Saint-Germain: Burning Shadows Part 24

"The men won't go into the woods to cut more trees," said Mangueinic, his frustration revealed in every line of his body. "They say it isn't safe. And they're right-it isn't." He looked around at the faces gathered in the small warehouse that stood between the monks' church and the largest of the travelers' dormitories. Half of the building was taken up with the stacked crates and chests of the refugees' belongings; the rest had been pressed into service as a council chamber. "Five have been wounded since the Huns' last attack, and one is dead from it. And someone loosed an arrow at them as they came in from felling today."

"But we must have logs to repair the outer stockade; two of the main supports are weakened from the fires the Huns started with their flaming arrows. We have to replace them, and the braces behind them," Neves protested, looking around at the others, leaning forward, elbows on knees, seeking their support. "Don't they understand how important it is that the walls be repaired and made stronger? We need logs to do that. It isn't safe to stand on the battlements without reinforcing the braces, not if we have to increase the number of men fighting from there."

Mangueinic looked ashamed. "The Watchmen say that since the outer wall is manned by your mercenaries, they should be the ones to cut the trees for its repair. I tried to convince them that the walls protect us all, but none of my Watchmen would listen." He turned to Priam Corydon. "I've tried to persuade them to reconsider, but they're too frightened. They know the Huns have scouts in the region, and that they have orders to fire on anyone from the monastery they see."

"They leave the hermits in the caves alone," said Denhirac, Denerac's son, who had taken over his father's position since his father and a company of men and women from Tsapousso had left Sanctu-Eustachios the Hermit for the plains to the west, and the old Roman city of Aquinc.u.m in the Province of Pannonia Inferior. He wore his responsibilities awkwardly and often said he would have preferred to go with his father and the twenty-one others; now only thirteen remained.

"The hermits have nothing the Huns want," said Bernardius. "They are safe where they are."

"Not that Monachos Anatolios would allow them to fight; it would be contrary to G.o.d's Will," said Neves, making no effort to hide his contempt.

"Would that still be true if the Huns take this monastery?" Mangueinic asked.

"Would it matter? We'd all be dead," said Neves.

"We're getting off the point," Priam Corydon said patiently. "Our present predicament is to deal with the need for trees to be felled and brought back here to make the needed repairs to the outer stockade, and we must bury the last of the dead. What the Huns may do is up to them, and nothing we do can change that."

"What about Patras Anso?" Mangueinic turned his eyes on Priam Corydon.

"Patras Anso may lie with the monks of this monastery," Priam Corydon said.

"That's all well and good," said Bernardius. "But we must do what we may, and trust to G.o.d to keep us from ruination."

Priam Corydon made the sign of the cross and motioned to Monachos Niccolae of Sinu. "We ought to prepare another dispatch for Verus Flautens, explaining the urgency of our plight. As Praetor-General, he is obligated to provide us what protection he can."

"Do you think he's in a position to send soldiers? a.s.suming he has any to spare?" Bernardius interjected.

"He hasn't sent any recently," said Neves.

"Is that man from Drobetae-Hredus, I believe he is called-still missing?" Bernardius asked.

"I believe so: why?" Mangueinic frowned.

"It is just that if Priam Corydon is preparing a report, Hredus would be the most useful courier." He clicked his tongue. "Well, if he is missing, we must find someone else."

"True," said Priam Corydon. "Monachos Niccolae, make a full catalog of our lacks; have it ready by sunrise tomorrow." He considered the others. "One of you might provide a courier for us."

"What about the bondsman who is caring for the horses? Niklos Aulirios. The one the Dom's relative sent to him. Do you think Sanctu-Germainios could spare him?" Neves asked. "We have men enough to care for the horses without him."

"We can ask," said Bernardius doubtfully.

Priam Corydon sighed. "There must be someone who will take our report to Drobetae." He motioned to Monachos Niccolae. "Be sure you include the need for more messengers as well as soldiers."

"Yes, Priam; I will," said Monachos Niccolae, his short-sighted eyes straining to make out the faces of the others.

"That is all to the good, but it doesn't resolve the need for more logs, and a more fortified wall," said Neves. "They're our most immediate problems."

"Tomorrow morning, some of our men must go into the forest," said Mangueinic emphatically. "They will have to be in the company of guards, which I will order my Watchmen to be."

Bernardius hesitated, then said, "Of my soldiers I think I can convince a dozen to log for the benefit of the monastery. Most of the refugees from Ulpia Traiana know what happens when the defenses fail, for they saw it happen. They, like the rest of you, want the inner wall reinforced, and that will not happen until the outer wall is fortified. They will understand the advantage of helping the wood-cutters."

"Do you think they will actually do it?" Neves asked, surprised at this offer.

"I think they will, if I provide sufficient incentive," Bernardius said, making the gesture for bargaining.

"And what incentive would that be?" Denhirac asked, his manner tentative although his words carried conviction. "I have six men who could log, and they might agree to help Bernardius' soldiers if there were reward enough for their labors."

"Something can surely be arranged," said Neves.

"If you pay them to go into the forest, then the harvesters will ask for the same when they bring in the crops," warned Mangueinic.

"There are many kinds of pay," said Denhirac. "Money isn't much use here, but there are things that can be exchanged for labor."

"What did you have in mind?" asked Mangueinic.

"First chance at the beer and the cooked food, or a wheel of cheese," said Denhirac at once. "A chance to select some of the yearling sheep and goats."

"Or the right to hunt ducks on the lake," suggested Mangueinic.

"That would deplete our flocks," Priam Corydon warned. "You may plan to move on, but I and my monks expect to remain here; we cannot give away all our food."

"You will have many fewer mouths to feed once the refugees are gone. A great many of us plan to leave as soon as the whole harvest is in, and that should be two months at most," Denhirac pointed out. "You can spare a lamb or two, or a few ducks. You may be sure the Huns will take much more than any refugee would."

Bernardius held up his hands, struggling to smile genially. "No more, I ask you. We need no more devisiveness. All of us must be prepared to bend a little to guarantee our safety. We understand what you, Denhirac, have explained, and all of us second your sapience; we know that you, Priam Corydon, wish to protect your own people. Volemus. Both of you have valid points to make, and we should consider everything as we determine how to proceed. But we have to decide, and quickly. The longer we delay, the more exposed we are."

Mangueinic thumped his crutch on the floor. "The Tribune makes sense," he said firmly. "It's something for all of you to keep in mind. The Huns will know what we do shortly, if they don't know already."

"They're worse than vermin, or shadows," said Bernardius, adding defiantly in his own version of Latin, "cavi ombram."

There was a brief silence, then Priam Corydon said, "For now, we will turn our attentions to tomorrow and whatever arrangements must be made to repair the walls. We will determine the recompense for the work now and let the men know before they go to have their supper."

"Then we'd best agree quickly. Food is being prepared right now, and there are two deer turning on spits outside." Neves rose and clapped his hands together. "Yearling goats and sheep would be an acceptable trade for a week's work, I believe. Hunting privileges will also be a reasonable exchange for labor; we all benefit when a deer or a boar is killed. What do the rest of you say?"

"I will ask my soldiers if they're willing to agree to any or all of these terms, and report their answer to you after supper is ended," Bernardius said. "Mangueinic, see if your Watchmen will concur."

"That I will, and make them answer for it if they cavil," said Mangueinic, his glance shifting to Priam Corydon. "Will your monks be willing to spare some of the livestock and ducks so that they may be safe?"

Priam Corydon turned to Monachos Niccolae. "What do you think? Will they consent?"

"If they understand the danger, I think they might; they know that prayers alone will not deter the Huns, and that soldiers do not fight for the Glory of G.o.d alone, to all our ignominy," said Monachos Niccolae. He looked down at the vellum spread on the writing board in his lap. "Shall I record the terms here, for the archives?"

"It would be prudent to write this down. It will help us avoid later disputes or misunderstandings," said Priam Corydon, trying to ignore the condemning glare of Denhirac, who a.s.sociated writing with magic.

"Then I will," said Monachos Niccolae, reaching for a jar of fixed ink and thumbing the lid open.

"Do you want the courier to leave tomorrow at dawn?" Mangueinic asked Priam Corydon.

"Ideally, yes. We can decide which road or path to tell the courier to use later this evening. The sooner we send our dispatch, the sooner we may have an answer," said Priam Corydon.

"Even if that answer is no, as it is likely to be," remarked Bernardius, then lifted his head as if to defend himself. "What makes any of you think that Verus Flautens will send us soldiers? What if he hasn't any more to provide? Drobetae itself may have been attacked by Huns, and all the soldiers are needed to protect the town from another a.s.sault."

"Like us; we beg for more soldiers because we are losing ours too rapidly," said Neves. "I'll ask my men, and Bernardius can ask his, who among them is willing to carry the report to Drobetae. One of them must be willing to risk being chased by Huns." He snapped his fingers. "Oios knows the roads in this region. He may be willing to go. He's a brave enough fellow." He turned toward the door. "When the payment agreement is ready, I'll put my name to it."

"Thank you," said Priam Corydon, making the sign of the cross in his direction, and then the sign of the fish.

"I'll sign it, as well," said Bernardius.

Mangueinic shifted uncomfortably on his crutch. "If there is reason for me to put my mark on it, I will."

"How will I know that you are going to abide by your agreement?" Denhirac asked testily.

"You know because I will swear by Christ the Savior to do so," said Priam Corydon, his countenance becoming severe. "I will bind the salvation of my soul to the terms of this agreement, if it will allay your reservations."

"Then I will speak to those few of my men who are still here; if any of them are willing to cut wood for a lamb, I'll let you know before we retire tonight. One way or another, the work will be done." He saluted the others with great formality and left the warehouse.

"That," said Mangueinic, "is an impatient man."

"Not without reason," Neves said. "We have work to do, comrades, and we had best be about it."

Priam Corydon made the sign of the cross. "Come, Monachos Niccolae." He rose from his bench, gesturing to his recorder. "You and I will have to explain our decisions to the rest of the monks and novices."

"Yes, Priam," said Monachos Niccolae as he gathered up his vellum, goose-quill pen, and jar of fixed ink and prepared to follow him.

Bernardius, Neves, and Mangueinic were left alone in the warehouse. The place was growing dark as the last of sunset faded from the sky, leaving the two clerestory windows aglowing deep-blue. The three took a little time to gather their thoughts, then Neves said, "At least work will continue on the walls."

"That's something," said Mangueinic.

"We can train some of the refugees to man the ballistas; that would be helpful just now," Neves went on.

"Not all the refugee men want to fight," said Bernardius, "but it's probably worth a try. I'll ask among my townsfolk."

"If we stay in here much longer, people will think we're plotting against the Priam and Denhirac," Bernardius remarked.

"True enough," Neves said, and started toward the door.

"Do we meet here later, or at the monastery?" Mangueinic asked, working his crutch to gain more speed.

"Probably at the monastery. I don't think the Priam will seek us out." Neves sounded annoyed, but he continued out into the deepening twilight, the increasing darkness banished by the large fire at the center of the compound where the carca.s.ses of deer turned on spits and the smell of smoke, venison, wild garlic, and thyme filled the air.

"When do your men change their posts?" Bernardius asked. "Is it the same as most evenings, or have you a.s.signed another hour?"

"It is the same as it has been," said Neves. "As I a.s.sume it is for your men."

"Most of them, yes, but not all." Bernardius cleared his throat and spat. "Our ranks have thinned, as have all ranks, and I am hard put to fill the posts on the battlements, so I have lengthened the watches stood to a half a day or half a night and staggered the times of service so they overlap, giving the appearance of more guards than we have. Or so I hope. Having more of the refugees to add to their numbers will embolden my soldiers."

"So that's what you've been doing-lengthening the watches your men stand," Neves exclaimed. "A good precaution. Astute of you."

"More necessity than cleverness, I fear," said Bernardius, opening the door for the three of them. "After supper, when we've spoken to our men, we should meet at the horse-trough, and decide how to deal with the messengers and the woodsmen. I hope we have some volunteers."

They stood together outside the door, looking serious. Neves finally broke their silence. "I trust we'll have good news by then."

"Truly," said Mangueinic, and would have said more but the loud, unmelodious clang of the alarm sounded.

"The outer walls are burning!" came the shout from the gate-tower.

"Huns!" Mangueinic started toward the center of the compound.

"No," Neves said, loudly enough to be heard. "No sentry or guard reported them approaching."

"There has been no lightning," Mangueinic said. "It has to be Huns."

"Then they killed the sentries and guards," growled Bernardius.

"All of them?" Neves asked, starting toward the lower gate that led to the fields and the outer wall where smoke was beginning to churn into the twilight sky. "And no one noticed?"

"It doesn't matter the cause: the fires must be put out," said Mangueinic, and started off as rapidly as he could go toward the inner gate, bellowing as he went, "Men of Apulum Inferior! To your posts! Bring water, and form a line to quench the flames!"

"But if there are Huns . . ." Bernardius began, then his words faded as the fire began to shine along the tops of the outer stockade. "We must be careful, in case this is another deceptive tactic."

"Then we must have the men take up their positions on the inner walls!" Neves shouted, running after Mangueinic. "We must put it out!"

Men came running from the center of the compound, their hands still shining with the grease of the basted deer they were dining upon. Some carried weapons, others held buckets of water, and still others had baskets of stones. Bernardius took up the task of directing them toward the outer walls or the battlements of the inner walls, all the while shouting encouragement and scrambled Latin phrases.

"What would you like me to do?" The voice came from a short distance behind Bernardius, and it shocked him to hear so reasonable a question. He swung around and looked into Niklos Aulirios' face.

"Are the horses safe?" Bernardius asked.

"For now. I put the grooms to wetting down the outside of the stable and the barn, though neither is very near the flames." Niklos paused. "I also ordered two of them into the roof, to stamp out sparks."

"A good idea," said Bernardius. "If you're willing, would you go around from the main gate to the fire and see if you can find anything that might reveal who did this?"

"You mean you want me to find out if the forest is full of Huns," said Niklos, faintly amused.

"Or brigands, or Gothic outlaws, or-well, who can say?" He coughed as the smoke thickened.

Niklos reverenced Bernardius as elegantly as a Byzantine courtier would have done. "I shall inform Dom Sanctu-Germainios of my mission, and will report to you as soon as I am finished with my inspection."

"If the fire enters the forest, things will go badly for us," Bernardius warned. "We must have trees to repair the walls-more so now than this morning."

"I'll observe as much as I can, and I'll tell you what I find, but you probably shouldn't hope for too much." He turned away and strode off to the old chapel, entering by the side-door and finding Sanctu-Germainios setting out medicaments. "I suppose you know?" he asked in Greek.

He sighed and spoke in the same tongue, "About the fire: how could I not? This will bring trouble."

"As if we didn't have any already," said Niklos. He studied Sanctu-Germainios narrowly. "Bernardius has asked me to go outside the outer walls to a.s.sess the damage."

"Because he can spare you, I suppose," said Sanctu-Germainios.

"I'm not one of his soldiers, or one of Neves' mercenaries, or one of the refugees, so I am more expendable than most." Niklos chuckled his exasperation. "I think I had better do it, don't you?"