Chapter 10: Blood in the Sand Pt. 1
Summer 248 BC Saba

The hot gales of the desert's currents mingled with the cool breeze from the numerous large oases surrounding the city, a combination which soaked the soldiers' tunics with sweat and tepid condensation. The dam of the Sabaen Maleks, conceived and built aeons ago, was visible in the distance, a titanic wall of stone, flanked by the cliff sides. Dwarfing even the great dam was the city of Maryab itself, the shining heart of Arabia. Also visible was the Palace of the Kings, built on ancient dunes and rising above the city like a colossal monument, a tragic remembrance of the golden age of Arabia, now occupied by lesser men.

"If we take this city, the Sabaen will never recover. We win here and the war is all but over!" High General Euphorion had said to them on the march. Easier said then done, thought Sergeant Urban of the 7th squad of the Flame Breakers. He stared at the army of one hundred thousand Arabians marching out of the Great City. These were no tribesmen either. The wily Sabaen King Halik Il Watar had saved his best till last. However, it was fortunate that the commanders in charge of the army were unable to rally their battalions quickly enough or manage a cohesive marching pace and now their forces were split in two. The first Half of the army was a few hundred metres away from the Seleukid lines while the second one was leagues away. Idiots...



"Make them pay dearly for this mistake. We must rout the first army before the second arrives or we will be overwhelmed." Those were the orders, and the reason that the entire company of the Flame Breakers were once again isolated from the main army and hiding among the dunes, waiting to spring yet another trap.

Urban crawled over to where Captain Planck and the man he knew as Lizard were lying.

"Captain, do you a have plan yet?" asked Urban.
"Yes, we wait for them to engage our lines and then charge their centre from behind. That's where they keep their elites. When the elites break, so will the rest of the army..hopefully. Oh and we throw a few Greek Fire munitions for good measure." replied Planck.
"Greek fire munitions? After they engage with our line? Surely you can't be serious."
"I am serious, and don't call me Shirley."
"But what if we accidentally throw them into our own?"
"You won't, unless you're telling me that you can throw further than a imperial catapult."
"Sir, I think you got a problem with your brain being missing."
"Sergeant, Do you know what the chain of command is here? It's the chain I go get and beat you with to show you who's in command. Now go ready your squad."
"Yessir."

Urban returned to his squad and found Six-Inch, his corporal, waiting for him, a questing look on his face.

"Things are gonna get ugly corporal." grumbled Urban
"Really? What did the captain say exactly?" asked Six-Inch.
"We are gonna use the fire, despite the risk. Wipe that grin off your face Six-Inch or I'll beat it off for you."

Every Soldier in this damn company is Insane! I tell them that their task has become more dangerous and they smile?!

The sounds of the battle joining, filled the air. Steel rang on steel and the screams of dying men echoed across the battlefield in a morbid chorus.

"Well, that's our que," muttered Urban,"Time for some thrilling heroics."