Antioch Burns Read Online Free Page A

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