Armenia Capta by William Kelso

Author:William Kelso [Kelso, William]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-09-12T07:16:36+00:00

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It was late in the day when Fergus at last saw the Arabs. The raiders seemed to have spotted their pursuers before he had caught sight of them, for they were no longer moving and had instead formed a tight, circular defensive camp in the middle of the desert. It was as if they had realised that they could not outrun their pursuers. Hastily Fergus raised his fist in the air and the column of Numidians slowed their horses to a walk and began to fan out into a broad, single line. Tensely Fergus peered at the enemy. The Arab warriors were clothed in simple sheets of cloth wrapped around their bodies and they had very long, black hair and neatly trimmed beards. There were maybe a hundred of them, armed with shields, spears and swords. A proud Arabic flag fluttered in the gentle wind. The Arabs had formed their defensive camp by making their camels sit down on the ground in a tight circle, their big impassive heads facing outwards, and as he studied the animals, Fergus could see that they were all roped together. Behind the camels the dismounted Arabs stood watching and awaiting his approach in complete silence.

“The horses Sir,” Crispus exclaimed, as he peered at the enemy, “the horses fear the camels, they don’t like how they smell. They won’t go near them. That’s why the Arabs have formed them into a wall.”

Fergus did not reply as he studied the enemy camp. Inside the protective line of camels, he could see a group of men sitting on the ground. Their hands were tied behind their backs and like the camels they were all roped together. They had to be the surviving merchants who had been taken prisoner. And outside the camp a line of camels and horses, roped together, stood abandoned and on their own without moving. Fergus frowned. The Arabs seemed to have left these beasts completely unprotected. Was this some sort of trick? Some of the camels still contained their packs and heavy saddle bags and Fergus realised that these must be the captured camels from the trade caravan. Was this a subtle message from the raiders saying take back your beasts and goods and leave us in peace with our new slaves? Fergus took a deep breath. He didn’t know any of the customs of the desert but he was not leaving without the prisoners.

An arrow suddenly thudded into the ground a few paces from the silent Numidian battle line that was forming. But no one took any notice.

“The merchants are not to be harmed. I want them alive,” Fergus growled turning to Crispus. “Kill everyone else. Blood has been spilt. Make sure that the men have understood.”

In reply Crispus raised his voice and cried out in the Numidian language, turning to his left and then to his right as he repeated himself. As he fell silent, Fergus was gazing impassively at the strange, makeshift enemy camp. Along the Numidian battle-line the horsemen were preparing themselves for battle.

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