Spilled Blood, page 13
part #2 of Clay Warrior Stories Series
“So how can I help?” asked the armorer.
“At first I was going to ask you to armor the squads,” Alerio replied. “but there was a change in plans. Corporal Gratian, who’s in charge of the infiltration, is having the squads bringing their own gear. I was hoping you had an idea of how forty sets of Legionary armor, helmets, and shields could be transported secretly from Fireguard to the Chronicles Humanum Inn?”
“Aromataque et Saccharo,” Tomas announced with a smile.
Chapter 37 - Aromataque et Saccharo
Retired Centurion Kellerian bolted the door after the young Lance Corporal left. Despite what he’d told Sisera, he did miss the Legion and the comradeship of his fellow Officers. Before heading to the rear of the Historia Fae compound, he stopped at the fish scale armor and lifted it off the stand.
In short order, the gate on the compound opened and Tomas flicked a whip over the heads of the mule team. They jerked forward and the wagon bumped over the curb and into the street. He jumped down and secured the gate before climbing back into the wagon.
Three blocks later, he turned east on the boulevard. Four blocks from the east gate a patrol of four City Guardsmen approached the wagon.
“What are you doing out this late in the evening, Master Kellerian?” asked the Lance Corporal still ten feet in front of the mules.
“Heading the long way around to the tanners,” Tomas replied. “Giving the mules a little exercise.”
“It’s an odd time to be doing business,” another Guard suggested. “Maybe we should have a look in the wagon.”
“Sure, have a look. But be careful of Aromataque,” Tomas warned.
The Guard patrol was three feet in front of the mules when the mule on the left stretched out her neck and snapped at the guardsmen. Even as they danced away, she attempted to pursue them across the street. The only thing preventing the mule from attacking the guard patrol was the anchor of her teammate on the right.
“I was going to suggest you cross beside Saccharo,” Tomas said. “Aromataque is the reason I do business at night when the streets are empty. Still want to look in the wagon?”
Aromataque was twisted half way around in her harness and baring her teeth at the guardsmen. They inched along sideways until they were past the rear of the wagon.
“No, it’s fine Master Kellerian, you have a good night,” the Lance Corporal said as they walked away.
“Yo, Aromataque et Saccharo, move it. You stubborn mules,” Tomas ordered while snapping the whip over the team’s head.
The laughter of the guardsmen faded as they walked away and talked about the angry mule. Tomas turned the team and wagon onto the next street on the left and guided them towards the Fireguard District.
Behind him, men began yelling and shouting at the east gate. The guardsmen patrol reversed course and ran to help the sentries posted there. Tomas ignored the disturbance and kept a light hand on the reins as the team went from the clip-clops of the paved streets to the dirt and gravel road leading into Fireguard.
Chapter 38 - Two Things
Alerio changed his stride to the shuffling gait as he made his way into the Fireguard District. No one paid attention to him and soon he arrived at the last street before the earthen rampart. He maintained the gait of a weary worker as he climbed the steps to the third floor landing.
Before following the landing around the corner of the building, he pulled a mask over the lower half of his face.
There were five customers lingering over their wine. It was late and after the crowd of festival watchers had left the pub, it was mostly empty. From the looks of the five patrons, they had been nursing their vino for a long time.
“Proprietor. I have a proposition for you,” Alerio announced as he stepped around the corner and into The Wine Trough.
“You come in here masked saying you have a proposition for me,” challenged the pub’s owner. He snatched up a club with one hand and produced a short iron knife with the other. “I can imagine the offer,” he ventured with sarcasm.
“I’m meeting associates here this evening and I am willing to pay for privacy,” explained Alerio. “The mask and offer are because my business isn’t for the public. Now, do we discuss terms or should I go to a pub that wants my coin?”
“Five gold,” announced the owner.
“I’ll pay you five coppers to replace the business from these fine gentlemen,” Alerio offered waving at the customers. “And three silvers for a couple of hours.”
“Done. We are closed,” shouted the proprietor. He came out from behind the oak barrel counter and began shooing the five drunks out of the pub.
While he emptied The Wine Trough, Alerio stacked five Republic coppers on the bar. By the time the owner finished clearing out the room, Alerio had placed three silvers beside the coppers. As the owner walked over looking fondly at the coins, Alerio dropped a Republic gold on the bar.
“What’s that for?” asked the proprietor.
“Two things,” replied Alerio. “One is where can I find a Lieutenant of the Cruor? I can locate any number of their street thugs myself. I could ask one of them but it would get messy, and that’s no way to open negotiations. What I want is a name and directions to a top guy.”
The owner eyed the gold coin. Crime groups valued his discretion and the off-the-grid location of his establishment. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to break that trust until Alerio began moving his hand over the gold coin.
“Spurius Kanut,” the pub owner announced as he shoved Alerio’s hand away from the coins. “The Cruor have a building in the west arm of Firebreak. It’s where they collect and count the coins from their businesses. You don’t want to go to the building uninvited. Kanut keeps men-at-arms there for security.”
“Spurius Kanut. Thank you for the information,” proclaimed Alerio as he stepped back while the owner scooped up the coins.
“What’s the second thing?” the man asked as he turned to face Alerio. He cupped the coins protectively in both hands.
Alerio shrugged off the cloak, reached over his shoulders and grabbed both gladii. In one smooth motion, the swords came free, and arched over ending up resting on the pub owner’s shoulders. The sharp blades lay an inch on either side of the man’s neck.
“Like I said, this meeting is private,” Alerio stated. “Turn around slowly and lead us into the back room.”
Still cupping the coins in his hands, the man was placed in a wooden chair. Alerio looped line around the pub owners’ upper body and tied his ankles together. Then as a final act, he wrapped the pub owner’s head in layer after layer of cloth he found in the back room.
“After we’re gone, you can shrug off the rope, untie your feet, and free yourself,” explained Alerio. “If I see or hear you during my meeting, I’ll come back in here and cut off your head. Do you understand?”
The mess of cloth around the man’s head nodded vigorously. Alerio closed the door, reached out and grabbed a piece of kindling. After wedging the wood under the door, he walked to a brazier on the porch.
In the distance, he could hear the sounds of men’s voices rising and fading. Apparently, the uprising at the east gate was in full riot. Using a spade, he selected a small coal from the brazier. Leaning over the porch rail, Alerio tossed the ember underhanded.
The small glowing particle flew from the porch to the near edge of the earthen rampart and over the flat top where it lost altitude. The hot coal nipped the far side of the dirt fortification. The collision ended its flight but momentum carried the hot coal over the edge. It rolled five feet down the steep dirt wall before the ember died.
Chapter 39 - Walking on Air
Corporal Gratian had his Century kneeling in the dark twenty feet back from the steep dirt wall. While he could see lights on the porches glowing from the other side, he was confident the patrons couldn’t see his Legionaries waiting in the dark. When the burning ember rolled over the lip of the wall, it’s short illuminating roll was as good as an arrow pointing to the breaching location.
Two men carrying long poles ran to bracket the marked area. Following closely were eight men toting three lengths of ladders lashed together. The poles were tied to the ladder and, as the poles raised, the end of the ladder elevated. The last four men on the extended ladder shoved it beyond the length of the poles and higher up the earthen wall.
Three men charged at the ladder and began to climb. Strapped to two of their backs were ten-foot ladders. The third carried three long poles. They all had lengths of hemp rope over their shoulders.
Alerio saw the tip of the ladder before the first Legionary finished climbing to the top of the wall. The man unslung the ladder from his back and set it to the side. Next, he began pounding stakes into the far side of the earthen rampart. Another man appeared and he laid his ladder down so it over lapped the first ladder by three rungs. Afterward, he joined the Legionary pounding in the stakes. Ropes were tied to the newly drive stakes and one man crawled partially forward until his upper body hung over the far edge of the rampart.
Two Legionaries lashed the three poles to the two ten-foot lengths of ladders. Now, the joined and reinforced ladders created a footbridge fifteen feet long. They lifted the ladders, spun them in the direction of The Wine Trough’s porch, and dropped them.
Alerio caught the end of the footbridge and secured it to the railing. By the time he finished with the last knot, an armored Legionary with his shield strapped to his back came over the far edge. Quickly, the man strolled confidently to the end of the narrow and flimsy footbridge. He paused while stakes were driven in and ropes tied to the other end of the ramp. A slap to his leg sent the Legionary moving onto the bridge.
Alerio reached up and helped the man step slowly down from the rail. It was human nature to bend and leap from a surface to start a jumping movement. The last thing they wanted was a heavily armored Legionary putting launch pressure on the temporary platform. Helping him down prevented the impulse to jump. The first across joined Alerio and together they helped the next Legionary down. Then, Alerio was shoved aside as the Legionary took his post.
The third man to cross was Corporal Gratian.
“It’s like walking on air,” he said as the two Legionaries helped him to the porch. “What’s the plan, Lance Corporal Sisera?”
“Centurion Kellerian should have his wagon in the alley at the bottom of the stairs,” Alerio reported. “It’s best not to congregate. Why don’t you go down and send the men off two or three at a time?”
“Thinking on your feet, I like it,” Gratian said. “Must be the Raider influence. See you later Recruit.”
Three men had crossed while they talked. Gratian led them to the door and the landing. He paused just outside the entrance. When two more Legionaries had made it to the porch, the Corporal led them away.
“First Squad is out,” the two helpers announced when the last of their men crossed the footbridge. “Second Squad. You have the duty.”
They were relieved by two new Legionaries and walked heavy-footed to the pubs exit. Alerio hadn’t thought about it but now glanced at the porches to either side of The Wine Trough. Two men stood on one of the neighboring porches. They were standing with their mugs of wine held out in salute. The other porch was empty.
Fourth and Fifth squads crossed and as the last Legionary headed for the exit, Alerio untied the footbridge. Then, he stood staring at the Legionaries on the berm. One signaled for him to push the ladders away from the railing. He did and the end fell into the void between the building and the earthen rampart. But the other end was anchored so the footbridge simply fell away. Two Legionaries pulled it up hand over hand while the third knocked out the stakes. Soon the dirt was smoothed flat so there were no signs of the squads’ passing.
Chapter 40 - Nice Evening for a Moonlit Drive
Alerio arrived at the alley as Corporal Gratian sent his two final Legionnaires off into the night. The Lance Corporal and the Corporal grinned at each other in relief. All four squads were in the city and making their way to the inn and their Colonel.
“Can I get a hand here?” asked Tomas impatiently. “That is if you’re not too busy planning the conquest of Qart Hadasht.”
The armorer stood on the back of the wagon holding a goatskin tarp. In the wagon were layers and layers of neatly placed Legion armor, helmets, and shields.
“Sorry Master Kellerian,” Alerio apologized as he jumped onto the wagon.
“I’ll see you at the inn Centurion,” Gratian said as he moved out of the alley. “Take care of the Recruit.”
Before Alerio could respond, the Corporal had turned the corner.
“Knew him before you joined the Legion?” asked Tomas as he lashed down the covering.
“We did a little business on my way through the Transfer Post,” explained Alerio. “Are you sure you want me with you. I’m avoiding the City Guard for a couple of reasons.”
“Good. It’ll give us something to talk about on our tour of the City,” Tomas said as he stepped up to the driver’s bench. “If we do run across any curious City Guards, you act deaf and dumb. I’ll handle them.”
Alerio climbed up beside the armorer and Tomas snapped the whip.
“Yo, Aromataque and Saccharo, move it. You stubborn mules,” he urged.
The wagon pulled from the alley and Alerio was surprised when Tomas guided the mules in a northerly direction.
“The Chronicles Humanum Inn is that way,” Alerio said while pointing to his left.
The wagon completed its turn before Tomas replied, “You are a bright lad. With an intellect like yours, you should be a scholar, not a Legionary.”
“Sorry. It’s not easy being a deaf and dumb assistant,” Alerio said sheepishly.
A man was staggering down the center of the street in a direct line with the mule team.
“Don’t do it Aromataque,” Tomas shouted, “Ah, hades. Saccharo haw, haw.”
The mule on the left had started to angle towards the unsuspecting drunk. At Tomas’ command, the mule on the right shouldered her team mate and the wagon moved. The intoxicated man passed safely along the right side.
“The mules are Sugar and Spice?” asked Alerio.
“They are mules,” Tomas replied. “I couldn’t rightly call them lighting and thunder. It would be insulting to Jupiter and every respectable Legion warhorse. Now. Tell me why you’re dodging the City Guard.”
They rolled out of the Fireguard District and onto the paved roads of the Capital City. As they traveled, Alerio explained about the bounty on his head by the Cruor and how he needed to confront Spurius Kanut. He went on to describe his fight with Daedalus where the City Guard Corporal attempted to collect the reward in a competition. Finally, he brought the armorer up to date on his dealings with the Fireguard Brigade.
Tomas turned after eight blocks and headed the team westward. They talked softly and rolled across the deserted city. Before they reached the left leg of Firebreak District, he guided the team south heading towards the stockyards.
“It sounds like you need to get out of the city,” Tomas suggested.
“That’s what I’ve been trying to do,” Alerio said. “But the transport has been delayed.”
The aroma of the stockyard drifted to them and Tomas took a turn and a few blocks later turned again on the road leading towards the Temple of Portunus.
“I don’t want to be too close to the west gate when we cross the boulevard,” explained Tomas. “As it is, we may get stopped. Remember, you are a deaf mute so act accordingly.”
Tomas and Alerio fell into silence as the east-west boulevard came into sight. As the mules clopped towards the doublewide road, the same patrol as before came marching from the east.
“Still exercising the mules, Master Kellerian?” the Lance Corporal asked then added. “I see you’ve picked up a passenger.
“Handling raw leather is hard work,” Tomas explained as he slowed the mules so the guard patrol would be in front of his team. “I needed someone with a strong back and one who knows how to keep his mouth shut.”
“You there. What’s it like working with the Armorer to the Gods?” another teased.
Tomas swung around and clubbed Alerio in the shoulder with the whip handle. “He’s deaf and dumb,” Tomas explained. “As I said, I like my help to keep their mouths shut. With him, it doesn’t matter.”
Alerio opened his mouth in surprise but didn’t utter a sound when the whip handle smashed into his shoulder. He peered out from under his cloak at the armorer. Tomas ignored him as he pulled on the reins as if attempting to restrain the mules. In fact, he pulled both to their left.
“Aromataque gee, Aromataque gee,” Tomas shouted at the mule before saying to the City Guardsmen. “Sorry. She’s getting tired and ill-tempered. Do you want to search my wagon? There’s nothing like the aroma of fresh leather, goat urine, and lye to liven up your evening.”
Between the thought of smelling fresh tanner’s products while avoiding the snapping jaws of the mule, the City Guard decided against searching the wagon. The Lance Corporal motioned for the wagon to move on.
“Have a good morning, Master Kellerian,” the Guard said.
As the wagon crossed the boulevard, they could hear the guards talking about how mean it was to strike a deaf mute so hard. It just confirmed the guardsmen’s opinion that Kellerian was a tough taskmaster and none of them would like working for him.
Along the quiet road bordering the Portunus Temple, Alerio whispered, “That hurt.”
“I know,” admitted Tomas. “But it had to be convincing.”
“Now I understand what Nigellus meant,” Alerio replied.
“Nigellus was a good student,” commented Tomas. “He knew how to take a hit. What did he say?”
