CHAPTER I. TERRIBLE CAPTIVITY
Z–z–z–z–z... A thin, piercing sound. Now it’s getting further, now closer. This is a mosquito. It's already very close. And silence. It has landed on... Long thin legs move from one place to another, a tiny sting continuously moves up and down, poking between frozen piles of dried blood on the skin. It is looking for the right place. Now the baked wounds end, and a gray desert appears ahead, covered with motionless dust. This is skin. The sting finds a free place and sinks deeper and deeper. The legs bend, the body drops down and becomes filled with blood.
Kill... It must be killed. Who said this? Can't hear it. Meanwhile, the mosquito has become much thicker. It can't even take off the first time. It is hanging in the air for some time, squeaking from satiety and the heaviness of the belly, until it is blown aside by a light gust of wind.
The strip of light disappeared, everything around became black. A spot appeared before his eyes. So it began to move in different directions, expanding, like waves from a stone, thrown into the water. The waves diverge, letting it down into the depths. He's flying. Down into the abyss. It’s even blacker there, but it’s easy and quiet. Or not? It seems like someone's footsteps can be heard. Smooth and soft – stomp, stomp, stomp... Someone is coming. He is going on for a long time – stomp, stomp, stomp, sneaking. It's like he's marking time. The hearing strains, and now another sound is heard – drip, drip, drip. Something is dripping. Very close. The sound is soft and dull. These are drops. Water? He’s thirsty.
– A–ah–h–h, – the throat screams with all its might, swallowing a dry lump of emptiness, and the ears hear only the quiet wheeze of escaping air. And someone else's voice, too.
– Lacius? Do you hear, Lacius? Are you alive?
Who is this? Whose voice is this? He says a familiar name.
– Ah–ah–h–h, – a new scream tears through his chest. It was the head that tried to turn to the side, and the whole body responded with a sharp aching pain. No, this cannot be... This is pain. Terrible pain. Everywhere. One continuous lump of pain, as if there were no arms or legs, but only a huge ball of suffering. Hands? Legs? Where are they? Isn't this death? Not death... Thousands of ants are crawling on him, moving their mustaches and laughing, laughing, shaking their thin paws in the air. Their red bellies are increasing in size. The red colour covers everything around, the ants are making louder and louder noise, they demand something, repeating the same word: – Chilii![1]» Strange, the word seems to be familiar, too. Who is this? Someone calls him:
– Lacius, get up! Get up, otherwise they’ll kill you! Do you hear me, get up! – he can hear, but how awfully painful his shoulder hurts. Someone is shaking him. Is he really alive? This thought turned into a huge bell that rang in his head with all its might, and all the events echoed loudly in his awakened memory.
– No, – he managed to whisper quietly.
– Get up, get up! At least, your legs aren't tied. Let's do it! – someone pushed him, trying his best. Lacius barely opened his eyes and saw a familiar face covered in abrasions and bruises.
– Lucro... – he muttered.
– Get up! – the old friend rose to his knees with a groan. – They will check, and then you may fall down again!
– Chitshuang! Shangxng![2]
– came from somewhere above. His legs don’t obey him, but he still manages to get up...
Lacius straightened his knees with difficulty and pressed his forehead into the wet earthen wall so as not to fall. It was a large pit, where they once stored their first supplies of food and honey. Water was dripping from above, and the river flowed nearby.
In the corner, several Han soldiers came down the stairs and began checking the prisoners. Three people were unable to respond to their pushes and blows. Followed several sword thrusts into the stomach and chest to ensure death, and the lifeless bodies are already dragged upstairs. Fast, how fast everything is...
Lucro fell to the ground. His hands and feet were tied. Lacius slowly sank down next to him.
– What happened? – he asked quietly. – I don't remember.
– All the Xiongnu were killed. Right on the square. The women and children were taken away. We were tied up and thrown here.
– Young Zeno and Mark?..
– Over there. Alive. They're lying down.
– That's all? And those, who gave up, what happened to them?
– Dunno. I think they killed them, too. Together with the Xiongnu. They say there were about fifteen hundred in the city. Men. They cut everyone down, – Lucro spoke in short phrases. He also had difficulty breathing. His blue lips with a white coating were cracked and could barely move. He hasn't drunk water for a long time.
– Why did they leave us alive? – Lacius muttered, but Lucro did not hear the question and, falling back, tiredly closed his eyes.
– When do you think they will kill us? – the old friend asked quietly.
– Dunno. Maybe now...
– Lacius, it’s all your fault, – someone’s voice was heard from the other side. – Why did you bring us here? For what? Because of you, we will all die... – the man fell silent, but Lacius had nothing to answer. – Do you know what the worst thing is? The worst is dying like a rat in this hole...
– Tiberius, is that you? – Lacius asked quietly.
– Yes, it’s me... Do you remember Vargaunt? He used to say it was better to die with a sword in battle than like a worm in the ground. And no one sees this...
– Vargaunt was my best friend.
– Mine, too. But he died like a hero, and we’ll die like slaves in the quarries. Have you seen how slaves are killed?
– I have…
– And... that means you know... Where is our glory, Lacius? Where is the Rome we defended? We will die here... and no one there will know about it. Nobody…
– We will be remembered, you’re wrong, – his throat had difficulty pronouncing each word, which echoed loudly in his head.
– The worst thing is to die in the unknown... not in public, not in front of comrades with a sword in your hands, but like a frog. They step on you – and you just croak, that’s it, you’re dead, – it seemed that Tiberius was already talking to himself, not listening to his answers. – I hate it... Are you afraid, too? Are you? They'll come now, poke you with a sword, and you'll die. No, don't you? Are you afraid? Then get up, show that you are alive...
The screams of soldiers were indeed heard from above, and the stairs were lowered down again. Lacius caught himself thinking that he also did not want to die and was very thirsty. Especially now, when his whole body ached in pain and he couldn’t even move to protect himself. His head and thoughts existed separately, and pain, along with thirst, defeated his former pride.
So another day passed after the battle. The second night was approaching. He had already forgotten the first one – there were just a few spots in his memory left, nothing more. All this time the Romans were given neither water nor food. This was a sure sign that they would soon be killed. The Chinese don’t waste water on corpses. Tired of looking at the sky, Lacius turned over on his side and froze. The sun had long since dropped below the horizon, and now an unpleasant coolness, along with fog, began to fill their pit like water. At first, it seemed pleasant, but then the damp earth gradually began to draw the warmth out of him. He tried to get up. A sharp pain pierced both knees, and Lacius fell face down into the dirt with a groan. There was no strength to turn over. The breath of death was already felt in this grave pit. Everyone lay motionless and awaited their fate limply, like animals. They did not resist, gradually plunging into a state of sluggish indifference.
When someone's hands lifted him up, Lacius did not even open his eyes. He didn't care. They dragged him somewhere, scolded him, kicked him, and then even untied his hands. The fingers did not move. He was lying near a hole in the wall. There was no one nearby. A stone was beneath his neck, the head fell back, and the stars in the eyes, at first so bright and close, began to slowly spin and go out.
The burning pain in his hands brought Lacius to his senses. Shoulders, elbows, hands and palms – everything burned and itched, as if they had been dipped in boiling oil. Thousands of needles pierced the entire skin. The gods sent him torment instead of death, which he could not endure. Was it really easier in the desert near Carrhae? Hardly. But there was no such despair and emptiness. Then there was still hope that he, as a legate, would be found, redeemed, exchanged, and not abandoned...
A cart, carrying bodies, passed by. They were taken to the city. This means they will burn the corpses. Well, that makes sense. There's a lot of wood there. Everything will burn to the ground. They drag him there, too. This means they will also burn him. Or they will torture him first. He saw a sword. But there was no longer any strength to reach it, sticking out from under a piece of log. The fingers twitched and stopped. How his body itched and hurt! Someone's shadow bent over him.
– Ta huojk[3], – a hoarse voice rang out. Lacius opened his eyes and said:
– Meyou siwang[4]. Zai nali ni tuo wo[5]? – he asked with the last of his strength, but the Han warriors recoiled from him in fear and began to quickly talk about something. Individual words could be heard from them, but they swirled around in Lacius’ head, without turning into meaning. Finally, he was picked up again and quickly brought to the former Chanyu’s palace. There was nothing in the servants' room. Nothing at all. Just bare walls and floor. In the Chanyu's room there were a table and an old carved chair, given to him by the former Emperor Yuan–di. There were lamps along the walls. He saw only yellow circles that every now and then came off the cups and flew from place to place. The whole world was spinning in his head with them. His body was lowered onto a large skin in front of the table. The entire floor around was dark and smelled of blood. This smell could not be confused with anything else.
– Is this him? – asked a male voice.
– Yes, – a woman answered briefly. Lacius recognised the voice. It was Chow Li's.
– Oh–oh–oh, – a groan escaped from his chest, but Lacius couldn’t get up himself. They helped him by putting something under his back. It was convenient. A man, sitting on the chair, spoke abruptly and sharply, and Lacius did not understand some of the words. Chow helped. She translated almost everything into the Xiongnu language.
– Your people are no different from us. They have the same arms and legs. Inside is the same heart. And there is nothing new in their heads. The only difference is skin, – the man nodded to the side, and Lacius stared with a glazed look at several headless bodies of his comrades in the corner. They were cut into pieces. The man wanted to see what was inside them. – We're leaving tomorrow afternoon. – Everything here will burn, – the hangu man added, and Lacius nodded his head. He correctly guessed why the bodies were taken to the city. – Chow says you built this city. She says you know a lot. Tell me why do I need you? – the stranger spat out the last phrase and leaned back. In the dim light of the oil lamps, only his mustache and beard were visible. The dark hollows, where the eyes should have been, hid his gaze, and his entire face was a semicircle of dark and light spots.
– I killed Ji Yui, – said Lacius.
– Was it you?! – there was just a note of slight surprise in the voice and that’s all.
– Yes, I... I know how to build towns and fight...
– We all know how to fight. Others know how to build. I want to cut out your tongue. You sound like us. But you don't look like a Xiongnu.
– You don’t. I need it.
– Are you afraid of death? – followed again mockery and disdain. Lacius felt thoughts begin to appear in his head. What could he answer to this young military leader? That before him, he had already seen hundreds of people like him, and even better? No, this one is too self–confident and will not understand. You can hear in his voice that he wants to see humiliation and fear. Was it really not enough for him to kill the Xiongnu? Lacius was silent, realising for the first time that his courage had long ago given way to cunning and resourcefulness. For him, fighting was a joy, not humiliation and pain, as it was now. Maybe the gods kept it for ridicule? What to do, what to say? After all, this has never happened before. Decisions were always made quickly and correctly. Now he regretted something, doubted and all the time saw himself as if from the outside. Yes, this hangu warrior was right – Lacius didn’t want to die.
– You're probably right. I’m afraid, – he finally answered.
– He–he, – came a satisfied laugh. – So your blind friend lied that you weren’t afraid of anything. You're afraid. This is good. Tomorrow he will sing you the last song.
– Is Paul alive?
– Alive, alive. He sings beautifully. Hey, – the warrior called to the guards, – take him away!
– You are also afraid of death, – said Lacius, carefully choosing the words of the foreign language and trying not to lose consciousness. Strong arms grabbed him and lifted him to his feet. There were only a few moments left. – Your Emperor will kill you. You disobeyed him. I know that. There is no one higher than the Emperor, – they pulled him back, and as he walked, he uttered his last words: – Remember, Wu Zi executed one of his brave warriors. Why? Because the brave warrior violated his order, fought with the enemies, and killed all of them. But Wu Tzu said: – We all must listen to orders, – and the brave man was killed. Lacius himself did not know why he remembered this story from Chow Li, but the young general suddenly raised his hand and ordered his men to stop.
– You are cunning. How can you help me, luoma ren[6]?
– Our warriors also sometimes violated orders, – Lacius continued, breathlessly, not believing that he was still alive. – They were also ordered to be executed. But sometimes they managed to escape.
– How? – a short and tough question sounded. Lacius looked at Chow Li. She was sitting on the floor next to the general’s chair with such an expression on her face as if everything that was happening did not concern her.
– Zhi–Zhi visited the Han Empire several times, – Lacius continued. – He was unlucky. There he made several mistakes. One day he was wearing a beautiful gold necklace. The Emperor's wife liked it. She told this to her chief eunuch. He conveyed the words to Zhi Zhi. Zhi Zhi did not want to part with the necklace. He did not take it off and did not give it to the eunuch. He didn't believe him. After this, the Emperor did not communicate with Zhi Zhi anymore and spoke only with his brother Huhanye. They say that the Emperor listens only to his wife.
– I took the Emperor’s two rings from your Zhi Zhi and his son. They are very expensive. With blue stones. Do you think they should be given to the Emperor's wife?
– No, – Lacius squeezed out with difficulty.
– Then what? Zhi Zhi's head? – General Tang exclaimed disappointedly.
– No, not your head...
– And what?
– Zhi Zhi often said that the Emperor loved large paintings of the battles of his warriors. He loves it very much.
– Paintings? Did you say paintings? – Chen Tang leaned back in surprise and froze. Then he looked at Chow Li. She was motionless and calm, like a statue. –What do you want to say? Do I need to paint a big picture? No, it's too simple. There will be no Emperor there, there will be no his troops.
– Not one. If there are many... Many paintings? Twenty or thirty? – it was difficult for Lacius to speak. – And connect them together? The first shows an attack on the fortress... Then – on the walls... The next on – the gate on fire. And in the end... – he sighed, gathering his strength, – in the end – the death of Zhi Zhi and his family. There will be a bigger picture. Long... It will definitely surprise the Emperor. I myself have seen... such pictures... more than once. But first you should show it to Уmperor’s wife. She is first. Then she will tell him. He won't be able to refuse. And he will go look. The Emperor listens to his wife... – there was no strength to speak anymore, and Lacius dropped his head on his chest.
– How do you know all this?! Who told you? – Chen Tang was sincerely surprised. He didn't know that over the course of several years, Chow Li had told Lacius so many times about the relationships in the imperial palace that he even remembered some of the names of important officials. – Ha! Then at the end you need to put all your warriors in breastplates and women's dresses that you wear. Yes, this will surprise the Emperor! You will stand next to the painting and raise your shields like this! Wow, this might surprise the Emperor! – Tang was silent for some time, wondering something in his mind. Then his face became gloomy again and he, resting his hands on his knees, asked, – You are cunning, luomaren, but who will draw such pictures? – And so quickly?
– There are several people among our warriors. They will be able to draw them in ten days.
– You’ll show me these people. Let them draw me a few small pictures. I want to see it myself!
– Of course... But... they are all in the earth pit. We didn't drink for several days. Hands are tied. You need to untie them quickly. The hands will get over... and tomorrow they will be able to draw.
– Fine. Let’s untie them and give them water!
– Thank you, General! – Lacius squeezed out, remembering Chow’s frequent stories about the vanity of Han officials. He caught himself thinking that he did not feel humiliated. Has he really ceased to be a Roman, as the fortune teller in Syria promised him? Probably, yes. Having gathered his strength, Lacius added: – General, you are a brave and intelligent warrior. But you are also a noble and wise person. This is very rare.
There was no answer. Several short orders were heard, Lacius was taken to the steps and given a cup of hot brew. Holding it with difficulty with trembling hands, he pressed his lips to the scalding liquid. It was meat broth! When he finished it and looked up, Chow Li stood in front of him.
– Thank you, – he said sincerely.
– For what? – she asked in surprise.
– For not tying my legs, – Lacius nodded at the ropes that were still dangling from his arms. – Only hands.
– Do you think I asked someone not to tie your legs? – she laughed. – I didn’t even know if you were alive or not.
– It's a pity. I thought it was as a sign of gratitude for the fact that I untied you there...
– No, probably the warriors simply didn’t have enough leather belts for you. They say they left you against the wall. But that's not what I'm talking about. General Tang has ordered you to collect all the shields, breastplates, and helmets you fought with. They will give you ten people. We need to do everything tomorrow morning. Take them off even from the dead. Then it will be necessary to make them look like new in order to surprise the Emperor and his wife.
– What about my people? When will they be released?
– They’ve already been untied. Don't worry. The main thing is that they really know how to draw.
– Wait, – he asked, seeing Chow Li turn around to leave. – What about those who gave up? Are they alive?
– Xiongnu – no, Romans – yes. They carry corpses into the city.
– So we’re alive, – Lacius breathed, and everything swam before his eyes again. He didn’t remember where or how he spent the night, grinding his teeth and groaning in pain. The dream was oppressive and heavy. The gods were silent. And only the black medallion on a thin leather strap occasionally tapped on the floor when its owner turned over from side to side.
[1] Get up (Chinese).
[2] Rise. Get up (Chinese).
[3] He is alive (Chinese).
[4] Not dead yet (Chinese).
[5] Where are you taking me? (Chinese)
[6] Roman (Chinese).
