Chapter Seven
The horde continued to attack the band of men for the rest of the night, but each time they were repulsed. Altogether, Marius counted another eleven deaths, which continued to be marked by shrieks from Junius and the others.
Eventually the assaults stopped and silence reigned, but by then it was nearly dawn anyway. Once the sunlight filtered across the desert, Marius left the cave.
He found Nasir talking to several of his men. Surprisingly, they were in good spirits.
The leader saw him and smiled. “Have you eaten, Marius? We’ve a long way to go and another difficult night ahead.”
“Not yet. I wanted to say sorry about the loss of your people. Surely two Romans aren’t worth this risk?”
Nasir laughed and clapped him on the back. “Come, have some food and water, whilst I’ll explain.”
The two men went over and sat under a material shelter that had been hastily thrown up a short distance from the entrance to the cave. Nasir poured the water and took two hunks of bread, one of which he gave to Marius.
“The Blood Kin are stupid. They’ve lived closeted lives and no longer know how the world works. Your friend told us what we wanted to know and last night he informed the Kin that he’d been forced to tell us where they were. So the ones who were hidden to us will leave their caves; these are homes they’ve lived in for many years and they’ll have to find new places to rest and they will be vulnerable.” He paused and grinned, showing white teeth in his tanned face. “But we knew that your friend would tell them when he turned last night. So yesterday, as we travelled, all the settlements in the vicinity and the people of Persepolis were evacuated. The Kin won’t find them, without help. My people are safe, Marius, so don’t worry, we know what we’re doing. In time, thanks to you both, we will be free from these leeches.”
Marius was still confused. “But the Kin will attack your people when they go back home.”
Nasir smiled again but finished his bread before answering. “We’ve waited a long time for this. We only told you half of the truth knowing your friend would pass it on. If any Kin went back to Persepolis last night, they’ll be dust already. Some though will have found other places like the caves around here, but they’ll never be able to go home. The city is ours again. Later, when we leave, more men will come and search the caves around here for Kin and kill them as they sleep.”
Marius nodded, and took a sip of the water. “But he’s not made any noises yet,” he said moving his head in the direction of the cave.
Nasir shook his head. “They have a weaker link in the day, and he’s not fully connected to them. I doubt he’ll even register their deaths until it’s dark. If he makes it through tonight, he’ll be able to tell us in a few days where the remaining cave dwellers have fled to, and they won’t have a connection to him any more so they won’t find out.” Nasir laughed and clapped him on the arm. “This’ll change everything for our people. Even if I have to kill your friend, we’ll have our city back and the other Kin will be scattered. It’s worth the risk.”
Marius had to agree. Ever since they’d walked through the gates of the deserted city he’d regretted their decision, but at least now he could take comfort in the knowledge that for someone at least there would be a positive outcome, no matter what happened to them.
Nasir watched him. “My people think that our gods sent you. They are saying now that our gods became so tired of the darkness in the once golden city that they sent two soldiers, brave heroes, who were prepared to risk their lives to save the people trapped by these monsters.”
“If that’s true then they played with Rome’s fate as well.”
Nasir stood. “We would never have let your friend take them there. Go to him. Give him plenty of water and try and get him to eat. The Kin don’t need any sustenance, the water will reduce any hunger he feels and the food will delay any changes.”
Despite what the leader said Marius wasn’t feeling charitable towards his commander and he glowered at Junius who was lying where he’d been left in the night. He couldn’t help himself, he disliked being frightened and scared to death, and it made him angry. Before he could stop himself he’d kicked the prone body.
“Wake up. Whoever you are. Some people still think you’re worth saving.”
Junius slowly opened his eyes and looked about. Eventually he met Marius’s glare.
Marius was relieved to see that the pitch-black effect had disappeared. “I’m not untying you after last night.”
Junius blinked several times, frowned then nodded. “I understand. Have you any water?”
Marius felt himself relenting; this at least was his friend again for the time being. He crouched down and helped him to sit up, then held the water canister to Junius’s mouth. Once again his friend gulped it down in eager mouthfuls.
“Careful. Not too much.” Marius took it away, as Junius gasped.
“Please, Marius, more.” Marius frowned but put the bottle back and held it there whilst Junius drained it completely.
For a moment they were quiet, then Marius spoke. “Do you remember what happened last night?”
Junius was silent for a moment, still panting a little from the water, but eventually he answered. “Yes.”
Marius sighed. “Are you going to apologise?”
For the first time Junius glanced at him then looked away. “Would it help if I did? If so, I’m sorry.”
“That’s not really worth much, is it, given the circumstances? Maybe one day, sir, I’ll believe you, but not now.”
Junius nodded. “You’re already on report for insubordination. So I shouldn’t be surprised.”
Marius bit his lip. He wanted to reassure Junius that his suffering wasn’t in vain, that many people would benefit from what he was going through. But he couldn’t. If he told Junius, then tonight the remains of the Kin would know.
“You have to try and eat something; Nasir says it slows things down.”
Marius put a tiny portion of bread into Junius’s mouth and watched as he chewed. Eventually he swallowed, then indicated for more. He ate even less than last night but at least it was something. Carefully, Marius put the headdress back on and made Junius ready for the sunlight. As much as possible Marius tried to avoid looking into his friend’s haunted blackish-brown eyes.
“All right, you’re ready. I’ll loosen your legs a little to help you stand.” With an effort Junius regained his feet and Marius led him out into the sunlight.
The makeshift camp had been dismantled and the other men and horses had returned. The men watched as they came out and walked amongst them. As Marius searched their faces, he saw respect and admiration. Yesterday he’d sensed anxiety, but today these men seemed determined and upbeat.
They stopped by Nasir who stared at Junius for several moments, then declared, “You’ll ride with me again. Marius, do you mind if I undo his legs?”
All eyes turned in his direction, and Marius knew that this was an important moment. Nasir was asking whether they could trust Junius or not. He didn’t know the answer to that, but he did know that, before today, he would have trusted his senior officer with his life and had on many occasions, but now he couldn’t and he wondered if he ever would be able to again.
“Let’s leave things as they are for now,” Marius said in reply to Nasir’s question, but when he saw the surprised look on the leader’s face he wondered if the man would unfasten Junius’s legs anyway.
“I’m sorry, Junius, but your friend doesn’t think I should free your legs, and as he spent the night with you, I’m going to respect his decision. I’m afraid that you won’t have a comfortable journey.” He glanced over at Marius who bowed his head in gratitude.