The Lost Army (44 page)

There had to be a way to prove it. Any time I had tried to convince Xeno to see things my way, he had refused even to consider the possibility. Faced with such an enormity, there was no telling what he might do. Poor Xeno continued to think that the greatest danger came from the Great King. I needed proof to convince him that there was a danger that was even greater, born of double-dealing. The only place I could find evidence was Sophos’s tent.

All that evening I pondered, waiting for Xeno and the others to return from a hunting party, an activity he always excelled in. As expected, they made a good haul: eight deer, four porcupines, two boars, half a dozen hares trapped in snares and some magnificently coloured birds. The males had a long pointed tail made of bronze-coloured feathers and incredible plumage on their necks and wings. The females’ coats were less showy, but their meat was even tastier. In honour of the river that we were following and that he thought was the Phasis, he called those birds ‘phasants’, and he saved some of the feathers for me, so I could use them as ornaments.

The abundant meal put the men in a good humour and dissipated the sour mood of disheartenment and suspicion that was rife in the camp. The fact that their chief commander was so sure of himself started to seem like a good omen.

I had a lot to worry about. What would happen if I found nothing in Sophos’s tent or, worse yet, was caught red-handed searching through his baggage? Would Xeno defend me or would he abandon me to my destiny? Would Melissa help me as I’d asked?

My thoughts turned to Lystra and her never-born child and I hoped that they could hear me and help me. I imagined the baby, with skin as wrinkled as an old man’s, sitting in the endless Elysian fields and playing with the sterile asphodel blossoms. I’d become accustomed to the afterworld of the Greeks, even more wretched than our own.

I needed to dispel the anxious thoughts crowding my mind so that they wouldn’t torment my dreams, and so I thought I’d take a walk at the edge of camp. I was holding my cloak tightly to defend myself against the chill evening air when a disquieting image stopped me short.

In the light reflected from the fires, at the end of a line of deep, black footprints, stood a man wrapped in a grey cloak whose back was turned to me. His head was hunched between his shoulders so I could barely make it out.

I approached until I was just a few steps away and with a courage that surprised me, I asked, ‘Who are you?’

The man turned and my heart nearly jumped out of my chest: one of his hands held a quartered animal, a hare or a rabbit, while the other held its raw liver, which he was gorging himself on. Its blood was smeared all over his face.

I instantly realized who it was: one of the augurs whom I’d seen celebrating propitiatory rites at times of great difficulty.

‘What are you doing?’ I stammered.

The man replied with a dark, gurgling voice. ‘I’ve sacrificed this animal to the divinities of the night . . . I’ve inspected his liver to interpret their will . . .’

‘And?’

‘I must devour it to learn the truth.’

‘What truth?’

The seer’s face twisted into a grimace.

‘Death . . . which death we are destined for.’

A
LTHOUGH MY SEARCHING
had brought me close to a conclusion, the next step, the one that would give me proof, seemed to be drawing further and further away.

The following morning dawned even clearer than the day before, so the sun in the cloudless blue sky revealed the snaking presence of the river bed under its snowy blanket. It wound from one side to another of a vast snowy basin of flat land completely surrounded by mountain crests. Like a ‘crater’, Xeno said, seeing that its shape was similar to a type of Greek vase of that name. At the end of the plain, directly opposite the point from which we had entered, was another pass, probably crossed by the river which could then flow on towards an unknown sea.

Sophos remained convinced of his plan and the clear view of the river seemed to give Xeno new faith in his hypothesis. The rest of the army acquiesced patiently, certain if nothing else that the heavy stride of the warriors was unstoppable and would take them to their final destination. All that was needed was perseverance, courage, energy, discipline. The winter would end, that much was sure, and the land would soon be free of its icy grip.

But how many comrades had fallen in the meantime, during the long march, thinning out our ranks day by day? Many girls – like Lystra, who was always on my mind – had lost their lives as well, laid low by one crisis after another. But what was really bothering me that morning was that beyond the edge of the crater you could see more mountains in the distance, with peaks even taller than those surrounding us. The sight threw Xeno into a state of consternation, and made me realize that the time to act had come. If I succeeded in finding something in Sophos’s tent, I could convince Xeno to call a meeting and call on the assembly to turn back. The soldiers still thought highly of him and not even Sophos could oppose a decision taken by the whole army.

That evening I found Melissa off on her own, leaning against one of the wagons we’d requisitioned from the last village we’d occupied, her head between her hands. She was crying.

‘What’s happened?’ I asked.

She raised her face and I could see that her perfect features were marred with signs of fatigue and lack of sleep.

‘I can’t bear it any longer. Cleanor doesn’t love me like he used to. There’s never a moment when we can be alone together. All of this tension is making him irritable, even towards me. All he wants me for is to keep his tent in order, to cook and look after his things. He’s too tired for anything else. I’m afraid that soon he won’t even want me around any more, and he’ll trade me for a mule or a sack of barley. May the gods help me then!’

The time was right. The gods were helping me, I was sure of it, and by helping me they would save her as well.

‘Melissa, do you believe me now when I tell you we’re all going to die, and that there will be no hope for anyone, if we persist in going east? Can’t you see those mountains on the horizon? They don’t even look that tall from here, but that’s only because they’re far away. You’ll learn otherwise when we get close. How much longer can we survive under such harsh conditions? How will the warriors find the strength to keep fighting for ever? They’ve already accomplished the impossible; they’ve faced and overcome more than what a human being can endure. Sophos is leading us to our doom. I’m sure of it. Xeno is starting to listen to me, although he still has doubts. Help me, Melissa! I’ll try to convince Xeno to set up a restricted meeting with Cleanor and Sophos to discuss the itinerary and to examine the possibility that the mountain chain rising on the horizon will make it impossible for us to push on any further in that direction. You’ll just tell Cleanor that Xeno wants to see him together with the high commander for a very important meeting. It won’t be difficult. And in the meantime, we’ll decide on a plan of action. I’ve learned that Neon, the commander’s field adjutant, is very susceptible to the charms of a beautiful woman. He’ll be easily distracted by one of our girls.’

Melissa got up and hugged me. ‘I’m not like you, Abira. I’m afraid. I’m sure I’ll give myself away.’

‘No, you won’t. I’m sure that you’ll be perfect, and everything will go as planned. You’ve been magnificent until now: you’ve prevailed over obstacles that you could never have dreamed of. You’re a survivor. Now let’s get to work!’

‘What if we don’t find anything?’

‘Then I’ll convince Xeno to call an assembly. But I need you now, Melissa. You can read, and I don’t have time to learn.’

‘All right,’ she said, seemingly resigned. ‘When?’

‘The sooner the better. We’re running out of time.’

‘I’ll talk to Cleanor. I’ll let you know what he says.’

The area we were camped in was so rich in game that it was decided that we would stay for several days so that the men could regain their strength and we could put by some provisions if possible. Melissa arranged the meeting for two days later, and I got hold of some meat for her so that the dinner would be prolonged, even in our absence. At the first opportunity I told Xeno that Cleanor had agreed to hold a meeting in his tent and had invited Commander Sophos.

My crazy plan was ready to be put into effect. I was well aware how fragile and unprotected I was, and what consequences I was exposing myself to. The thought made me tremble. Anxiety filled my throat and my chest and my heart beat so loudly at night that I couldn’t sleep. As the hours passed and the moment for action neared, my fear grew into something like panic. It bubbled up inside of me until I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to control it, and I felt like giving up and letting events take their course.

The first day passed, and so did the second.

Dusk was approaching, and so was the moment in which Melissa would come and we’d set off together to search Sophos’s tent.

Xeno put on his cloak and, without taking up any arms, said that he was going to Cleanor’s tent and that the idea of a restricted meeting had been a good one. Only if they came to any important decisions would the entire war council be summoned.

Things started well. After he’d left I allowed a little time to pass and then went out myself. It was snowing but the sky wasn’t completely covered and every now and then you could see the moon appear in a wide rent between the clouds. I headed for Sophos’s tent and stopped at a certain distance, hiding behind a line of mules tied to stakes driven into the ground.

The commander came out a few moments later, without armour but wearing his sword at his side. He headed towards Cleanor’s quarters. He caught up with Xeno before they reached their destination and the two men greeted each other and hugged. The faint light of the moon made it possible to distinguish their figures.

I kept the mules company for a while until I saw the girl who was supposed to be distracting Neon arrive on my left. She was one of the young prostitutes accompanying the army and I could see that Melissa had taught her well. Her gown was elegant, light but clingy in a way that accentuated her curves. She was probably freezing, but she was carrying out her task with great aplomb.

She had spotted him, and slowed her step but didn’t stop. Neon said something to her that I couldn’t understand and she answered, continuing her slow walk. Neon turned around and tried to take her hand. The girl let him embrace her, but then wriggled away and kept walking.

He stopped.

So soon, and my plan was already failing! Neon was too chilly, too controlled. I felt faint. What would we do now?

Neon seemed to change his mind. The girl darted glances back at him until he took a quick look around to make sure no one was watching and decided at last to follow her. I could soon hear their voices, and the girl’s laughter, coming from one of the tents.

Now it was up to me, but I had to wait for Melissa. What could I do alone? And for how long would my pretty friend be able to keep the young officer occupied? Certainly not for very long. As soon as his thirst was quenched, he’d be out of there.

Melissa was nowhere to be seen. I glanced towards Cleanor’s tent, hoping to see her emerge at any moment, but nothing happened. Perhaps she couldn’t get away or perhaps Cleanor had asked her to serve his guests, despite the reserved nature of their meeting. I’d have to attempt it on my own.

I approached my objective. I could make out the entrance to the command quarters thanks to the faint light of a lamp inside. I checked again for Melissa and, not seeing her, went in. Strangely enough, the nerves that had been gnawing at me disappeared. Having taken action, I finally felt calm.

There wasn’t much there to search. The ground was covered by a wicker mat. At the centre of the room was a little table and a couple of chairs, and to one side a hanger which bore the commander’s armour. Directly opposite was a closed chest which was latched, but not locked. I drew the bolt.

The chest contained a blanket, an extra cloak, which seemed brand new, and two grey woollen tunics. At the bottom of the chest were the most precious items: a silver cup and . . .

‘What are you doing here?’ a voice rang out behind me. Joined straight away by other voices. I was shaken by a violent jolt, a feeling I’d never experienced in my whole life: the sensation of having committed an illicit act and having to pay the consequences. I turned, trying desperately to think of something to say, but I could pull nothing out of the tumult inside my head. There was no way out: I would have to face my punishment.

It was Neon who was facing me, but I could see Sophos approaching as well, along with Cleanor and Xeno, and behind them an indistinct figure that might have been Melissa: she who had certainly betrayed me.

Two soldiers soon joined them, holding the young girl who had tried to seduce Neon by her arms. She had been beaten hard enough to draw blood. She was half-naked and livid with the cold. For several moments all I saw was the snow, an infinity of white flakes swinging tranquilly through the still air. My mind tried to escape the rest, to remove myself from what was happening.

Another two warriors arrived with lit torches and the vague figure moving in the background took on the guise of Melissa. I felt my heart stop.

But the heart of a woman has many resources and, in a flash, before surrendering to my destiny, I saw an image in my mind’s eye. I had caught a glimpse of something, just before the rough voice of the commander’s adjutant had rung out behind me. There had been a skin on the bottom of the chest. A skin with a drawing, and a word.