((Written in collaboration with PrivateerKev))

Antioch 1096 (A few hours before the Battle of Antioch)

A cloud of dust rushed toward Antioch as three armed riders rushed to the city and only slowed when they neared the guards manning the northernmost gate. All three looked ragged and haggard, but none so more than the man at the lead. His light brown hair was matted with sweat and grime, his goatee crusted with blood, his hard face bore the sign of a recent struggle with a cut still fresh on his thin lips; but above all, his eerily wild eyes transfixed, of only for an instant, those who met them. Similarly equipped as his two companions, he wore a patched up frayed leather kabadion with most of its pteruges missing, a lithe paramerion hung at his side with a smashed up pommel and a tzikourion hanging from his saddle.

Nearing the men manning the gate, Areovindos hailed them while halting his horse and his companions.

"I seek an audience with the lord of your city."

The guards looked the travelers over. They did not seem Muslim. There was an enemy army bearing down upon the city but it was not besieged yet.

"An audience eh? Your lucky if we let you in at all. But, the Grandmaster has given orders to let the surrounding people take refuge in the city before the siege occurs. You three may go in. If you want to attempt to seek an audience, make your way to the center of the city. The Grandmaster has a command tent set up in the city center to coordinate the defense. One of his men will stop you and you can explain it to him. Proceed."

Areovindos motioned the two men forward and all three passed through the gate, intent on the center of the city. Even though unfamiliar with the layout of the streets bustling with activity, they soon found their way to the command tent situated in the city center. Areovindos dismounted and approached them before repeating the request he had given gate guards.

A man at a table in front of the tent was the stopping place for the three men.

"State your business. We're very busy here. You best not waste the Grandmaster's time."

Areovindos dug through a dirty pouch and produced a battered seal. He addressed the man with an attempt at a formal tone. "I am Strator Areovindos ek Samou and I have pressing offer for your lord."

The aide eyed the seal of nobility. He was a bit suspicious but the seal, while battered, was unmistakable.

"Alright, leave your weapons here and I'll walk you in."

When Areovindos placed his prized paramerion on the table, his companions quickly joined him and did likewise.

The three men were taken into a large command tent. Various tables were set up with maps on them. Unit commanders confered around the tables. In one corner, a bed was set up. Flanked by guards, Makedonios sat on the bed reading various unit reports. He looked up as the three approach. The aide announces, "My lord, these men wished to see you."

Putting a report down, the Grandmaster simply stared at the men and waited for one of them to speak.

Recalling vaguely some of the things he had learned in his childhood, Areovindos gave a curt bow before addressing the Grandmaster.

"Time is pressing and so I will not waste time. I have heard there is an large army of rabble marching on your city. I offer my services and those of my twenty-two men, in exchange for sheltering my people who number at about four score."

That got Makedonios to raise an eyebrow.

"And where are your 'people' at this moment?"

Areovindos considered the Grandmaster for a moment before responding. "A few miles away, no more than three by my estimate."

Makedonios turned to the aide who brought the men in. "Arrange a patrol to go and escort those people into the city. Set up quarters, food, and medical care for them. See to it personally."

Makedonios then turned to Areovindos. "Could one or both of your men here go with the patrol and show my men where your people are at? We should bring them in now. You're right, an enemy army is marching towards the city from the north as we speak. The patrol will leave at once."

Areovindos nodded to the two men he had brought, indicating they should follow the aide and then turned to Makedonios. "Thank you. I take it then you accept my offer?"

Makedonios nodded.

"I accept your service in defending the city. We need all the help we can get. 1500 of the enemy are marching here right now. And my army is only half that size, and untrained, as well as un-blooded. Our only advantage is in the large number of nobles we have on hand."

"Marshall Armatos is outside the walls with 3 of my Sergeants as we speak. We will let the enemy come and siege the city. When they roll up their lumbering towers, we will sally. At the same time, Armatos will hit the army on their right flank. I'll need you with me on their left flank."

"I need to stay by the army for moral purposes so I'll need you to go out on the far right wing of our army. Your job is to prevent their cavalry from flanking us. And to help me flank them. Accomplish this, and I'll see you have a place here in Antioch if you want it."

Areovindos paused, seemingly playing out the scenario in his mind before acknowledging the Grandmaster's words. "Understood, I will assemble my men as soon as they arrive. I do not wish to impose, but would you have per chance any armor to spare? Our years in Anatolia have left us woefully unequipped."

Makedonios nodded. "Of course, you and your men can help yourselves to the armory. Let me know if there is anything you need. Then I suggest you get some rest. Your going to need it."

Areovindos gave another curt bow before withdrawing. There was much do be done before the battle and he had much to prove.