Daniel Ottalini

Antioch Burns

Dear Reader,

The following text is a narrative account of the events occurring during the siege of Antiochia by the Mongol Invasion Force in the 1854 th year of the Christian Lord. This is one of the few confirmed documents on file about the fall of Antioch. All attempts have been made to verify the facts of this report. Until further witnesses come forward or more evidence is discovered, I fear that this is the most we will ever know about the fateful events surrounding one of the bloodiest periods in Rome’s history.

Signed,

Dannelus Ottalinia

Senior Transcriber amp; Historian Emeritus

Byzantium College of Warfare

August 1, 1862

Day One: The Merchant’s Tale

The countryside flew by at a prodigious rate, the horses of the auxilia scouting unit eating up the leagues of rolling hills and farmland. The double score of men rode two abreast, sunlight shining off their scale armor. The detachment of horsemen sent up a thin cloud of dust from the dirt road as they crested a low rise, their leader reining in his steed. Decanus Marius Quinctius Regillus reached into his saddlebag and pulled out a map. He traced their route with his gloved finger.

“According to the merchant’s report, he saw the burning villas down this way. He also said there was a lot of Easterner cavalry. Probably one of those damnable tribal disputes lighting up again,” Regillus quipped to his auxilia. “But still, orders are orders. Let’s check it out. Eyes open, sing out if you see anything.”

Out here on the eastern border of the Imperial Roman Empire, the massed cavalry forces of the Mongolian Khannates were the main threat, and the Romans had been forced to develop their forces in kind. The boys originally drafted from the cities and towns were no match for the veteran steppe riders. Most of these boys had not survived the first Roman-Mongolian War. Those that did were tough, wily, and exceptionally tricky to lead. But once you gained their trust and fellowship, the bond was unbreakable.

Regillus was different. The youngest son of Senator Quinctius Janus Regillus was nobly born, more the scholar than soldier. The fact that he had survived the two years of brutal, no-holds-barred warfare spoke to his skill and tenacity. That he rose in rank to lead an auxilia detachment, the ground based eyes and ears of the Roman Army, spoke to his intelligence. That he had done so without ‘buying in’ to a higher rank, as many of his peers had, revealed his character. Regardless of his background, his men respected him for those two reasons. He would not throw their lives away needlessly, and he was smart enough to not pretend to know everything. Many soldiers could not count themselves so lucky in their leadership.

Regillus guided his men off the dirt roadway, to better mask their dust cloud as they approached the supposed scene of the attack. They rode through the field, trampling the high crops with impunity. Finally, the horsemen crested a short rise, and the officer reined his men in.

“In the name of Jupiter Magnus…” Regillus’ jaw dropped, gaping at the sight laid out before him. Further down the valley, a massive tent city filled several huge tracts of farmland. The dome shaped huts of the Mongols had grown like mushrooms overnight. Banners flapped in the wind, too many to count. The rich smell of manure, horses, and trampled crops registered with the officer as he motioned to his men to dismount. The cavalrymen spread out to form a loose perimeter, their folding repeaters locked into place, wire stocks nestled into shoulders, fingers on the trigger. They scanned the fields of rippling crops and occasional rocky hills with nervous eyes. They too had seen the substantial enemy army encamped in the valley in the distance.

Regillus’ second in command, Limes Vegiutus, walked up beside his commander, pushing vegetation out of his way.

“Sir? What should we do?”

“Hopefully they have yet to see our dust cloud, but I would not count on it.” He told his junior officer. “Looks like that merchant was right.”

He pushed his way though the crops and back onto the road. He could track the motion of his men through the wheat as they moved to the edge of the cover. Just beyond the field lay the Via Thapsacus, the main trade route leading northeast towards Mongolian territory.

Removing his helm, Regillus caught sight of the slightly blurry black and white photograph of his family nestled amongst the interior webbing of his helmet. He paused, said a quick prayer to his gods, then handed the shining galea to one of his men, before crouching low and running across the road. He found shelter besides a few scraggly roadside bushes to get a better view of the land. Beckoning to his junior officer, he crouched down in the soil. Vegiutus joined him after copying his experienced commander’s movements. Lifting the binoculars to his face, he spoke in a low, rapid voice; Vegiutus scribbled down his observations.

“At least 60,000 men probably. Appears to be two thirds horse archers, but they’ve got some infantry guarding those covered wagons. I would wager ten good denarii that it holds some type of artillery train.” He scanned the position, looking for the pickets. He cursed as he noticed the camp beginning to stir. Some type of chief was waving his hands and pointing to their position.

“They’ve spotted our dust cloud. We’re in trouble. Run back to the horses and get that report onto a messenger pigeon. Antiochia must know about this and mobilize their forces. I don’t see how any of the border defenses could hold them back, but surely some word must have gotten out.” He mused, brain in overdrive as he analyzed the situation.

“Sir?” Vegiutus asked, nervously licking his dry lips. He looked a bit pale in the hot sun, the prospect of soldiering far less exciting when faced with a real, live enemy.

“You’re still here?” Regillus said sternly. Vegiutus scurried back across the road. What did I do to get stuck with the general’s cousin? Poor kid can barely stomach the sight of these barbarians, and we’re a good two miles or so away.

He made his way back to the horses, jogging now, the sweat from the hot day trickling down his back and sides. He twirled his finger in a loop, silently directing his men. His auxilia quickly mounted up, and they wheeled around, galloping back through the field and onto the road.

“We must put some distance on them, then pull back on the horses. We don’t want them to go lame.” He shouted at Vegiutus, who nodded and signaled the rest of the men. The column raced along the roads. Their dust cloud formed a long, wavering tail behind them. Regillus could care less who spotted them now. Speed was of the essence. How had they gotten past the border forts? What about the other border cities?

“How do you think they did it, sir?” Vegiutus shouted to him. He looked scared. He’s probably never actually seen a real easterner before, Regillus realized.

“They must have figured out how to bypass the forts or neutralize them somehow!” he called back. They were approaching the first of many small settlements that speckled the valleys northeast of the city. He stopped his horse, his men sawing abruptly at their reins. A scene of devastation met their arrival.

“This can only mean one thing,” he told his green-faced junior officer, “the easterners have gotten behind us and are already loose. We must make it to Antioch and warn the city.”

“But sir, we sent ahead the messe-“

Regillus made a chopping motion in the air with his hand, interrupting his younger companion.

“And we know that Mongols are crack shots with those horsebows of theirs. Plus they’re fast riders and eagle eyed. If there are raiders about, I give that bird only one chance in five it will reach Antioch.”

His words hung over the scouting party. Regillus checked his girdle and gear, before latching his helm back onto his head.

“Whatever you do, ride fast, ride hard, and do not stop for any reason.” His men nodded, faces grim with the realization that the only definite way to warn their city was to make it there alive.

They galloped through the burning town. Dead villagers lay sprawled about. Men, women, children, all had been put to the sword or bow. Those bastards, Regillus swore. His knuckles gripped his steed’s reins tightly, and he felt his throat tighten. Regardless of how many years he had been in the army, seeing death made his blood boil and his heart weep. Although he would have been ashamed to admit it, he was a sensitive soul. First his brother, then his father, and most recently the army had tried to beat it out of him, but every time, his compassionate heart was able to wait out the opposition.

Unfortunately in times like this, it made him question his decisions. Perhaps we could have intercepted these raiders if we hadn’t scouted ahead? We could have at least stalled the raiders or even turned them away. A small voice inside his head twisted the guilt dagger deeper. Shaking his head fiercely, Regillus pushed the thought away. There was nothing they could do now.

Vegiutus turned to puke over the side of his horse, the men behind him weaving away from the sick man’s revulsion. Looks like someone else has a similar problem.

“We must make haste,” Regillus said coldly, pushing away all the emotion he felt. His men now took the southern road, riding southwest toward the safety of Antioch’s walls. The vast bulk of Mount Silpious rose to their left. As the tiny watchtowers at the summit came into sight, Regillus felt his spirits rise. Perhaps we can make it after all. Less than fifteen minutes until we are at the gates. Someone at the towers must have noticed the villages burning…

Their mounts laboring now, the riders turned a blind corner at full speed, and found themselves amid a group of roughly thirty dismounted Mongolian raiders. Surprised at the sudden arrival of two score Roman cavalrymen in their midst, the Mongolians were uncharacteristically slow to react, staring dumbfounded at their sworn enemies.

“Use your repeaters!” Regillus cried out, fumbling to pull his from its holster on his saddle. By the time he had it cocked and ready, his own men were blocking his view and they had already raced through the enemy warband.

“Should we turn around and engage them, sir?” Vegiutus called to him.

“No! We make for the city. They’ll be on our tails by now, but we have got speed and some distance on them,” Regillus replied hopefully. A cry from the back silenced that hope. Long black streaks began to fill the sky as the Mongolians attempted to bring down their Roman targets.

“Shields on your backs!” Regillus ordered. “Make them work for it! Back ranks, return fire!” His order was passed back, and the men at the rear began using their repeaters to try and harry their pursuers’ advance.

We can fight or we can flee, but we can’t do both. Regillus thought, worried. He rapidly judged that his force would not be able to make it to the city walls before the hardier steppe ponies of the Mongolians surpassed their tiring Roman quarter horse opponents. Another scream behind him, followed by a sickening thud, forced the issue. He would not have his men slaughtered without the opportunity to fight back. Eyes searching desperately, the auxilia crested yet another hill. There! The winding dirt road passed through a village with a walled inn. A friendly sign offered food and rest to the weary traveler.

“Make for Janeria and that inn. We’ll light a signal fire. That should draw our cavalry forces,” he ordered in desperation. Spurring their horses into one last burst, the men thundered into the town. The townspeople saw the approaching Romans, then their pursuers. The peasants panicked, scattering like chickens before the auxilia riders. With moments to spare, the men rode into the walled compound, ducking under the low gate.

Regillus dismounted and quickly rushed to the gate. Several of his men joined him as they covered the gate with their repeaters.

“Get a signal fire lit! And see if this dirtball has a wireless or telegraph station!” he shouted at his second in command, who nodded hurriedly before shouldering his way into the inn, ignoring the protestations of the patrons in the yard.

“Clear out of here before the Mongols burst in and slaughter us. Get inside the inn. We’ll try to hold them off,” Regillus ordered grimly. He could hear the sounds of fighting just over the fieldstone wall that bordered the inn’s carriage yard. He gritted his teeth. I must stay focused on the mission. Running out there to save people is an easy way to wind up dead. His brain warred with his heart.

But I have to do something!

Several of his men had now cranked out their legion scuta. The heavy cavalry shield had undergone a retrofit in recent years to make it more transportable, and now strapped to the arm. Once there, you had to wind a crank, and the shield would telescope out, each pie-shaped piece sliding out from the arm grip and around the central boss. Although heavy, awkward, and slow to open, the shield worked perfectly, and even Regillus had to admit the idea was superb.

“Sir, we’ll cover you while you arm yourself,” one of his men said. It was only then that Regillus realized how very unprotected he was.

“Very well. See if we can barricade the gate. If we can, get up on the walls. Let’s thin out these raiders.”

The man nodded, and Regillus jogged back to his horse. He pulled his own scutum and popped out the crank. Once, twice, three times, and the shield was fully deployed. He locked the crank back into place. He then took his face guard and slid it into the small slot in his helmet. His face was fully protected now, with only a pair of eye and mouth slots unguarded. His world closed in as he strapped his masked galea into place. To an enemy, it was as though his opponent was a faceless, metal monster.

Feeling more protected, he holstered his hand-repeater and drew his spatha, the Roman replacement for the gladius feeling heavy in his hand. His fingers flexed around the leather-bound grip, and his thumb tested the sharp, curved slashing edge of the weapon.

Satisfied with his equipment, he returned to the gate, now blocked by an overturned produce cart. Several of his men were shoving barrels, fence posts, and any other odds and ends they could get their hands on against the barricade. The majority of his men had now found, or in some cases, created, firing platforms that allowed them to see over the walls.

“Don’t waste your fire, men. Only shoot at visible targets. We don’t know how long we’ll have to hold out,” he ordered his nervous men. He had been with his men, the 2nd Auxiliary Cavalry detachment, nicknamed the Eagle Eyes, for two years now and had grown to identify their moods, and what he felt concerned him.

His men were preparing to die.

Frowning, Regillus looked for a centralized position to view the situation, and spotted it by the gateway. One of his men had placed some boards between two barrels, and was shooting his repeater from the sturdy wall top.

Regillus clambered up onto the boards. Ulysses Iona steadied him with a calloused hand, nodded a greeting to him, then spoke.

“Sir, we want to know. How are you going to get us out of this one?”

Such a blunt question would have insulted many other commanders, but it did not bother the officer. He had long learned that it was best to listen to, and address, the cause of his soldiers’ concerns.

“Fight like one of Pluto’s hellhounds in a corner,” he replied.

Ulysses gave a short smile.

“You would say tha-” His words cut off with a sharp tung as a arrow buried itself into his head, stabbing right through his steel helmet. Regillus cursed and ducked out of the way. Gods damn their accuracy. He didn’t bother to check Ulysses, knowing he was already dead from such a pinpoint shot.

“Take cover and adjust your position after each shot!” he shouted out. Nervously, he peaked over the wall again. The streets were mostly empty now, and the sounds of slaughter and death filled the town. Bodies lay in the streets where they had been hacked down. The sound of horse’s hooves reached his ears, and he turned at just the right moment. Another arrow sliced by his face, so close he could feel the vanes guiding the bolt. There!

He spotted the shooter, crouched down behind a low wall. He shot on reflex, the twang of his repeater followed by the low whine of the arrow as it shot through the air. His target disappeared from view. Ducking back behind cover, Regillus tugged the mechanism working the next bolt into position. The small lever went snick-snick-snick as it was cocked back. He was down to four shots before he would have to reload. There were more clips in his saddlebags, but the decanus didn’t have time to abandon his position.

Peeking his head up over the wall lip, he spied movement at the end of the street. More Mongols, gathering in force, their horses weaving in and out of cover.

“Watch the east end of the road!” he called to the other men on the wall.

Vegiutus came back out into the courtyard.

“Sir! The only wire station is on the other side of town. There’s no way we can get to it. But I had an idea.” Surly looking inn employees were dragging mattresses into the courtyard, along with stacks of firewood.

“I think this fire should be able to generate enough smoke for Antioch to see. And… Uh…the innkeeper was not amenable to our needs…,” he said unapologetically. A skinny man with combed over hair stalked angrily out the inn door, marching over to where Regillus crouched next to the wall.

“Are you the commander of this idiot? Here is the bill for all of my material that you are burning.” He thrust a paper slip up at Regillus, a determined look in his eye.

“Seriously? Now? How about I pretend like I didn’t see this until after the Mongols kill you.” He tore up the piece of paper. The man’s face had gone white. “Now get back inside while we risk our lives to protect you.” He turned his eyes back to the wall and the street beyond it.

Behind him, the low crackling sound and the smell of burning linens and wood reached his senses. Please, someone, see our signal! he pleaded with his gods.

“Sir! Here they come!” A detachment of Mongols was riding down the street, whooping and hollering at the top of their lungs. They appeared rag-tag, some sporting vests and breeches, while others wore fur cloaks and pointed steel helmets. Their vaguely Asiatic features had become mixed with those of their Persian subjects, and some men displayed the long, thick black beard so common amongst many Persian families, whilst others favored the short and pencil thin mustaches of their conquerors.

Bolts lanced out from the Roman defenders, scything down several of the riders. In return, the Mongols scattered, many firing back with their horsebows. The Romans kept up a smattering of return fire, preserving as much ammunition as possible at the orders of their leader. The remainder disappeared down the side streets. An hour went by, then two. The Mongols continued to probe their defenses, a few men here, a few there. A sudden rush along a wall to try and draw out the defenders, crossing blade and shot with the Romans. The pinprick attacks kept the Romans on their toes, drawing the battle out long into the twilight.

“Where are they?” Regillus murmured aloud during a momentary pause in the fighting.

“The Mongols or our reinforcements, sir?” replied Vegiutus. He adjusted his scale armor, tightening one of the buckles on his shoulder as he spoke. Sweat had dried in dirty yellow streaks on his face.

“Either. I don’t think we’ve seen a Mongol for at least a half hour or so.”

“Perhaps that is good, sir? We’ll be alive to report in.”

“We'll have to wait until night to leave the cover here. I want to make sure the civilians are safe before we pull out.”

Vegiutus sighed, but made no other point of argument.

I can practically hear your thoughts, Vegiutus. I know you think the civilians are a waste of time, especially the innkeeper. But we’re sworn to protect the citizens of this nation, regardless of how…obnoxious…they are. Regillus turned back, watching as the lengthening evening shadows stretched down the dirt streets. He left the barricade and walked into the inn. His goal of evacuating or hiding the civilians had several key requirements, and he hoped the inn would provide the necessities.

The stone facade stretched out to either side, forming a stable with large wooden doors to the right, and a kitchen entrance to the left, including several outdoor firepits. A swinging signpost projected from the wall, the painted wood advertising the services offered. Below the sign, a narrow slit of light peeked out from the inn’s main entry. Regillus pulled off his helmet, strapping it to his belt as he pushed open the door. It would not do to terrify the people I am supposed to guard.

Blinking, Regillus paused at the threshold of the common room. The room was brightly lit from two swinging chandeliers and several wall lamps backed by mirrors. About a dozen patrons sat around the room. A family with small children crowded a small circle table, while a group of gaudily dressed merchants played cards at another. Two young serving maids, no more than fifteen, whispered in a corner, while the innkeeper stood with arms crossed behind the bar, glowering at him. Two other patrons sat at the bar, drinking their small glasses of liquor in solitude. All examined the officer as he entered the room.

Sighing, Regillus approached the counter. You wouldn’t think there is a war outside.

“What can I do for you, soldier boy?” The man sneered at him.

“You can tell me if you have a basement or enough horses for everyone here to escape on,” Regillus said flatly. His tone caught the innkeeper off-guard, and the man’s face froze for a second before the sneer disappeared.

“No basement, and the only horses here are my personal one, the engineer’s donkey, and your own.”

Both plans gone, just like that.

“Then it appears my men will be staying a bit longer.”

The innkeeper’s face morphed into a strange combination of annoyance and relief. Probably wants us gone, but with the Mongols around, wants us to stay. Why can’t they just be happy that we’re here to protect them? He wondered.

“My men will need sleeping arrangements in here for the night. I’ll have to rotate them, half on, half off, until we’re sure the Mongols have retreated.”

He spoke to all the patrons in the room as well. “If anyone here has experience in the army, we could sure use the help. My men are spread pretty thin.” The father of the small family stood slowly, shaking off his wife’s hand.

“I mustered out of the reserves a few years ago. Legio Aegytpus IX. I’d be glad to lend a hand. Legionnaire Second Rank Optanus Faristes. I have my own sword, but I admit that I’m not the best shooter.” He shrugged. Regillus strode over and shook the man’s hand.

“I'll take anyone we can get. Any other takers?” He looked around.

One of the men at the bar threw back his drink. The glass rang on the counter as he set it down and turned to the young officer.

“I think I’ve got something that may help. It’s out in my wagon,” he said in a slurred voice. His bushy beard trickled drops of liquid as he rose to his feet. He lurched by Regillus and Faristes, motioning for them to follow. Nose wrinkling at the smell wafting from the man, Regillus nevertheless followed him out through a side door into the stables. We need every sword holder we can get. The man was already digging through the back of his wagon, pushing through boxes and haphazardly stacked piles of machinery. Finally, he pulled a long, rectangular box from the wagon.

“Come here and help me lift this thing,” he ordered.

The two younger men grabbed opposite sides of the box. It was surprisingly heavy, and the men grunted as they carried it out into the courtyard.

“Set it down, set it down! You boys are just too slow!” He nagged them. Ignoring the man’s protestations, Faristes and Regillus carefully placed the box down in the center of the courtyard. The bearded stranger pushed them out of the way, prying open the lid and setting to work assembling various pieces of metal machinery. Regillus left the man to his work.

“You think whatever it is will actually be helpful?” Faristes asked.

“Not sure. But in the meantime, let's get you equipped.” Regillus went over to where the Romans had laid out their dead. He said a small prayer and began removing armor from the deceased.

“Sir!” one of his men called to him. “Mongols on the street, coming this way! They’ve got some sort of battering ram!” Cursing, Regillus left Faristes to his own devices. He slammed his helmet back onto his head as he ran, fumbling with his repeater.

“Stall them as best you can! Everyone else, to the gate!” Regillus called. His shouts awakened the resting members of his detachment. They scrambled to join him, leaving their blankets and camp rolls along the edge of the walls. Regillus gathered his small party before the barricaded entryway.

“If they break in, try to hold them here. If we can keep our formation, we have a chance of victory.” Faristes joined them. Regillus nodded to him. “Legion Second Rank Faristes will be joining us for the battle, as will our mysterious engineer friend over there. Let’s try and keep the horsemen off him, perhaps his contraption will win us the battle.” Shouts and screams could now be heard over the walls. The Roman defenders were methodically shooting, ducking, reloading, and firing again over the walls. Regillus could practically see the short bolts stabbing through whatever protection the lightly armored Mongolians had to offer.

The barricade shivered as the first blow from the battering ram slammed into it. Debris scattered everywhere.

“Ready men, use your repeaters. That gate is a choke point! Target and kill them all. If they get too close, switch to your spatha. And remember, stay in formation!” Regillus ordered. The infantry formations might be awkward for them, but it could save our lives. He hoped.

The battering ram struck again. The wagon nearly tipped backwards this time, leaning forward again only at the last second. The sounds of battle spread along the perimeter, as the Mongols stretched the defenders thin.

“Got it!” the old man cried out behind them. At that moment the barricade collapsed inward as the attackers pushed in. Splinters and debris shot outwards, banging off of helmets and shields.

“Whatever it is, use it!” Regillus cried out as he leveled his repeater. “Fire!” he shouted. The repeater bolts shot out, chopping down Mongolians as they picked their way through the barricade remains. The Romans kept up a constant fire, but the Mongolians finally managed to force their way in, using the cover of night and the dead bodies of their compatriots as cover. Chanting war cries, the Mongolians charged over the open ground.

“Swords!” Regillus called as he tossed aside his repeater and drew his spatha. A sizzling sound came from behind them, then the world lit up. Harsh white light blinded the attackers as something incredibly brilliant shot into the air. The Mongolians paused, covering their eyes and crying out in pain.

“Quickly! While they are distracted!” Regillus yelled, charging into the disoriented barbarians. He hacked and chopped, his sword ignoring the quilted cloth armor of the barbarians. Behind him, his pitifully small party of men joined him, spreading panic and chaos among the attackers. Slow to react, the Mongolians were cut down where they stood. Only a few turned to run, but they too were unable to escape. The one-sided charge turned the tide. Along the wall, the sounds of battle diminished as different posts reported their attackers fleeing into the night.

“Roma!” Regillus screamed in celebration as his men recovered the gate. Around him, his men cheered him.

“Reg-il-lus. REG-IL–LUS!”

Regillus soaked in the praise for a minute or two, before motioning his men to calm down.

“Let's get this barricade back together men. I don’t think Antioch will be able to ignore that.” He left his men to rebuild the barricade, and walked back over to the strange old man who had helped engineer such an abrupt turn of fate.

“Thank you. You truly saved us back there.” The man shook his head and proffered a canteen.

“Victory drink?” he mumbled. Regillus grasped the canteen and took a swill of the liquid. Harsh and strong, it burned his throat and filled his belly with fire. He gasped.

“My own special brew.” The man smiled at him. “Engineer Crius Monventus. Formerly of the Western Air Fleet, before that, the Central and Southern Air Fleets. Now, I’m just looking for a chance to join the Eastern Air Fleet.”

Regillus introduced himself as well. The men shook hands.

“Why don’t you stay on with us for a while? I know that the IV Syrian could definitely use a man of your talents.” Monventus shrugged.

“Might as well. It certainly beats starving.”

“What was that back there? That light was brighter than the sun!”

“A phosphorous flare. Perhaps you’ve heard of my other recent invention, the igniculum?” Regillus shook his head. “Well, it contains a special chemical that can burn extremely bright and hot for a short period of time. I turned it into a projectile for some of our legions. But it is too dangerous to carry around a lot of it, and in my…disagreement with the Western Air Fleet’s leadership, I was only able to take this small amount.” He gestured to the crate at his feet.

“So, do you think that light has gotten Antioch’s attention?”

“Young man, if it didn’t, I’d think that every guard in Antioch is blind.”

Sure enough, the next morning, a relief column of heavy cataphractii rode into Janeria, drawn by the mysterious light in the sky. While impressed with the valiant defense of Regillus’ auxilia unit, they were even more impressed by the creation of Engineer Monventus. Wasting no time at all, the exhausted unit and its civilian charges were hustled back to Antioch.

“How bad is it, sir?” Regillus asked the commanding officer of the cataphract detachment.

“Bad. We’ve no word from any of the river defenses, and only brief communication with some of the river cities. It looks like the Mongolians took them all within a few days of each other, and managed to sabotage the wireless and wired transmitters somehow. It’s a miracle your message reached us. We thought you were dead.”

The heavily armored knight paused for a moment.

“Of course, we may all be dead in the next few days.”

Day Two: The Siege Begins

“That imbecile of a governor can take his fancy orders and shove them where the sun does not shine,” growled Legate General Orestus Lucretus Flavian as he prowled the command tent of the IV Syrian. Around him, the assembled officers of the IV Syrian stood ramrod straight, their backs stiff at attention.

“It is all his fault anyways, siphoning the money meant for our defenses into his private bank accounts. I should have three times as many men, and twice as many cavalry,” he complained bitterly. There was a silent pause, as his officers steadfastly avoided any overt sign of agreement. The general was untouchable, but they were not. Anyone could be a spy of the governor, and this stranger was, as yet, an unknown quantity.

“At least we have gained a newly competent officer.” His voice returned to its normal volume as he gestured to his new Praefectus Alae.

Marius Quinctius Regillus had spent few moments reveling in his advancement to Praefectus Alae, or Prefect of a Cavalry Alae, roughly 500 men. Unfortunately, his current advancement was likely to be short lived. The governor of Antioch had ordered the IV Syrian to mobilize and strike at the Mongol army while it encamped north of the city. While the order made strategic sense, striking an enemy before they could invest the city entirely, it was tactically dumb, thought Regillus. Even he knew that attempting to assault a primarily mobile horde army with slow moving legion assault forces was a bad idea.

Leaning over the command table map in the center of the tent, the legate pointed out positions to his subordinates, giving precise, clipped orders. The elderly man was rather frail looking, even with the good forty pounds of armor he wore. His grey hair clung wisp-like to his head, giving him the vague appearance of a tonsured monk, albeit one with a stern visage and a crooked nose.

“Air Commander Kretarus, will you be able to provide us with any air cover before the allied fleet and promised reinforcements arrive?” asked the general. The compact and muscular air fleet officer slowly stood and bent over the table. He sneered at the outlined positions of the Mongolian camp, shown as small huts clustered between the river and the road.

“Even with just my two airships, the airwing can provide cover along the river. The Mongolians have never figured out a way to hit our airships. My great-uncle defeated them the first time they invaded Mesopotamia, and it appears they need a reminder lesson,” he stated, his pompous voice trying to turn a good political phrase. Mostly, it fell on flat ears. More likely, your great-uncle spent half his time gibbering inside the command deck of an airship as it dropped canisters of Greek fire onto the mindless mobs of retreating horsemen, Regillus thought cynically. He was familiar with Kretarus’ family, having been forced to rub elbows with them at several senatorial parties during his youth. Puffed up men with lots of medals on their uniforms, half of them created by their allies in the senate.

He watched the general’s non-response to the air-commander’s comment, and thought that, perhaps, the general felt the same. The older officer nodded once at Kretarus’ comments, then returned to the map. His wrinkled finger tapped the major road entering Antioch from the north.

Praefectus, I will be placing your men on the right flank as we advance up the road here.” The general positioned a small lead cavalry figure on to the map, next to several small legionnaire figurines. “You will be the heart of the covering force on the right flank. Your cataphractii will be supported by most of our light cavalry and a detachment of the garrison legion. Your duties are mostly to support our forces and prevent the Mongols from sweeping us against the river. Tribune Phrysis will have command of the flank, with you being second-in command. You two are the best light cavalry commanders I have. I will need you to keep the Mongolians off our backs.”

Regillus looked around the room to locate his superior. Tribune Phyrsis gave a short wave with his hand. The slightly older man had his long, dark hair tied in a ponytail. His helmet was nestled under one arm as his green eyes examined Regillus with a brief, intense look. Having evidently passed inspection, the tribune returned his focus to the command table. Regillus bent over the table to examine their position.

The metal surface of the table formed into a spine of mountains that ran south to north along the right part of the table. A long, narrow, flat road ran alongside the mountains, passing through the city of Antioch. Regillus marveled for a moment at seeing the city in miniature, with its fortified bastions and long wall span, as well as its intricate and beautiful bridges spanning the Orestes River.

“All right, gentlemen. We will need to keep this legion intact, and at fighting strength if we are to maintain the siege defensive works. Our attack will be more of a demonstration. I have no desire to match one legion against even part of a Mongol horde.”

“But Legate General, what will the governor say?” asked one of his subordinates.

“The governor will not take the field, and cannot remove me from command. I refuse to sacrifice my legion to let him play military officer,” Flavian stated firmly, broking no counter argument.

“That is all. We will marshal the men at dawn. Let our holy men make prayers to both the Christian god and the Old Gods. I have a feeling that divine intervention may be needed tomorrow. In the meantime, I shall see you at dawn. Goodnight gentlemen.” The assembled officers came to crisp attention, their salutes sharp. An aide lifted the tent flap and the general ducked out into the darkness. The tent emptied quickly, several officers murmuring to each other as they exited as well. Tribune Phyrsis caught Regillus’ eye and tilted his head to the side before slipping outside. Catching his point, Regillus glanced at the command table one last time before taking his leave.

The night was warm, but cooling fast, as might be expected for an early summer’s evening. The parade grounds of the Praesodium, or Garrison Fort, of Antioch were caked dry, the dirt having been pounded flat and hard by countless drilling feet. The tribune waited some distance away under one of the streetlamps. Regillus ambled over.

The tribune took out a pipe and tapped some smoking weed into it. Lighting a match, he slowly brought flame to pipe, before tossing the match into the air. It arced gracefully before extinguishing itself in a poof of dust.

“I am going to come out and say it, damn the consequences. Are you one of the governor’s lackeys?” the tribune asked. “I mean no disrespect, but I need to know this if we are going to be working together tomorrow.”

Although at first Regillus had felt stubborn anger at the question, he quickly relaxed.

“No, I've never met the governor, and only seen him from afar. I grew up with people who were always vying for small scraps of power. I would not willingly associate myself with anyone like that if I could avoid it. My family ‘taught’ me that.” He spoke from the heart, and hoped that the tribune believed him.

The man took a long puff on his pipe, releasing the smoke into the air. It drifted wanly in the non-existent breeze.

“I sure as Pluto hope you are telling the truth. I do not think that tomorrow will be as easy or bloodless as the general thinks. He has been in garrison too long. The IV is good, but they have not been tested in a while, and this may prove to be a very rude awakening. At least your cavalry should be more capable. Under no circumstances are you to go haring off after some Mongolian plot and leave my infantry out to dry, do you understand?”

“I thought you were a cavalry officer.”

“I am, praefectus, but I will be with the infantry tomorrow for the most part. Now, are you planning some foolhardly charge?”

“Of course not, sir. I have no desire to lead an insanely stupid charge against the Mongols,” Regillus replied. I have no pretensions of glory, nor am I an ambitious twit like the governor or Kretarus. That part went unsaid as Phrysis took another long drag on his pipe. He remained silent for a few moments. Regillus slapped away a buzzing insect.

“I had hoped that would be true. I was very impressed with your stalling defensive tactic during your retreat to Antioch. Keep that type of cool head under fire, and you may survive this siege. Better yet, you may get all of us out of here alive. That is…of course, if the general decides not to lead a charge himself.” He proffered his hand, pipe clasped between his teeth. Regillus shook it gratefully.

“Now get some rest. Does your family live in town?”

“Yes, my wife and son are living in the junior officer quarters down near the stables.”

“Ah, I remember when I had to bunk up with my fellow officers at your age. I also have no desire to relive it. Go home, make love to your wife, kiss your child, and sleep well. I shall see you bright and early,” the other man told him.

“What about yourself?”

“I need some time to mull over my thoughts. Good evening Praefectus.”

“Good evening, sir.” Regillus saluted. Phyrsis gave a half salute in return, clearly distracted. Regillus turned and began the long walk home.

The wind-up alarm clock jarred Regillus from his sleep. He pushed himself up off the pillow, wiping a lancet of drool off his face. Bleary eyed, he sat up in bed, eyes adjusting to the faint light in the room from under the doorway. He switched off the alarm, and rolled over. His arm encompassed his wife’s sleeping body.

Inhaling the faint smell of her perfume, he kissed her cheek and neck, trusting to long habit that it would awaken her. Soon enough, success.

Portia stirred slowly. He pulled her tousled blonde hair off her face. She gave a small sound, half yawn and half happy hum.

“I do so love the feel of your whiskers in the morning, dear husband,” she remarked coyly, her voice drowsy. Regillus kissed her neck again, and she turned her face towards him. It was a pretty face, heart shaped with mischievous lips and nose. Blinking the sleep from her eyes, she looked up at him. How does she look so gorgeous when waking up, when I feel like a blind ox?

“I have to go. It is time,” he whispered to her. He tried to hide the sadness from his voice. His wife could tell though, and pulled him in tightly. When she finally let him go, her eyes were glistening.

“I feel like I won’t see you again. You barely made it out last time.” He had told her all about his narrow escape from the Mongolians, although he did leave out the part about nearly dying in the process.

“I will see you again, I promise. But right now, I want you to take Marius and leave for the air terminal. Take the first flight out to anywhere, you understand? Hopefully you’ll be able to come back soon, but if something happens, go to your family in Athens. And send a message to our banker. He should have any amount of funds you might need.” She nodded, then turned over. She hates it when I see her cry.

He slid out of bed, pulled the covers up tight over her, and dressed in the near darkness. He bent down to kiss her one last time, then walked over to his son’s bed. He kissed the sleeping four-year old on the forehead, tucking the covers in before moving to depart. Standing at the doorway, he took one last look at his sleeping son and his wife.

“I will return. I love you too much to leave you.”

And with that, he left.

The walk to the assembly area was cool, the sun not yet adding heat to the cobblestone streets. Regillus stopped off at a bakery, grabbing a loaf of bread still steaming from the oven. It burnt his fingers slightly, then his tongue, but it was a small price to pay. Licking the last few crumbs up, he wiped his hands on his trousers before saluting the gate guards and officer of the watch.

Locals. Not real Legionnaires. He knew that the governor had called out the remainder of the local militia and garrison. The local equipment was pretty standard for a garrison: a single piece breastplate atop a red, quilted, long sleeve jerkin that covered the body down to the thighs, plus dark trousers and leather shoes. Armed with long spears and short stabbing swords, their large, oval scutum, or shields, remained similar, if not identical, to the original Roman design. Then again, if it is garrison equipment, it may not have been used since the first Roman troops arrived.

He was waved through without so much as a look at his documents. Not sure I like that, Regillus thought. The short walk along the cobblestone road ended abruptly with his arrival at the parade grounds. Pushing his way through the milling soldiers, he made his way towards a raised podium. By the gods, I hope there is not a speech.

Fortunately, the legate general seemed to have more intelligence than to waste time with a rousing battle speech. Several staff officers were on stage, directing the flow of men, machines, and supplies as best they could. Regillus approached the closest, using his rank to clear several minor functionaries directing the soldiers towards their assembly points.

“Ahh, Praefectus Regillus! You are right on schedule. Your men are currently marshalling here, at the garrison stables. They should be ready to move out as soon as you arrive.” The staff officer said in a rush, turning away to deal with another questioner after hastily pointing out the stables on a poorly printed map. As though I do not know the location of the stables. I was a scout cavalry officer not one day ago!

A few minutes later, he arrived at the stables, chest swelling to see none of the mass confusion and chaos from the plaza infecting his men. A junior officer approached him.

“Sir, Senior Decanus Antikos Etruscas.” He saluted sharply. The man was roughly his age, his close cropped hair light on his tanned face. Dark brown eyes studied him intently. “Welcome to the 8th Ala Syrianus.”

“Thank you for the welcome, Senior Decanus Etruscas. I accept with honor the appointment to commander of the 8th Syrian cataphract alae. Is my armor and equipment here? My old armor is not suitable to a cataphractarii charge.”

One side of his mouth lifting up slightly, the senior decanus nodded.

“Yes, sir. May I send an attendant to help you prepare?”

“Is it absolutely necessary? I know speed is of the essence.”

“Of course, sir. I’ll send two then.”

His armor was quickly brought before him. First came a long sleeve undershirt, followed by a short sleeve padded tunic. Then a layer of overlapping scale armor covering his chest, shoulders, and upper thighs was attached, the weight knocking some of the breath out of his body. Finally, iron greaves were buckled onto his shins, matching the tougher, steel-toed boots he now wore.

“Quite a bit heavier than I recall,” he joked slightly. The attendants made no comment, other than a hastily covered chuckle by the junior of the two. The older one placed a steal helmet on his head, scaled neck protection cool against his skin. Regillus thanked the men and returned to the senior decanus.

“Are you ready, sir?”

“Absolutely, Antikos. Please pass the word to the men that I have the highest confidence in their skills. We’ll need every ounce of that talent today.” The officer nodded, then turned back to his men. The same two attendants came forward to help Regillus onto his horse. A moment of awkward pushing and adjusting occurred, before Regillus was finally able to get comfortable. He turned to his men.

“Men of the 8th! We’ve only just met, but I plan for this to be a long relationship! Let us pray.” Several men closed their eyes, the others quiet as they listened.

“To the gods above, both of old and of new, watch over these men and keep them safe. May their lances strike true and their arrows always hit. In your names, we pray. Nika!” The men shouted the last part with their new commanding officer.

The 8th rode out to fame, glory, or whatever fate awaited them.

There will be much blood shed today, whether or not the general wants there to be. Covering his eyes from the sunlight, Praefectus Regillus looked over the advancing Mongol forces. His position to the east of the Roman lines gave him a vantage point of the whole area. The two miles between the river and road were full of Mongol horsemen, a ragged line of skirmishers firing on horseback. Behind them, more disciplined lines of lightly armored men rode in ranks, advancing at a slow walk. And behind them came Mongol infantry, a new, surprise occurrence that Regillus had not seen or heard about before.

“Sir, I did not know that Mongols used infantry,” Senior Decanus Etruscas commented.

“I am going to bet they only use them when required to take cities. Horses are not very good at climbing walls,” Regillus observed, falling back into the regular patterns and routines of his old unit, transplanted into this new one. Some small part of him hoped to make a new friend, or at least someone who could care less about his estrangement from the high and fancy Antiochian social circles. Perhaps the senior decanus was the man of the job.

“Do you think we’ll be able to defeat them, sir?” The man’s voice was doubtful.

“Can we defeat them? Yes, senior decanus, we can. Can we defeat them here, on an open field? Not without great difficulty, and with everything going right for us. We must see what the legate general chooses to do.” I pray retreat back behind those nice tall walls.

It was probably a vain hope. Around him, several other cavalry alae waited patiently for orders. Their forces blocked the road, which hugged the eastern mountains as it traveled down from the north. To their west, the Roman center and left were drawn up on the open farmland, the once man high crops trampled flat. Garrison repeaters formed a skirmish line, peppering the advancing Mongols with their steel quarrels. Behind them was a line of Syrian and garrison legionnaires. The legate general had brilliantly interspersed cohorts from each legion together so that each section would cling tightly to its neighbors. Yes, and hopefully prevent the garrison troops from fleeing at the first charge. Regillus thought sarcastically.

Lastly, the heavy cavalry of the Syrian IV was assembled behind the Roman infantry, ready to respond to any breakthrough or opportunity. Regillus could see the fluttering of General Flavian’s banner at the forefront of the cavalry forces. Around them, Roman artillery fired stones and repeater bolts into the masses of Mongol cavalry, but it was like throwing sand at the tide. Further west, both Roman airships moved ponderously towards the Mongolian flank, the occasional bolt or Greek fire container lancing out from the side of the warships.

For a moment, Regillus actually felt optimistic. Maybe they are not the all powerful force we assumed.

And that was when the Mongols made their move. From behind the ranks of infantry came large, hollow, booming sounds. Puffs of dirty white smoke drifted into the air.

“What was that?” Cries of alarm and confusion came from Regillus’ men.

Some type of projectile launched from the ground, sizzling in a wobbly line up towards the Roman airships. By the gods… The projectile exploded just before hitting the side of the airship, sending pieces into the thick canvas hull. Regillus pulled out his binoculars and slammed them to his eyes. Fiddling with the focus ring, he examined the results of the impact. Damn. The fabric was definitely shredded; great sheets billowing in the wind visible even from the far side of the battlefield as the air escaped the dirigible. Crewmen were already sliding down the hull in an attempt to staunch the flow of gas. The other missiles continued on their track, some rebounding off the hull of the deflating dirigible, some missing completely, erupting harmlessly beyond the stricken craft.

“Steady, steady!” Regillus ordered his men, motioning with his hands. He patted the horse to calm it, as it pranced nervously in the dirt.

More sounds and eruptions of smoke signaled the launch of other projectiles. At least ten launched upwards at the airship. The airship captain at least had the intelligence to turn his vessel away from the missiles. Engines churning, the airship managed to avoid many of the second wave launches. Explosions bracketed the hull, but the missiles seemed to do no damage to the thick wood and steel plating.

Unfortunately, several others had managed to explode near the gasbag, further damaging large portions of the canvas. The airship struggled onwards, attempting to pull out of range of the fearsome projectiles. They sort of look like what Engineer Monventus used during our skirmish with the Mongols. Regillus thought, watching the flight of yet another spread of missiles.

The second airship was fleeing as well, unwilling to get close to the ground-based Mongol defenses. The remaining flight shrieked off into the sky, some corkscrewing harmlessly to the ground on the far side of the river.

“There goes our air superiority. And some of our best weapons too.” I knew that so-called officer would flee at the first time of trouble. He sneered at the thought of the pompous Fleet Officer Kretarus cowering on his bridge. Then again, calling that political hack an ‘officer’ is being generous.

“Sir, I think we’ve got bigger problems than that.” The senior decanus shook his arm in haste, pointing to the field, diverting his attention away from the fleeing air fleet.

All along the front, the Mongols were advancing. Already, Regillus could see the Roman skirmisher lines falling back to the main legion ranks.

“Tell the men we’ll have work soon enough,” he said grimly, replacing his binoculars in their case. “If the Mongols have any more surprises up their sleeves, we’d best get ready for a bloody day.”

As the space between the Roman and Mongolian centers continued to close, Regillus felt his heart beating faster. Minutes passed, but it felt like hours. Slowly, the Mongol horseman picked up speed, beginning their charge, but had yet to shelve their horsebows.

The entire Roman line gave a thunderous battle cry as they lowered their shields and prepared to receive the charge. Light cavalry against armored infantry backed up by spears and artillery? There is no way such veteran horsemen would actually attempt that! Regillus remembered how the Mongols had attacked back at the inn.

“It’s a trap. Those Mongol forces aren’t going to carry out their charge.”

“Sir?”

“That’s not how they fight! Their entire strategy is based on their history as nomadic steppe warriors. I remember the veterans talking about how our armies kept getting slaughtered by the Mongols until we could trap them against the river. In the middle of a driving rainstorm and using a rebel tribe as our allies. I doubt that any rainstorm is going to happen here to save us. Those riders will make pincushions out of our forces. This battle is already lost.”

The men around him looked uncomfortable. Several mutters of anger at their commander’s defeatism reached his ears.

And yet, they trailed off as the Mongol forces twisted and shifted, peppering the lines with seemingly unending volleys of arrows. Caught by surprise, the Romans ducked behind their shields, although the expert marksmanship and sheer amount of fire knocked holes in the thin, red line. They were now galloping away from the imperial forces, firing Parthian style over their shoulders.

Further to the rear, Regillus could see flags and standards swirling as reinforcements were ordered forward. Arranged in a checkerboard pattern behind the main line, reserve cohorts rushed men forward to fill the gaps. Even the cavalry seemed to be stirring, gradually forming up into a huge diamond formation centered on the general’s standard. He can’t be expecting that the Mongols will actually receive their charge…

Etruscas lowered his spyglass.

“Is the general about to lead a cavalry charge, sir?”

“Yes, and we better start making preparations to cover it from our flank.” Regillus quickly sketched out some orders, and had several of his cohorts already moving before the semaphore system operator sent a messenger over.

“It’s as you said, sir. The tribune is ordering us forward.”

“Indeed, he has no choice. Without our flankers, the charge will be surrounded and cut off inside a half hour. With them, he might last out the hour. That is, until we are overrun and our forces trapped against our own walls or the mountains,” Regillus stated harshly.

“All to satisfy the honor and tradition of our leadership.” He filled his voice with scorn. All the anger and frustration he had felt, the years of suffering under his parents’ and brothers’ torment came welling up. The young officer clenched his fist. Why can’t we learn to change how we fight? To change how we deal with this? How many more young men must die to satisfy old men’s need for honor?

It was a thought that had been considered by generations of younger men; before age and experience turned them into the very thing they had so rebelled against in their youth.

“Sir?” Etruscas interrupted. “The Mongols are moving against the flank as well.”

Tearing his attention away from the drama unfolding in the center, he focused on the situation at hand.

“Order skirmishers forward, infantry in Omega formation.” Ranks of pila-armed legionnaires marched forward; opening their ranks to allow men armed with repeater crossbows through. Enemy outriders were already beginning their harassing fire, no doubt attempting to infuriate the Roman flank commander into making rash moves. Regillus turned to stare back at the tribune, safely ensconced behind his infantry forces to the rear.

Phyrsis finally mounted his horse, his aide waving a signal flag at Regillus’ forward command party. Adrenaline pounding in his veins, Regillus gripped the reins and spurred his horse. The rest of the Roman line advanced at a slow march, his light cavalry forces pushing around the flanks to support the infantry’s advance. Mongol skirmishers raced back and forth, spattering the legionnaires with arrows. The infantry marched on, studiously ignoring the light missile fire.

As they approached a rise in the road, Regillus ordered a stop.

“Eliminate those riders,” he ordered. “I don’t want anyone fighting us for the hilltop. I want to own it.” The message was quickly passed down, and a rank of repeater crossbows stepped forward from the line. As they trotted towards the skirmishers, the tribesmen pulled their horses around and took aim at the crossbowmen. The legionnaires went down on one knee and took aim. Other legionnaires stood by to cover the crossbowmen with their shields when they needed to reload. Their bolts, shorter ranged than the horsebows or long bows, packed a punch, and it was not long before several empty steppe ponies were galloping for the rear, soon joined by their still mounted comrades.

“Good, continue the advance as the tribune ordered.” Etruscas grunted an affirmative. As the infantry took the hill, Regillus pulled his cavalry forces to the west, aiming to support the movements of the center. To the west, Legate General Flavian’s legionnaires advanced as well, cohorts opening large gaps in the line as the cavalry poured through. Opposite them, the Mongols continued to mill around, their light cavalry creating a scene of apprehension and confusion at the advance of the heavy cataphractii cavalry.

Regillus gritted his teeth. It was going to be a long day.

Day Three: A Disaster in the Making

“Hold the line!” Regillus screamed, using the flat of his sword to beat at the men trying to flee back into the city. The clamor of battle surrounded the small salient of Romans holding the northern gate. Ballistae and scorpion fire tore down from the forty-foot high walls, shredding rank upon rank of Mongol cavalrymen.

It mattered little, for the enemy’s forces were seemingly endless. They had replaced the losses from the previous day’s battle in record time, throwing fresh troops against the exhausted Roman defenders. The half circle of legionnaires and dismounted cataphractarii fought shoulder to shoulder, stalling the attackers long enough to allow as many fleeing troops into the city as possible. Just inside the gate, the city militia had finally assembled, their formation shaky as they watched the carnage unfolding outside the gates.

“Preafectus! Fall back and take charge of the men inside the city. We’ll keep them busy out here! The gates cannot fall. Do you understand? The gates cannot fall!” Tribune Phyrsis croaked at him. Stabbing his sword into the ground, the officer took the last swig from his canteen.

“I will use the last of our cataphractarii to buy you some time. Shut the gates.”

“But, sir! We have to save everyone we can!”

“I have faith in your leadership. No one will listen to a former cavalryman. But they might listen to you because of your family.” He looked at Regillus. “Shut the gods cursed gates, Praefectus, that’s an order. You cannot save us all. You have a family. I do not. You have your orders, legionnaire. Defend the city.”

Sheathing his sword, Regillus came to a salute, as crisp as he could make it. Fist to chest, he felt his heart swell with pride. This was a man worth his respect. The tribune mounted his horse, which headed a wedge of fifty cataphractarii forming up in the long tunnel of the gatehouse. He grasped his konton, the heavy lance handed to him by a wounded legionnaire.

“Save Antiochia, Praefectus. You are the only remaining officer from the IV Syrian alive. The survivors will need someone to keep them fighting until the other legions can arrive.”

Nodding numbly, Regillus returned to the line of men holding back the Mongolian infantry. Pulling his sword, he positioned himself next to the eagle standard of the IV Syrian, the rallying point that was the focus of the salient.

“Stand ready to fall back to the gate!” he shouted, fighting to be heard over the roar of combat. Regillus turned to look at Phyrsis. The armored warhorses stamped and pawed at the ground. Finally, Phyrsis lifted his clasped fist. Cornices blew, and the cavalry rode down the tunnel, gaining speed as they raced along the cobblestones.

“Wait for it… form gap now!” Regillus shouted to the men. The ragged Roman line split in two, and the Mongolian infantry blasted into the gap, just in time to be met by the powerful wedge of heavily armed lancers. Men were spitted upon the long spears, the heavily barbed warhorses trampling the attackers beneath them. Reeling in shock, the lightly armed enemy panicked, throwing down weapons and turning their backs on the rampaging cataphractarii.

“Fall back! To the gate!” Regillus turned and ran, urging the other Roman defenders back as well. The pressure on the line had eased, and the Romans moved quickly, ignoring their exhaustion. Small knots of Romans continued to battle, oblivious to his orders or unable to break free of their attackers.

He was in the tunnel now. The remaining legionnaires and dismounted cataphractarii formed a rough line across the opening, wide enough to accommodate three wagons. Regillus turned to watch the last charge of Tribune Phrysis. The initial impact of the charge had thrown back the first wave of Mongolian infantry, scattering them and causing them to flee. But the enemy simply sent forward more men, sacrificing ten soldiers to bring down one cataphractarii. They swarmed, stabbing with their short spears, wearing down the lancers.

Regillus opened a speaking tube that led up to the main gate control.

“Prepare to drop portcullis and close gates.”

“There are still men fighting outsid-”

“Soldier, listen to me! I am Praefectus Alae Regillus, last commanding officer of the IV Syrian. Do as I say, or I will personally kill you before the Mongols. Do you understand?” Regillus shouted into the speakertube. There was silence from the other end, then a different voice came back.

“This is Watch Officer Hadrianus, please confirm your identity.”

Regillus paused in his reply, distracted by the death of the last few cataphractarii. Phyrsis was no longer visible. The sally had saved most of the defenders; everyone else was either dead or trapped beyond reach of the gates. Snapping his attention back to the speakertube, Regillus mustered every last amount of authority he could muster.

“Drop the portcullis, or we are all dead! You hear me? Do it now!” Regillus ordered the Watch Officer. The last Romans scrambled past the hastily assembled defensive line, Mongolian troops hot on their heels. With a clattering, two steel portcullises slid out of the ceiling, slamming into the ground on both sides of the charging nomads. The trapped Mongolians crashed against the barricade, screaming and shouting hatred at their opponents. From hidden murder holes came a cascade of boiling oil, which burned its way through armor, fabric, and skin. With the Mongol vanguard slaughtered, Regillus ordered his men back, shutting and barricading each set of doors behind them. As each heavy steel bar slammed down, Regillus felt slightly more secure.

Finally, the praefectus and his men emerged into the harsh morning sunlight of the entry courtyard. All around them lay wounded and dead soldiers. Many civilians and medical personnel ran here and there, trying to assist the causalities.

An officer ran out of the sally port of the guardhouse towards the bloodied rearguard survivors.

“You there! Watch Officer! Are you in charge of the gatehouse?”

“I’m not sure, Praefectus. As far as I know, no one is in charge.”

“You’re wrong, soldier. I am in charge. As the last ranking officer of the Syrian IV, I am putting this city under martial law.”

“You can’t do that, the city watch reports to the governor, not the IV.” The man began to argue with the praefectus. His patience gone, nerves frayed by the battle outside the gates, Regillus made a decision. He punched the Watch Officer in the stomach, then kneed him in the face as he doubled over.

The praefectus turned to the men behind him.

“You, you, and you. Secure the gatehouse. The city must be defended at all costs. They will answer to me, or to…” He looked over the mixed force of cataphractarii and legionnaires at his command. Other men in the courtyard from the IV were coming to join his detachment, drawn by the calmness and control he exhibited.

“You.” He pointed to one of the grizzled non-commissioned officers. Regillus looked questioningly at him.

“I am Decanus Amelio, sir.”

“Decanus Amelio, you will take charge of the gatehouse and surrounding defenses. Organize these defenders.” He gestured to the men in the courtyard. “And move along the wall to secure it from the Mongols. Our defenses need to be…” He searched for the right word to make his intentions clear. “Secured. With the help of the city watch and the remnants of the IV, we can save Antioch.”

Amelio saluted, taking the anointed men with him into the depths of the gatehouse.

Behind him, the injured Watch Officer was stirring on the ground. Marching angrily over to him, Regillus kicked the downed Watch Officer for good measure. He lectured the hapless man.

“The IV is in control. Not the governor. That man got most of the garrison slaughtered with his idiotic orders. You will obey my commands. Is that clear?” The man groaned, his head barely managing to nod.

“Help him up, keep him under guard.” Several other soldiers came forward, hoisting the garrison trooper to his feet.

“The rest of you, with me. It is time we paid the governor a visit. Get me a horse.”

While some of his underlings located a horse, Regillus felt the energy drain out of him. He dealt with a dozen minor matters, from the location of temporary hospitals and triage places, to the redistribution and command of the multitude of scratch companies assembled from the remains of the Syrian IV’s cohorts and cavalry detachments. The shaky defense began to solidify as a chain of leadership emerged from the ruins of the disastrous battle. New centurions were selected, underofficers chosen, and new conscripts assigned from the city garrison legion.

During a break in the activity, Regillus managed to scarf down two crusty rolls offered by a camp supporter. He was slumped on a bench, resting his feet for a moment, when a well-dressed messenger rode into the plaza, a handful of personal guards dressed in a similar manner pulling up behind him.

“I’m looking for the senior officer here! I bear a message from the governor.” Regillus cursed. He had hoped to be able to deal with the governor in person, not some minor functionary. Regillus forced himself to his feet.

“You’ve found him.”

“The governor has requested that I take command of the Syrian IV. You are relieved of your duties and are ordered to return to the barracks.” The man informed him haughtily. “With the death of the Legate General, it is up to Governor Leftaro to assign a new commander.”

“And you’re the new commander?” Regillus replied in his most bored voice.

“Yes, by the gods, I am. Doux Hasdrun Pillotai.” He gave a bow, doffing his feathered helmet with a flourish.

Regillus repressed a shudder. Every minor nobleman claimed he was a doux, or duke, but few could actually trace their pedigree back to the original Greek settlers of Alexander the Great’s ancient empire.

“There must be a problem then. We already have a commander.” A voice interrupted from a nearby doorway.

Senior Decanus Etruscas had managed to survive the battle as well, hobbling around on crutches with one of his knees swathed in bandages. His appearance made Pillotai grimace in disgust.

“Here, sir.”

He handed over a wet cloth. “You should wipe your face and clean off some before you go to the governor’s palace. You will want the governor to feel secure in the new leadership of the IV.”

Regillus took the cloth, wiping the grime from his hands. His mind was in overdrive, trying to catch up to Etruscas’ scheme.

“Of course, decanus. I can borrow this gentleman’s horse.” Pillotai looked affronted and spluttered in disagreement.

“What an excellent idea, your Legate Generalship. You should leave right away, sir. We will keep the doux company and ensure he is apprised of the situation.”

“Thank you so much, senior decanus. I should not be gone long. The governor should not need much convincing.” Regillus managed to put on a confidant smile.

“Of course not, sir. He should be grateful to have a veteran officer in charge. What would you have me do?”

“Keep things under control here. Repulse any Mongol attacks, but keep an eye on the civic legion as well. Spread them out among our men, and they should stay strong.” Etruscas nodded, gave a salute, then hobbled off. Several other soldiers in the courtyard helped Pillotai off his horse, their hands grasping swords or spears. Regillus mounted the piebald, and turned to watch a demi-cohort of men form behind him.

“We’re here to protect you from any bandits or robbers in the city, sir. You never can tell when civic order may break down on the way to the palace. Especially with the garrison legion on the walls and not in the streets,” their commanding officer informed him. Very impressive he can say that without cracking a smile, Regillus thought. It is obvious Etruscas had thought about the governor trying to seize control after such a battle, especially with the Legate General dead.

It was a short ride from the northern gate, across the Orestes River and into the main citadel. The palace occupied one third of the island citadel, the intricate marble friezes luminous in the bright sunlight. To one side was the main citadel, solid granite blocks of dark grey creating an imposing fortress next to the delicate designs of the palace, to the other, the plaza and building that served as both the imperial air fleet base and the passenger terminal.

Regillus rode into the palace courtyard. The few guards remaining shrank back at his appearance. Am I really that terrifying? Or is it what I represent? Regillus wondered as the demi-cohort of infantry quick marched in behind him.

“Decanus, select an infantry file and have them join me. Remain here with the rest of the men to ensure that no Mongol or Mongolian supporter attempts to harm the governor.”

Answering in the affirmative, the decanus called off a string of names, and a group of weathered and stern looking legionnaires formed a wedge behind the praefectus as he passed beneath the marble arch and into the palace. Servants scurried out of his way as his boots slapped against the tile floors. He walked past expensive tapestries and pieces of art. Marble friezes carved by famous artists studded the walls. Groups of palace guards shied away from impeding the Syrian IV’s leader as he marched deeper into the mansion. Some bodyguards, he thought, more like street toughs in fancy clothing.

Finally, the guards must have steeled their nerves, for they barred entrance into the governor’s audience chamber. Or had it steeled for them, thought Regillus sardonically.

“You are not permitted into the throne room,” the guard captain informed him.

Regillus looked around at his men. The veterans stared down the guards. The tension weighed heavily in the air.

“I think the governor would like to hear what we have to say.”

“I’m sorry, praefectus, but you are not allowed-”

Regillus shoved him out of the way, his men forcibly moving the guards out of the way with drawn swords. The guard captain’s jaw hung open in shock at the affront committed by the uncouth legionnaire.

“We will not be long,” Regillus stated coolly as he passed.

He pushed open the massive wooden doors. Greased hinges swung inward effortlessly, crashing into the sidewalls with a resounding boom. Regillus took stock of the situation. Much of the assembled court was scattered throughout the audience chamber, turning around in surprise at the sudden noise. At the far end, the governor sat at the head of a U-shaped table, his advisors arrayed to either side. They appeared to be in vehement argument, fists shaking and fingers pointing across the table. While there were guards present, none reacted to Regillus’ entrance. He strode past the colonnades and tables bearing delicacies from the Roman world and beyond.

The hall slowly quieted as the praefectus and his men walked through the crowd, the courtiers making way silently. Finally noticing the intruders, the advisors turned to stare at the blood and grime splattered soldiers. The legionnaires stared back at the lavishly garbed council members. Regillus even noticed Air Commander Kretarus from the earlier briefing slouched against a column.

“I come with a message for the council,” Praefectus Regillus informed them. “The governor is to evacuate the citadel and leave the defense of the city to myself, Marius Quinctius Regillus, and the Syrian IV.”

One of the council members rose angrily.

“What authority do you have here, legionnaire? Does the legate general believe he can wrest power from us so easily that-”

“The legate general is dead. As is his second in command. As are both wing commanders. I am the last remaining ranking officer, thanks to you, Octavian Tramelis Leftaro, and your imbecilic order to leave the protection of the city walls.”

The governor’s face paled for a moment at the accusation, then returned to a smug look as he swirled the wine in his goblet. The council members looked shocked, several gaping in horror.

“As supreme authority in this province, I am given power over the local defenses, praefectus. Although the passing of the general is unfortunate, thank the gods I already have one of my aides at the northern gate to assist in the defenses. Doux Hasdrun Pillotai is one of my most capable and veteran staff members. He has the experien-”

Regillus cut him off, raising his voice over the babble of chatter from the chamber.

“-of a donkey,” he finished for the governor. “The doux and I have already met. I was unimpressed with his skills. As I said before, I have assumed command of the Syrian IV as described under the Legion Officer Code, Section 4.3A.12. You do not have the right to appoint anyone without the support of the council and the district leadership, which, right now, is myself. And as I have stated, for the duration of the siege, I am in command due to your bungled attempt at armchair generalship.”

A bony-faced man wearing the thick chain links of stewardship rose from his chair. Despite his graying hair, the man’s body betrayed little about his age otherwise. He scratched absentmindedly at his neck as he spoke.

“Are you saying, praefectus, that the governor has already tried to place a new general in command of the legion?” Regillus nodded, sensing an opportunity.

“What does it matter, Councilman Ioannes? As long as the gold continues to flow through our ports, why does it matter who is in charge of the legion?” the governor retorted brusquely.

“It matters because I would rather be alive to count my gold than buried with it!” Ioannes shouted back, several other members of the council raising their voices in support.

“I move to confirm Marius Quinctius Regillus promotion to legate general of the Syrian IV, and be charged with the defense of the city.”

“Seconded!”

“All those in favor?” Two, three, four, five hands raised on the council.

“Those opposed?” Three hands shot into the air.

“You cannot do this! I am the governor!” Leftaro interrupted indignantly, his face turning blotchy. “My word is law!”

“No, your lordship, it is law as recommended and approved by the council. And the council has approved this by a majority vote. Besides, your honor, do you really think you control anything outside this room at this moment? The Syrian and civic legions hold the city, while the Mongols surround us. No one will answer your orders, and you don’t have the muscle to back up your demands. Take this gracefully and flee the city.”

The governor stood angrily.

“Guards!”

Regillus finally interceded.

“No guards will be necessary. I have requisitioned them all. By now every guard outside of this room is on their way to the walls to assist in defending the citizens of Antioch. We would welcome the help of any of your personal guards. Both legions need all the manpower they can get.”

“I will be the first to volunteer my personal bucerelli, my bodyguards,” Ioannes stated, jotting down a note to his servant, who raced out of the chamber.

The governor laughed at him.

“I never thought you for an honorable man, Ioannes. I figured you and your cowardly merchant friends would be the first to turn tail.”

“Actually, Octavian, you are the one I thought would flee first. You always were one to hide behind your friends in a fight.” The governor slammed back his chair and stood.

“You will regret saying that.”

Ioannes smiled at him.

“No, I will not. You are too cowardly to attack me directly, and anything you could do will not beat the Mongols to the punch. Leave here, my lord.” He filled the last word with scorn.

The governor glowered angrily, mouth opening and closing like a dying fish.

“Kretarus!” the governor ordered, cocking his finger as though summoning a dog. The air admiral slunk after him, studiously avoiding looking at the new legate general.

With the departure of the governor, almost three fourths of the courtiers left as well, scrambling out of the main doors or down side passages. Many of the remained had the grizzled look of veteran soldiers. The rest were young and eager looking, as though relishing the fighting to come.

“Very well, Legate General Regillus. What do you need from us?”

Day Four: Unto the Breach

The pounding booms ceaselessly assaulted Regillus’ ears. It seems the Mongols have learned something in the last few years, besides those anti-airship missiles. The squat tubes of metal sat beyond bowshot, even beyond range of their strongest repeaters and scorpions, and threw balls of heavy metal or rock into the curtain wall. The few remaining Roman engineers were desperately studying the Mongol weapons from afar, but were unable to learn much. The Mongols had hidden each weapon behind wicker screens to confuddle their Roman opponents.

I suppose we could sally against them, but we would be cut to pieces by that massed archery of theirs before we could even get within range. Another blast sent a shower of shattered masonry into the air about a hundred feet away. Regillus involuntarily ducked. He cursed.

“Are you sure we do not have anything that can reach those things, Janisal?”

His chief engineer winced at the anger in the words, but shook his head.

“Not that I know of, sir, especially now that our airships are gone. I would bet that some canisters of Greek fire would knock them out for a while, and probably blow up the gunpowder they are using to fire those things.” The older man spread his arms apologetically. “They’ve got them hidden and protected, they outrange us, and they seem to be accursedly good at targeting our own artillery all along the wall.”

“Well at this rate, we will not have much of a wall left to defend by the end of today.” The Mongolian artillery was focusing on a stretch of defensive works close to the river, slamming into one of the oldest stretches of wall. The ancient stonework was no match for the heavy hitting projectiles. With each fusillade of fire came a cascading torrent of crumbling mortar and stones.

“Why not just use the skimmers?” came a familiar voice.

“Ah! Engineer Monventus, glad to see you have not fled the city.” The other man shrugged.

“There were no more airships out, and the last train left at midnight, hoping to avoid Mongol patrols to the south. I figured that I could test some new weapon ideas I have been working on while we were under siege.”

Regillus looked at him, unable to keep his jaw from dropping. The engineer was risking his life to test inventions? In a warzone? Janisal spoke up.

“You must be a bit wrong in the head to want to stay here,” he said in disbelief.

“Nonsense, I am simply a pragmatist. I could not get away, so I might as well be useful. Did you hear my recommendation earlier?” he asked, obviously moving beyond the question of his sanity. “I said we should use skimmers to knock out their artillery.”

“Our skimmers are not equipped with weapons!” Janisal complained. “They are too light to carry any containers of Greek fire.”

“Then let us equip them with gunpowder instead! Cut a hole in the bottom and give each man a few of those pila warheads your legionnaires are so fond of using.” Monventus would not back down. The other man immediately began to argue. Regillus held his hand up.

“Stop!” His command was punctuated by another thundering explosion.

“If it is possible, do it. We have nothing else to lose. The walls can’t take this beating much longer.”

Monventus nodded, a smug look on his face. Janisal shook his head.

“As you wish, sir.”

Mere hours later, Regillus stood at the same tower, spyglass in hand as he watched Antioch’s only remaining air assets launch into the air from the central airfield. The sputtering sound of their propellers was barely audible over the crash and boom of the siege. Five of the wood and glass constructs moved into a v-formation and angled their way north. The perfect angle for an attack run. Regillus extended the spyglass and trained it onto the skimmers. He could see crude struts welded to the wings, each skimmer carrying half a dozen small metal canisters along each wing.

I hope Monventus’ idea works. If it does, I think Roman ingenuity just granted our empire another reprieve. The skimmers moved into a ragged line, their wooden wings shaking under the additional weight. Regillus turned to watch the Mongolian siege lines. We have to destroy those cannons! The term had been coined by some of the legionnaires manning the tower, and the name had stuck. May as well call it what it is — a large, metal tube. He could already see movement as the Mongolians wheeled some of their missile carts into position. The officer said a hasty prayer as the first rocket shot up from the ground, shooting right past the skimmers to explode harmlessly further up.

“Yes! They are too low to the ground for the rockets to hit!” Other men manning the tower cheered as well, as the first skimmer flew in low to drop its payload of warheads. The small explosives looked like black snow tinkling to the ground. The brave pilot was rewarded with a series of ragged explosions right behind the defensive earthworks. Regillus even saw one of the cannon tubes tumble up into the air, somersaulting over the dirt rampart to land amongst the remains of dead Romans and Mongolians in the no-man's land close to the wall. The cheering increased as another skimmer zeroed in on the defensive line further down, dodging rocket fire as it descended.

By now, the Mongols had taken up their famous horsebows as well, and were launching a stream of arrows into the air. Several pierced the cabin of the skimmer, and the flyer wobbled for a moment.

“Oh no…,” Regillus said. “Pull up, pilot!” The skimmer went into a nosedive, slamming into the ground at full speed. The resulting explosion tore another chunk of Mongolian siege works to shreds, sending men, equipment, and animals flying into the air. Several secondary explosions said the dying pilot had managed to hit some sort of ammunition train as well, as fire took hold behind the enemy lines. My gods… Regillus was shocked at the fiery demise of the skimmer pilot. That was a child. It was only with the loss of the flyer that Regillus had remembered that skimmers were flown by children no more than fifteen or sixteen years old, as they were the only ones light enough to fly such flimsy contraptions.

I just sent someone’s child to their death. He felt his throat clench. The officer forced himself to watch as the next three skimmers made their attack runs as well, their explosions seemingly small in comparison to that other fiery crash. Finding himself unexpectedly grieving, Regillus turned his back after the last one circled up and away, towards the safety of the city. The Mongolian siege lines were in disarray, but at least some of the cannons had survived, as one fired defiantly out from a smoldering section of breastworks.

It was a good try, but am I willing to send those children into battle again?

He clambered down through the trap door, into the tower room below. Men at the arrow slits waved to him, and he put on a brave face, giving an encouraging word here and there.

Antioch must hold. The city is my charge now, and those children… no, better to think of them as soldiers… will die if the Mongols sack the city. Same as these soldiers in here.

Antioch cannot fall.

He fled the tower room, taking the steps two at a time. He had to get away, away from the weight of responsibility threatening to break him. Panic.

Regillus tripped and stumbled into a small alcove. In the darkness, he had a moment to recover. Several deep breaths later, he felt better. I must be strong, for me, for my men, for my family. The weight on his shoulders had somehow shifted, becoming a familiar burden. Gathering himself, he took a steadying swig from his canteen. At least my hands are not shaking, he thought with a grin. Feeling better, he exited the tower, walking toward his small command party and couriers that awaited him.

“Get a message off to the airfield. Tell Engineer Monventus that he must rearm the skimmers and send them back out. Those things were deadly against the enemy artillery, and we must prevent the Mongols from breaching the city walls.” One of the armored couriers saluted, fist to mailed chest, and galloped away. Regillus turned back to mount his horse.

And then the wall collapsed inwards, sending huge stone projectiles into the city.

The force blew out windows and crushed buildings. The horses bolted in all directions, one unlucky rider having the terrified beast collapse upon him as it tripped over a fallen beam.

A roar from outside the city could be heard as the last of the wall fragments came clattering down. In a daze, Regillus pushed himself up, vision blurry from the smoke and dust in his eyes. I thought we had destroyed most of those cannons! He manhandled another dazed messenger to his feet.

“Make your way south along the wall! I want every other man here at the breach. Everyone else is to fall back to the citadel. Do you understand?” The man blinked groggily. Regillus shook him a few more times, and the man’s gaze locked onto his commanding officer. The officer repeated his orders, and the man nodded. With no horses around, he took off running through the streets. Another man he sent towards the nearest telegraph station, with orders to spread the same message to every station in the city.

I do not think they were ready for such a quick breach, thank the gods. Regillus prayed for small miracles. Of course, we will all be dead inside the day. Once a city wall was breached, the defenders traditionally surrendered, understanding that the enemy could attack at will and grind down the defenders through a war of attrition.

“Sir! Thank the gods you’re alive!” His voice dripping with relief, a sub-altern was picking his way through the debris, a mixed squad of legionnaires and garrison troopers following, scouring the wreckage for survivors.

Regillus coughed, then spat. He had to rally the men before the situation was lost.

“Yes, and we have got a breach to defend. We need to get up there and start building a barricade. More legionnaires will be joining us, but for now it is just us. We will make the Mongols bleed for every inch of ground!”

The men around him gave a strangled cheer. They moved at a half jog towards the breach. Regillus turned for a moment, unsure of what to do. Until sufficient reinforcements had arrived, all he had on hand were the shell-shocked troops who had survived the blast and the small band of reinforcements that had just arrived. At that moment, a flash of red caught his attention.

He reached down and tugged. From beneath a layer of fine dust and small stones came a ragged Roman standard. It had been blown from the wall by the force of the explosion. Spying a shattered spar nearby, Regillus scooped it up, combining spar and standard to create a makeshift flag. Carrying the flag up towards the breach, Regillus collected a few more dazed defenders, urging them to join him in defending the breach. As he clambered up the rocky, shifting slope, Regillus heard his name shouted from the wall.

“Commander! Sir!”

“Decanus Tito! What happened?”

“They have a bigger cannon further out. We did not notice it because it was hidden by those gods-damned screens.” The older man called back. Regillus cursed. We figure out a way to kill their cannon, they figure out a way to strike us from even further away.

“Send me every legionnaire you have without a repeater. The Mongols will not bother to attack elsewhere, now that they have a breach.” The man’s head disappeared over the broken parapet. A few minutes later, another two-dozen defenders joined the makeshift force. A ragged line was forming across the breach. Red-tuniced Syrian legionnaires piled stone next to yellow-tuniced garrison troops, hastily assembling a defensive barricade.

“Build it nice and high, men!” Now the engineering expertise of the Roman forces was revealed. In less than an hour, the legionnaires had managed to span the two hundred foot gap in the wall with a new stone barricade, complete with a rough parapet and shielded walkway. Planting his makeshift flag at the center of the lines, Regillus looked over his fellow defenders. By this time, the defensive forces assembled at the breach numbered over 2,000 men. Regillus divided them into cohorts in preparation for the Mongol attack.

He did not have long to wait. Spying movement behind the enemy lines, Regillus pulled out a borrowed pair of binoculars and pressed them to his face. His vision zoomed forward, in time to see the wicker screens pushed forward. An unbroken mass of Mongol infantry marched in line towards the vulnerable hole in Antioch’s defenses. Rhythmic pounding reached his ears as he lowered the binoculars.

“To your positions!” Legionnaires dropped entrenching equipment, scrambling for their weapons. Light artillery pieces were pushed into special positions just behind the main line. On the wall, Regillus could hear shouting as the war-machine crews began to open up on the enemy. Canisters of Greek fire splashed down amongst the endless ranks of enemy. The whistling click, click, click of the heavy repeaters sliced into the Mongols as well. The heavy bolts skewered ranks of men, tossing them into the air.

Horns trilled across the battlefield, urging the easterners forward.

“Morindoo!!!” screamed the Mongolians as they reached the embankment. Regillus shivered slightly, recalling the battle cry from the previous day’s battle. Steeling himself, Regillus turned his back on the advancing enemy, facing his men.

“Ready plumbatae!” The heavy lead and steel darts appeared in gauntleted hands. The chanting Mongolians began picking their way up the treacherous slope. Heavy artillery fire from the ramparts could do little to stall their attack.

“Loose!” The heavy darts lanced downhill, striking right through the thin reed shields of the attackers. In an instant, the rubble was coated with blood and bodies, as enemy troops trampled over their injured and dead comrades in their push to gain the breach.

“Ready! Volley throw…. Release!” Another sheet of missiles hammered the attackers. Again and again the Mongolians pushed their way up the slope, and into the teeth of the Roman defense. The dust covered slope was caked in gore, but still the Mongolians fought on.

“Sir! The men have exhausted their plumbatae. Half the men are using rocks as missiles,” reported a wounded messenger, his arm swathed in dirty bandages. Regillus nodded grimly.

“Has there been any report from the citadel? Have our forces retreated?”

“No report yet, sir. Shall I send a runner?”

“Yes, right away, then check the telegraph station. We must withdraw to the safety of the citadel soon, before we are overwhelmed.” The man turned without a salute and raced for his horse. Regillus turned back to the battle. The volume of fire from the breach defenders was intermittent now, with only a spattering of iron darts and rocks striking the wave of attackers. The wall defenders continued to fight on as well, although they were exhausted from winding and loading the heavy artillery with skeleton crews.

A crackling blast and accompanying puff of grey smoke told Regillus that the rest of the Mongol siege force was not simply waiting for the breach to be cleared. A thundering impact a few seconds later shook a nearby stretch of wall. Those damn things have turned what would have been a months-long siege into a day long one!

“Legionnaires! Prepare to receive enemy!” Regillus ordered. Along the embankment, legionnaires locked shields and braced themselves for the initial strike. The first Mongolians were maybe a dozen feet away now. Regillus drew his hand repeater and shot the closest, a bushy-bearded man waving his scimitar in the air. The short quarrel threw the man back onto his allies, where he disappeared into the crowd.

In quick succession, Regillus dispatched two other barbarians. In the end, he didn’t even have to aim, with his enemy packed so tightly together. The range rapidly closed and the officer was forced to discard his repeater in favor of his spatha. He swept out the long sword, cousin to the famous gladius of history, parrying a whirlwind assault by one of the first Mongolians over the wall. He slammed his shield into his attacker, then quickly stabbed his sword through the man’s exposed leg. The man collapsed, and a second slice cut off a startled cry.

Regillus pulled back into formation as the Roman line struggled to hold back the assault. The Mongolians attacked without any thought for their own protection, willingly sacrificing two or three men to pull down a legionary. Siege craze, Regillus thought, they have taken such a beating storming the breach they will stop at nothing to take it, and Antioch.

A sputtering sound drew his attention, and he nearly lost his head because of it. Ducking behind his shield at the last second, a barbarian’s sword stuck in the toughened wood and steel. Stabbing blindly, he heard a cry and felt his opponent fall away from him. Regillus jerked his eyes upwards, in time to see the return of the skimmers. They crested low over the breach, dropping their explosives right onto the enemy forces on the other side. A wave of heat blew back over defenders and attackers alike. The Romans cheered as each of the remaining skimmers followed the first over the stony breach to deposit their small explosives into the packed Mongolians, dealing horrendous damage. Although his vision was blocked by the press of bodies, Regillus could easily imagine the sheer carnage unfolding just beyond the breach.

He ordered his few reserves forward, hoping to take advantage of the sudden attack of the skimmers. For a while, they took back the entire improvised wall, recovering their wounded and dispatching enemy stragglers. His men even had time to get in hasty drinks from a salvaged water bucket. While they rested, Regillus paced the trench wall, checking on his men and giving a continuous stream of orders. The praefectus had one more ace up his sleeve, but he was hoping to save it until they had to retreat.

Where is that messenger?

It took a while, but the Mongolian forces soon resumed their push against the wall. With little defensive fire slowing them, they flowed up the slope and threw themselves at the defenders with renewed vigor. For their part, the legionnaires held in spite of such odds. Better armed and armored, they sliced through their lightly equipped opponents, until walls of corpses impeded their movement. Step by step, the Romans gave way, as the sheer press of Mongolians forced them to fall back. Regillus watched Etruscas go down, three Mongolians running him through with their spears. Crying out in anger, the general vented his anger by nearly decapitating the nearest enemy. The powerful stroke left him overextended, and it was only Roman discipline that saved him, as his line partner stepped in to block his open side from enemy reprisals.

“Hold the line, Men of Antioch! Defend your city!” Regillus urged his men onward, cutting down a Mongolian chieftain. The man’s leather jerkin was no match for the razor sharp tip of Regillus’ spatha. A cheer arose from his right, as the Mongolians finally forced their way through the Roman line, splitting the defenders in two. We’re dead. Regillus turned to order his signaler to blow Fighting Retreat, when another horn sounded, behind their lines.

Scrambling clear of the press of bodies, he clambered up onto the rear lip of the embankment. The sight brought tears of joy to his eyes.

We are saved. Thank the gods.

Trotting down the street came rank after rank of heavily armored cavalry — cataphractarii, by their armor and gear. As they neared the battle, they picked up speed, crashing into the few Mongolians who had managed to force the defenders apart. They surged up the rocky slope, their heavily armored mounts trampling enemy underfoot.

“Legate General! You are still alive!” came a shout over the tumult of battle. A figure wearing a beautifully exquisite set of steel armor, inlaid with gems and gold, rode up before him. He flipped up his full-face mask, itself delicately wrought from precious metal as well.

“Councilman Ioannes! My lord, where did you get these men? All our cavalry was slaughtered outside the walls!” Regillus asked, unable to keep the amazement from his voice. Already, the pressure on his lines was abating, as the defenders surged forward, their morale restored by the sudden turn of events.

“They are my own bucerelli, and here we are. A little late perhaps, but I hope you can forgive me for that. I wanted to ensure their talents were not wasted on wall duty,” he replied smugly. Regillus cracked a shallow smile at the merchant’s tight fisted attitude even during a siege.

“You’re forgiven… for now.”

The attack of the bucerelli had shocked the eager attackers. Caught right at the moment of their triumph, they had fallen back, stampeding over each other in a frantic attempt to escape the unstoppable bucerelli. It was now that Regillus gave the signal, waving the laborem, the Laurel standard, in a tight circle. In response, the men still manning the wall on both sides of the breach revealed their last trick. Large clay pots of Greek fire were pushed off the walls right onto the heads of the retreating Mongolians. They splashed down, splattering the densely packed men. The flames were unstoppable, and amongst the densely packed Mongolians, it was sheer murder.

Soon the entire breach was ablaze. Having planned for this, Regillus quickly evacuated his men, as well as the forces upon the wall. The engineers spiked their weapons and fell back, joining the legionnaires and Ioannes’ bucerelli on the long march west towards the citadel.

“Why do we not continue to defend the breach?” asked the merchant councilmember, riding his charger alongside the plodding legionnaires through the cobblestone streets. Regillus shook his head.

“There was no point. Without reinforcements, we simply could not continue to hold the breach. Any forces we would divert there would be unable to deal with any other attacks anywhere along the wall. And we would have to keep a large presence at the breach, even to deter the Mongols from striking.” He motioned to his men behind him.

“Of my starting 2,000 men, I’ve got less than five hundred remaining ready and able to fight. Another hundred wounded. Most of the wounded were trampled under foot or killed before we could pull them from the fight. And that battle lasted less than an hour. Almost 75 % casualties in an hour.” Regillus stated the facts coldly. Ioannes recoiled slightly.

“I guess I was lucky. I only lost a few back there. We should have taken more casualties charging through that debris field, but it seems providence guides us.” Ioannes made the sign of the cross over his armor. Regillus was surprised at the gesture. The councilmember was Christian, a rare event considering the preference given to followers of the Old Gods in positions of power throughout the empire. It spoke of Ioannes’ own prowess that he had risen so high in spite of his adherence to a minor, if persistent, religion.

“I am sure it does,” Regillus replied demurely. A messenger cantered up. The weary man saluted, handing down a folded slip of paper. Regillus paused, the stream of men flowing around him like a river around a boulder. Ioannes reined in as well, pausing to hear the report.

“The Mongols have taken the garrison fort. The last transmission from the commander was logged an hour ago. Citadel observers report Mongol forces have breached the main northern gate of the Tiberian Wall as well. They also report that Mongol outriders have encircled Antioch to the south. Refugees have been sited streaming back towards the walls. Those barbarians are slaughtering any they can catch.” Regillus spat in disgust. “What type of army indiscriminately slaughters civilians?”

Ioannes shook his head and shrugged.

“An eastern army of heretical non-believers?” he asked, pausing for a moment. “Excluding present members of our western army of heretical non-believers.”

“Do you not care one bit for those people outside the walls?”

“How can I care, general, when I am more concerned about the enemy horde rampaging its way through our walls? Now I backed you in the audience chamber because you were decisive, but you have to maintain your focus.” The Greek merchant stared down at the younger man, his eyes glittering coldly. “Those people who fled the city made their choice. They knew the risks. Think about it in terms of assets and resources. We have limited assets here, and we must protect the resources we can. We cannot protect resources not under our control.”

Regillus frowned. I am not some money grubbing merchant, ignoring the death of hundreds, if not thousands, of civilians. And yet, a part of him agreed with the merchant. Those people had abandoned the city, their place of safety and security. They knew the risks.

The last of the legionnaires stumbled past, with some of the most wounded men being carried on stretchers. Regillus decided to table the issue.

“Let’s get going. We don’t want to be caught outside the citadel when the Mongols finally decide to stop sacking the city.”

Even with their head start, it was still close in the end. The last garrison legionnaires trickled over the Orestes River Bridge, seeking the safety of the citadel, along with a veritable flood of civilians who had remained in the city. Regillus kept the gates open as long as possible, until the first Mongolian horsemen appeared down the long Via Juliana, the major east-west roadway that cut through the city. With a slow nod of his head, the thick steel gates were rolled shut, and the massive portcullis dropped into place. Interlocking bars slid across the doors, gears clanking slowly, stopping with a heavy thud.

Ioannes stood in the last rays of the evening sunlight, the tall towers shading the courtyard in a gloomy twilight.

“Now what?”

“Now we wait. And pray that help gets here in time.”

Day Eleven: Desperation

A day on the water, the sunlight dazzling his eyes as it reflected off the water. Portia sat opposite him, delicate hand gripping the side of the small rowboat they had rented for the day. His own hands gripped the oars, smoothed by countless suitors before him. The river was popular. Chaperones could observe, from the stability of the shore, using the rented binoculars, while the man and woman had a few moments to communicate in privacy.

This was the day he would do it. He would ask her to become his wife. He had barely spoken, when she said yes. It was given with such finality, such emphasis, as though she had been waiting for him to ask for weeks or months.

It was only later that he found out she had wanted to marry him since the first time they had bumped into each other at the forum. Such an unladylike thing to decide, without knowing a bit of his background or family history.

Of course, he had not told her about his family either, not until after she had said yes. Regillus had run far and hard from his family, and he wanted to be sure his future wife was after him, and not his family money or connections. He could almost hear his father chiding him angrily for throwing away a chance to make a political connection, but Regillus could care less about the man’s opinions.

Back to the boat now, Portia throwing herself at him, embracing him in a most improper manner. The chaperones on the shore clucked in disapproval, but he ignored them, overwhelmed by the scent of her hair, the feel of her skin on his face, the soft touch of her kisses, surrounded by the most joyful words he had heard before or since.

“Of course. Of course, of course I will marry you.”

A tapping at the door shattered his dream.

“Legate General? Sir, are you awake? Your presence is requested in the command room.” The muffled voice came from the hallway.

Regillus groaned as he pulled his aching body out from under the covers.

“Give me a moment.”

He threw some cold water onto his face, staring into the mirror at the dark circles and red-rimmed eyes peering back at him. What is this, the tenth day? Twelfth? He pulled on his lorica, dented but clean, over a new undershirt, one of the luxuries of being a legate general. He finished armoring up, attaching greaves, leg guards, his belt and hand repeater holster, and finally his sword belt and scabbard.

He opened the door. A small party of legionnaires waited apprehensively. Their officer stepped forward, his youthful face serious with responsibility as he greeted the senior commander.

“Sir, Underofficer Illios. The war council requests your presence immediately. Messages have come in and the Mongols are mobilizing.” He lowered his voice. “They say it is reinforcements. The Air fleet is bringing reinforcements!” The man, boy really, for his title, dropped his guard somewhat at the idea of rescue.

“Very well. Take me to them.”

A few short minutes later, they arrived in the same audience chamber that had seen Regillus facing down the provincial governor. Now the chamber had been fully over taken by the legions as a centralized command point. A Mobile Command Table dominated the center of the room, showing a perfect overhead view of the Antioch defensive citadel and surrounding territory. Officers positioned small figurines on the table, adjusted them as new information came in from scouts and observers.

Regillus approached the table.

“Give me an update,” he ordered. One of the new group of cohort commanders stepped forward and saluted. Tribune Wessox had been but a senior file leader less than two weeks ago, but now commanded fully one eighth of the remaining strength of the Syrian IV. From ten men to four hundred under his command, that is quite a leap in responsibility.

“Sir,” Wessox started, “We began receiving transmissions just over two hours ago from a relief fleet led by General Constantine Tiberius Appius. They are approaching Antioch from the north, with an estimated time of arrival to be tomorrow afternoon or evening.” He handed over a folded sheaf of papers. “These are the exact messages. Several of them are tagged for your eyes only, so I sealed them for you, sir.”

Regillus thanked the officer and sat down on one of the many stools that surrounded the command table. He flicked his fingers through the sheaf of paper, reading each message slowly and carefully. A fast reader by nature, Regillus had long since learned the benefit of slowing down when trying to read important dispatches. Costly experience in a previous posting had taught him to read twice, act once, rather than make bone-headed mistakes.

A half-hour elapsed. Regillus began to notice that the hall was filling up with more legionnaires and civilians than normal. No one interrupted him, save a single servant offering him a mug of hot, strong tea. Regillus gratefully accepted, the hot liquid fueling his body. It was then he noticed the larger population present.

Of course, no soldier could resist spreading the word of the rescue fleet once they learnt about it. The room continued to fill, as the Antiochians, his people, waited for the official announcement.

Regillus finished reading the last of the wireless message. An upwelling of emotion threatened to force tears from his eyes. He closed them tightly for a moment, drinking deeply from his tea rather than show his emotions. The general stood, walked to the dais at the head of the room. The soft leather of his boots whispered on the cool marble as he ascended up the steps, until he could turn and face the crowd that quietly gathered in his wake. Nervous now, he took a moment to calm his pounding heart.

“I have news. A great and mighty air fleet led by the Emperor himself has been sent to Antioch. It shall arrive tomorrow night, if the gods of wind and air are kind.” Before he had finished, a great cheer erupted, men and women leaping and embracing in an outpouring of all the emotions hidden deep since the beginning of the siege. Regillus motioned them down with his hands, waiting for the tumult to subside. His voice cracked as he spoke the next words.

“Although they will be coming here to Antioch, they are not here to take the fight back to the Mongols. They… they are here to evacuate the city. All civilians and legionnaires will be evacuated. The city will not be saved. Antioch is to be abandoned to the Mongols.”

The emotions of the crowd turned from jubilation to anger.

“I never believed I would see the day when Rome runs away.”

“Those barbarians killed my family, and now we are going to let them get away with it?”

“If they are not going to help, then I say we do not need them. We can hold off the Mongols on our own!”

Mastering his own emotions, Regillus finally shouted over the crowd.

“Ladies and gentlemen! Be reasonable here. It will take a massive mobilization effort to defeat the Mongols, and we would not be spared any additional soldiers. Antioch is, frankly, unprepared for a siege. It is only by sheer luck that we have held out this long. By fate, the city should have fallen twice over. Do not despair! This is not the end of Antioch. You are Antioch.” He pointed at an especially vocal woman in the audience.

“As long as you survive, Antioch survives. And you. And you, also. While one of you breathes, Antioch survives. Like the ancient Trojans fleeing Troy, while one of us survives, the dream, the knowledge, the majesty that is our city survives. And I, Marius Quinctius Regillus, scion of my family, heir to the fortune of the Quinctius trading house, swear that I will do all in my power to return Antioch to its former glory.” The crowd had fallen silent. Regillus took a deep breath.

“So take this opportunity to prepare yourself. You may bring no luggage or possessions with you aboard the airships, as we must use every spare foot for people. I will be sending out legionnaires to group you into embarkation teams, with assigned postings to specific airships. So spread the word, listen to my men, and remember the rules. May the gods watch over you.” Regillus could feel his legs turn to jelly, but somehow forced himself to remain standing while the crowd dispersed.

Ioannes approached, once more garbed in the silks and cloth of a merchant, rather than his armor. A terse smile appeared on his face, although his hooded eyes were full of worry.

“Well done, legate general. That was a masterful speech. If I did not know better, I would say you were a master politician.” Regillus shook his head, taking a seat on the top step of the dais.

“Perhaps just learned from the best, then?” Ioannes continued. “Nevermind that, we still must hold out for another night. And I have come from the eastern ramparts. Something is happening. I took the liberty of mounting up my bucerelli and your reserve forces.”

“Show me.” Ioannes motioned him towards the command table. Regillus strode over, the merchant jogging slightly to keep up. Several other officers gathered around the table at Regillus’ gesturing. Ioannes pointed to a section of the river where it wound close to the eastern ramparts.

“It is the natural point for them to attack.” Stated Engineer Monventus from across the table. “Narrow enough to actually cross with minimal effort, and with plenty of buildings still standing to cover their approach.” Ioannes nodded in agreement.

“Some of the men on the walls have heard wagons moving and the sound of pickaxes.”

“We will have to rotate the men more frequently tonight. With just another day till the fleet arrives, we can push through. Do you have any other tricks up your sleeve?” Regillus asked. The other man placed a grimy finger on his cheek, thinking hard.

“I may be able to come up with something, but…”

“Don’t plan on it?”

“Exactly. I presume you do not need me for a while?”

Regillus shook his head, waving the man off. Here’s hoping he can come up with something to save us yet again.

Hours later, Regillus stood atop the ramparts, feeling the last warm rays of the sunlight on his back. Along the wall, dozens of legionnaires stood at their posts, staring out into the half ruined city on the other side of the river. Massive towers punctuated the walls every five hundred feet or so, topped with ballistae and heavy repeaters. These death-dealers would occasionally fire into the smoke-scorched ruins, firing at the smallest sign of movement. The wall section commander was giving Regillus a brief situation overview.

“No reports yet, sir. The Mongols continue to shift men and manpower, but we do not know where they are going. They keep muddling around that construct opposite the main gate, but…” The officer paused, unsure about voicing his concerns to his commander.

“Go ahead man, speak. I appreciate your assessment.” Regillus spoke gruffly, still getting used to how the junior ranks viewed him, or rather, his position.

“It’s like they are waiting for something. And we cannot see what they do each night, but the sounds of squealing are worse than a thousand wagon wheels in Roma Central. They are moving something, but it is small enough that we cannot see it, or locate where they went during the daylight. But it is also heavy enough that the wheels are under a lot of weight.”

Regillus was impressed with the man’s knowledge.

“How do you know all this?”

“I was a cargo master before I joined the legions. Wheels squeal when going fast or carrying something heavy.”

“That must mean cannons then. Only slow and heavy thing a Mongolian army is likely to have,” Regillus quipped as he thought aloud. The other officer nodded.

“Thank you for your assessment, underofficer…”

“Centurion Tiberian Lupercenus. Originally Civic Legion, now permanently part of the Syrian IV.” The underofficer saluted and Regillus moved off down the ramparts, moving towards the gatehouse further south of the tower. He had just turned, where the wall went to the southwest following the river, when the opposite bank lit up. He stood, stupefied at the incredible barrage of light and sound.

Cannons.

The Mongolians must have spent the last several nights maneuvering cannons into position, aiming and targeting the cylindrical towers that studded the battlements, then camouflaging them amongst the ruins. But they still can’t charge over open water…

That problem was solved when, with a second massive roar of masonry and explosions, one of the towers to the north toppled into the river, along with a large section of the adjoining wall. Lit by the cannon fire, Regillus could see men and machines thrown from the ramparts as the wall collapsed.

As the smoke cleared, the cannons ceased firing. A deafening quiet descended the battlefield. Regillus reassured the men around him, who were beginning to panic.

“Remain at your posts!” Regillus ordered. “Make them fight for every step! Keep a steady eye, men! The Mongols will test us soon enough. Centurion, I need a demi-cohort here to accompany me to the breach,” he demanded. The shell-shocked centurion nodded without speaking as half of his manpower was pulled away.

Regillus raced back to the central compound. The advantage of being besieged on such a small island was more apparent when having to move from one place to another. Several messengers accosted him along the way, requesting instructions and directions.

“Stay at your posts and prepare to repel an enemy assault.” He repeated to each panicked courier, attempting to calm the jittery soldiers.

Inside, Regillus’ own body was in upheaval. Shock, surprise, and fear warred with each other to dominate him. Taking advantage of their disorganization, Regillus fought through his own feelings to demonstrate his calm, consistent demeanor. He only slipped once, when an aide from the main gate commander asked for orders a remarkable fourth time. Losing himself, Regillus screamed at the man.

“If your tribune does not seem to understand those orders, legionnaire, then by the gods’ I will come down there, take command, and send him outside the walls with just a knife. DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?” With that, the messenger fled, his cape streaming behind him.

“Legate General, where would you like me to position my bucerelli?” Ioannes asked. He had been woken from sleep, and was only looking more functional after having downed a large, steaming mug of tea.

“At the breach, along with our central reserve. The fallen tower here,” Regllius tapped the newly updated three-dimensional map. “Drive back the Mongolian forces and make them bleed,” Regillus growled. The entire siege was balanced on the edge of a sharp gladius, and Regillus knew that every minute he wasted giving orders was one that allowed the Mongolians more time to organize their assault.

Ioannes saluted.

“Save me a space on one of those airships,” he quipped. Regillus gave a short chuckle.

“Let’s make sure we both get a space. Alive.”

The young legate general clasped his fist to his chest. “May Mercury grant you his speed, and your Christ watch over you.”

Ioannes made the motion of a cross on his chest, then turned in a flash of cloak. His personal bodyguards formed up around him as he swept out of the room. Regillus turned to his other advisors, their faces grim.

“How far away is the relief fleet, Hypatos Junic?”

“About four to six hours away, my general. That of course, depends on wind, cloud cover, their ability to navigate…”

“So you’re saying plan for six, prepare for eight or more?”

The former governor’s aide shrugged slightly, eyes rereading the last reports in an attempt to glean additional details. A brief pause, then his dark eyes met Regillus’.

“Sir, I’m saying plan for twelve hours. We must hope they make better time.” The words were heavy in the air, the other advisors staring down at the table, as though examining the information would yield different results. Regillus forged ahead.

“I see. And all civilian populations have been secured at the airfield?”

“As many as we could fit, sir. The rest are here in the palace.”

Regillus strode to the large open windows that looked north, out over the Orestes River. A small, sheltered harbor protected by large towers and a thick metal portcullis, raised via pistons and winches, framed the view. Moonlight shone down, reflecting off the river. Unnatural motion on the river drew his eye. He pulled out his binoculars and scanned the river. At first, he saw only the moonlight and waves.

“Sir?” an officer asked, curious. Regillus ignored him.

There!

“Centurion Eruminus. Get a messenger to the northern river towers immediately. Tell them to prepare for an assault.”

“Sir? But the Mongols are all focused on the wall breach.”

“Boats, man! The Mongolians have a second assault planned. While our attention is at the breach, they’ll sneak in our back door.”

Regillus handed his binoculars to the centurion.

“Keep an eye on them from here. I will take the civilian reserve and the city watch to assist in the defense.”

“My lord, I could send for a cohort or two from the reserve…”

“No! All of our legionnaires are needed at the breach. That must hold until the air fleet arrives. Civilians can better defend from the wall defenses anyways. Keep me appraised.” The centurion saluted numbly, before turning back to watch the wave of Mongolian boats float down the river.

Regillus motioned to his small bodyguard unit, the excubitors, elite soldiers closely connected to the famous Praetorian Guard in Rome. They practically oozed lethality as they navigated their way through the packed corridors, weaving their way between the small knots of refugees taking shelter from the Mongolian attack.

“Make way for the legate general! Make way!” His signifer excubitor ordered. The governor had been provided with ten for his rank, yet only four had remained behind when the coward fled the city. These men had offered their loyalty to Regillus, as de facto leader of the city. A clear passage allowed Regillus to speed up, and they soon arrived in a small courtyard. His excurbitors formed up behind him, their top rated equipment and armor shinning in the moonlight. By contrast, the men in the courtyard were a motley assortment armed with scavenged weapons of every type.

With the fall of the city, the civic legion had been folded into the remnants of the Syrian IV. Their counterparts, the city watch, were equally depleted, many of their rank being dual members of both legion and watch. A wounded legionnaire made his way forward.

“General sir! Decanus Putriskus reporting for duty!” The man’s words slurred slightly, and he adjusted the bandage wrapped tightly around his head. “My…charges…are ready, if you are facing a pack of schoolboys. Now against the Mongols… well, they’ll do about as well as you expect, sir.” He turned around to face the roughly hundred citizen reservists.

“Alright you lot, straighten up and form ranks. Show some respect for the general here and look sharp!” The civilians shambled their way into lines. Regillus knew he would have to keep his orders simple. He spied volunteers with the look of street toughs, grey haired mustered out legionnaires, and young men, barely more than boys, all deemed ‘fit’ for service. How can these men hold out against trained, vicious killers? How can I ask this of them?

“Because if you do not, sir, we all will die anyways,” the closest excurbitor, Lamous Tuosokes, whispered to him. Regillus realized he must have spoken aloud. He gave a quick nod.

“Men, the time is dire. The Mongolians have breached the citadel walls and are even now crossing the moat. But they are devious and have decided to strike from the rear as well! You are the last line between your families and the enemy. Will you follow me?”

In response, Regillus received a deafening cheer of assent.

With no time to waste, Regillus led them to the north wall. Dividing his force in two, he positioned his least able bodied men atop the ramparts, alongside the scant handful of Syrians manning the artillery. At the water gate, Regillus positioned his demi-cohort, mostly made up of the retired legionnaires and youngest men. Some part of him hoped that the portcullis and wall defenses would stop the Mongols, but Regillus refused to hold out much optimism. So far, the easterners had surprised and outwitted him at every turn. This time, he would not be fooled so easily.

Quickly, he ordered his men to build a barrier. Barrels, bags of flour, anything the men could get their hands on went into this barricade along the riverfront. Facing north, the entrance to the small harbor funneled right between the two towers, the dock able to fit only two or three small riverboats at a time. The river continued to flow under the citadel through a series of gated channels, disappearing from view under the stone streets. The harbor was empty now, the only riverboat having left days ago.

The artillery pieces on the ramparts opened up on the Mongols. Regillus could hear the clacking of the heavy repeater crossbows as they loaded each foot-long bolt and launched it across the water.

“Sir!” Decanus Putriskus shouted down at him from the wall. “The Mongols have some type of fireboat!” Vulcan’s ashes, there is probably gunpowder on those fireboats…

“Sink the fireboats! Do it now! All fire on them!”

The whine of the artillery fire increased on the wall top. Craning his head over the barricade, Regillus was able to spot at least three fireboats floating down the river towards the harbor. Two had only small fires on them, but the third was awash in flame. Rocks and missiles from the walls lashed angrily out at them, large splashes betraying close misses. Crash! One of the boats seemed to founder, a lucky strike hitting the rudder and holing it at the water line. Cheers echoed down from the wall top. Even holed in such a way, I remember someone telling me how long it takes wooden boats to sink…

“Only two more…,” someone close to him was saying when the third boat exploded. As he had predicted, the boat was packed full of gunpowder. The fireball was blinding as the boat disappeared in a blaze of yellow and orange. The blast wave shattered windows and tossed parts of the barricade up into the air.

Regillus leaned heavily against a barrel to ride out the explosion. He shook his head and squeezed his eyes shut in an effort to shake off the searing afterimage of the erupting fireboat.

There is another boat, Regillus recalled. He craned his head around, but could not see the last fireship. Where had it gone?

“Status report! Where are the other ships?” Regillus shouted up at the wall. The decanus’ head reappeared in a moment.

“Sir! Both fireships are gone! The explosion must have blown them to pieces!” Putriskus crowed. “The rest are pulling off and beaching themselves on the river bank. Looks like they’ll try and join up with their barbarian comrades in the city.”

A feeling of relief swept over the reserve cohorts. Men smiled and clapped each other on the shoulders in solidarity. Meanwhile, Regillus was debating his next move when a messenger cantered up on horseback. The animal whinnied nervously, no doubt still smelling the sulfurous aftereffects of the explosion. But the man’s face was a huge half moon smile.

“Sir! The air fleet has arrived. They are landing as we speak!”

“How is this possible? We would have seen them from the north…”

“They came from the west, sir, to avoid the Mongols and their new weapons.”

For a moment, Regillus could do nothing but gape. The news spread quickly amongst the men. Relief was here! They were saved! Regillus knelt and placed a gauntleted fist on the ground, giving thanks to the gods for seeing to their rescue.

Day Twelve: Evacuation

“Mongolian forces have taken the breach. Mongolian forces have taken the-” Centurion Wessox looked up from the transmitter, his hand paused over the message pad.

“Sir, the message ended…”

“That came from tower twelve?” At Wessox’ nod, Regillus sighed. It was the closest tower and thus the site of the temporary frontline headquarters established by the defenders at the breach. The telegraph station kept citadel and breach in constant contact.

“We can assume that Councilman Ioannes’ defense has fallen and that Mongolian forces are within the citadel limits. Order all remaining forces back to the palace, and inform the evacuation fleet. Have there been any further updates from the aeroport?” Furthering clattering and clicking noises came from the transmitter.

“No sir, the last civilian transport was just leaving,” Wessox said as he hurriedly transcribed the seemingly meaningless sounds into words and sentences. Finally, the machine quieted. The centurion made a few corrections, then looked up.

“Sir, the remaining airships are assuming close position above the palace. They report that they are ready to leave, and will be unable to maintain post for very long. In addition, they report that the Mongol army is pouring through the breach. We likely have just minutes, sir.”

“Well it is good that I have rigged some traps to keep the Mongols out for a bit longer.” Monventus’ booming voice interrupted. “We can blow the gate, the side streets, and the palace courtyards when you wish. That should slow them down.”

Regillus turned to look at the engineer. The man was covered in dirt from head to toe, but his voice held steely determination. How is that man still functioning? I have not slept for days, and I feel like I am about to fall over.

“Were you able to confirm that all remaining posts have fallen back?” he asked Wessox.

The man rubbed his eyes, then covered a yawn.

“Centurion?” he prompted.

“Sorry, sir. Yes, sir, all outlying posts have fallen back. Although we are still unsure if there are any survivors from the breach…”

“I understand. I will take command of the rearguard. Get to the roof, take the next airship out. And Centurion,” Regillus handed the man a thin envelop. “If I do not make it out of here, would you ensure my wife gets that letter?” Wessox stood and accepted the letter gingerly.

“It would be my honor, sir. The empire needs men like you, far more then they need men like our former governor.” Wessox saluted, then turned and left, the remaining handful of low-level support auxiliaries joining him. Regillus heard the powerful hum of the engines as one of Rome’s mighty airships descended towards the palace.

Regillus left the small communications alcove and entered the throne room. From the center of the room, one could look down the long promenade to the main entryway. Regillus made the long walk in less than a minute. His remaining men had gathered in a large atrium, before the main entrance doors. They were barricaded with benches, tables, and all manner of odds and ends. His excurbitors, plus a handful of uninjured legionnaires and dismounted cataphractii in battered but functional armor, were all that remained to hold the governor’s palace. Off to the side, Monventus was busy rigging one last trap for the Mongolians.

A pounding at the outside door made him pause, along with the sounds of close combat fighting. The men went quiet, listening carefully.

“For the love of Christ Almighty, open this door!” came a muffled call in Latin.

Regillus recognized that voice. Definitely not Mongolian!

“Quick, help me open this door!” he ordered.

“But sir,” balked his signifer excubitor, Alexa Daedalus. Regillus ignored him, and pushed through his men to start clearing a path through the barricade bracing the doorway. It took only a minute to clear, but it felt like an hour. All along, the sounds of battle outside became more intense. As they were about to open the door, his excubitors pulled him back.

“Let us do this the right way, sir. Form ranks!” Signifer Excubitor Daedalus ordered. The score of men formed tight ranks, locking shields and spatha ready. Two men stood at the doorway. “When the doors open, we let our men fall back, and we take the fight to the Mongols. But do not leave the formation, stay inside the doorway, or none of us will survive,” Daedalus instructed.

“And when I say get down, get down,” Monventus interjected. The legionnaires gave him a curious look.

“Just do it,” Regillus ordered, his brain predicting what type of ‘surprise’ Monventus had rigged. He nodded to Daedalus.

“Open!”

The men pulled the crossbars apart and pulled levers that swung the doors in. Instantly, the fighters outside spilled into the atrium. Roman fought Mongolian with sword and shield, spear and dagger, even with gauntleted fist. Regillus spotted the brown cloaks of Ioannes’ bucerelli. The remnants of the breach defenders were bloodied but unbroken as they clawed tooth and nail against their attackers.

“Romans! Fall back!” Regillus ordered. In desperation, the defenders flung themselves to the side, running past the general’s small party. Not all were able to extricate themselves from the melee, but Regillus had to act.

“Charge!”

It was only a few short strides before the legionnaires struck the disordered mob of Mongolians and Romans. Regillus stood in the second rank, stabbing over the head of the first rank with a spare pila, the sharp tip gouging unprotected eyes and necks. The surprise assault threw back the unprepared Mongolians, many of whom fled rather than face the disciplined Roman formation.

It was then that Regillus got his first look outside the gates in several hours. The aerodome and massive coliseum were both aflame. Although Regillus could not see the breach from this vantage point, he could see the trail of dead Romans and barbarians leading off to the east between the massive palace walls and the coliseum.

A large party of Mongolian horsemen cantered through the taken gatehouse, its defenders slain or fled. They immediately made for the palace, spotting the last Romans. Indeed, even the Mongols the defenders had just scattered were quickly regrouping out of bow range.

“General, sir, it is time to go,” Daedalus stated, his arm supporting a wounded comrade recovered from amongst the slain Mongolians. The Romans retreated back inside the atrium, securing the door behind them.

Ioannes held out his hand to Regillus. The two clasped forearms.

“By the grace of God, could you not have opened the door earlier?” he complained.

“I was simply testing your fighting skills to ensure you belong in the Syrian IV,” Regillus replied. “But I am truly relieved to find you alive. We thought all had perished holding the breach.”

“It was awfully close. This is all that remains.” He motioned to the half score of men around him. Such sacrifice and bravery I have never seen before, and may not see again. Regillus thought, as he ordered his men to evacuate.

“Monventus, could you stall our attackers?”

“My pleasure.” He walked over to the bundle of cables painstakingly gathered by the wall. Regillus knew that Monventus and his assistants had spent many hours planning and preparing for this very moment.

“Are you sure we cannot open this door to get the full effect?” he asked.

Regillus shook his head as he sheathed his sword.

Sighing slightly, Monventus twisted one handle, then the second. For a moment, there was nothing, then a rumbling wave of thunder.

“Those easterners won’t be using that gatehouse again anytime soon!” Ioannes exclaimed as they left the room, racing to catch up to the rest of their party. Their feet pounded on the marble floors, their steps echoing as they ran through the columned halls. They took a sharp turn into a side passage, only to come face to face with an equally surprised group of barbarians.

Regillus cursed, slamming his scutum into the nearest Mongolian, then floundered on the wet floor. They must have come in the harbor gate after all. His opponent tried to strike back, but was penned in by his comrades in the hallway. Recovering his balance, Regllius drew his spatha and stabbed in short, economical motions. He drove down the hallway, Monventus and Ioannes right behind him.

“Rome and the Fourth!” he screamed, the Syrian IV battle cry coming naturally to his lips now. The marble floor was coated in blood, and his boots struggled to find traction. Another Mongolian went down, his flailing arms entangling Regillus’ legs. Overbalanced, Regillus fell forward, slamming into their attackers. Spears and daggers stabbed out, reaching around the metal rim of his shield to strike at his vulnerable arms and shoulders.

Monventus and Ioannes quickly dispatched the wounded assailant, then came to Regillus’ rescue. By the time they had pushed back the Mongolians, Regillus was bleeding from numerous small cuts and gashes. They pulled him to his feet, and he promptly collapsed again without their support.

“Those barbarian whores,” Regillus cursed loudly, as he stopped to examine a nasty wound in his thigh. Monventus gave it a cursory examination while Ioannes reloaded his repeater, the quarrels making a snick-clip sound as they locked into place.

“How does it look?” the councilman asked.

“The blade went through the meat of the muscle. He will not be able to put much pressure on it. We will have to help the general up the stairs.” Quickly, Monventus ducked around the injured man. Regillus put his arm over his shoulder and they began to move, slowly but steadily, up the winding staircase. Ioannes barricaded the door behind them.

“Couldn’t we have taken the gods damned lift?” Monventus grumbled as they reached the fifth story.

“No, we hadn’t the manpower to operate the boilers and run the machine safely. Those men have all been evacuated by now,” Regillus grunted out between painful steps. Each one lanced fire up his leg, and he could feel the blood pooling in his boot.

Monventus paused for a moment, leaning over and allowing Regillus to rest. Ioannes ripped off part of his tunic, tying it around the wound in an effort to staunch the bleeding.

“Sorry, General, should have done this earlier.”

“Not to worry. How much longer do you think we have until they leave without us?” Regillus grimaced. Monventus looked up at the ceiling, the marble staircase twirling its way upwards.

“There are only two or three more floors before we reach the roof. They should remain until they are certain we are not coming. Probably until they see Mongols.” He placed his head against the wall. Regillus opened his mouth to ask what he was doing, before the engineer silently held up a hand in response.

A moment went by, then Monventus spoke.

“I can feel the hum of the engines still running, so they are still there.”

Ioannes sighed.

“Thank God for small mercies.” He crossed himself in prayer. There was a moment’s uncomfortable pause as Monventus eyed the pious Christian. A sudden sound from far below reached their ears. A loud crash followed by the tell-tale clatter of boots on stone.

“Mongols.” They all looked at each other. Monventus grabbed Regillus, hauling him up. Ioannes followed close behind, helping carry the general. It was a race against time. One door passed, then two. All along, the footsteps grew closer. They could hear the guttural tones of the Mongol soldiers behind them now. No doubt they had discovered their ambushed comrades and were now following the trail of blood left by Regillus.

“Stop! Here!” Regillus called out, his voice cracking with pain. The men paused, panting. To their left, a doorway stood with the word Tectum outlined by a black border. Monventus threw open the door. Bright sunlight greeted the men. The large open top of the battlements spread around them. The tower staircase stood in one corner of the battlements, continuing up into the air behind them. At the opposite corner of the tower rested a magnificent Imperial Airship, the name Scioparto emblazoned on the side. A cordon of men stood around it, airmen in light leather armor and armed with folding stock repeating crossbows. They instantly braced at the sight of the three newcomers, several kneeling down to steady their aim.

Ioannes waved frantically, hoping to avoid a tragic mistake at their moment of triumph. Several of the men began to run towards them. At that moment, Monventus tripped. Whether through exhaustion or simply a misstep, the trio collapsed painfully to the ground. All three muttered curses as they tried to disentangle themselves.

“Up, up, UP!” Regillus ordered. The first Mongols were just now making their way through the tower gate. He grabbed at his personal hand repeater, brought it up from his seated position, and began shooting. One, two, three bolts lanced out. The short ranged weapon was not very accurate, but still two Mongols went down, one with a bolt through his eye and the other one through his shoulder. By now, Monventus and Ioannes had managed to get to their feet, dragging the general behind them as they ran for the safety of the airship.

Regillus reloaded his repeater. His aides each had a hold of his cloak and armored lorica, their tenuous grip jostled by the rough stone pavement of the battlement surface. Regillus brought up his repeater again, took aim carefully at the closest charging Mongol. Now half a dozen men had made their way through the doorway, tripping over the writhing body of their wounded comrade.

Shung. His first shot passed so close to his target it actually knocked the man’s buckler aside. Undaunted, the man gave a piercing war cry and launched himself at the fleeing Romans. Click, shung. This time his shot hammered home, the barbarian tripping and collapsing to the ground.

Bolts began to fly around them as well. Regillus estimated they were almost halfway across the platform now, and several of the airmen were opening up with their own repeaters. Another two Mongolians went down. Behind them, another fur-clad attacker threw a dagger at Regillus, the deadly blade sparking off the ground less than a foot from him. Regillus flinched, then fired one of his last bolts at the attacker. The man ducked, but the quarrel winged another easterner behind him, knocking him off his feet.

Regillus could hear rapid fire Latin being exchanged behind him. Never before had he felt so happy to hear his own language. He could now see additional airmen flanking them, driving off the Mongol vanguard. Only a few determined or lucky men remained, and all pressed home their charge. They sliced into the lightly armored airmen, screams and warcries mingling.

“Hurry! We cannot hold them for long!” a voice cried behind him. The airmen were already falling back, dragging several of their wounded as well. Regillus fired his last bolt at a particularly determined barbarian, squinting to see through his blurry vision. The bolt hit him in the groin, the man doubled over, his sword clattering to the ground.

For a few moments, his vision went black. He came to, feeling the hard wooden deck of the airship below his body.

“Sir? Sir?” Ioannes and Monventus leaned over him, supporting his head. A medico had ripped open his pants leg, and was tending to his wound.

“Yes?” His mouth felt fuzzy and odd.

“We thought you gone for a moment, sir.” Regillus shook his head slightly.

“Water,” he croaked. Ioannes uncapped his canteen and held it to his lips. The warm, flat water tasted like the nectar of the gods, and he instantly felt better.

“Did we escape?”

“See for yourself,” Monventus said, a broad grin splitting his face. Regillus turned his head to the side, in time to see the tower shrinking away behind him. A feeling of relief swept over him, and his breath came in a ragged burst.

“Legate General Marius Regillus,” a voice said. It was a powerful voice, one that dripped with command and authority, but lacked the spite and condensation that was common amongst many of the Empire’s leading officers. Regillus wrenched his head over and was able to see a tall figure striding towards him, the wind making his cape billow.

“My lord…,” Regillus whispered, trying hard to salute.

“Relax, legate general.” Constantine Tiberius Appius, General of the Germania XIII, Heir to the throne of the Imperial Roman Empire and overall commander of the relief fleet stood before him, the sunlight creating a halo around his body. Regillus almost expected to hear the royal trumpeters announcing his arrival. Appius stepped forward, blocking the sun to kneel besides Regillus.

“I am truly honored to have you aboard my airship. Your defense was masterful, particularly in the face of such unexpected weapons. Of which I will expect a full report. We must discuss at length your strategies for defeating the Mongols. For this war is not over. Not until we decide it is.” Regllius nodded, his heart swelling with pride from the praise of such a noble figure. The man held out his hand and hauled the exhausted officer to his feet.

“But there is time for that later. In the meantime, lets get you patched up.” The medico nodded to General Appius. “The doctor here thinks you will be alright, so in that case, I am glad to inform you that you are a nominee for the Order of the Crimson Laurel. As you know, it is only given to those who demonstrate exceptional service to the Empire and its people.” He smiled.

“But first, there is someone who would like to see you.”

Now Regillus knew he was really hallucinating. Stepping onto the deck was his wife, the wind blowing her tousled hair about, joy and concern warring with each other upon her face. In a moment she was at his side, her lips planted firmly atop his, the nearby officers and men grinning infectiously. And with that, all the pain receded from his body, and for the first time in days, he allowed himself to relax.

The H.M.A.S. Scioparto rose higher into the afternoon sky. It carried with it the hope and future of the Empire.

Behind them, Antioch burned.

Content

Daniel Ottalini
Antioch Burns

Day One: The Merchant’s Tale

Day Two: The Siege Begins

Day Three: A Disaster in the Making

Day Four: Unto the Breach

Day Eleven: Desperation

Day Twelve: Evacuation