Chapter XI
The Stegions Blade
After the battle with the Siren and the clearing up of the Church hall they had entered the main chambers of the Bishopric. The Emperor handed the Patriarch a glass of wine. Arzealous arms folded, was an image of concentration as he paced back and forth. They could hear the Magistrate outside talking with Steven. The room they were in was sparsely furnished; there was a desk which the Patriarch sat behind, two chairs to the front of it and another against the wall. A small window let haloed light hit the floor at their feet. There was an old Icon on the wall of John the Baptist, it was probably one of the first ever to be made, and there was also an encrusted ruby silver cross on a thin stand; next to it hung two incense burners. Various worn ceremonial garments were suspended from hooks. This truly was the spartan chamber of the Patriarch.
“What did it mean we are Legion: a legion would be a significant number of Stratiotai. Could it be referring to the enemy at our gate?”
“I’m afraid my dear Emperor, I don't believe we're going to be that lucky, we must direct ourselves to a spiritual meaning, undoubtedly the creature was referring to a more biblical reference of the word.”
The Emperor looked mystified
“My dear Constantine have you ever listened to one of my sermons.”
“Maybe one,” said the General under his breath.
The Emperor shot him a glance, and tried to keep a straight face, "Please refresh my memory."
“Legion was the name of the demon or demons that possessed someone in biblical times; Jesus cast them out and into a herd of pigs. The Pigs then went crazy and ran off a cliff. And that was the end of that, until now.”
“I see; we do appear to have a problem then. What do you think Arzealous?”
“I think our problems run deeper than any realise, you see anyone of us could be possessed.”
The Patriarch rose from his chair, “Not if you wear the cross for protection and have a strong faith. Constantine you do have a cross,” the Emperor nodded, “well at least you are half way to being protected.”
“Could they really be everywhere?”
“My dear General they are everywhere, how many poor unfortunates have we lost to one disease after another since we've been locked behind our gates for the past four years. Does anyone here now believe they really died natural deaths? And of course there is the enemy without.”
“Yes, but as the Patriarch just said that’s not what the creature meant. I have a feeling and it has more or less been confirmed by our sojourn in the realm of the Rageon, that this has been a carefully planned war for some time, and I think it’s now obvious that Charon is behind it all. But the thing is, who is behind Charon. Perhaps it’s time we took the war to them instead of hiding behind the walls of Theodosius,” said Arzealous.
“What do you have in mind?” asked the Emperor.
“We infiltrate the enemy camp and ascertain exactly what they want, and I don't mean the obvious, which is the destruction of the Christian world. There are clearly other protagonists here that have a different purpose in mind.”
“I can’t allow you to do that, it would mean certain death," said the General, "I'm sure the type of information we are after isn't just going to be written down, and the ones who you would need to persuade to part with such information are probably powerful enough to see through any disguise that you might wear, not only would you not get close to them, you wouldn’t stand a chance.”
“Let us retire on this and give it some thought, I feel….” The Emperors voice faltered as they all looked toward the door, there was the sound of a bell ringing, then another, and another; the alarm had been sounded.“ Callinicus you go with the Magistrate and get back to the palace, you’re too valuable to lose now. Everyone else who’s not a priest or alchemist, to the walls.”
They raced from the church, as they ran to climb the stair that led to the battlements a Stratiotai hailed them and fell in at the side of the Emperor.
“It’s looks to be a full on assault,” said the Stratiotai. “They broke the chain across that ran across the harbour and sailed right up to the walls before we realised what was happening, their ships are carrying Siege towers also; there must be thousands of enemy infantry down there.”
As they reached the summit, fiery balls of ballista flew overhead; it was as though Zeus were throwing lightning bolts at the city. They ran along the wall to gain a better view of the scene below, as they did so, streams of arrows tore passed. A Stratiotai fell to the ground clutching his throat, blood gushed from the open wound; another was rocked back just ahead of them, an arrow protruding from his chest. One more collapsed to the floor holding his leg where the arrow had pierced it. More Stratiotai lined up on the battlements.
“Set your arrows,” cried a Centurion raising his arm, “Steady, fire.”
Beneath them Saracens fell dead.
“Why aren’t the Trebuchet and ballista firing,” shouted the Emperor.
The Centurion looked up and noticed the Emperor for the first time, “Sorry sir, there was so little activity this end that they had been taken away to defend other parts of the city.”
“What! That's one report I never received; the Saracens probably wanted us to do exactly that and when they realised that we had played into their hands they launched this attack, especially now with how poorly defended the harbour area is.”
A Stratiotai ran passed and was stopped by the Emperor, “I want you to gather word as to the fighting; we need to find out if this is where the main attack is occurring.”
The Soldier turned saluted by placing his closed hand across his chest and was gone.
Arzealous pointed to a high tower, which afforded them a better view of the city. As they raced to reach it, a ballista smashed into a nearby wall; it convulsed but stood firm, shattered debris hurled passed, Arzealous flung the Emperor and himself into an alcove for cover. As he gingerly got to his feet the Emperor ripped his burning cloak off, and threw it to one side.
“Are you okay?” shouted the Emperor.
Arzealous nodded and the two hurried up the stair to the top of the tower. As they stared from the parapet they could see all along the walls fighting; some areas were less confused, less put upon, but more importantly where the fighting was at its fiercest the Romans were holding their own, and in truth, they were driving back the invaders. The Emperor breathed a sigh of relief; he would not be losing his city that day.
Arzealous seeing the concern on the Emperors face tried to usher him away, “You should get back to the palace it would be safer for you there; no chance of any stray ballista hitting you.”
“No Arzealous, at times such as these I should be with the men, where the fighting is at its most desperate. Follow me.”
The Emperor hurtled down the stair almost falling over the Stratiotai he had sent out earlier to find out how the fighting was progressing; once the man had made his report the Emperor told him to get back to his unit. They rushed across the ramparts, swords furiously working to rid them of the enemy, as they went the Stratiotai cheered at the sight of their Emperor, his armour shone like a star in the night, to the awe of his soldiers and to the dismay of the Saracens who fled at his coming.
“To me Romans, to your Emperor and fear not your fate, nor any darkness,” cried Constantine.
Reinvigorated the Romans thrust forward, once more forcing the Saracens from the walls and flinging their ladders to the ground; Siege Towers were set alight and burned like fiery torches. A Saracen climbed over the wall, a giant of a man, kin to Goliath, his sword shone like a crescent moon, he thrust it deep into a Stratiotai, and tearing it from the man’s breast, he threw him over the wall, swinging round he felled two more, and then seeing the Emperor he charged leaping high in the air he brought his sword fanatically down; the Emperor managed to deflect the blow, as it glanced of the stone wall, sparks flew everywhere. Quickly Arzealous rushed forward, striking at the Saracen in a crazed frenzy and for
cing him back, another Stratiotai came behind him and thrust his sword deep into the man’s back, the Saracen gasped, lurched to the side, as he did so Arzealous swung his sword round, and lopped his head off, it went flying into the abyss below; the body stood a moment in shock before collapsing; another two Stratiotai took the figure by the legs and flung it over the walls to join its head below.
In the Harbour area the Saracen ships were on fire and were withdrawing while they still could. Flamed arrows now bore down on the ships as they made their retreat.
A great cheer ran out along the walls as from every part of the city the defenders were victorious. The Saracens were in flight and though the battle had raged longer than any had realised, it was over. All were exhausted. The Emperor with Arzealous at his side surveyed the damage; lifeless bloodied bodies lay slumped against walls; fallen enemies were wrapped in a diabolical embrace with those they had struggled against; empty eyes stared from hollow motionless grotesque forms. The Emperors eyes glazed over, many a Stratiotai would not see a parent, wife, or family again. Sadly Arzealous gestured for them to depart. The Emperor resigned to the truth of what bitter victory had bought; followed in silence.
Before leaving for the palace, the Emperor had wanted to visit the hospital to check on the wounded. It was there that they found Callinicus and the Patriarch tending to the sick and wounded. The Emperor sat to speak to one of the Stratiotai who was lying on a bunk with a nasty gash to his arm, the Patriarch came across to him and placed a poultice on his forehead where he had been slashed. In the excitement of battle he had not realised he had been so decorated.
“So what is your name Stratiotai?” asked the Emperor.
The man sat up as best he could, “its Leo sir.”
“And who do you belong to?”
“I’m with the second cohort, of the Scholae Palatinae, the Pentarchos sire.”
“That’s a nasty bite you’ve got there, I bet there’s a story behind it,” remarked the Emperor with a soft smile.
“It’s just a scratch Sire, I’m just glad I did my duty. We drove those Saracens back didn’t we?” The man smiled his head seemed to nod, he could not keep his eyes open any longer; exhausted by his efforts he lay back on his pillow and fell into a deep sleep.
With pity the Emperor studied the man’s face a moment. At least this one would get better and live to see another day, not like so many other poor unfortunates. He rose and looked to see where Arzealous had gone, Callinicus pointed to a bunk in the corner. It appeared that Arzealous had finally succumbed to his weariness and had lain back, his eyes had momentarily closed and that was that; he had fallen asleep.
The Emperor turned to a nearby priest who was carrying a small bowl of steaming water and pointing at Arzealous quietly told him that they were not to disturb the General, but that when he woke he was to be sent to the Emperor’s Chambers; the priest nodded bowed his head, and went back to the duty of caring for the injured.
The Emperor turned to face Callinicus, “We’ll leave Arzealous here. Come you must be tired too. It is time for us all to rest; accompany me back to the Palace, we can discuss matters along the way.” Seeing the concern on Callinicus’s face for the wounded, he reassuringly patted his arm, “Do not worry, they will do fine here without us.”
He signalled to the Patriarch that he was leaving; he acknowledged him with a wave of the hand and the two departed the hospital; which was situated near the Palace precinct so at least they did not have far to walk.
The Emperor tilted his head as if listening to the city, “Strange that after we destroyed the Siren, they then chose that moment to attack don’t you think.”
“As if they knew or something knew of its defeat; I had thought that myself, makes you wonder what it is that’s so important to them that they would risk so much to get it. And Arzealous did say that after the death of the Siren something like this might happen.”
“He also said things like this happen all the time. I believe the answer is in what you took from the realm of the Rageon, and it’s in our vaults; you must seek it out Callinicus, the survival of the city and the Empire depends upon it.” The Emperor guardedly looked around, “After that last attack I realise that they will stop at nothing to get what they’ve come for; that means we must discover it first. It must also have something to do with that Sacred Seal that Adamous has retrieved, and perhaps also that staff of yours brought back from Persia, search for a connection, there has to be one.”
“Yes, you're probably right, I intend to go to the Archives when we get back, if there is something there that might indicate what they are after, then maybe I'll find it.”
“Not straight away Callinicus, you too need rest, the answer can wait a little while longer; not much, but a little.”
“I rested last year.”
The Emperor laughed, “You know I don’t even remember the last time I had a peaceful sleep.”
“Then perhaps it is long overdue for the both of us.”
The Emperor nodded, “Strange this quiet after all the clamour of the fighting.”
The two fell silent as they entered the palace grounds, four Scholae Palatinae fell in at their side, the Emperor smiled to see the familiar faces of his elite palace guard. Callinicus separated off, saying that he would go to his chambers, though the Emperor noted the direction he went in was actually to the Archives.
The Emperor continued on to Justinian’s House; so if there were any more commotion, he could quickly ascend the walls and defend his city. The Imperial Guard waited at his door as he entered his private chamber. He first opened the large shutter doors that overlooked the harbour, the water glistened in the soft light, he could hear the gentle wash as it stroked the walls. The Emperor detached his armour and let it drop to the floor and placed his sword up against a chair; thankfully a warm bath waited for him. A courtier gathered his things together and left him to soak in silence. It was all he could do not to fall asleep while the water eased the tension his limbs felt; slowly he climbed out, and dried himself off with fresh towels that covered him enough to shield his dignity. He cast them aside and tiredly threw a soft tunic on, that fell comfortably to his feet, and clambered into his bed. The Empress was away giving comfort to the people as she always did at such times of bitter fighting, walking among them and telling them to keep the faith, that they would eventually achieve final victory, if they would just stay true to their beliefs. The Emperor smiled at the thought of her, she was a mighty woman indeed who had proven to be the perfect consort in those dark days. As soon as his head hit the pillow he drifted off to a subterranean world of mythic creatures and legends old.
A soft breeze made the drapes flutter, cool air penetrated to snuff out failing candle flames, starry constellations obscured by wisps of cloud came and went; outside people busied themselves at clearing up the desecration of the harbour. A man stooped over a fallen comrade, noticing something curious he knelt closer, there was a glint of a blade, and he collapsed to the floor, unseen by others; two figures dressed in black and masked came from the shadows, they pushed the body to the edge of the promenade and dropped it carefully into the waters below. Four other figures dressed similarly, merged from where they had been concealed, three threw hooks up and over the walls; after checking that they had not been seen and that the ropes were sturdy enough; furtively the shadowy forms ascended in silence, clambering carefully over the parapets, and then crouching down so as not to be spied, once they were all gathered together, they moved quietly along the walls and entered the city.