Helion and I caught up to Estriadites on the dirt road. My brother acknowledged us with a nod and we continued on together. We walked in silence for some time. I tried to bar any thoughts of Kyron or the Elahkarian noble we had brutally killed, whose screams echoed in my head. I wondered if Kyron might have lived had I not broke and ran to aid father. What could I have hoped to do that would have saved father’s life? My mind then reminded me that I may be taken from this world next.
My mind cleared when notes of cheerful music filled the air around us. Many around us smiled at the tune. Though many heard it, no one seemed to know who played that flute or where the music was coming from. Many held firm that it was Alayesene, the goddess of wisdom, soothing us before our battle. I can’t say that it wasn’t, but I had seen a few men with flutes back at the shrine.
For half the hour that music stayed with us before fading. When it stopped, I felt calmer and no longer clung to unfortunate thoughts. Seeking distraction from, I nudged Helion, “Ever traveled to Lektrios?”
“Never. You?”
“One time, long ago,” I smiled at the memory, “I traveled with my father and Estriadites to seek a warrior of note to mentor my brother in the arts of war.”
“What’s it like, the city?”
I paused, trying to describe my memory, “Ten times as large as Demepolis, perhaps bigger. They have large buildings made of white marble.” I looked over at my brother expecting him to happily share his memory of the trip, but Estriadites looked distant and concerned, eyes staring forward blankly. “What bothers you?”
It took him a moment to realize I was speaking to him. “What? Nothing.”
I looked at Helion then back to my brother, “Nothing’s bothering you? Explain that to your face.”
Estriadites raised an eyebrow. “I’ve been to Lektrios a few times in recent years.”
I waited for more, “And this gives you pause?”
“There’s a short ridge on this road. The pass isn’t long, but if I were trying to stop someone from reaching the city, I’d put warriors there. Unless I’ve missed my guess, that’s where I expect us to find the enemy, in far greater numbers.”
My face must have betrayed my sudden worry because Estriadites’ confident grin returned and he elbowed me, “Fear not little brother, I’ll not let anything happen to you.” My eyes rolled but there was something comforting in knowing that my older brother was at my side. For most of my life, I had Estrianes with me. It felt strange with him missing, like going to war without a shield.
“Look around you,” said Helion. “Though not bonded by blood, we all are bonded by the spear. You’re surrounded by brothers on whom you can rely.”
I smiled, he was right. There was a bond between all of us, brothers of the spear. “You’re right. Even if you do sound like a poet.”
“Huh? Oh, that’s likely the wine talking.”
My eyes widened, “What?”
Helion looked at me in bewilderment, “Wine calms the nerves before battle. Did you not bring wine?” He held up a ceramic canteen.
Estriadites extended his hand with a smile, “I’d have wine.” Helion handed the canteen to him. After a few sips, he passed it to me. I took a large gulp and returned the canteen to Helion. While we marched, the three of us saw the remainder of the canteen emptied.
****
We were not drunk but our disposition had more cheer. I could still feel an underlying sense of dread, trying to claw its way up from the pit of my stomach, but it did not bother me in that moment. I hadn’t taken much noticed of our surroundings while we talked until the line halted. The shout for the war council came back from the front.
I followed my brother up the short hill taking my place amongst the nobles, leaving Helion back in the line. The top of the hill gave us a good view of the pass. We were perhaps four hundred paces or more away, but in the pass itself, we could see the glint of polished helmets and the movement of colorfully dyed exotic clothing.
“I feared the enemy might occupy this pass. What move is wisest at this time?” asked Ankarithesos.
Clytomedes scratched his red beard, “Yes Klysestes, what move do we make now? Lend us your unrivaled wisdom on these matters.” Klysestes quietly surveyed the terrain.
“Must we go through this pass? Can we not find another way through or over the ridge?” asked Estriadites.
“The slopes are too steep. Any paths up would be little more than goat paths,” replied Klysestes dismissively. “There is another pass but the ridge is long and would add another half day or more to our journey.” He looked at the enemy’s men and back at our own. “A push straight through is the only true course.”
Some of the nobles began arguing amongst themselves. Alternatives were offered and were quick to be shot down by logic. “We have not the men to make a frontal attack on the enemy,” objected Clytomedes. “If we attack them, they will merely withstand us and force our men from the pass. What then?”
“I think not,” Klysestes rubbed his trim beard.
“That much is evident,” Clytomedes added in a snide tone.
Klysestes shot Clytomedes a stern look, “So far, we have only seen the enemy’s horsemen. Have we not?” A few nodded. “We’ve seen wealthy Elahkarian nobles and what seem to be tribal nomads armed with bows.”
“If you have a point to be made, I would see it made.”
“My point is that our enemy likes to fight from a distance, like cowards. They present a problem only when out of reach. Now they place themselves before us in a rocky funnel before our spears, and you would not have them?”
Clytomedes hesitated, thinking carefully about his response. “They are not armored as we are,” continued Klysestes. “Here they are, in front of us, presenting ass for ramming.” Pockets of hushed laughter spread through the group. “Our spears are taller than a man, once our phalanx is formed, we can remain out of sword range.”
Ankarithesos straightened up, “I find it hard to argue with that plan, but how do we keep their cavalry from flanking us as we advance?”
“How many skirmishers have we left?” asked Abaenaxes.
“Not enough,” replied Clytomedes, “maybe fifty. Many have died or deserted.”
“We can use our back rank to extend the phalanx on both sides,” said Abaenaxes. “If they try to ride around, they will be able to respond without breaking the core formation.”
“What of the arrows they are sure to loose, as they’ve done all fucking day?” asked Clytomedes.
That question gave everyone pause. “We’ll form a shield wall, as Klysestes did back in The Narrows. The second rank rests their shields on the first, and the third on the second, all the way back,” said Abaenaxes.
“We’ll sing the paean of the war god to keep us in step,” added Klysestes. “This may yet work.”
Looking among the nobles, a wave of optimism trickled through. Contemplative faces led to heads nodding in affirmation. “Who here is for this plan?” asked Ankarithesos. All but eighteen hands were raised, we had the majority.
“It’s decided,” declared Ankarithesos. “Have your men fall to formation. We move at once.”
Nearby, we heard the rumbling of hooves and instinctually looked. A string of almost one hundred horsemen in a thin column rode towards the enemy position. Near the front of the line, I thought I could make out the bright red sleeves of the rider with the golden torc. I smiled. It was likely the wine, but instead of fear, I was glad to lay eyes on him. I needed to see him. Needed to face him, to look over my shield and see my spear buried in his guts, not only for Kyron but for myself.
****
Our phalanx was formed longer than usual. Those who would normally form our last rank were repositioned on both flanks, flush with the first rank, skirmishers behind them. This might not give the illusion of full ranks but they could counter any flanking forces without breaking our formation, should we have need.
Ankarithesos and Klysestes, among others, were in the position of honor at the end of the first rank on the right flank. Estriadites and I were next to each other in the third rank on the left flank, seemingly as far from the right flank as possible, where father had been positioned, behind other nobles.
I did my best to look over the shoulders of those in front of me to get a glimpse of the enemy. There were more than I thought there would be, equal to our number at best, twice our number at worst. The distance between our armies made it difficult to accurately gauge the enemy. Their entire force filled the ridge’s pass.
The enemy ranks parted slightly and a group of horsemen trotted out onto the field. They moved slowly towards us, numbering about thirty. Their horses moved slow, careful to show no aggression. Close to fifty paces from us, most stopped and five riders continued forward. A lavishly dressed Elahkarian raised a leafed branch above his head, the sign of diplomacy. Riding next to him was the rider with the golden torc.
The call came through the line for the nobles. I followed Estriadites close. Ankarithesos, Klysestes, Abaenaxes, and a few chosen others walked up to meet the Elahkarian noble. The rest of us stood about ten paces behind them, privy to every word. The Elahkarian’s riders had bows resting on their laps, arrows already nocked. When he approached, my stomach sank. It was his sword I had in my scabbard. He was the one who had killed father.
“Greetings brave men of Demepolis,” said the Elahkarian, speaking our language eloquently. “Who among you leads?”
“He is among us. That is all you need know,” said Abaenaxes sternly.
The Elahkarian smiled politely, “We mean not to assassinate him if that is what you had thought. My name is Abda-Hajjir.” None of our nobles returned the courtesy. “Let us come to equal footing then. We seek not to squander the lives of your men, needlessly. We are here only to punish the Lektrians for their many transgressions against us. Surely you understand this.”
“I understand that we were attacked without provocation by your warriors,” said Ankarithesos.
“Oh, you must not have been marching to aid our enemy then? Apologies if there was a misunderstanding.” Ankarathesos tapped his foot, annoyed with the Elahkarian’s coy remarks. My fists clenched as well, wanting nothing more than to wrap themselves around Abda’s neck. “It is undeniable that you march to aid the Lektrians, a move most unwise.”
“This is true,” states Klysestes with a blunt tone.
“There are many things our peoples could share. The Great King Cassephernes is most generous and can always find uses for skilled warriors, such as yourselves,” Abda-Hajjir held out his hands. “Join us against the vile Lektrians and see yourselves richly rewarded, beyond even your wildest dreams.”
“At what cost would this come?” asked Ankarathesos. “What must we sacrifice to attain this…generous offer?”
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Abda-Hajjir’s face became solemn. “You would be free to rule your own lands how you see fit. You would take gold and silver from the temples of Lektrios as a reward for service, even slaves should you desire. The Great King only requests that you pay taxes and provide your warriors when he calls.”
The nobles around me whispered trying not to show emotion or uncertainty in the face of the enemy. Ankarithesos spoke before anyone else could, “In these lands, our honor is our word. We have given the Lektrians our word that we would stand by them. We do not forsake oaths for gold and silver, like greedy Kaloceans,” he spit on the ground. “We will not be your vassal or subject to the Great King’s whims.”
I thought Abda-Hajjir would be angry but instead, his smile merely gave way to apathy. “Very well. We all have choices to make in this life, even if they are foolish,” he nodded to Golden Torc who pulled up a brown sack from the other side of his saddle. “You will share the fate of these men.” Golden Torc emptied the sack onto the ground. Six severed heads fell and rolled to a stop.
My bowels turned to water when I saw the head with dark brown hair. Estrianes’ eyes gazed blankly at his brow and his mouth hung open. I felt my legs go weak and the blood retreat from my face. If not for the butt-spike of my spear planted in the ground, I would have dropped to my knees. My stomach wanted to wretch.
Abda-Hajjir turned his horse and trotted off. Golden Torc regarded us with an arrogant smile, turned and followed the rest of the riders. I was transfixed by my brother’s lifeless head. My eyes watered up and a sudden surge of rage shot through me and a yell came from my throat. I threw my shield down, took a few steps, and readied to cast my spear at the riders when Estriadites knocked me to the ground with his shield.
I scrambled to get up. My brother threw his weapons down and restrained me. Flailing, I struck at him and reached for my spear, screaming at the bastard riding off. Another noble grabbed my legs, helping Estriadites keep me on the ground. “Let go of me!” I shouted at them.
Estriadites moved his face directly in front of mine. “Calm yourself,” he whispered through his teeth. I stopped moving. “Messengers bearing the signs of peace are protected by the gods. It’s blasphemy to strike them down.” My eyes darted towards the riders and my limbs renewed their struggle. “Are you angry?!”
“Yes!”
“Good!” he yelled back. “As am I. Fall to fucking formation, and we will find them on the battlefield and send them screaming to the afterlife.”
****
Our phalanx formed up just out of arrow range from the enemy. The first rank was two hundred men long. The additional one hundred hoplites on each side extended the first rank to four hundred long. The skirmishers were behind these extra hoplites, all of whom would retire close to contact to form the fourth rear rank. The rest of the phalanx formed three ranks deep, two hundred men long.
The plan that was decided made me nervous for a few reasons. First, when fighting another polis, the battle is straightforward. Skirmishers attack each other as both phalanxes advance. When the lines hit, that is where the battle is decided, when one side breaks. Moving men around just before contact or advancing as a shield wall were maneuvers we simply did not practice. At least, not with this many men. In the moment though, I was too full of rage to care.
Abaenaxes commanded the left flank. He walked out of the line so more could see him. “Listen up,” he said in a loud voice. “This is not the age of heroes! Heroes die. The only way we get through this is by everyone standing their ground and doing their part. That is how the phalanx works. That is how we win. For your ancestors, your families, and all the fucking gold we’ll take off their dead,” that got a rise out of the men, “SHIELD WALL!”
In the third rank, Estriadites and I raised our shields. Again I thanked the gods for my light shield. The second rank rested their shields over the first rank’s heads and the third held their shields up straight, helping take some of the weight. With how far we had yet to advance, as slow as a shield wall moves, I prayed everyone would have the strength to fight once we came to grips with the enemy.
We waited for Abaenaxes to get back to his position and the rest of our line to form the shield wall. The call came down the line to sing the paean. Once the first verse of the war hymn was sung, everyone had the rhythm and the line advanced slowly.
What a fearsome sight we must have been. Our armored line, shields like together as a turtle’s shell, spears protruding between them, all chanting thunderous praise to the war god. I prayed to him to give me strength and dedicated every life I claimed as a sacrifice to him. We moved across the field at an even pace, not too quickly. The line wobbled some but that is to be expected.
I could barely see anything but someone shouted a warning I couldn’t quite make out. Arrows rained down on us like hailstones. Many arrows fell into our shields and on the ground around us. Some men on our flank screamed and groaned in pain, likely our archers and javelinmen. The number of arrows striking our shields was almost overwhelming and then it stopped. The line wavered, straining to keep order.
“Forward!” shouted Abaenaxes. We sang the paean from the beginning and again moved in unison. The men sang faster and the line struggled to move quicker in step. There was a faint whistling in the air as another volley came down. The man in front of me staggered back into from the impact on his shield. Again, it sounded like the gods pouring hailstones down on us. Arrows splintered and broke, spraying splinters across some of the bronze shields. Others punched through the layer of bronze and stuck in the faces of shields.
Estriadites and I took care not to trip on the shafts stuck in the grass ahead of us. “Halfway there!” said someone in the front rank. At that moment, I realized it had not been too difficult thus far. It gave me hope. We pushed ahead bracing for the next volley and sand louder. My arms were growing tired as the next volley hit. Arrows landed all around us, one arrowhead pierced the face of my shield scratching my vambrace.
I wanted to pull the arrow loose but more came down, in fewer numbers but a steady shower. My shield held firm. We pushed on until the arrows stopped, and I could hear the voices yelling in a foreign language. Almost there.
The strength was leaving my arms when we got the call from Abaenaxes, “FORM PHALANX!” Our shield wall broke. Everyone broke formation used their spears to snap the arrow shafts off their shields as quickly as they could and reformed. The hoplites on our flanks fell back to form the fourth rank, I didn’t see any skirmishers left on our end of the line.
We were less than twenty paces from the enemy line. I did my best to look over shoulders to get a better view. The first enemy rank held large wicker shields, almost taller than the men holding them. From behind that rank, I saw arrows fly. From what I could gather, it seemed the enemy’s line was about as long as our own, firmly planted at the beginning of the pass.
Looking at the men in front of me, I saw the part of the enemy line we were to face. Directly across from us, the warriors on the enemy’s right flank were a small contingent of hoplites, arrayed in what I judged to be three ranks of fifty. “They’ve got hoplites,” I said to Estriadites.
He spat on the ground, “Fucking Kaloceans! Show them no mercy.”
Arrows flew up in a high arc from the enemy’s ranks and landed just behind our line. “MOVE! MOVE!” I shouted. I could hear more shafts striking the ground behind us. The line moved forward, shields of the front rank overlapped to create a wall of bronze, spears resting where the shields came together. The spears of the second rank extended over the shoulders of our first rank, ready to strike. The Kaloceans screamed taunts and insults at us as we moved closer. One man near me took an arrow in the top of his shoulder and fell. I was ready for blood, ready to kill.
Iron spearheads hit bronze armor with deafening noise. Our phalanx’s spears crashed into the enemy. The Kalocean phalanx and ours met within spear range hand halted. I was close to where the Kalocean phalanx met the Elahkarian warriors, so close that had I been three or four spaces over, I might have faced an Elahkarian spearman. I could not see well but our front rank traded blows with the Kaloceans. Peering between heads I saw men near me striking at the Elahkarians.
At first, there was stiff resistance but the Elahkarian’s shorter spears couldn’t reach our men, while ours kept them at bay. Some got in between spears, only to be pushed back by a bronze shield and felled by a spear thrust from our second rank. Our longer spears began plunging through wicker shields and bleeding the invaders. Men with smaller wicker shields filled the gaps but their spears were not long enough and their shields not strong enough.
The noise of battle was deafening. Metal crashed into metal and men screamed in pain. My eyes turned back to see the man in my front row fall. The hoplite in front of me rushed forward and took his place. I moved into the second rank with my shield at his back. I thrust my spear up over his shoulder and struck out against any opening I saw in the enemy’s wall of bronze.
Blows were traded again and again between us and our kindred enemies before the man in front of me stabbed a Kalocean in the foot. The wounded man fell forward onto a knee. I missed and spearhead skidded off his helmet. Another man from our front rank plunged his spear into the man’s neck. A Kalocean rushed forward and filled the hole in their phalanx.
In the midst of the thunder of bronze, it’s difficult to tell how many bodies you and your enemies are standing over, let alone trying to figure out who might be winning. The Kaloceans pulled back a few steps, leaving fewer dead and wounded than I had imagined. Looking to my right, I saw why. Both battle lines were becoming diagonal and threatening to break in two at their middles. The rest of our hoplites were walking over dead and dying bodies, pressing into the Elahkarians, still trying to remain one unbroken line. We moved forward to straighten the line as much as we could. Any wounded Kaloceans we found were put down without hesitation.
The Elahkarians surged forth again, lunging forth like wild animals trying to break through the forest of spears. They struck wildly with their javelins and tried to grab our weapons. Our third rank pushed in and got their spears over the shoulders of our first two ranks, as much as they could, and began striking when they had an opportunity. When spears broke, men in front called to the back ranks and were given new spears, at the expense of those towards the rear.
We reengaged the Kalocean phalanx with renewed ferocity. I struggled to catch my breath and also thrust my spear. I struck hard, hitting a man’s helmet, though he seemed unphased. Vicious war cries erupted from the other end of the line. I couldn’t see too well but it looked as if our right flank was pushing the Elahkarians back further.
The front ranks of the invaders tried to run and desperately pressed into the ranks behind them, trying to squeeze their way down the narrowing pass and flee to safety on the other side. The retreating men ran into the shields of their own warriors and yelled frantically, probably pleading to get through.
In the commotion, our phalanx broke into two lines. The right wing pressed their advantage and began to break formation and move over the enemy dead and dying, trying to not slip in the blood which now stained the ground and made it soggy. The foes that did not move quick enough took spears in their backs while they fled or where they fell.
Where I was, in the left wing of what remained of the phalanx, was hung up on the Kaloceans who were trying to move backward as quickly as possible as to not be flanked. Men in my line yelled to press the enemy phalanx, and we did. I thought in that moment I could see fear on their faces. My blood was up, and like a wolf smelling fear, I made my purpose clear to them. They fought like cornered animals, like men with everything to lose.
The head of the man in front of me lurched back, and he fell screaming. I stepped over him and filled the gap he created. The ground between the Kaloceans and their Elahkarian allies was widening. I speared the shoulder of an enemy in front of me, hitting his armor. Three men tried to push back through their line to run but their friends wouldn’t let them. “Press them harder!” I called not knowing if anyone could hear me over the noise. “We have them!” More enemies began to withdraw.
Panic beset their line and their phalanx broke and ran. “Leave no Kalocean alive!” ordered Abaenaxes. Our hoplites broke formation to run down our retreating foes.
One Kalocean fell over a body. He rolled on his back and held his hands high, “Mercy! I’m your prisoner!” I rammed my spearhead into his neck and moved on while he choked on blood. I was beyond mercy. Estrianes was afforded no such gift.
Both Kaloceans and Elahkarians became stuck in the mad rush to get through the narrowing pass. We joined the rest of our men in slaughter and bloodlust. They resisted us, as frightened beasts do to the men who try to run them to down. I made sure not to get too close, remembering a cornered man is a dangerous one.
The Kaloceans made it back far enough to rejoin what was left of the Elahkarians, trying to form a defensive line. It seemed as though only the first couple ranks were still fighting us, the rest of the enemy warriors pushed and shoved to get through the pass. The pass itself is shaped like a leaf, starting rather wide and then narrowing to a point where only about five men abreast could walk through. When hundreds of men tried to run through it, it became clogged.
I ran over bleeding corpses, moving to strike at the ill-formed Kaloceans. Right as most of us were coming down on them, an enemy hoplite thrust his spear at my helmet. I moved quickly to dodge but slipped on a puddle of blood and fell on my stomach and my spear fell just out of reach. Just as I tried to stand, our hoplites formed up behind me and attacked relentlessly. I had to lie still on the ground while spear thrusts were exchanged over top of me. The Kaloceans had not a chance to worry about me.
If I stood, I would be speared in the face. Blood dripped down on me and a body fell, pinning my legs to the ground. I had only one desire, to survive. The thunder of bronze above me was punctuated with panicked screams and orders being shouted. The Kaloceans pushed forward a couple steps, our men moved back slightly. If the enemy kept pushing, I would likely be trampled to death.
I looked up and saw sandaled feet in front of me. Gripping the sword on the inside of my shield, I drew it quickly and chopped the toes off the man in front of me, turned and then cut in half the foot of the hoplite next to him. The man in front of me screamed in pain and dropped to one knee, dropping his spear. I thrust my sword up underneath his helmet, into his throat. There was a gurgle and then his body fell on top of me as I yanked my blade free.
I tried to roll or kick either of the bodies off of me but the weight was too much. I only succeeded in making my armor slick with blood. I heard loud war cries and men ran past me. The body pinning my chest to the ground was pulled off. I looked up to see Estriadites dragging the second body off me. Taking his hand, he pulled me to my feet. “We did it! They flee like frightened sheep!” he said, grinning from between his cheek guards.
On my feet, I saw that all our men had pushed deeper into the pass, almost through, and the Kaloceans were broken. They rammed allies with their shields and hacked desperately with swords, trying to get past them and through the pass. Our hoplites stabbed Elahkarians and Kaloceans alike as they fled. Any enemies within our grasp, even those dying on the ground, met a swift end.
We pushed through the pass on the heels of our enemies. On the other side, our men were loosely gathered with their shields up, most of them trying to have a moment's rest. Horns blew and the enemy’s cavalry pushed through their fleeing warriors, trying to shoot arrows at us.
Estriadites and I took a knee, our shields filling one of the many small holes in our loose formation. I dropped my sword and drank as much water as I could from my canteen. An arrow struck the face of my shield and I grabbed my sword, carefully peeking over its rim. There I saw my enemy, the sunlight glinting off the golden torc around his neck.