Chapter 8: The Fitting
"Are you sure you want to do this Defensor?" Sebastian cautiously asked.
"Garfield," Beast Boy replied. "Call me Garfield, please. I'm the only one in this group without any armor or weapons. I stick out like a sore thumb."
Sebastian nodded and disappeared into another room. They had stopped at the barracks after the other troops had joined Augustus' small force. Beast Boy began to have some hope they'd get through this; a sharp contrast to how he felt the previous night.
Sebastian emerged from the armory with a mail shirt, a padded vest, a sheathed sword, a small round red shield and a helmet. He placed them on a nearby chair and began dressing Beast Boy as he had requested. The vest and shirt of chain mail fit well. Beast Boy stood feeling a sudden weight added to his shoulders. This would definitely put a damper on any thoughts of shape shifting.
The helmet was a bit large. It slid over his head and covered his eyes. Beast Boy was glad Cyborg wasn't there to laugh at him. It seemed like an eternity since he had last thought of his friends. Sebastian removed the helmet unsure how to correct the problem.
"No head jokes, ok?" Beast Boy quickly commented trying to squelch any biting comments from his companion. Sebastian looked confused.
"I've got an idea. Do you have an old rag or sheet I can use?" Beast Boy inquired.
Sebastian disappeared into the next room and came out with a small red cloth. Beast Boy took it and laid the roughly rectangular piece of cloth neatly on the floor. He folded it in half forming a triangle then carefully folded it over itself forming a long narrow strip. Beast Boy then raised it to his forehead and tied the bandana around his head.
"Ok, let's try it now." Sebastian picked up the helmet and placed it on Beast Boy's head. "Much better," Beat Boy replied as he checked the fit by shaking his head slightly. Sebastian strung a belt around his waist, hooked the sword to it then picked up a small round shield from the floor and held it as Beast Boy fished his left arm through its holding straps.
"Man, I wish I could see what I looked like," Beast Boy commented.
"You look fine," Sebastian replied looking over his work.
Beast Boy unsheathed the sword and held it in front of him swashing it back and forth pretending to parry an oncoming attack. Sebastian watched Beast Boy's antics and frowned.
Beast Boy froze upon seeing his companion's reaction. "What's wrong?"
"The spatha is a slashing weapon. If you attack like that it's likely to break." Sebastian cautiously replied.
"Oh," Beast Boy said. "I usually fight without a weapon. Can you show me how to use this thing?" Beast Boy held the sword up for Sebastian to take.
"You want to keep it pointed upwards then bring it down in an arch like this," Sebastian swung his arm to demonstrate the proper motion. Beast Boy watched then imitated Sebastian.
"Good," he replied in approval. "Try to aim at an area where your opponent is least armored. Remember it's a slicing motion. Do not thrust it into something. If you do, the spatha will probably break or get stuck in your enemy. That's ok if there aren't any more to replace the one you just killed," Sebastian explained.
"Ok," Beast Boy replied as he sheathed his sword. He hadn't really thought about the results if he employed the weapon correctly on an opponent. "Have you been in a battle before Sebastian?"
Sebastian studied Beast Boy's posture carefully considering his response. "Yes," he replied. "I have rode with Augustus since the army joyously proclaimed him. We have been fortunate for many years, through many encounters in Gaul, without a defeat." Sebastian's voice seemed to tail off.
"We had just returned from Africa after meeting the Vandal king. Though many thought it unwise, Augustus insisted he see his opponent in person. So he dyed his hair and assumed a fictitious title. Together we met our foe in the lands they have unlawfully seized."
"Wait," Beat Boy was intrigued. "You mean you disguised yourselves then traveled into enemy territory just to check them out? What if they had figured out who you really were?"
"We would have been enslaved, tortured and stuffed as trophies when death finally took us." Sebastian replied. "But Augustus felt he needed to see his enemies first hand if he was to defeat them." Beast Boy shook his head in disbelief.
"When we returned, Augustus ordered a fleet of ships built to attack the Vandals. But it was not meant to be." Sebastian voice trailed off.
"What happened?" Beast Boy asked.
"The Vandal fleet came. We watched them burn over five hundred ships. From there I fear Augustus' luck has finally run out." Sebastian glumly replied referring to their current situation.
"But the reinforcements, they should get us out of here, shouldn't they?" Beast Boy countered.
Sebastian looked at him somberly, "They are limitanea. They're not battle worthy if we encounter a large force. Their armor and weapons are substandard. Some have already sold their better pieces of equipment. Their numbers are small. There should be five hundred men in this unit; by our count we have only three hundred. The officers are all young. No doubt the true commanders are on their estates paying for substitutes and pocketing the pay for the two hundred men not currently present. We'd be better off exchanging them all for another dozen Scythians."
Beast Boy stood silently considering Sebastian's glum assessment. "This will have to be enough," he finally replied. "Augustus promised me an imperial banquette and come hell or high water I intend to get there even if I have to drag you by your hair on that foul-natured beast you call a horse."
Sebastian smiled and let out a short burst of laughter. "Garfield, you're one of the worst horsemen I've ever seen," he said tentatively.
"Yea," Beast Boy reluctantly agreed. "How's the food at these banquettes?"
"Of the finest quality," Sebastian replied.
Beast Boy's mouth watered at the prospect. "Any chicks?" Sebastian looked at him unsure of his question. "Girls?" Beast Boy clarified himself.
"Dancers and daughters of Gaul's greatest families." Sebastian replied.
"Cool," Beast Boy casually responded. "All this talk about parties has me famished. Let's get something to eat."
Beast Boy horse-collared his companion and half dragged him outside the barracks. Sebastian lightly pushed him aside and led his friend to a nearby wagon and quickly pulled several loaves of bread from it. Beast Boy grabbed a wine jar and two bowls. Both found a place to sit down and put aside their weapons and helmets to enjoy a short meal.
Beast Boy was relieved that he had gotten Sebastian to lighten up a bit. Formality drove him crazy. Both of them relaxed afterwards watching the others preparing to break camp and head towards the passes.
The sun was nearly overhead when Sebastian noticed something in the sky. Beast Boy saw his expression and became concerned.
"What's the matter?"
"I think we have company," he pointed to the east.
Beast Boy turned around and saw clouds of dust rising in the distance. "Come, we must tell Augustus." Beast Boy's heart began to race as the two gathered their equipment.