Spilled Blood, page 20
part #2 of Clay Warrior Stories Series
“Double time, march,” he bellowed.
The Legionaries on either side of the Insubri Prince picked him up by the arms. He started to struggle but settled down when a fist knocked the breath from his lungs. What he didn’t realize was they carried him for his own good. If he tripped and fell, by accident or as a way to escape, the Legionaries jogging behind him would stomp on him as they ran by.
The formation passed the first street and didn’t break stride until they neared the next major road.
“At the double, right face,” Gratian announced when the unit was in the middle of the intersection.
Again they flowed into a new diamond formation after marking the sharp right turn. Now, ahead of them, they could see the greens, footpaths and trees of the Capital grounds. The Capital building towered over the tallest trees.
One block from the start of the grounds, Colonel Nigellus looked around at Gratian and said, “Let’s arrive with some dignity, Corporal.”
“Quick time, march,” Gratian ordered and the Legionaries dropped out of the jog and into a marching step. “Left, stomp, left, stomp…”
“Colonel. Can you smell that?” Kellerian asked.
There was the acid smell of burning lumber in the air. The air was clear until they came out from between the villas’ walls. To the east, flames ate at the buildings of Firebreak District. Smoke rolled off the buildings furthest away from the earthen berm and wafted down streets running westward.
“It’s the signal for the Qart Hadasht fleet,” observed Nigellus. “They’re burning the Capital of the Republic. For what? To turn it over to a foreign Empire. It’s madness.”
“Shields right!” cried out Centurion Kellerian.
His view of the Capital grounds had been blocked by the walls. Now he could see all the way to the boulevard. Between the Legionaries and the thoroughfare, two squads of City Guard barbarian auxiliary were closing fast.
“Corporal. Suggestions?” the Centurion asked.
“I’m clear on this side. Let’s use a squad to protect the Colonel,” Gratian said. “We’ll use the rest to form a second line.” Seeing a bring-them-over-sign, Gratian shouted orders, “Fourth squad. Secure the Colonel. Left side. Fall in behind the right side.”
There are few things in life that are truly terrifying. Watching twenty armed men running at you with murder in their eyes should be top of the list. There are some comforts to the situation. One, you know your job; there’s no dispute as to your assignment. The other comfort is having a second line. If the man on either side of you falls, the second rank will fill the hole. Without a second line, one breach of your line will open a floodgate and soon you’ll be in a melee with no command structure.
The Legionaries from the right side of the formation hopped over. Each man upon positioning himself in the second rank, reached out and tapped a man in the first rank; letting them know they had backup.
“Draw!” commanded Kellerian.
Twenty-two gladii swished as they came out of the scabbards. With legs and shoulders braced, heads tucked protectively behind their shields, they waited for the next order.
“Advance!” shouted Kellerian.
Shields shoved forward followed by the stab of the gladii resulted in a quarter of the barbarians falling. Conversely, several of the Legionaries also suffered wounds. Automatically, men from the second rank stepped up and filled the gaps.
Kellerian strutted behind the line watching for a weak spot in the enemy’s flanks. He wanted this over quickly. A battle of attrition would delay the Colonel. Plus, he worried that ships would dock at the harbor and begin spewing an army of Qart Hadasht soldiers into the Capital City.
“Right side, roll em up,” he bellowed.
It started with the Legionary on the end of the line shoving his foe. He stepped forward and to his left. The next man followed and by the time four Legionaries were ahead of their line, they became a flanking unit. The barbarians found themselves fighting on two fronts.
“Break off,” a mounted Centurion yelled as he galloped up. “Break off. I said to break off.”
“Hold,” Kellerian ordered.
The Legionaries stepped back half a step and locked shields.
“Get control of your dogs, or I’ll let the lads finish them,” sneered Kellerian.
“By order of the Senate, you are to remove your squads from the city,” the Centurion said.
The barbarian auxiliary had ceased the attack. But they held positions close to the Legionaries. Tension between the lines was high.
“City Guard auxiliary, four steps back,” he commanded.
They hesitated but finally complied with the order. Once enough distance separated the lines so no one could take a last stab, both lines relaxed.
“Remove your unit from the city,” the Centurion said again.
Behind Kellerian, there was movement as Colonel Nigellus pushed aside the protective shields of Fourth squad.
“Colonel. I didn’t see you,” the Centurion stammered as the Colonel appeared.
“These squads are escorting me to the Senate,” Nigellus explained while pointing to the Capital building and the rows of City Guards ringing the entrance. “Clear a path for me, as well as, for my personal guard.”
“With all due respect Colonel, I speak with the authority of the Senate,” insisted the City Guard Officer. “You, of course, may pass. The Legionaries must leave the city. I’ll have guardsmen accompany you to the Senate.”
“Centurion. For reasons that are beyond your rank and position, these Legionaries are my choice for personal safety,” Nigellus growled. “I am going to speak with the Senate. These squads are coming with me. Corporal Gratian march them out.”
“Fourth squad, stand by,” Gratian ordered.
“Ready Corporal,” they shouted back while stomping the grass.
“Colonel. At your leisure,” announced Gratian.
“Centurion Kellerian. I am going to walk away with Fourth squad,” Nigellus stated. “If these barbarians make any moves to stop me, kill them all, and catch up. Any questions?”
Colonel Nigellus wasn’t looking at Kellerian when he spoke. His eyes were boring into the Officer of the City Guard.
“Corporal. Go,” the Colonel said while stepping between the shields of Fourth squad.
“Forward, march. By your left, stomp, left, stomp,” directed Gratian.
Chapter 66 - The Ladies in Blue
Alerio, Iacchus and Nereus jogged down three blocks before turning left on a street leading to the Capital grounds. Upon turning, they stopped. Gliding down the center of the street was a tall woman in a blue shimmering robe. On either side of her walked women in light blue gowns. They occupied enough of the road that the Legionaries couldn’t squeeze through.
“Ladies. Good morning,” Nereus said as they came up behind the women.
“Who are you?” one of the women in a blue gown asked. “And, by what right do you propose to speak with the High Priestess of Luna?”
“Please, accept our apologizes,” Alerio said before Nereus could reply. “We are the honor guard sent by Colonel Nigellus to escort the Priestess to the Senate.”
The woman looked from Alerio to Nereus and twisted her face in disgust at the sight of the blood splatter on their shields and armor.
“You! You are to escort the High Priestess of Luna?” the woman gasped.
“Oh not us ma’am. We’re simple Legionaries,” explained Alerio while pointing towards Iacchus. “Lance Corporal Iacchus is the NCO in charge. He’s assigned to guard the Priestess.”
The woman glanced at the Priestess and back to Iacchus before saying, “We find the Lance Corporal acceptable to guard our person.”
“Much obligated ma’am,” said Alerio as he stepped to the side while shoving Iacchus to a spot just behind the Priestess. “Stay close. She’ll probably walk you right into the Senate.”
Chapter 67 - Blood Splattered Honor Guard
Once through the ranks of the City Guard and the barbarian auxiliary, Fourth squad opened ranks. Now, instead of closed shields to protect Colonel Nigellus, they became a ceremonial guard. They escorted the Colonel towards the steps of the Capital building.
Standing on the landing, looking down as the squad approached, were the Ambassador’s honor guard. The Qart Hadasht soldiers gave no indication they would give way for the Colonel.
“Give me two Legionaries to work with the Colonel’s bodyguard,” Gratian announced. “Colonel. Permission to clear away the merda.”
“By all means Corporal,” replied Nigellus. “Proceed.”
Two men added their shields to the bodyguard’s so the Colonel was again surrounded by close in protection. Relieved of guarding the principal, Gratian stepped to the side.
“Fourth squad, stand by,” the Corporal shouted. His voice carried throughout the Capital grounds.
The eight Legionaries stomped their feet and replied in full voice, “Ready Corporal.”
“Two ranks of four,” commanded Gratian. “On my front. March.”
From two files, the Legionaries stomped in unison and formed up in two ranks. Gratian looked over his parade ground straight ranks and up at the Qart Hadasht squad.
“You will move or you will die,” he said. “Draw!”
Eight gladii came free. The Qart Hadasht soldiers replied by drawing their swords.
“Forward march,” Gratian ordered.
Eight shields raised so only the Legionaries’ eyes and helmets were visible. Their gladii gripped with the hilts held low and blade tips slightly elevated. As the first rank took the first riser, the Qart Hadasht unit shifted to a six-man front. The two additional men would allow them to close in around the Legionaries’ line.
On the last step before the broad porch of the Capital building, Gratian adjusted their approach.
“Lateral right,” he ordered. “Second rank shift left. Shift left.”
Suddenly, the six man Qart Hadasht rank against the four Legionaries front was nullified. The end of Gratian’s second rank, after two steps left would even the front while the lateral move left room for them to fight.
“Two steps and Advance,” Gratian yelled.
The Legionaries placed their left foot then their right. When they stepped again, they braced and thrust their shields forward. All along the Qart Hadasht line, soldiers rocked back from the impacts. Before they could recover, the steel gladii blades replaced the shields. Men, either dead or badly injured, fell to the granite floor of the Capital building.
The Qart Hadasht unit backed up to regroup. But Gratian didn’t give them time.
“Advance. Advance. Advance,” he ordered again and again.
With each command the shields shot forward followed by gladii strikes. The first two met no resistance. Yet to the Qart Hadasht soldiers, the advancing line of Legionaries appeared to be a scaled, many clawed monster. It clawed the air, extended it scales and moved closer and closer. The attack was too much for the Ambassador’s honor guard. They dropped their swords and dropped to their knees.
“Corporal Gratian. Hold,” ordered Centurion Kellerian.
There was a little vindictiveness in giving the command to the NCO in charge. By the time Gratian relayed the order to Fourth squad, two more of the Qart Hadasht soldiers fell from deep wounds to their necks.
“Hold,” shouted the Corporal. Looking around, he saw the remainder of his squads in files on either side of Colonel Nigellus and Centurion Kellerian. Behind the Officers, the Insubri Prince stood between his guards. “Orders, sir?”
“Move the Qart Hadasht scum out of the Colonel’s way,” replied Kellerian.
Gratian had dead, injured and living soldiers to move and he looked around the Capital grounds for a holding place. When he glanced right, he raised an arm.
Across the grounds, a line of women in blue gowns flanked a tall woman in a shimmering blue robe. On either side of the line, a Legionary was shoving guardsmen back to make room for the women. Behind the shimmering robe, another Legionary was directing the crowd clearing operation.
“Sirs. The High Priestess and Lance Corporal Sisera’s team are coming,” Gratian announced by pointing with the raised arm. Then he studied the blood on the granite tiles of the porch and thought about the gowns and the robe. “Give me a bucket brigade to clean the entrance.”
Chapter 68 - A Gathering of Witnesses
Colonel Nigellus stood on the porch of the Capital building watching the High Priestess of Luna and her escorts. Behind him, and close enough to hear the senior Office, stood Centurion Kellerian. Off to the side, Peregrinus, the Insubri Prince, leaned against a column flanked by his two guards. Corporal Gratian walked the files, checking on the well-being his men.
“What are they doing?” Nigellus asked.
Lance Corporal Sisera and Private Nereus had raced ahead of the line of women. Each reached a different file and began pushing the Legionaries back. In essence, they were widening the space between the two lines. When they were done, one side was up against the speaker outcrop, and the other line stood at the very edge of the granite staircase.
“It seems they feel the Priestess and her followers require more space,” observed Kellerian.
Once the lines were far enough apart so the Priestess and her attendees could mount the stairs without breaking their line, Private Nereus took a position at the end of one Legionary line.
“We have the Amulet of Luna, sir,” Alerio reported before crossing to the end of the other line.
“That was abrupt,” Nigellus complained. “I’ve never had a Legionary simply walk off after delivering a message.”
“I believe he was playing a role, Colonel,” Kellerian ventured as he watched Lance Corporal Iacchus jog around the end of the line of Priestesses.
Iacchus trotted up the stairs, performed a cross chest salute, did an about face, and, in a loud ceremonial voice announced, “Colonel Nigellus, winner of numerous awards for bravery; known as an outstanding citizen of the Republic; a man who trusts in the fates and gods, and third in command of the Central Legion, may I present the High Priestess of the Moon Goddess Luna and her handmaidens.”
The line of women came majestically up the steps. As they climbed, the women on the ends stopped. On the next step, the next in line stopped. By the time the High Priestess reached Nigellus, her celebrants were evenly spread out to either side of her like a wake behind a boat.
“High Priestess. It is gracious of you to come to the rescue of a simple man,” Nigellus said with a slight bow. “I trust your journey was uneventful.”
“Colonel. At first we were concerned about the honor guard you dispatched,” the Priestess stated to Nigellus’ surprise. He hadn’t sent Sisera’s team as guards. He didn’t even plan for them to meet the Priestess. “However, after observing the efficiency of Lance Corporal Iacchus’ rough men, I understand. Hard times demand hard men to protect the Republic.”
“Your words convey the harsh but factual truth,” replied Nigellus. “It would be my pleasure to escort you into the Senate.”
The Priestess rested her hand on the cocked arm of the Colonel. As they walked towards the entrance, Nigellus indicated with his head for Iacchus to follow.
Chapter 69 - A Traitor by Any Other Name
Iacchus took half a step and stopped. He looked at Alerio, at the Legionary’s blood splattered armor, which was much messier than his shield.
“Leave the shield,” Iacchus instructed. Deciding he might need evidence of the struggle to procure the amulet, he said, “Come with me.”
Together, the Legionaries walked through the doors and entered a wide, curved hallway. The Insubri Prince was shoved in after them. Following the Colonel and the Priestess, the Lance Corporals walked through a second door and into the Senate of the Republic.
The circular chamber rose from a central dais in progressively higher tiers. On each level, curved benches provided seating for the Senators. Sturdy arms divided each seat allowing a sitting Senator enough room to relax, turn and talk, or to pound on the arms.
A short, older man stood at the dais. Senator Ventus stood on one side of the man and the Qart Hadasht Ambassador stood on the other. None of the three were talking; unlike twenty or so Senators who were talking all at once from every tier.
On the far side of the chamber, Gabrielus leaned against the wall. Although in the shadow between lanterns, his City Guard Tribune armor gave him away.
A tall, thin man waving his arms frantically rushed up to Nigellus.
“Colonel. You can’t be here,” the man explained. “This is a closed session and important issues are being discussed. If you’ll wait in the hall, I’ll alert the President of the Senate of your arrival.”
As he talked, he held out his arms and made shooing motions at the Legionnaires.
“Lance Corporal Iacchus. You have something to show the Priestess?” asked Nigellus. “Bring it to us now.”
Iacchus began digging in a pouch as he crossed the distance between them. As he arrived in front of the Colonel and the Priestess, he held out the amulet.
“Can you identify this piece of jewelry?” Nigellus inquired.
The Priestess’ hand shook as she reached for the amulet. She plucked it from Iacchus’ palm. Tears filled her eyes as she caressed the talisman.
“Oh Lavina. May you rest gently in the Goddess’ embrace,” the High Priestess exclaimed with a sob. “I know this amulet. Tribune Faunus came to me and asked me to suggest a gift for his wife before he went to war. The Amulet of Luna was the gift.”
“Thank you High Priestess,” Nigellus said softly before spinning and shoving the tall, thin man out of his way. He strutted down the aisle between rows of benches and marched towards the dais.
As he walked, he bellowed so all the Senators could hear, “I am Colonel Nigellus of the Central Legion. And, I accuse Senator Ventus of Treason; his henchman Gabrielus of the murder of Senator Faunus; and the Qart Hadasht Ambassador of being a spy.”
“This is preposterous,” exclaimed Ventus. “Sergeant at Arms. Have this man and his rubble removed from the chambers.”
