Spilled Blood, page 14
part #2 of Clay Warrior Stories Series
“Pretty much the same thing,” answered Alerio. “Sort of the same thing.”
They reached the harbor intersection and Tomas turned the wagon to the left. Six blocks later they crossed the north-south boulevard.
The sky was pitch black and other than the widely spaced lanterns, there was little light. A single lantern marked the intersection before the city’s defensive wall. Tomas turned left towards the Chronicles Humanum Inn.
Chapter 41 - Colonels Deal in Discipline, Death, and Intelligence
“Colonel Nigellus. Corporal Gratian reporting as ordered, sir,” announced the NCO as he marched into the great room of the inn.
“Corporal. Glad you could make it,” replied the Legion Officer. “What have you brought me?”
“Sir, First, Second, Fourth and Fifty squads,” Gratian stated. “Heavy infantry of the Central Legion. Our armor is in transit but we’re ready to go.”
“I like your spirit Corporal,” Nigellus said. “But, I think we have time to wait for your equipment. Have the men get some rest. It’s going to be a busy day tomorrow.”
“Yes, sir,” the NCO said as he slammed his right fist into his left breast.
Nigellus returned the salute, turned his head and spoke to Thomasious, “I’ve heard people say the Republic is doomed. Our young people are soft and aren’t hard enough to face the struggles we did building it. That young NCO brought forty Legionaries into a closed city and was ready to go into battle without his armor. If he’s an example of our young, the future is in good hands.”
“It’s not the young I worry about,” replied the innkeeper. “It’s the old and scared. The ones who want to stop progress and seek safety behind treaties with our most vicious enemies.”
“Senator Ventus and his compatriots haven’t succeeded yet,” Nigellus reminded him. “I have intelligence from the General. It should be enough for the Senate to stop the treaty.”
“I hope so Champ,” Thomasious said softly. “I hope so.”
The two men sat, each keeping his own counsel, while in the courtyard, forty Legionaries gambled, slept or chatted in the chill of the evening. A Legionary was sitting on a barrel with a cluster sitting around him listening as he softy sang a song. One figure paced between squads offering words of encouragement or advice.
Corporal Gratian, usually the first to take a chance and always up for a bet, couldn’t relax. Being the senior NCO for a clandestine mission going against the wishes of the Senate wasn’t what had him worried. Paramount for the Legion Corporal was the safety of his men.
A long time later the rumble and clatter of a mule team and a wagon came from the side of the inn. Erebus unlatched the gate and swung it open. Tomas urged the mules through the opening and pulled them to a stop in the center of the courtyard.
“Alright people. That wagon isn’t going to unload itself,” a relieved Corporal Gratian announced. “Fifth squad collect your gear. Forth squad stand by.”
Tomas and Alerio climbed to the wagon’s sides and unlashed the goatskin cover. Hands reached in and pulled out armor and shields.
“Just take the top layer,” Tomas instructed. “You can sort out who belongs to what away from the wagon.”
The packing was so precise; all four squads quickly had it unloaded. Alerio noticed a few items laying on the floorboards.
“Is someone missing their gear?” he asked as he glanced around at the Legionaries.
“Yes, Lance Corporal Sisera. You and I are missing our gear,” Tomas explained as he pulled out a set of new armor. “Here. This one is yours. I’ll need it back to adjust it to the duel rig, but for now, it’ll have to do.”
After handing off the armor, a helmet and a shield, Tomas reached back into the wagon. He lifted out the fish scale armor.
“I thought maybe I could test it,” Tomas ventured.
He was standing on the far side of the wagon and a group of Legionnaires had gathered around him to see the fish scale armor.
“Well. Don’t stand there gawking,” Tomas complained. “Help me strap this on.”
As hands reached to hold the armor with the small plates and others to secure straps, Colonel Nigellus appeared in the doorway. He stood looking around at the squads strapping on their armor; he wasn’t seeing them. His mind was turning over a problem.
“Lance Corporal Sisera, Corporal Gratian,” the Colonel called out. “A moment of your time, if you please.”
He started to turn when a voice addressed him from the far side of the wagon, “You’d think, a Centurion would be included in a war planning session.”
Tomas stepped out from behind the wagon. His helmet tucked under his left arm leaving his right free to salute.
“Centurion Kellerian, reporting for duty, sir,” announced the armorer.
“You still look as if you could beat a Recruit into the sand,” Nigellus replied.
“I still can Colonel,” confirmed Tomas.
“In that case, Centurion Kellerian, do join us,” stated Nigellus as he spun on his heels and marched back into the inn.
Once Kellerian, Gratian, and Sisera were seated at a table across from Nigellus and Harricus, the Colonel started speaking.
“Lance Corporal Sisera. You saw this barbarian on the Qart Hadasht boat?” he asked.
“Yes, sir, he met with Gabrielus,” answered Alerio. “On the boat at the pier.”
“The one thing I don’t have is intelligence on the enemy’s plan,” Nigellus explained. “I would like the opportunity to have a talk with the barbarian. Any ideas?”
“Give me five Legionaries to take the boat. And we’ll deliver him to you,” Alerio assured him
“Wouldn’t it be safer to take an entire squad?” asked Corporal Gratian.
“We can sneak six men from here to the harbor,” Alerio explained. “Moving eleven and we’re sure to be seen.”
“That’s an odd take on the manpower requirements for the mission,” challenged the Colonel. “Usually heavy infantrymen prefer going in stomping with a healthy dose of bloodletting. What unit were you with in the eastern Legion?”
“Legion Raiders, sir,” Alerio explained. “Centurion Stylianus and Sergeant Horus’ command.”
“Alright. Corporal Gratian pick five men to accompany Lance Corporal Sisera,” the Colonel ordered then added. “Make sure they’re strong swimmers.”
Centurion Kellerian knew the Republic lacked a large navy and most of their warships were for coastal patrols. Chasing and engaging pirates on the water was dangerous. He agreed with the suggestion to use expert swimmers. Still, putting a young Lance Corporal in charge worried him.
“Ah Colonel, shouldn’t we have a more experienced NCO on the mission?” Kellerian suggested.
“Lance Corporal Sisera, do you need a more experienced NCO?” Nigellus asked.
Alerio stood up and bent his head forward to display the crescent shaped scar on his head.
“I killed four Rebels before I started Recruit training,” he explained. “And I was part of a two-man rescue mission in a warehouse full of Rebels. I wouldn’t think a snatch and grab of a barbarian off a boat guarded by rowers would provide much of a challenge.”
“He doesn’t lack for confidence, does he?” the Colonel asked Kellerian.
“Or experience. I withdraw my objection,” Tomas replied.
“Five expert swimmers, I’m on it sirs,” Corporal Gratian said as he stood. “Come on Lance Corporal Sisera. I’ll introduce you to your team.
Act 6
Chapter 42 - Fire Watch
Alerio lead the five Legionaries out of the inn, past the Cloth Seller’s, the Apothecary, and the Candle Maker’s compounds. The group crossed the road near the city wall and entered an alley. Keeping off the roads, they weaved between merchant compounds following the defensive wall southward before it gently wrapped around towards the west. They veered away from the wall at the south gate to avoid the guardsmen. Once over the boulevard, they slipped back nearer the wall.
When they moved behind the Golden Valley Trading compound, Alerio thought he saw the shape of a man squatting on the roof of the house. But it was dark, the light low, and he figured his eyes were playing tricks on him. Two blocks later, the Legionaries arrived on the southern end of a warehouse.
The six-man snatch team eased along the façade of the warehouse. At the other end, Alerio held up a hand to halt the team. He leaned around the corner to get a glimpse of the harbor and the piers.
“Who are the best talkers?” Alerio asked the Legionaries.
“You looking to parlay you way onto the boat?” a Legionary asked.
“You’re one, who else?” demanded Alerio.
“I talk a pretty good game,” another responded.
“Alright. There are two merchant ships at the dock,” Alerio instructed. “We’re going to march out acting like City Guardsmen. One talker to each of the merchant ships. I want the fire watch on those boats engaged in deep and philosophical discussions with you.”
“You want us to just talk?” one asked in surprise.
“It’s better the ships’ watches be talking to you,” explained Alerio. “Instead of calling for City Guardsmen when the sword fight breaks out on the Qart Hadasht launch.”
“That will only leave us four bodies to take down the ship and snatch the barbarian,” complained another Legionary.
“Actually, you and you are my snatch team,” Alerio said as he tapped the shoulders of the two biggest Legionaries. “The barbarian is on the aft section. When we board, you two charge directly for him. Get him off the boat and on the way to the Colonel. Don’t stop for anything. Once the barbarian is clear you talkers break off from the fire watches and escort the snatch team.”
“There’s going to be Qart Hadasht sailors on that boat,” the one Legionary without an assignment pointed out. “And Lance Corporal Sisera, there are only you and me to clear and hold the deck.”
“I know, that’s why I picked you,” Alerio replied.
“You picked me for a suicide mission?” the Legionary asked with pain in his voice.
“Actually, I picked you because you were singing in the courtyard,” admitted Alerio. “I fancy a song when I fight. Think of a good song for us. Now, four to the front, the talkers in the rear with me. Everyone ready?”
Four of the Legionaries reached out. They patted the singer on his shoulder armor as if to offer condolences. Next, they formed up.
“Forward march,” Alerio ordered and the six Legionaries stepped off.
At the first merchant ship, Alerio shoved a talker out of formation. The Legionary strolled towards the ship.
“Yo, where do you hail from?” he asked as he walked up the ramp.
“Beneventum,” replied the sailor on fire watch.
“Where you there when Pyrrhus attacked the city?” the Legionary inquired. “That was what, fifteen years ago?”
“No. The Greek attacked closer to eight years ago,” the watch replied. “I was in the city when General Dentatus marched in victoriously after the battle.”
“That must have been a sight,” the Legionary said as he sat beside the man. “Tell me about it.”
The voices faded as Alerio and his team moved closer to the second merchant ship. A shove sent the next Legionary towards the ship’s ramp.
“When do you sail?” asked the Legion talker.
“Right after the Festival,” the fire watch replied. “My Captain and First Mate went to see it.”
“And left you here to watch the ship?” asked the Legionary in surprise.
“Yup, I’ve got the duty,” the sailor replied sadly.
“I know the feeling. My Centurion put me on guard duty,” the Legionary commiserated. “I really wanted to see the games and, you know, place a few bets.”
“I too enjoy wagering a few coins on the games,” the sailor admitted.
The talk of gambling faded as the remaining four Legionaries approached the pier where the Qart Hadasht launch was docked.
“By twos, double time march,” Alerio ordered.
The four picked up their pace as the singer fell back with Alerio to allow the bigger snatch team to charge onto the launch.
Their shields hit the Qart Hadasht fire watch who was standing on the ramp. He bounced off the shields, the edge of the ramp, and tumbled into the water. Another sailor sleeping on the deck got stomped unconscious as the two big Legionaries raced down one side of the ship.
At the aft section, the barbarian sat up but was hammered down by one of the big shields.
“It’ll be easier to carry him if he’s asleep,” advised one of the snatch team.
“You carry and I’ll tie his hands,” the other suggested.
So far the snatch and grab had gone smoothly. Except, the boat rocked, the Legionaries’ hobnailed boots made the deck wood ring, and the fire watch in the water began to yell. All this caused the forward hatch to begin vomiting Qart Hadasht sailors. They poured through the hatch from below deck half-dressed and brandishing wicked knives and long heavy clubs.
The Legionnaires noticed something odd about the sailors. Beyond being hunched over, their sloping shoulders went from huge arms and deltoids directly to their ears. They had no necks. As well, they didn’t shout. Rather they squawked and made grunting noises that rose from deep in their throats.
“Trolls,” the Legionary beside Alerio whispered before shouting. “Troll! There are trolls guarding the Qart Hadasht boat.”
Alerio set his shield down on the dock, reached over his shoulders, and unsheathed the two gladii.
“Trolls or rowers, it doesn’t matter. As long as they bleed and die,” Alerio informed him. Then, he suggested, “Now would be a good time to sing.”
“Now Lance Corporal Sisera?” the Legionary asked with a quiver in his voice. “You want me to sing now?”
Two of the odd sailors had reached the snatch team. The unencumbered Legionary used his shield to drive one into the deck. But, all the big shield did was shove the short but massive sailor back. He stabbed at the second sailor and despite drawing blood, his gladius was beat down by a club.
The Legionary holding the barbarian defended his partner’s left side with his shield. As the sailors shoved and beat silently at the snatch team, Alerio took a step forward.
“Sing now! Sing loud,” ordered Alerio as he ran across the ramp and leaped at the two Qart Hadasht sailors.
Chapter 43 – Hold The Line Lads, Hold The Line
“Hold the Line Lads, Hold the Line,” the Legionary sang in a basso voice.
“Who are they? We shout.
They’re in the valley to murder our families.
We’re here to kill, those homicidal savages.
Hold the Line Lads, Hold the Line.”
“Who is she? We shout.
A brown eyed girl looking for a rescuer.
You’re the right Legionary, to be her deliverer.
Hold the Line Lads, Hold the Line.”
“What if I die? We shout.
They’ll cut us down from left to right.
Second line up, fill the gaps and fight.
Hold the Line Lads, Hold the Line.”
“Know what I think? We shout.
In a melee brawl, it’s not political debate.
It’s gladius muscle, as Gods test your fate.
Hold the Line Lads, Hold the Line.”
“Why did I join? We shout.
Cause Sergeants care for you just like.
Your mommy did, on cold winter nights.
Hold the Line Lads, Hold the Line.”
The bottoms of Alerio’s boots slammed into the sailors’ hips. They were short and stocky yet the angle of collision bent them sideways. The two sailors blocking the snatch team flew across the deck. Alerio landed on his back. But not for long, he popped up and spun to face the rest of the advancing rowers. Suddenly, the two shields of the snatch team flanked him.
“Don’t defend me,” he sneered. “Your only job is to get the barbarian to Colonel Nigellus. This is my job.”
Alerio began weaving figure eights in the air with his gladii while stepping forward.
“What if I die? We shout. They’ll cut us down from left to right,” he sang as his blades came closer and closer to the mob of sailors. “Second line up, fill the gaps and fight. Hold the Line Lads, Hold the Line.”
The closest two sailors realized the danger and backed up into the other six. For a moment, the Qart Hadasht rowers bunched together freeing a narrow path to the ramp. Just as the snatch team reached the end of the ramp, the sailors let out inhuman screeches and surged forward. The snatch team was driven back.
From the ramp, the singer rushed forward and smashed into the rowers’ flanks. They staggered to the side from the shield’s impact and the path to the ramp reopened.
“Who is she? We shout. A brown eyed girl looking for a rescuer,” Alerio and his Legionaries sang. “You’re the right Legionary, to be her deliverer. Hold the Line Lads, Hold the Line.”
The snatch team reached the ramp and the Legionary singer backed up using his shield to seal off access from the ship.
Alerio chopped a sailor’s hand off and for a heartbeat he looked into the face of the rower. The man opened his mouth and let out an animal sound from deep in his throat. That’s when Alerio noticed the rower’s tongue had been cutout. As the man sank to the deck holding the stump, Alerio drove his other gladius from near the deck upward and split the chin of another sailor.
“Know what I think? We shout,” Alerio sang as he stomped a foot and neatly peeled off a section from another’s sailor’s scalp. “In a melee brawl, it’s not political debate. It’s gladius muscle, as Gods test your fate.”
From the two Legionaries racing down the merchant ships’ ramps, the snatch team with the barbarian, and the Legionary singer, he heard, “Hold the Line Lads, Hold the Line.”
But the final words of the song were sung from near the corner of the warehouse as they raced away with the barbarian captive. Another sound followed the fading notes. City Guardsmen were calling out as they descended on the harbor.
