Joseph's men were welcomed easily into the fortress. The Turkish
forces gave a strong defense, but Joseph's superior numbers and
powerful archers soon overtook the defenders. Once inside the
fortress, the ex soldiers were stripped of weapons and made servants.
The rest of the people within the area were greeted by the Turkomen
within his employ. Joseph wanted this to be as smooth and peaceful a
transition as possible. He was going to need every last man for the
battle ahead.
Adrastos, the old mystic stood upon the rampart staring off into
the fields beyond. Joseph joined the aged wise man upon those walls.
"It is stirring," the old man said as Joseph approached.
The statement was a little too matter of fact for Joseph's liking. Up
til now, he still found himself hoping that all of this was the
ramblings of a mad man. The contingent of soldiers that accompanied
Adrastos numbered less than a hundred. Yet Joseph had been assured
that each of them were expertly trained for the battle ahead.
"You should prepare your men," Adrastos said, turning to
face Joseph. He paused, looking into Joseph's eyes as though he were
going to say something else, but did not and walked further down the
length of the wall. Joseph watched the old man for some time.
Adrastos walked the length of each wall, staring off into the
horizon. There was something steady and powerful about Adrastos
despite his obvious age. Adrastos' men, who had been so grim and
aloof upon his meeting them in the company of the new Emperor were
now walking amongst the troops and engaging them in cordial
conversation. These men who all seemed to be either Northern Greek or
outright Macedonian seemed to move from group to group with ease,
speaking to each man in his native tongue. Many of the mercenaries
seemed to enjoy the discourse. These knights of the Sol Invictus as
they had been introduced to Joseph were a curious lot. But he was
glad to have them. If nothing else, they were at least improving
morale.
Once Joseph had set a night watch and archers upon the
battlements, he called forth the captains of his men to address the
army. Joseph found himself wishing that anyone else could give this
ludicrous speech. But sadly, it had to fall to him as commander of
the army. Adrastos stood next to him like some old wizard behind a
king. Joseph seemed to recall such a thing from an old story, though
he could not readily place it at the moment.
"You have been called together to create a great and mighty
army to defend the Empire from her enemies. The Empire thanks you for
your assistance in this matter."
Joseph knew that he was already addressing a restless crowd. They
had been allowed no plunder in taking this fortress as was custom. He
could not afford to have the strength of the fortress reduced in any
way, nor the populace any additional reason to despise them. Every
body would be needed. Thankfully Akhlat was a large enough area to
have a few brothels nearby. In place of rape and pillage, whores had
been brought to the leaders and captains of each brigade of
mercenaries or company of soldiers. Horses had been traveling back
and forth to neighboring villages all evening and night in hopes of,
if not satiating, at least pacifying the men for now. Byzantine gold
could speak volumes where all other forms of communication had broken
down.
Over a hundred women were quietly circulating through the camp.
The presence of the whores could not be made public however, as there
were far too few to service even the bulk of his army of over 50,000
fighting men. They were merely meant to pacify the superiors that
could keep them in line. And then favored soldiers if there was time.
So for now, he had their attention. And if Adrastos was correct, he
only needed to keep them quelled for tonight anyway. There might
truly be no tomorrow.
"But tomorrow you will be called to an even higher purpose.
God himself will be watching over you as you defend Christendom and
mankind from a terrible host not of this world. All of your courage
and strength will be required. Rest and make merry this evening, and
tomorrow we fight for God and all men!"
At first only the knights of Sol Invictus and various officers who
had received their 'bribe' cheered. Amongst the rest of the army
there were murmurs of disbelief and confusion. From the pieces he
could catch, the soldiers guessed that this was merely more
propaganda of the Roman Empire against their enemies, and that this
next battle was to be taken especially serious.
Servants brought out stores of wine, meat and bread to the
soldiers. Musicians were found from amongst the town folk, and they
were commanded to play. Small parties broke out around the various
camps.
"We must move to the gate," Joseph heard from somewhere
in his dreams. He sat up. The sun had not yet risen, but the hint of
it was on the horizon. He looked about the room. He knew he had heard
a voice, but no one was there. He walked outside and saw four old
mystics sitting around a small fire, staring into it intently.
"Are you ready?" Adrastos asked.
"If I said no?" Joseph asked.
"Then you would be a wise man," Adrastos replied with a
grin. The humor helped relieve his apprehension, but the greater
implications of the man's statement continued to echo in his mind. If
he were indeed facing some otherworldly foe, there was perhaps no
real preparing for it. The Sol Invictus warriors gathered around one
of the Greek priests. The priest read rites and said blessings to the
kneeling warriors. Joseph sent his messengers through the camp to
wake the men. After giving his instructions he decided to sit in
amongst the warriors of the Sol Invictus. To his surprise he was
welcomed into their midst. He knelt, closed his eyes, and listened to
the priest.
"It is you who are the true defenders of mankind. It is upon
your shoulders that rests the greatest of burdens, and the gods will
be proud of your protection of their creation, of your defense of the
innocent from the greatest of evils," the priest went on.
Joseph found himself wondering at the strangeness of what the
priest had just said. Gods? There was but one God. What could the old
priest be referring to but the myths of old?
Joseph looked up to see that a number of his officers were already
assembled. He stood and walked over to them.
"You have called us together so early? We see no enemies
approaching," Jacques de Chavelier, one of the French captains
asked.
"My scouts have found our enemy, and we must press them back
from this territory," Joseph responded.
"You have the formation plans, we shall all meet beyond the
south wall," Joseph continued.
Uruk, the massive Varangian walked up next to Joseph.
"I hear tale that we are facing a dark enemy. Not Turk,
Bulgar or Arab," Uruk said in his native Nordic tongue.
"You have heard truth. We go to face a host of monsters that
seek only destruction," Joseph replied. The big Norseman smiled
with a fire in his eyes that Joseph found vaguely unsettling.
"Good," the huge Norseman began. "We shall face
true monsters like the heroes of old, and our names shall be
remembered in greatness."
"We have to defeat them first," Joseph replied. Uruk
simply laughed heartily, swinging his immense battle axe over his
shoulder and striding over to his equally large and stalwart
comrades. Several shouts were raised up as they held their weapons
overhead. Apparently the idea of fighting inhuman monsters excited
them. Although unsettled, Joseph found himself glad that he had such
powerful and eager allies.
He observed William, captain of the Norman mercenaries, walk over
to the Varangians. Sharing a common ancestry and language, William
asked what the excitement was about. Uruk related that they would
soon be fighting a heroic battle against a great and mighty foe,
slaying monsters like the heroes of old. William seemed to find the
whole matter very queer, and walked back to his own men. He and his
comrades cavorted in hushed tones. One of William's men, an
adventurous knight named Roger strode over to Uruk's men to confirm
the story. After this, he approached Joseph. The army was beginning
to file outside.
"Is it true that we are going to face an army of monsters?"
Roger asked.
"It is," Joseph replied simply.
Roger nodded slowly, taking in the news.
"Then I hope God is watching us, and this counts for
redemption," Roger said, walking away.
Roger lined up with the tall, strong Normans, with William on a
horse with the company of cavalry at the helm of the Norman
mercenaries. Roger spoke with some of the men closest to himself, but
Joseph could not make out what he said, nor did he have any longer to
wait. With his personal retinue and cavalry around him, he proceeded
out of the fortress with the Sol Invictus following close behind.
Dust rose all around him as thousands of armed men left the gates of
the city.
The Sol Invictus was lead by the old mystics, who in turn had a
retinue of holy men in vestments gathered around them. Even the
Crusader armies of Syria did not have such arraignments. Joseph found
himself marveling at the strangeness of the Sol Invictus. The mystics
who seemed to be their leaders were the most simply dressed. They
were plain white robes with no distinguishing marks, and they all
carried a large satchel filled with scrolls and sundry other items.
The holy men surrounding the mystics were finely arrayed in the
sequined vestments of the Orthodox Church. The Bishop in their midst
had a large book on a gold chain with an ornate clasp over the cover
which Joseph could only guess to be the Bible.
The soldiers marching together behind them were all arrayed in a
royal blue with argent cross. Their shields however were engraved
with two overlain Greek symbols. Chi and Rho. They were an example of
a professional army. Uniformly arrayed, with shield and spear in
hand; sword at their side. Archers brought up the rear of this
contingent. They too were just as disciplined as the rest of the
unit. Joseph imagined that this was what the great Roman armies of
old once looked like, when the borders of the empire stretched from
Persia to England. Joseph felt a certain amount of relief from being
surrounded by the Varangians, the Sol Invictus and the Norman
mercenaries. He was personally surrounded by the greatest fighters in
the world. There should be little to fear. But Joseph knew better.
The rest of this bedraggled lot would likely run at the first sign
of real danger. Joseph simply hoped he could rally enough force to
drive back whatever menace he might face.
There was a swirling in the distant sands ahead. Some scouts said
that a sandstorm might be on the horizon. Adrastos road up alongside
Joseph.
"The gate is open, they are coming through," Adrastos
said grimly. He road forward to the head of the column to gaze
beyond. Joseph called for his army to assume battle formations. There
was some murmuring and confusion amongst the soldiers. There was no
army within site. The Varangians gripped their weapons eagerly and
shouted loudly.
Joseph joined the priests and mystics that road forward, ahead of
the army. What Joseph saw made his blood run cold.
In a wide amorphous circle it appeared as though red sand were
continually rising from the ground. Gouts of flame burst out from
various points within the swirling red sand. A loud, low guttural
sound emitted from within the swirling redness. A single massive
entity strode forth. It had red skin, curving black horns and a
menacing gaze even from far away. It held an enormous spiked club in
one hand. Holding a long, curved black horn, it blew into it. Another
loud, low, guttural sound emitted from the horn, and more, similar
creatures emerged from the swirling red.
"They look dangerous, but I do not think it will take this
entire host to vanquish them," Joseph said looking to his
compatriot.
Atropos said nothing. His eyes remained fixed on the red, and on
the figures that had emerged. Each of these creatures held forth a
horn. This sound was higher pitched, brassier, and blasted. It echoed
inhumanly across the desert sands. Hundreds of strange creatures
skittered forward from the swirling redness. They moved on four
insectoid legs. A menacing pincer-like mandible snapped audibly as
they crawled forth. Behind these were what appeared to be the actual
soldiers. Red in black armor, spikes protruding from elbow, knee and
shoulder. They carried long black spears with wickedly curved points.
Behind these were more creatures, these with hunch backs, thick
gnarled arms with huge meaty fists carrying heavy spiked clubs. They
were wearing thick, crude armor and rounded helmets.
"Return to your men quickly and bring them here,"
Adrastos said, not looking away from the growing army.
"But we should draw them out, assess their strength and test
their-" Joseph countered.
"There is no time!" the old man turned and shouted. "We
must keep them from mobilizing, or from any more coming through. If
we can drive back this first wave, we can keep the others from coming
through as well."
The gravity of Adrastos' words ran through Joseph's blood like ice
in the desert heat. This imposing army before him was merely the
first wave? Then Joseph thought of his reading about Hell. Scholars
spoke of the countless hordes of demons that filled the damned ranks
of Hell. Joseph had just turned his head when he heard a loud
sizzling sound overhead. He turned to see what he could only think of
as flaming boulders flying through the air. Adrastos and some nearby
him raised their hands and began chanting. The flaming boulders
exploded overhead loudly, with the shrapnel all being propelled away.
Joseph marveled. Adrastos had somehow created an invisible barrier to
protect from the incoming projectiles. He was shaken from his moment
of awe by Adrastos' stern voice.
"Now!"
Joseph kicked his horse and hurried back to his men. He could see
the confusion on their faces as he approached. They had heard the
explosion ahead. Joseph rode to his officers and gathered them
around.
"The enemy is using some form of catapult against us, we'll
need to strike quickly and take the fight to them to diminish the
effect of this," Joseph announced to those gathered. Joseph
looked over his shoulder and considered what might happen on the
battlefield. The very sight of such an enemy may cause his already
ungainly assortment of soldiers to scatter like the sands. Quickly,
he called Uruk, the Varangian, William, the Norman, and John the
Armenian over to him.
"Uruk, I need your men to remain in the rear with me,
William, your men will take the vanguard with the Germans. John, I
need your men in front of us here in the rear," Joseph stated
quickly.
"My men seek honor and glory in this great battle!" Uruk
roared, not at all happy at the prospect of missing out on the
fighting.
"And why do my men take all the risk in this fight?"
William asked. John stayed silent. Shrewd, Joseph thought to himself.
"Uruk, I know your men support and believe in this battle,
which is why I need you near me for this all to work. William, I know
that you believe as well, and with what we will find ahead, the men
will need some one to rally them to the front. You will not be alone,
the Greeks will fight alongside you, specifically the elite corps I
have brought with me," at this Joseph nodded to Hadrian, Captain
of the Sol Invictus. William looked over his shoulder to Hadrian, who
nodded back. William sighed softly.
"So its true. We are fighting demons," William both
stated and asked.
"I have just seen them beyond the next sand dune,"
Joseph replied.
"And the Greeks and I are to rally the men to the front?"
William said.
"That is my hope," Joseph replied.
"And why do you want your greatest warriors at the back with
you?" William asked.
"That brings us to the truly grim part of the operation. I
believe that the site and strength of our enemy will put many of our
comrades to flight, John, that is where your spears come into play. I
will place you at the backs of the Franks, behind the Germans,"
Joseph said.
"You are to lower arms and strike down any that turn to
flee," Joseph finished heavily.
John nodded, his eyes resigned with the further realization of
Joseph's words, "and the Varangians are with you to keep my men
from running.
Joseph nodded once. William laughed humourlessly.
"Some trust you've got in your army," William spat.
"Mercenaries are not known for their loyalty or willingness
to die," Joseph said stoically.
"Neither are natives from my experience," William
countered.
"Then you all see why this is necessary," Joseph said.
"We go to fight the devil eh?" John said evenly. He
looked off to the horizon where the enemy force awaited. "Then I
hope we all are ready."
With this, John clasped arms with Joseph and rode back to his men.
William looked at Joseph for a long moment before donning his helmet.
"This is by far the craziest enterprise I have ever gotten
myself mixed up in," William said.
"Let us all hope it forever stays that way," Joseph
replied. William grinned and chuckled once. With that, he rode up
next to the Greeks, who filed alongside the Normans, taking their new
place at the vanguard. The Germans laughed and clapped their comrades
on the shoulders as they took position or passed by. The Franks eyed
their comrades suspiciously, from the Greeks and Normans in front to
the Armenians behind them. A French captain, Hugh de Bordeaux, rode
up to Joseph.
"Why are we rearranging the army so?" he asked.
"I have scouted ahead and see this as our best chances for
success," Joseph replied.
"Why then have I not been consulted?" Hugh asked curtly.
"Because nothing for your men has changed. You still hold the
center," Joseph stated. Hugh did not look at all pleased with
this answer.
"Is there some Greek trickery at work here?" Hugh
demanded.
"Our purpose or plan has not changed. We have still come here
to win," Joseph said. Hugh waited as though something more
should be said. Something in Joseph's eyes made him decide not to
continue to push the subject. He wheeled his horse around and
rejoined his men. He could hear muttering, and a few sergeants asking
Hugh questions in their native tongue. The murmuring did not sound
pleased and he saw several doubtful looks cast from their number in
his direction. But Joseph felt more secure with John at their back.
Joseph looked to Uruk. "We ready?"
Uruk chuckled. Joseph could see the kinship between his men and
the Normans.
"Ever ready," Uruk said.
With that, the horn sounded and Joseph mighty host marched forth.
Flashes and rumbling sounded ahead, as though a strong storm were on
the horizon. Joseph knew better.
Joseph called for the archers to take the front and rode up
alongside them. They were the first up the hill. He saw the fear
strike the faces of his archers when they beheld their enemy. Some
blue light was emanating from Adrastos and his men, and the demons
were striking at whatever barrier protected them, trying to strike
through it.
"We must strike at them now, cause as many casualties as we
can!" Joseph cried out. At this the archers started, but
remembered their purpose. The archers loaded and fired. Arrows sang
through the air and struck red flesh and black steel. Many arrows
bounced harmlessly off the hardened armor. The arrows that did find
home seemed to barely phase their new bearers. Very few demons fell.
The demon spider-hounds sped forward.
"Quick, aim for the vanguard, take down as many as possible!"
Joseph cried out again. The archers loaded again, and fired again,
Many more of these arrows found their mark and seemed to have greater
affect on these creatures than their larger, heartier brethren more
to the rear. Joseph ordered them to load and fire again. The second
volley was still in the air when the spider-hounds surged forward and
were on top of the archers. Those that could turned and ran. Those
near the front screamed horribly as they were rent asunder by the
evil looking mandible pincers and the wicked, serrated claws on the
forelegs of the creatures. The vanguard were right behind them.
Joseph turned to ride back and rally the cavalry. He would attempt
to strike at their flanks. The Invictii, Normans and Germans saw the
army next. The Germans looked shocked. The Invictii called out to
their comrades.
"For God and man!" they yelled in German before lunging
forward with spears. Each Invictii adeptly pierced one of the
spider-hounds just above the mandible with their spears. Some were
injured by the spiked forelegs, but each soldier managed to slay
their mark. The Normans followed suit, hacking at the legs with their
large swords, severing appendages as though they were hacking through
a forest. These creatures were still not to be easy prey for any man,
and several of the Normans were taken, clawed or chewed horribly. The
Normans quickly learned from the Greek compatriots and thrust their
swords down into the 'heads' of these things, just above the
mandible. Hot black liquid would burst forth, sometimes burning their
slayer.
The Germans behind seemed confused and nervous about attacking
these monsters. The Normans and the Greeks both spread out as the
vanguard of the enemy army approached quickly. They braced themselves
and rushed forward to meet the assault. The crunch of steel and flesh
was sickening and very loud. The Germans seemed confused. The first
few lines were in the thick of the combat before they had time to
think. Some more brave souls rushed forward to fight. These
were hewn to pieces by the long sharp spears and powerful arms that
wielded. them. The others warriors in the vanguard began to stagger
backwards.
Joseph had brought the Turkomen, Syrian and Greek cavalry forward.
Turkish archers began circling, peppering the enemy with arrows.
Joseph brought his cavalry in an arch and charged into the left flank
of the enemy. Many horses fell, but many demons as well. Josephs
charge plunged deep into the ranks of his enemy. He ordered his men
to disengage and turn, to prepare for another charge. Many of the men
in the front were either unhorsed or locked in combat. The other
demons ran forth to ensnare or surround the other cavalry. Joseph
found that his men were having great difficulty extricating
themselves from the tangle of lances and demon spears.
The Normans at the back of their respective lines shouted jeers
and taunts to the uncertain Germans. Some took the bate and joined
the fray. Others were undecided as the Franks rose over the crest and
were aghast at what they beheld. Cries and shouts arose from their
ranks. Hugh rode forward to see what all the dismayed sounds were
about. He felt his blood run cold at what he saw. Otherworldly
creatures were gnawing on or hacking through men as more poured
through a swirling red abyss in the distance.
The Franks began to recede from the fray as the Germans pressed
backward. The whole center began to fragment and push backward. The
Greeks and Normans at the front called out to the comrades to join
the fray. They were pressed against badly at the front. Fighting
between the Greeks, Normans and demons was fierce as only men
fighting for their lives against unholy forces can ever truly
understand. Something primal was awoken in each man to fight and
destroy what was before him. Yet each man was met with unyielding
heartiness and strength. The mightiest of blows seemed barely to
phase their opponents while with a swing they sent one or two men to
the ground each time.
Joseph had finally pulled away his cavalry by turning it into
another charge alongside the enemies flank and arching outward. The
gambit had cost him easily a third of his cavalry. The others were
battered and badly shaken. Joseph turned to see the battle at the
front and was immediately dismayed. He saw the Normans and Greeks
fighting ferociously at the front, but being overwhelmed, while the
rest of the center drew back from the fight. Joseph's cavalry could
only reach the flank nearest the Normans, but he needed to strike now
to keep the battle from being lost.
He shouted for the Turkish archers to continue peppering the
center while he brought his cavalry around and made a charge in a
pincer like attack on the right foremost part of the enemy army.
Demons turned to face the new enemy and found themselves run through
by their Norman opponents. Some Normans had taken to flight at this
point. Some of the Germans toward the center however were heartened
at seeing their general at the front and their combined forces
slaying the demons in the front. These Germans charged forth and the
right foremost columns of the enemy force began to crumble.
The Franks were nearly in full route when they encountered a wall
of shields and spears awaiting them. Several Franks were already
laying on the ground bleeding. The Armenians stared grimly at
their compatriots from across the line. Pleas were shouted. Hugh rode
to the front.
"What is the meaning of this?" Hugh shouted.
"Turn around and do what you were paid for," John the
Armenian called back.
"And what were your men hired for? To stab us in the back
during the fight?" Hugh exclaimed for all to hear.
"No, we have orders only to strike cowards in the chest and
face until we see their backs again," John said flatly. Hugh's
face became red as he snarled.
"You treacherous Armenian devils!" Hugh screamed.
"The devils are behind you. And it will take all of us to
defeat them," John called back. At this point Uruk could take no
more and had pushed his way to the front of the Armenians.
"You bellow like pregnant women! We have the honor of
fighting the legions of Devil himself! God has called upon us to do
mighty deeds which shall be remembered forever. How pleased will God
be in Heaven for our fulfillment of this duty? What greater
righteousness can any man hope for than to wade through the blood of
demons?" Uruk shouted to the dismayed Franks.
"Out of our way or we will cut you down!" Hugh spat
back.
"You would waste all that strength against your fellow man
rather than focus it upon the spawn of the Devil?" John asked in
his usual stoic manner. Hugh growled. He seemed genuinely conflicted.
He looked back over his shoulder toward the fighting.
"If we are to spill our blood this day, should it at not at
least be for something worth while?" John asked.
The discussion was caught off by the sudden clanging sounds to the
now rear of the Franks. The Franks in the middle turned to see the
red skinned demons charging into their midst. Obviously the middle of
the front lines had broken and the demons were pouring through. The
tall, powerfully built ones charged forward with their wicked black
spears, causing the blood to flow freely. They decimated the
unprepared and distracted ranks of the Franks. The ones behind them
turned to face their enemies. These were reinforced by their comrades
although casualties were still heavy.
"We are being slaughtered! For the grace of God let us
through!" Hugh shrieked. John was unmoved.
"Turn and help your countrymen if you have any honor at all!"
Uruk called back.
Thunderous footfalls could be heard from behind the vanguard that
was pressing heavily into the French with their spears. The massive,
stooped, gnarled creatures thundered forward, swinging massive spiked
clubs. Bone shattered and blood sprayed where ever these massive
clubs landed. Those closest to the melee swung their swords at the
incoming enemy. Yet the Franks were fractured and not of a common
mind. Their half hearted attempt at defense was shattered by the
force and intensity of the charging demons.
Hugh's fear now turned to mindless terror and he spurred his
horse, charging toward the Armenian line. Uruk stepped forward. With
one swipe the foremost leg of Hugh's horse was removed. Uruk changed
directions and swung the ax in an arch down on Hugh, silencing his
cries forever. With another chop he put the horse out of its misery
as well. Several Franks had ran forward with Hugh only to be impaled
on Armenian spears. Uruk's booming voice echoed over the chaos.
"Go back and fight like men!" Uruk boomed. Some of the
Franks were startled by Uruk's sheer intensity. Uruk, unable to wait
any longer, charged forward shouting.
"Forward men, strike down anything coming toward you,"
John commanded. The Armenian wall of shields and spears began moving
forward. Towards the edges, some men simply ran off into the desert.
Those more towards the center turned resignedly to face their
opponents. They inched forward ahead of the Armenians. Some decided
to charge forward. These at least had the mercy of dying quickly.
Uruk charged the nearest demon, swinging with his mighty ax. The
ax caught mostly metal and his foe staggered slightly. Uruk was
amazed. Never had an opponent still been alive much less remained
standing after his ax connected. His foe took advantage of his
surprise and rushed forward. The two collided with the clang of
metal.
The Sol Invictii had moved to form a protective ring around the
priests and mystics. With gestures and words, the mystics and priests
sent demons sprawling back as the Invictii knights themselves fought
furiously with those that approached. Joseph and his contingent had
pulled back to regroup, allowing the demons to surge into the bulk of
his army. Joseph felt justified in this since his forces at the
front were so thin and he knew the Armenians and Varangians would be
holding the center. Hopefully they would be able to encircle and
destroy this enemy host.
Joseph called out to the mounted archers to continue firing arrows
into the thick of the enemy. Joseph wheeled his horse about to get a
better look at the mystics. Some powerful blue light was emanating
from them that drove the demons away from them. The Invictii
themselves seemed to be infused with this same light and
struck down their adversaries with righteous fury. Adrastos rode
from his position amongst the Invictii toward the swirling red. One
by one, the other priests and mystics followed.
The middle of the Frankish contingent was maddening. Piles of dead
lay on either side. The Franks had turned to face their adversaries
and the distrustful Armenians were right at their back. The
fighting had become scattered enough that the demons were meeting
with the Armenian line. Varangians, unable to contain themselves any
longer, had begun moving through the Armenian ranks to join the fray.
Blood, both black and red ran thick upon the ground making it slick.
The fighters in the center fought to maintain their balance. The
Varangians were surprised again like Uruk by the resilience of their
foes, but this only fueled their efforts further.
The Armenians continued to move forward as a solid wall of spears,
clashing with the demons wherever they made contact. Spears clashed
from both sides. The phalanx formation prevented the pure brute
strength of the demons from breaking their ranks. Many demons found
themselves skewered at the end of the Armenian spears. The Varangians
moved to distance themselves from the Armenians so that the demons
that got past them would find themselves between spear and ax.
The large brutes charged forward behind the demons' spear men,
shattering bone and armor like dry twigs. Even the mighty Varangians
found themselves hurled to the ground by the sheer force of these
gnarled brutes. Between these two waves of demons it was becoming
apparent that the Germans had been completely obliterated and the
French mostly destroyed. The sheer number of French mercenaries
brought to the battle (the center, and largest contingent) was all
that had truly still kept them in the battle. French losses were
severe. The Varangians shouted, hoping to give heart to their French
comrades, but these new opponents with the strength of bulls made
even their might buckle. Varangians started finding themselves
pulverized by the massive clubs of the brutes.
The Armenians continued to press forward, fighting doggedly with
the opposing spear men, hoping to make way to the thicker fighting
and relieve their comrades. John kept urging on his men. He glanced
over his shoulder briefly seeing only a small retinue of Greek
officers as the remaining rear guard.
Uruk and his men were heartened by the sudden arrival of Normans
by their side. The front line had apparently fallen back to their
position. Uruk was not sure how this affected the battle as a whole
but was relieved that they were temporarily reinforced. As Norman
swords and Varangian axes joined to thwart demonic might, Uruk and
William both noticed the enemy falling back. They were striking and
attacking as they retreated but it was becoming apparent that the
enemy was in fact retreating!
Uruk and William both raised their weapons, called to their allies
and charged into the demons as they made their egress. At this, John
the Armenian ordered a full charge of his men to strike down the
enemy.
Despite the unwieldy nature of the demon army it was surprisingly
controlled in its retreat. They were now attempted to move away from
their enemies more quickly, but continued to fight their way to
safety. At this, the Normans, Varangians and Armenians charged toward
their adversary.
Toward what had initially been the front of the battle, Joseph
noticed Hadrian motioning to him. Joseph thrust his sword through the
throat of a nearby demon and looked back up at Hadrian. Hadrian was
motioning toward Adrastos. His own men were hemmed about by demons
while the rest of the army seemed to be in a full retreat back to the
swirling red sands.
Quickly and unquestioningly he summoned his nearest cavalry and
made a straight line for Adrastos, cutting down or forcing their way
through demons as they went. Joseph looked over his shoulder to see
the center of his army marching forward in pursuit of the enemy. His
heart lightened for the first time since the battle had begun. It
seemed that his army had won the day. Excited, he quickened his pace
to meet up with Adrastos.
"The true enemy comes!" Adrastos shouted as a strong
wind picked up from within the swirling redness. Joseph did not at
all like the sound of this.
A sudden, immense gust of wind blasted from within the swirling
redness, knocking several men to the ground. Adrastos simply held out
a hand, and the sand seemed to disperse around him. From within a
massive man, red skin, carrying a long black staff emerged from red
abyss. His eyes gleamed white, his face was covered with coarse,
black hair. Short, curving goat horns protruded from his forehead. He
grinned a row of wicked white teeth. He stabbed the ground with his
staff and the sands rolled like a wave away from him. Several of
Joseph's approaching cavalry were completely engulfed and then never
seen again.
Adrastos raised his hand and the blue light appeared again. The
priests all behind him appeared to be praying. Hadrian had made it to
their side. He had begun drawing shapes in the sand with his spear
furiously. Joseph had no idea what the meaning of it was although he
did not for a moment doubt its importance.
The immense figure laughed, a booming, hollow sound that echoed
through the open air. Its nostrils flared and then it breathed forth
an immense gout of flame. The heat was overwhelming. Joseph felt that
he might lose consciousness from the sheer heat, yet he somehow
remained unburnt. He looked as the fire dissipated and noticed that
it had again dispersed out and around Adrastos. The other mystics had
their staffs held high overhead, chanting.
Hadrian's men pulled out ornate javelins that were as finely
crafted as their spears. These they hurled at the giant before them.
Each javelin seemed to flash as it made contact with his skin. He
flinched in pain. Joseph's fascination was broken again by the sudden
onslaught of steel clad demons. Hadrian's men had just gotten their
spears up as the demons poured in. The sickening crunch of both
forces colliding spurred Joseph to action. He turned and charged into
the oncoming wave, slashing furiously with his sword.
One of the demons stepped forward and plunged its spear deep into
the chest of Joseph's horse. The horse fell limply to the ground and
Joseph tumbled away. Joseph lost his sword in the fall and looked
about the ground quickly for a weapon. He saw a spear of one of the
fallen Invictii warriors, he quickly grabbed and parried the incoming
thrust from his attacker. Turning, he drove the spear deep into the
chest of the demon, just above his armor, where chest meets throat.
The demon groaned in pain and hot ichor poured forth. The next demon
was upon him immediately, though it seemed more to be charging past
him than at him.
"Protect the mystics!" he heard a shout over his
shoulder. He ran his spear through the side of the demon running past
him and felt the ground leave his feet. He landed several feet away.
He tried to roll with the fall, but still felt shock from the impact.
When he rose, with some difficulty, he saw the massive red brute
standing before him. It had stab wounds all over its body which black
liquid oozed from. It was unarmed and clearly must have struck him
with one of its immense fists. It roared and charged forward.
Joseph sank the back end of his spear into the sand. The brute ran
right into the spear head. Yet the sheer force of the brute's charge
bowed the wooden shaft of the spear until the mighty spear finally
snapped. The brute was still bearing down upon him and Joseph found
himself quickly reflecting the events of his life when the brute
suddenly changed direction.
Joseph looked up to see one of his Varangian guards shoulder
heavily into the brute and swing inward with his ax, ending the
brute's attacks forever. Joseph grabbed another spear from the ground
and crept back toward Adrstos. He knew that he had to protect the old
man. He turned to see Hadrian run another demon through.
"The holy men must defeat Gutharkis and seal the gate,"
Hadrian shouted over the clang of battle. Joseph could only guess the
red giant was Gutharkis. Joseph took his place alongside Hadrian and
the two of them joined the line of Invictii warriors protecting the
mystics. One of the holy men poured a liquid that looked like blood
over the end of a spear. Adrastos took it in hand and kicked his
horse, charging suddenly toward the red giant.
"No!" Hadrian cried out, but Adrastos was already too
far away. The huge demon looked down at Adrastos and grinned
wickedly. Hadrian broke out in full sprint toward the adversary and
hurled his spear like an Olympian. The spear soared through the air
as Joseph had never before witnessed. The devil looked up and swatted
the spear out of the sky, but the momentary distraction caused him to
misjudge how suddenly close Adrastos had become. An immense blue
light erupted around Adrastos as the spear left his hand, striking
the red skin of the massive enemy. Blue light splintered in all
directions as an impossibly loud bellow shattered the air. In a flash
of flame, light, and a shock wave, the giant and the swirling red
mist vanished.
Only a small fraction of the original army returned to Akhlat. The
Franks and the Germans, who had numbered in the thousands marching
out, returned in only hundreds. The Normans had lost nearly half
their strength. The Varangians had taken similar casualties. Joseph
rode back with only a third of his cavalry. Half of the Invictii
returned from battle. The Armenians were the fortunate ones. Nearly
three fourths of their men had survived. Every man, however, was
exhausted and in bad need of a drink.
“So it's over,” Joseph said when he sat down next to Adrastos.
The old man laughed.
“That battle is finished, yes. The war rages ever onward,” he
replied simply.
“There are more demon armies like that?” Joseph asked.
“Many,” Adrastos sighed. He sounded infinitely tired. Joseph
was beginning to understand why.
“My men took many losses this day,” Hadrian said flatly,
taking a seat next to Joseph.
“We have overcome the Devil! The gods look down on us and smile
my friend! We have bested The Enemy!” Uruk roared, taking soldiers
in arm and shaking them. Few, even his kinsmen, seemed to share his
current enthusiasm for the battle just finished.
“I think that we are fortunate that any returned here today,”
Joseph replied to Hadrian.
“I tell you of our losses because it is no simple thing to train
an Invictii. Only the best of men are chosen for training, and not
all are ready, even then,” Hadrian stated.
:”So you need new recruits,” Joseph replied.
“We are in a rare position Joseph,” Adrastos said at last.
Joseph turned to listen. Adrastos paused, thinking Joseph would
speak, but when he saw the look in the younger man's eyes, he smiled
and continued.
“We have lead an entire army against the enemy host. Every one
of these men is a demon slayer. What it would normally take years to
train and prepare for these men have already faced.”
“You want to recruit my entire army?” Joseph asked.
“Ill news met us upon returning Joseph. Your Emperor was
defeated. His army destroyed. The Ducas family have raced back to
Constantinople to claim his seat. You are a general without an
Emperor. You have no home to return to,” Adrastos said heavily.
Joseph stared at the ground in shock. He looked around, wondering
if any of the men knew. He had loved Romanus. He had been one of the
few men of character he had ever witnessed in the City. Now he was
gone. The Empire in the hands of the scheming Ducas family.
“This world needs stalwart men to defend it now more than ever,”
Adrastos said.
Joseph looked up at the old man with tears in his eyes.
“Will I have a chance at vengeance?”
Adrastos paused for a moment. The two men locked eyes.
“I think you will my son. One day, I think you will,” he said
finally.
“Then what would you have me do?” Joseph. Hadrian and Adrastos
exchanged a look, then they opened the Book of Invictus before Joseph
and the ancient rite began.
