As
the warm waters of the ocean kissed his dry skin, he could not help but feel……
Today is a good day.
The sea was far from being his arena.
But here now, sitting at the bow, he enjoyed the feeling of the water washing
against him. For years he had wondered what it was like and what it was that
others saw in it. Nor had he bothered to find out.
After
all, what was it to him? Were there not enough worries on land, the real domain
of men? Years spent listening to songs and tales of the ocean had not aroused
anything in him. But now, being here……….if only the circumstances were
different. Why did it have to be like this?
What
lay before him could not detract the vision of serenity. It was a beautiful day
indeed. The wind was favourable; the waters were not wholly calm but not rough
either. And of course, there was the sun.
Oh the sun.
It shone bright in the summer sky,
hanging directly over him, a brilliant orb encased in a magnificent halo. He
felt reassured. All would be well. As long as the sun shone overhead,
everything would be fine.
And
anything that was required of him would be easier to face. There would be no
compunction, no looking back.
The cool breeze intermingled with
the soothing warmth and aroma of saltwater to overwhelm the senses. Breaking
himself from his brief moment of bliss before being thrust into the demands of
the world, he turned around to see those behind him. Those who would follow
him. Their lives were in his hands. Some were eager, some unsure, but all knew
their duty and their oaths.
Their weapons and helmets lay beside
them. A few sharpened their blades with whetstones one last time. He had been
holding his own spear for a while now. If anything, seeing the calm blue had
only strengthened his grip. His burnished shield lay flat on the floor of the
boat on his other side.
Yes, it truly was a beautiful day.
Conditions were ideal.
The wind blew with them, pushing the
boat faster towards the landing and distorting the direction and pace of
hostile arrows. The calm sea made for easier rowing and drawing up to the shore
with rapidity. With any luck, they would hit the face in force and quickly
negotiate the rise. The clear skies and blazing sun gave them a good line of
sight and allowed for discerning oncoming threats.
The beach had come into view and got
larger as they approached. He could make out the trees and the huts sheltered
under them, no inhabitants as far as he could see. Standing up and looking
ahead, he could make out tiny figures on the beach, running frantically.
They’re
making preparations as well….
He turned to face his men one last
time. Their grim, yet stoic, faces showed their resolve. They had already
exchanged words prior to setting out from the ship. Nothing more was needed, no
hooting, no coaxing, no final gestures of encouragement – and that was perhaps
the best thing about them. Soldiers. They never had to be pushed, at least not
the ones he had served with. They always stood ready, unquestioning and aware
of what was to be done.
Adjusting the bands of his lamellar
and fastening the strap of his helmet, ensuring its rigidity, he picked up the
shield with his left hand. Looking around, he saw the other men, hundreds of
them, in their boats doing the same. He could just about make out a mass of enemy
infantry and archers gradually settling in a line on the top of the sandy rise,
spears and arrows ready.
Nodding to his men, he leaned
forward, ready to jump off and lead the vanguard as he had been tasked back
home.
The
plaintive notes of the soft violin that had played the other day started
filling his ears as he lowered his head, eyeing the nearest troop through the
sharp glare of the helmet’s nose-guard, making him hesitate and lose focus for
a fraction of a second. Where..…?
The jerk of the boat as it hit the
mud snapped him back to reality. A moment slower than his comrades on the other
boats, he pushed himself with one leg and leapt, leapt off the front………...and
into the midst of chaos.
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