‘There’ll be enough,’ answered Barates. ‘We have barrels sitting empty in the granary. I’ll have a detail fill as many as they can.’
‘Right,’ said Cassius as Simo made another note. ‘What’s next?’
‘Three – weapons and equipment,’ said Barates.
‘We’ll have a good idea about that after muster, won’t we?’ Cassius said.
‘True, as far as personal arms go. There are also perhaps fifty or sixty of the light javelins. They might prove useful.’
‘Perhaps if we had five or six hundred,’ replied Strabo. ‘I could chuck fifty myself in the time it takes you to cross the square. Anyway, a lot of good they’ll do us against oven men.’
‘Oven men?’ Cassius asked.
‘Palmyran cavalry,’ said Strabo, leaning forward and thumping his elbows theatrically down on the table.
‘They cover themselves and their mounts in a coat of iron. Workmanship you wouldn’t believe: joints that move with their limbs, metal hardy enough to deflect any sword, their only vulnerable point a tiny opening for each eye. I spoke with a man who saw them hit the Persian flank at Callinicum. He watched one of their lances go clean through a horse – in one side and out the other.’
Strabo illustrated the blow with a jab of his finger and leaned back, still holding Cassius’ gaze.
‘Wonderful horsemen. Worth twenty infantry each at least. The only time they lose is when they faint from the heat.’
‘But surely cavalry are ill-suited to a siege,’ said Cassius optimistically.
‘Has happened. To punch a hole at a weak point. And you’ve seen our gate.’
‘Which should be our next area of attention,’ said Barates. ‘It needs reinforcing.’
‘And the gatehouse?’ queried Cassius.
‘If the enemy bring artillery they’ll knock it down in half an hour,’ said Strabo.
‘Siege warfare is not their speciality as well you know,’ replied Barates. ‘They prefer to move quickly and there’s little suitable material for artillery in these parts. More likely they’ll attack in numbers, try to fire the buildings, use ladders for the walls.’
Cassius checked that Simo was keeping up. The ink was a tad watery but the Gaul had written concise notes in a large, clear hand.
‘Didn’t
we
have some artillery around somewhere?’ asked the Sicilian, drawing a look of dismay from Barates.
‘As well informed as ever, Strabo,’ he answered, taking his own turn at sarcasm. ‘There was a light onager and a pair of scorpions but they went east with the legion. Not that we have a trained crew anyway.’
‘Do you have any horses?’ said Cassius.
Barates shook his head.
‘The pair that bolted were our last. Both had broken legs and had to be killed.’
‘There are
no
other horses here?’ asked Cassius, incredulous.
‘No. We have three camels though,’ said Barates. ‘Difficult beasts, but we have a boy here who takes care of them.’
Strabo laughed. Barates continued.
‘With his help I’ve been able to mount the odd patrol. Evil creatures to be sure and an uncomfortable ride, but they can get us out to the crest and back in a couple of hours.’
Barates answered Cassius’ next question before he could ask it.
‘A small rise a couple of miles east. It gives a commanding view of the area and several hours warning of any approach.’
‘Excellent,’ said Cassius, relieved to hear a piece of good news. ‘We shall post a permanent guard there. You can show me it after muster.’
‘I shall tell Julius to ready the animals.’
‘That boy is a cretin,’ said Strabo irritably. ‘We should have sent him away with the rest of the locals.’
‘He has some trouble with his words, I grant you,’ answered Barates, ‘but there’s nothing wrong with his brain. He’s been a good deal more use to me than anyone else in recent months.’
‘The only reason he is able to deal with the camels is because he has the same level of wit.’
‘Strabo, that boy is worth—’
‘Gentlemen, please.’ Cassius held up his hands between the two of them; it seemed this was a long-running argument. ‘We don’t have time for this.’
‘Sorry, sir,’ said Barates, ‘but I’m still waiting for our esteemed guard officer to offer a worthwhile point to this discussion.’
‘Here’s one for you,’ said Strabo. ‘Probably the most important point of all – the attitude of the men.’
‘And whose responsibility is that?’ asked Barates.
Strabo held up his hands.
‘Fair enough. But remember I never asked Petronius for the job. And the pay is scarcely more—’
‘This is not the time for recriminations,’ Cassius said. ‘Obviously the situation is far from ideal, but if we can’t get the men working and fighting together then everything else is for naught. Let’s start by grouping them into sections. At least then we know what we have to work with. Simo – the century roll. And the pen to mark it with.’
‘What about the Syrians?’ said Barates, making way as Simo fetched the papyrus sheets and placed them in the middle of the table. ‘They could be a great help to us.’
‘You really think they’ll stand by us?’ said Strabo. ‘More likely Kabir will switch sides if he thinks there’s gain in it.’
‘You seem to get along with the locals,’ Cassius told Barates. ‘When we’re done here, tell this Kabir I will visit him first thing in the morning. There’s not time tonight and I think a clear head might be preferable for such a task.’
‘That’s probably wise,’ replied the veteran. ‘There are certain niceties to be observed when dealing with them. And as Strabo said, Kabir’s no fool. His patience has been sorely tested; they’ve been awaiting pay even longer than us. If he thinks he’s being lied to, there’s no telling what he’ll do. To be honest, if things turned nasty, I wouldn’t fancy our chances.’
Cassius noted Strabo’s cynical frown but the Sicilian said nothing, choosing instead to lean forward and examine the roll. Wiping sweat from his top lip, Cassius asked Simo to fetch them some water.
Strabo got to the third page and handed it over to Barates.
‘Well it’s a little out of date, but everyone seems to be there. Including us three, forty five men in total.’
‘Five groups of nine perhaps,’ suggested Barates. ‘For work parties now, sections if we have to fight.’
‘So who is to lead these sections?’ asked Strabo tiredly.
‘I’ll take one,’ said Cassius. ‘Strabo, you take another, Barates you too.’
‘Sir, if I were ten years younger I would gladly—’
‘I’m not asking you to carry barrels or wield a sword, merely to organise your section.’
‘Don’t give us the old man routine, Barates,’ said Strabo, ‘we know you’d like nothing more.’
The veteran allowed himself a grin.
‘You said that Serenus is a good soldier,’ Cassius continued. ‘And he’s obviously not afraid to speak up for himself. What do you think?’
‘Could do worse,’ said Strabo. ‘But we’ll need a reserve in mind if he’s not up to it.’
‘A good choice,’ said Barates, marking the names with the pen as Simo poured more water from a pail into three mugs.
‘Flavian and Avso’s lot for the last section?’ suggested Cassius.
‘You want to put them together?’ asked the Sicilian.
‘I believe we should leave fellow with fellow. Men they’ll fight with and fight for. Avso for section leader?’
‘I don’t like the man, never have,’ said Barates. ‘But he’s damned useful in a fight.’
Strabo gave a reluctant nod.
Cassius drank half his water and stood up, adjusting his belt and sliding his sword back over his hip.
‘If there’s nothing else, gentlemen, please finish up with the roll. Then perhaps you can go and visit this Kabir fellow, Barates. Strabo, you can see how the men are getting on. We shall reconvene in the square.’
VIII
The sun was already sinking below the western wall as the men filed out of the barracks. Standing beneath the flag once more, Cassius was relieved to find the temperature had dropped significantly. Hands tucked into his belt, he watched Strabo and Barates direct each man towards a section. Avso and Serenus were also taking charge, checking weapons and equipment before the formal inspection. Their sections were close together and the men were beginning to intermingle. Cassius walked over and gestured for them to separate. Though the legionaries obeyed, Avso smirked and mouthed something to Serenus.
For the thousandth time in recent months, Cassius forced himself out of his natural passivity and walked over to them.
‘Problem?’
‘Sorry, sir?’ said Avso, eyes narrowing with mock confusion.
‘I asked if there was a problem? You seemed to find my actions entertaining.’
‘Not at all, sir. I always welcome the assistance of a senior officer.’
This drew a few grunts of amusement from the surrounding legionaries. Cassius felt his new-found confidence ebbing away.
‘Then presumably you are familiar with the concept of insubordination. And the punishment that might follow.’
‘Oh yes, sir. Very familiar.’ Avso ran a finger and thumb down his narrow chin.
‘If I were you, legionary, I’d take a little more care with my manner.’
‘I’ll try to remember that, sir. But I am just a Thracian peasant, not a fine Roman gentleman.’
Some of the men laughed. Cassius stared defiantly back at Avso’s sunken eyes for a moment.
‘Evidently.’
He turned to Serenus.
‘Do you have something to say to me?’
‘No, sir.’
Serenus would have once been a striking man but illness had yellowed his skin and clouded his eyes. He had broad shoulders but his belt was pulled tight round a disconcertingly narrow waist. His limbs were lean and veiny; muscled but insubstantial.
He spoke quietly: ‘I apologise if we seemed rude. But we know nothing about you. Perhaps if we knew something of your previous experience, we might feel a little more assured.’
Before Cassius could reply, Strabo appeared, barging his way through the crowd. He glanced speculatively at Avso.
‘Causing trouble again?’
‘Look who it is, lads – the mighty Strabo, our inspirational guard officer!’
Ignoring the ironic cheers and whoops from Avso’s cronies, Strabo reached for his dagger.
‘That’s enough!’ Cassius yelled.
Seeing that the Thracian was about to let loose another remark, he pointed towards the temple.
‘Avso and Serenus with me. Strabo – get the men lined up in their sections.’
Strabo didn’t move; he was too busy eyeballing Avso.
Cassius stepped carefully between them and waited patiently until the guard officer looked at him.
‘Now.’
Barates had arrived too. He took hold of Strabo’s arm and coaxed him away. The Sicilian shook him off but was soon redirecting his ire towards the legionaries.
‘Follow me,’ Cassius said, wondering if there would be time to complete the inspection and get out to the crest and back before sundown. When they reached the temple he gestured to a fragile-looking bench.
‘Please.’
Avso shook his head. Serenus however seemed keen to rest. After several rasping coughs he sat down.
‘So,’ said Cassius, ‘you wish to know of my background. I have been in the army less than a year. My original assignment was to round up injured in this area and lead them back to Antioch. Yesterday I received orders to take over the garrison. I have never fought in a battle before and this is my first real command. Now you know.’
‘Well I have to admire your honesty,’ said Serenus with a thin smile.
Predictably, Avso was less generous.
‘Whoever decided that first-year recruits can match a man with twenty years under his belt is an idiot.’
Cassius shrugged.
‘Possibly. I am not responsible for military policy. But I am responsible for this garrison and I am your centurion.’
Cassius noted that the lie was becoming easier. It had been an exhausting day, not over yet by a long way, and he was in no mood for diplomacy.
‘So, unless you plan to walk out of that gate right now, you need to accept that I am in command. You don’t have to like it, you don’t have to like me, but that’s the way it is. Whatever happens, you won’t have to put up with me much longer than a week.’
‘Assuming we make it that far,’ observed Serenus wearily.
Avso said nothing, which to Cassius seemed like progress.
‘Strabo and Barates assure me you’ll both do a good job with your sections. Serenus, can you manage?’
‘I’ll do my best. But I should tell you, this is one of my better days.’
Cassius turned to Avso.
‘We both know that in another time and place you and your friend Flavian would be up on charges by now. But we’re stuck with this time and place and I need every sword hand I can get. You have men to lead and I expect you to lead them well.’
‘Is that all? Sir.’
Cassius decided he would have to settle for begrudging cooperation.
‘It is. Return to your section. And from now on, address me correctly and show me the respect I deserve in front of the men.’
Avso headed back across the square.
‘Not a pleasant man,’ said Serenus when he was out of earshot. ‘But he’s as tough as they come.’
The veteran got slowly to his feet and the two of them started back, watching as Strabo formed up his section.
‘Again, apologies for any offence caused.’
Cassius held up an appeasing hand.
Serenus continued: ‘You must forgive my wavering temperament. I used to be counted as the most solid man in my century but this affliction leaves one bitter and melancholic. And days such as this, when I can talk and walk and eat – they come with decreasing regularity.’
‘What is this ailment?’
‘Some imbalance in my airs. That’s what a surgeon told me.’