Clay Warrior Stories Boxset 1

by J. Clifton Slater

  ***

  The Legion garrison lay in darkness Where lanterns should glow from tents, the buildings, and manned guard posts, there was no light. Also, no sounds of marching sentries, snoring men, or Legionaries talking greeted them. For the limited distance Alerio could see in the dark, they could have landed at the wrong pier and climbed to a barren plateau.

  Alerio started towards the path to Bovesia when the Spartan’s fingers wrapped around his arm. Gentle pressure pulled him to his knees. Helicaon gripped his hand and pointed in the direction of the headquarters building. Then, the supply building, and finally, the hand indicated the first of the Legionary’s tents. In his fatigued state, Alerio had forgotten about the Syracuse Raiders.

  While waiting for a morning assault, a well-trained unit would have listening posts. Pairs of men located in front of where the assault squads were cloistered to warn of anyone approaching. Alerio had no reason to doubt the quality of the Raiders’ training.

  Even if he and Helicaon made it up the path to the town’s entrance, they’d be stopped at the barricade. While negotiating with the Legionary guards for entry, their silhouettes would make perfect targets for the archers at the listening posts.

  Alerio reached out. This time it was him taking the Spartan’s hand. He placed it on his shoulder allowing Helicaon to follow in the dark. They soft-footed it to the base of the hill near the edge of the drop off. On one side was the silent Bovesia garrison, and far below, on the other side, the swift flowing Kaikinos River.

  Helicaon dropped his arm from Alerio’s shoulder when the Legionary bent forward. Cautiously, they climbed the steep hill using their hands to navigate the steep grade.

  ***

  “Terrible place for a defense,” whispered Helicaon.

  They were perched at the top of the hill and leaning against the rear wall of a building. If it had been daylight, the two would look ridiculous, like two hikers stranded on a mountain ledge.

  “Climb on my shoulders,” ordered Alerio while turning sideways and squatting down.

  Helicaon placed one, then the other foot on the Legionary’s shoulders. Both used the wall to stand. Alerio reached up and worked his hands under the Spartan’s feet. Once the older man’s weight was resting on his palms, Alerio pressed him up and overhead.

  At first, he didn’t know if the combined height would allow Helicaon to reach the roof. When the weight lifted, Alerio dropped his arms and slumped against the wall. Despite the location and situation, he yawned. Wearily, he began creeping along the top of the hill in the direction of the alleyway and barricade.

  Chapter 59 – The Barricade to Bovesia

  Just Helicaon’s fingertips reached the edge of the clay shingles. He pulled up until his chin came level with the rooftop. Using his chin as an anchor point, he walked his fingers forward to get a better purchase. As if he were a young boy in the Agoge, he nimbly scrambled onto the roof. Memories of Spartan training flashed through his mind. Some happy, some sad, but most bitter and better forgotten.

  He heard whispering, but could only make out two of the Legionaries on guard duty. They were dark forms against the starry night sky. Staying near the edge, he crawled to the front of the building. Below him, lanterns lit the plaza and after a short scurry along the roof’s edge, he located a ladder.

  ***

  Commander Cephas lay wrapped in a blanket. No dreams came to the exhausted Legion Corporal. If they had, they would come as nightmares of howling Illyrian pirates and dead Legionaries. Luckily, he slept dreamlessly, although restlessly.

  “Commander?” asked a voice with a Greek accent.

  Cephas didn’t think the speaker addressed him. He was an NCO; not a Commander.

  “Commander Cephas. Lance Corporal Sisera is outside the barricade,” Helicaon stated. “And there are Syracuse soldiers at your backdoor.”

  Realization came to Cephas and he tossed back the blanket and stiffly climbed to his feet. The weeks of holding down two senior NCO positions had beaten him down. Now, under the weight of Command, he was dipping into reserves he didn’t know existed.

  “Report,” he ordered the Spartan.

  “I’m not one of your Legionaries,” Helicaon reminded Cephas. “Besides, it was Sisera’s mission.”

  “Then, we had better get the Lance Corporal in so I can get my report,” Cephas said as he crossed the plaza to where Third Squad slept. “Private Procopius. Get them up. You’ve got a mission.”

  ***

  Alerio squatted five feet from the barricaded alleyway. With a hint of pink in the eastern sky, he worried about the Syracuse archers. It would only take the weak predawn to highlight him and allow the bowmen to acquire a target.

  A scraping noise, soft as if someone were lifting furniture, came from the barricade. Someone voiced a curse and suddenly the noise of lumber and boxes being tossed to the ground replaced the cautious scraping.

  A torch lit and the shadows of five shields led by pointed javelins rushed from the alley.

  “Password?” demanded Private Procopius.

  Alerio racked his brain. Cephas had mentioned it before he left on the mission. Now, it was lost somewhere in the back of his weary mind. Four arrows slammed into the shields and the Legionaries holding the shields rocked from the impact. The archers were close.

  “Password?” demanded Private Procopius.

  Alerio recognized the voice and uttered the only thing he could think of, he howled.

  The Legionaries standing in the alleyway howled back.

  “Get in here, weapon’s instructor,” Procopius ordered as two shields parted.

  The movement drew four more arrows. As soon as they slammed into the shields, Alerio dove between the Legionaries. He ended up sprawled on the pavers. Procopius reached down, and without letting him stand, dragged him back while shouting, “Third Squad, step back, step back.”

  Other Legionaries rushed forward pushing an upended supply cart. Boxes were stacked on either side of the cart bed and the alleyway was again barricaded.

  “Lance Corporal Sisera,” Cephas exclaimed looking down at the half laying Alerio. “Do you need a nap before reporting in?”

  “No, Commander,” Alerio replied as he climbed slowly to his feet. “But it’s not a bad idea.”

  “We’re rationing water. But after your report,” advised Cephas after sniffing the air. “I’m authorizing a bath for you.”

  “Private Lupus didn’t make it,” Alerio said as they walked away. “Snake bites from what I know.”

  “It was bound to happen despite his squad leader’s warnings,” Cephas replied. “What about my archers? And the Illyrian Navarch?”

  “As planned, the Legionaries have taken to the hills,” Alerio said. “They did a great job of punishing the pirates during the panic. As for the Navarch? He’s alive. But, the Syracuse Sergeant isn’t.”

  ***

  They arrived at the command camp and a Legionary handed Alerio a clay mug. He took a gulp and chewed on a piece of meat he found in the stew.

  “Do you mind if I sit?” Alerio asked as he swayed.

  “Please, before you fall over,” agreed Cephas. “I thought the purpose of the raid was to remove the leader of the pirates. What happened?”

  Helicaon walked into the torchlight and squatted down. He too had a mug of stew.

  “I’d like to hear the answer to that as well,” he stated.

  Both the Garrison Commander and the Spartan watched as Alerio chewed and thought of how to phrase his response.

  “After the harvest, my father likes to go hunting. Have you ever seen a herd of Aurochs during rutting season? The young bulls fight among themselves for the chance to challenge the dominant male,” Alerio explained. “The Illyrian Captains remind me of them. If Navarch Cetea was dead, the winner would become the undisputed leader. With Cetea alive but not able to command, the successful Captain will be weakened.”

  “How do you figure weakened?” demanded Cephas.

  “Beca
use the Captain is unable to challenge the leader,” the Spartan offered. “Although Cetea can’t fight, he still has the title of Navarch.”

  “Hopefully, they’ll have to return to Illyria to settle the issue,” Alerio added.

  “So, you’ve based a strategy on the mating habits of wild cattle?” complained Cephas. “What about the human desire for revenge? Suppose the new top Captain decides to attack?”

  “The pirates want the treasure from the Egyptian merchant ship,” Alerio replied. “Bleed them enough and the cost will exceed the coin.”

  “That’s what we plan to do. Get some rest. It’ll get busy when the sun comes up,” Cephas said as he walked away. Under his breath, he mumbled. “Rutting season and angry Aurochs, may the Gods help us.”

  Alerio unlaced his dual gladius rig and placed it beside his leg. After snuggling against a column on the merchant’s porch, he promptly fell asleep.

  Chapter 60 – Dawn Assaults

  Legionaries marching by woke the slumbering Lance Corporal.

  Alerio opened his eyes and looked from the porch to the plaza in the soft light of predawn. Barely perceivable were the First Squad on the left rooftop, Second on the stairs, and Third Squad lined up on the right rooftop. Another squad, the Fourth, stood guarding the rear alleyway.

  Commander Cephas stood in the center of the plaza and divided his attention between the stairs and the alleyway behind him. To either side of him stood his acting Sergeant and Corporal. These Lance Corporals waited to pass on any orders from the acting Garrison Commander.

  ‘There are no reserve infantrymen,’ Alerio thought as he reached for his dual rig. Someone had left him a helmet and armor. He pulled them on before slinging the dual rig onto his back. ‘When this started there were seventy heavy infantrymen. Now, the garrison is down to forty-eight fit to fight.’

  He slid the helmet on as he approached the commander.

  “Sir. Where do you want me?” Alerio asked.

  “When it starts, report to Fourth at the alleyway,” Cephas replied. “Right now, follow me.”

  They jumped the short distance to the roof of a second plaza’s building and pushed between the shields of Third Squad. Cephas pointed down towards the beach.

  “There are your young bulls,” Cephas announced with a hint of sarcasm.

  The three Illyrian Captains and a fourth man, possible second in command of Cetea’s warship, stood around a raised platform. On the platform lay a large man with thick bandages on his ankles, his wrists, and a fifth wrapped around his head covering his eyes. He didn’t move much, although, from time to time the four Captains stopped arguing, leaned in, and listened.

  “Navarch Cetea has looked better. I’ll grant you that,” Cephas commented. “They’ve been arguing since I could see them. So far, they’ve stacked the Illyrian solders on the stairs and grouped the crews behind them on the first plaza. Then, they went back to their lively discussion.”

  “If it was you in that condition, I’d like at least one run at the enemy,” confessed Alerio. “But, I’m not sure I’d risk losing too many men to revenge your honor, Commander. My apologies.”

  “None needed. And, we have the Syracuse soldiers around back still hidden,” Cephas added. “I can’t see how they’re coordinating with the Illyrians.”

  Alerio glanced back towards the barricaded alleyway then back at the beach. After the third twist of his head, he inhaled deeply and locked eyes with the Commander.

  “They can’t be in communications. The only way the Syracusan Raiders will know when to attack is from the sounds of battle,” Alerio stated. “It’s why they haven’t attacked yet.”

  “I agree with the idea,” Cephas said. “They’ll commit when we’re busy with the Illyrians.”

  “How long will it take the Illyrian soldiers to march up two flights of stairs?” questioned Alerio.

  “What are you thinking, weapon’s instructor?” Cephas asked.

  “That I lead three squads out the alleyway, hit the first group of Raiders, and race back,” Alerio offered.

  “And what do I do with eighteen Legionaries and two NCOs while you are leading a dismounted cavalry charge?” demanded Cephas.

  “Defending the stairs and roofs until we return,” Alerio remarked. “If we surprise the Syracuse Raiders, we can reduce their numbers before their assault.”

  Cephas squeezed his eyes together tightly. He opened them and locked eyes with Alerio.

  “This is one of those suggestion where if I’m wrong people die,” he said softly. “But we are outnumbered. If we don’t take bold action, more of my Legionaries will die. Pick your squads and Lance Corporal Sisera.”

  “Yes, Commander,” Alerio said.

  “Bring them all back to me,” Cephas requested.

  Alerio turned around and shouted, “Third and First, form up on Fourth Squad.”

  As he walked towards the alleyway, Legionaries rushed by and converged on the plaza. Alerio pulled his helmet off and tucked it under his arm.

  “Fourth Squad, half of you, grab as many javelins as you can find,” Alerio instructed. “You are my doorway. The rest of the squad, bows, and arrows. You are my sweepers. Third and First, we’re going to pay the Syracuse soldiers a quick and painful visit. Standby.”

  Thirty boots stomped and the Legionaries replied, “Yes, weapon’s instructor.”

  Moments later, the boxes and cart were pulled back and Alerio, followed by thirty Legionaries, jogged from Bovesia.

  ***

  As they raced down the path, four men with shields and javelins and four men with bows spread out to either side of the Legion column. Before Alerio reached the bottom of the hill, the Raiders at the listening posts were screaming and dying. The sweepers had cleared the line of retreat.

  Rather than angling to the right and the garrison’s gate, Alerio made a sharp left turn and ran along the thorn bush wall. When he was opposite the first Legion tent, he motioned for two Legionaries to pass him.

  “Now,” he shouted.

  The two infantrymen pivoted right and threw their javelins high into the air. Before the tips hit the ground, they pushed their shields to the front and threw their bodies on the throne wall. The shields and the weight of the men crushed the bushes. Leaving the shields, the men rolled off them, grabbed their javelins, and spread to either side of the opening. Alerio stomped across the shield bridge and raced towards the tent. Behind him came twenty, silent heavy infantrymen.

  ***

  In the tent, the ten-man Raider squad relaxed while awaiting the order to attack. They weren’t ready when twenty-one gladii split the goatskin wall of the tent and Legionaries jumped through the rips.

  Alerio stomped one Raider before engaging another. Behind him, he heard the soldier grunt as an infantryman ran his gladius through the man’s chest. Lance Corporal Sisera’s target parried the left gladius but was out of position to deal with the one swinging in from the right. He died with his neck almost severed.

  “The tent is clear,” a squad leader announced. “Orders, Sisera?”

  The assault had gone so well, Alerio pondered the question for a moment. The supply building was close and if he could kill those Raiders?

  He shook off the urge to press his advantage and turned to the squad leader.

  “Withdraw,” he ordered. “Everyone back to Bovesia.”

  They pushed through the slits and ran for the bridge over the thorn bushes. As they retreated, Raiders flowed from the supply building. Arrows arched through the air and began falling around the Legionaries.

  “Put a roof on it,” a Decanus shouted and half the men raised their shields overhead.

  Six men stopped to let the two-man bridge team retrieved their shields. The thorn bushes bounced back to at least half their pre-crushed height.

  “Give me a roof and a wall,” the other squad leader ordered and four shields where held behind as four were held overhead.

  All of the Raiders’ arrows impacted solid shields a
s the Legionaries backed up the hill and the path to Bovesia.

  “They’re using our own arrows against us,” a Legionary said as his shield rocked from an impact.

  “So, next time, carry more,” advised another infantryman. “Don’t leave so many behind.”

  “I wasn’t on arrow duty,” the first Legionary protested. “I had water detail.”

  “Shut up. Step back, get it together First Squad,” the squad leader ordered. “Less jawing, more stepping.”

  ***

  While the First moved steadily to the path, Third Squad rushed ahead. They passed the start of the path and formed an eight-man shield wall.

  From the administration building, Raiders emerged and jogged through the garrison’s gate.

  Alerio stepped in behind the shields.

  “Wait for them to be a step out, Private Procopius,” he advised. “Then slam and stab them. Afterward step back so First can flow through and make contact.”

  The charging Raiders screamed as they reached the Legion line. They hadn’t braced as their plan was to run the Legionaries down. Except, the line of stationary shields suddenly shot forward and staggered the running men. When the gladii tore between the Raiders’ shields, they realized it wasn’t going to be a pleasant day.

  The Legion line stepped back and the Legionaries spread apart. Momentarily, the Syracuse soldiers had breathing space. Seeing light between the shields, the remaining Raiders on the start of the path stepped forward.

  The lights winked out as First Squad’s shields filled in the spaces and hit the Raiders with their shields and gladii.

  Alerio was tempted to wrap his line of twenty Legionaries around the ten-man Raider line. But, the other squad of Syracuse soldiers had reached the garrison gate and Cephas needed his Legionaries back to defend the town.

  “Smash them, and run,” Alerio shouted as he turned and jogged up the hill.

  Behind him, twenty shields hammered the Raiders back. Then the Legionaries turned and sprinted up the slope heading for First Squad’s shields and bowmen.

  Alerio raced around the shields of his doorway squad and slid to a stop. Below him, two lines of Legionaries were chugging up the hill. Slowed by the armor and shields, and the exertion of the attack, some were slowing.