading town stepped to higher and higher elevations.
“Beverage, Legionary?” asked a man sitting at a table outside one of the buildings. “Salt spray dries a man out something fierce.”
Alerio started to pass by then remembered his assignment. Instead of climbing higher, he rested his armor and helmet package on the table.
“What have you got?” he inquired.
“Some watered wine and spring water,” the man offered. “But the pride of my establishment is my beer. Best in Bovesia.”
“Sold,” Alerio said as he dropped four coppers on the table before sitting down. “Join me.”
The merchant swung his legs off the table and stood. Alerio almost missed the markings. While the man wore sandals with thin tie straps, his ankles and calves were indented in wide, deep strips like the kind made by heavy military boots.
The man returned with two mugs brimming with frothy foam. Alerio took a sip as the man dropped into the other chair.
“Pholus, brewer of fine beer,” the man exclaimed while lifting his mug.
“This far exceeds any beer we made on my father’s farm,” exclaimed Alerio as he wiped the foam from his upper lip. “Well done, Master Pholus.”
Pholus beamed with pride and explained, “Greek copper. Instead of clay or wooden barrels, I brew it in top quality Greek copper.”
“Is it hard to get?” inquired Alerio.
The man laughed, pointed out to sea, and rotated his arm a little to the right. “Greece is just over the horizon about seven days rowing and sailing,” he said. “I bought the pot off a merchant and have been perfecting the mash ever since.”
“Do you get many Greek ships here?” asked Alerio.
“Legionary. I can tell you’ve never been to Bovesia,” the man advised. He took a pull from his clay mug. “Ships traveling up the coast to the east, heading for deep water going west, and those bound for Greece, Egypt, Qart Hadasht and other southern places stop here to resupply. Before heading out on a long sea voyage, or returning to the coast, they all stop at Bovesia.”
Alerio thanked Pholus, hoisted his gear, crossed to the set of steps and began the climb to the second plaza level. A glance to his right gave him a view of the Kaikinos River. Its murky water ended a short way out into the blue water of the Ionian Sea. Fishing boats beached on the far side of the river rested near rustic huts of reeds and wood. Between the huts and boats were fish drying racks.
On the next plaza level, Alerio found merchant buildings. Nets, hemp rope, copper and metal goods were on display. He imagined there were other repair items inside. An enclosure holding five mules gave a hint as to how the sold merchandise got transported to the beach.
***
He located the crews from the five beached boats on the third level plaza of Bovesia. It was a mad jumble of activities. Smoke from roasting meat filled the air. The yelling of slightly intoxicated men and cheers from a number of games created a roar. Even a couple of bards, vying for the crewmen’s attention and coins, sang or recited verses.
Alerio shoved into the crowd and grabbed a man.
“Where is the Legion garrison?” he demanded of the oarsman.
“Over the crest,” the man replied before staggering away.
Alerio shoved aside a few more sailors, threaded an alleyway, and stepped to the back of the buildings. Down a narrow trail were two buildings and four tents. It was obvious from the indentions in the dirt that not too long ago four additional tents had also occupied the garrison space. A wall of thorn bushes surrounded the buildings, tents, and parade and practice field. Spying a Legion banner outside one of the buildings, Alerio headed down the hill.
Chapter 21 - Bovesia Garrison
“Tesserarius. Decanus Alerio Sisera, Eighth Squad, Third Century reporting in,” Alerio announced while stepping up to a desk in one of the buildings.
“Since when does the Third have eight squads?” inquired the Corporal. “And where are your men?”
“They aren’t due for several weeks,” Alerio replied.
“So, what am I supposed to do with you in the meantime?”
“I’m a gladius instructor,” Alerio informed the NCO. “It seems obvious to me.”
“I’m Cephas. We’ll put you with supply in building two until your tents arrive,” the Corporal declared. “Go and settle in. You can introduce yourself at the morning formation.”
***
While not large, the room in the supply building, behind the quartermaster’s shelves, had a desk, a window, and a bed. All the comforts of a barracks, plus a bonus, it was a single. As Alerio stowed his equipment, he realized he was hungry.
After strapping the single gladius around his hip, he left the building. Beyond the briar bush wall, the trail headed up the hill towards the highest level of the town.
He noticed wooden stairs climbing the back of one building. The steps ended at a tall stand on the roof. Three Legionaries stood with their backs to the camp so they could watch over the town and the Ionian Sea beyond. A long trumpet rested beside one of them.
The festivities were still in full swing when he reached the top of the hill. Picking the least riotous dining establishment, Alerio pushed through the crowd onto the broad porch of the Columnae Herculis. Once he located a doorway, the hungry NCO entered the restaurant.
***
“Food in the dining room,” a powerfully built man stated. He easily looked down on the top of Alerio’s head. “You can drink outside.”
Alerio studied the speaker. The man was tall and heavily muscled to the point a comparison with a bull wouldn’t be out of line. From the callouses on his hands, Alerio figured he’d spent a lot of years pulling an oar.
“Food,” Alerio advised the man.
“Over there,” the waiter instructed by indicating a table across the room.
Instead of escorting him, the greeter walked away. The table was unoccupied and it’s other three chairs moved to accommodate diners at larger tables. Not only was the small table empty, it sat between two large ones. The spot was perfect for a man who wanted to fade into the background and listen for information.
An unordered platter of lamb and vegetables landed on the table.
“I didn’t order yet,” Alerio advised the muscular server.
“You want the food or not?” the man asked as he began to pull the platter from the table.
“Stop. Lamb will be fine,” Alerio relented. “You just caught me by surprise.”
“Don’t get caught by surprise in Bovesia,” the giant suggested as he walked to a table near the front. The occupants didn’t notice the server approach. They were too busy conversing through a window with a rowdy group of people on the porch. “Eat inside,” the large man announced. He studied the table full of empty platters and half-filled mugs. �
��Drink outside.”
With platters stacked in his big hands, the giant didn’t see the fist. It slammed into the bottom of the platters driving them up and into his face. Two men swung from hip level as the plates fell away. Together, they hammered his grease and food scrap covered face.
Alerio chewed and watched the show. Figuring the big man could handle four sailors, he speared another bit of lamb and popped it in his mouth. His contented chewing stopped when a sailor drew a knife.
The knifeman circled the melee where his three friends were absorbing blows from the giant. As if to sneak away, the man bent down and crab walked around the fighters. His eyes, however, weren’t focused on the exit.
Recognizing a man seeking a weak spot on a target, Alerio jumped from his chair and charged at the knifeman. As he approached, the sailor caught the movement out of the corner of his eye. The knife’s point swept around and rose until it was aimed at Alerio’s gut.
‘In four steps, the Legionary will be impaled on my blade,’ calculated the knifeman. ‘Then I can cut the big Athenian.’
But the charging Legionary stopped at three steps and a shuffle from the knifepoint. The knifeman thrust the blade forward to close the distance. He got agitated when the hand holding the knife flared off to the side. When he pulled back his wrist, the stranger’s wrist stayed attached to it. Jerking his arm up to disengage, the hand holding the knife, aided by pressure from the strangers’ hand, rose too fast and traveled too far. The knifeman had to rock his head to the side so the blade only nipped his ear.
Alerio had the knifeman’s right arm up and out of the way. Just as he made a fist with his left hand preparing to drive it into the sailor’s ribs, the knifeman collapsed. The blunt end of a herder’s club withdrew over Alerio’s shoulder. Turning to see who knocked out the sailor, Alerio came face-to-face with a handsome woman.
She was tall, with a cascading mane of wild black hair framing her face. But it wasn’t the height or the hair that fixed him in place. It was the gold flecks in her brown eyes and the challenge in her stare.
“Out,” she ordered. “No fighting inside.”
Alerio’s sense of what a fight was or wasn’t didn’t match the situation. So, he laughed. Her eyes narrowed and the herder’s club rose from alongside her long leg. He didn’t mean to look that closely, but her leather pants did nothing to hide her shape.
The shift from facing a knife brandishing sailor to facing a beautiful woman armed with a club was too much. Alerio doubled over with laughter while holding out a hand to stop her from hitting him with the club.
“Out,” she insisted while pointing the weapon at the doorway.
From across the room, a familiar voice called out, “Need help Marija?”
“No. Hyllus and I have it under control,” she replied to Corporal Cephas. Then to Alerio ordered. “Get out, now.”
Tesserarius Cephas had just walked into the triclinium. Flanking him were two armored Legionaries. The three didn’t look pleased to see the new squad leader facing off against Marija.
Alerio, from past experience, knew nothing good could result from confronting someone in a cafe. Pulling out a few coins, he dropped them on the table and headed for the door. Corporal Cephas’ face was screwed down in an unpleasant expression and he didn’t acknowledge Alerio’s nod. As Lance Corporal Sisera approached the threshold, the giant came in from the porch. He noticed Alerio heading for the door.
“You. Finish your food,” ordered the big man.
“The lady said to get out,” Alerio explained.
“Woman. See this?” the giant asked while raising his arms to shoulder level and turning in a full circle.
“See what, Hyllus?” she asked curtly. Despite the short question, her face softened and the scowl lifted.
“No knife holes,” he said lowering one arm and drooping it over Alerio’s shoulder. “If it wasn’t for him, there would be a hole. Or, a couple of holes. Did you see any?”
“No, I don’t see any holes but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t install a few myself,” she replied. “All right, he can stay.”
She made the pronouncement, marched to the back of the dining room, and disappeared through a rear door.
“Hyllus,” the big man said to Alerio. “That’s my woman Marija. We own this fine establishment.”
“Lance Corporal Alerio Sisera,” replied Alerio. “I’ve just reported to Bovesia garrison and stopped in for a bite. I can leave if it’s going to cause a problem.”
“Marija, you barbarian of a Macedonian, can the little guy stay?” shouted Hyllus.
Alerio had been called a lot of things over the years, but little wasn’t one of them. However, after craning his neck to look up at Hyllus, he decided most people were little in comparison to the giant.
“Oh, he can stay you sweet talking Athenian. But you should take the next boat back to Greece,” Marija bellowed from the back room. “Or, you can stop hanging around like a King holding court, and come back here and help me move this kettle.”
“Duty calls. Go eat Lance Corporal,” Hyllus said as he ambled towards the rear. “I’ll bring you a honey cake for dessert.”
Chapter 22 – Beaching Fees
Alerio had just taken a bite of lamb when Cephas and the two Privates approached his table.
“Good afternoon, Tesserarius,” Alerio said in greeting. “You missed the excitement.”
“Seeing you squared off with Marija was more excitement than I needed,” Cephas admitted. “I was afraid you’d messed me up.”
“How so?” inquired Alerio.
“There are two other restaurants in Bovesia. One is a glorified gambling hall, and the other is a favorite of oarsmen who like to wrestle,” explained Cephas. “The Columnae Herculis is quiet and peaceful thanks to Marija and Hyllus.”
“I can see the giant keeping everything orderly,” acknowledged Alerio.
“Oh, he’s tough enough but his wife is the dangerous one,” Cephas said to Alerio’s surprise. “I supposed you noticed the club and the leather pants? But did you pay attention to the short sword on her left hip? Most men miss that until it’s buried in their guts.”
“Never saw it,” Alerio declared. “I was too busy laughing.”
“Anyway, I use their dining room to meet with ship’s captains and collect beaching fees,” Cephas informed him. “They don’t mind coming in here. Although they do mind paying the Republic’s fees for stopping at Bovesia.”
“Why would they pay?” asked Alerio. “They could pull into any inlet.”
“Legion protection while docked,” explained Cephas. “The beach, this town, and the supplies are guarded by us. Without the Republic, pirates would take over within a week.”
“Sounds noble,” Alerio ventured. “You know, keeping the trade routes safe.”
“I never thought of it like that,” Cephas confessed. Then he glanced around to watch a man come in from the porch. “Ah, my first merchant captain of the afternoon. Enjoy your meal.”
While the Corporal, followed by his Legionaries, made for a table in the corner to collect a fee, Alerio looked down at his cold lamb and vegetables. He shoved the platter away. A glance showed him the restaurant was mostly empty, but the party on the porch was going strong. He was about to stand when two shadows fell across his table.
“Lance Corporal Sisera. This is my woman, Marija,” Hyllus said.
The big man placed a plate holding a slice of honey cake on the table as well as three mugs of ale. Then, the big man pulled two chairs from the adjacent table and held one for Marija.
“I’m perfectly capable of getting my own chair,” she complained but the tone didn’t match the smile she flashed at the giant.
“Of course, you are, my sweet,” Hyllus assured her as he sat in the other chair and picked up a mug. “To my savior.”
“I thought you were with the sailors. When I came out of the kitchen it appeared you had a falling out with your crewmen and started a fight,” Marija descr
ibed while reaching out and laying a hand on the big guy’s arm. “Hyllus explained that you came to his rescue. Thank you.”
“Not much of a rescue; he had them handled. I just detoured the knifeman,” Alerio remarked. Then he asked. “Where are you from?”
Chapter 23 – Divisive Politics and True Love
“I was an oarsman on a Greek ship,” Hyllus started to say.
“Don’t be humble. He was first oar on an Athenian Navarch’s quinquereme,” she boasted. “I have all his medals and trophies in a trunk in the back. Go ahead, love.”
The big man waited a heartbeat to be sure she was finished before continuing.
“The Macedonians launched a fleet of warships and military transports,” Hyllus told Alerio. “The army was bound for the coast between Thebes and Athens. The strategy was to march on Athens from the backside of our defenses. But we discovered their plans and our fleet met them in the Aegean Sea. By nightfall, their transports had turned back. Their fleet stayed to cover the retreat. During the naval battle, we captured the Macedonian General and their Navarch.”
“Hyllus. Please,” Marija uttered in exasperation.
“All right. As the First oar, once the ship-to-ship fighting started, I grabbed my shield and sword,” the big man said haltingly as if speaking about himself was difficult. “I boarded the Macedonian flag ship and joined in the hand-to-hand fighting. I was swinging and blocking from behind my shield when all of a sudden, it ended. Somehow, I was in the lead. As the first fighter in the rank, the Macedonian General and Navarch surrendered to me. The rest of their fleet fled.”
“We floated around for two days to be sure their warships didn’t come back,” explained Hyllus. “On the second day, a single Macedonian bireme rowed between our picket line. It seemed their King wanted his commanders back. My Navarch thought it would be fun to sail into their harbor and deliver them personally. So, we rowed in and my commanders left the ship to personally escort the Macedonians to their King. A squad of our soldiers was on the docks guarding the approach. I had nothing to do, so I grabbed a block of wood, my best knife, and I sat with them while I carved. Then the most beautiful woman in the world danced onto the pier.”
Clay Warrior Stories Boxset 1 Page 53
