Assassins of Kantara

by James Boschert

  That woke Guy up, and he loudly expressed surprise and delight at seeing Talon; he appeared to have forgotten that it was Talon who had brought him home to Henry in the first place. He joined them at the table and drank the rest of the water in a few gulps, grimacing at the taste, just like Henry. “God, what is this piss that old crone calls water? She must draw it from the pits!” he complained.

  Talon leaned back, deep in thought. So, finally Jonathan had struck! Well, now he was back; but there was more at stake than just rescuing Max. He had to think of a plan whereby he got Max out and then all of them had to disappear... forever from the not so welcoming arms of Acre. He was stunned, but the urgency of his situation forced him to think furiously. How to do it? The vindictive Brother would not rest until he had watched Talon burn at the stake, that was sure. Talon no longer had any friends in this city.

  The Knights, while they might protect Max from the stake, had still incarcerated him without a trial. Without Sir Guy to protect him, Talon was very vulnerable and could never guarantee his safety, nor that of his friends and family; not here, nor even in the Kingdom. He doubted if even the Count of Tripoli could protect him from the Bishop. No, that would not be the right place to seek refuge. Constantinople, perhaps; Byzantium somewhere? There were many places to disappear in that empire where the Latin church could not touch him. A thought occurred to him. “Did you or Max ever buy land in Cyprus?” he asked the two captains.

  Henry scratched his head vigorously, his face thoughtful. “Yes, I believe he did, although where the deeds are I have no idea. It was land near to the port of Paphos, and also on the plains near a place called Nicosia where they grow sugar cane,” Henry said. “I fear that the deeds, along with much coin, are now in the possession of the Bishop.”

  Talon had a shrewd idea that that might not be the case, but he would find out later. Perhaps they were still in the hiding place near the chimney stack of the house. The coin had been in one place, the papers in another. Max himself would be able to tell him. He had to get into the building somehow and find out.

  They continued to talk for the rest of the day. Talon pumped the two men for every detail they could remember, and they were more than willing to tell him all they knew. At noon Guy was sent out for some food to be purchased with more of Talon’s coin; Henry and Guy were stone broke.

  By evening the two captains had told him everything that they could, including the fact that their ships were still anchored in the harbor, although there was a guard on each of them. The two men even confessed to thinking about stealing one of the ships and fleeing the city, but they had been unable to figure out how to do so.

  Talon’s mind was working furiously as he considered the meagre options open to him, but he was not ready to share them with his men just yet. He glanced at the gaps in the door. Light was beginning to fade. It was almost time to go and fetch Simon and his companions. He felt sick with worry. Everything he had counted on was now worthless. It was a physical effort to conceal his despair from his captains, and it sat in his gut like a huge stone. He thanked the Duke of Tripoli for his warning. Had he not, Talon was sure that he would now be in prison awaiting the pyre.

  He roused himself. “We should go for Simon, my friends, but you need to know something. I have two companions with me who are guarding him. I must talk to them first to ensure your safety. They don’t take kindly to surprises.”

  Both Henry and Guy knew a little about Talon’s past, and Max had told them enough for them to know that if he had companions with him then they, too, must be dangerous people. When it was quite dark, they slipped out of the crude hovel and Talon led the way along the almost deserted streets back to the lair where Reza was waiting. A low call from Talon elicited another from the darkness of the ruined house, and someone ghosted alongside Henry, who started with surprise. It was Reza, and he had his sword at the ready; it glinted dangerously in the starlight.

  “You have come, Talon,” he murmured. “I was concerned. Who are these people?”

  “They are my ships’ captains, Reza. Has it been quiet?”

  “For the most part. A few dogs came nosing around and one began to bark. I took care of that.”

  Talon nodded. Of course.

  “We have a place, of sorts, where we can hide until I can find a better one,” he told Reza. “Is Simon all right?”

  “He needed food, so that helped. The old man is somewhat better.”

  “Then let’s go to the other place. Come with me and my captains,” Talon told his companions. Dar’an lifted Simon to his feet and almost carried him as they moved along the darkened streets, heading for their new destination. They avoided a night patrol that was clattering along the street, evidently to quell a brawl that they could hear going on in one of the inns in a street parallel to theirs, then they arrived at the hovel which Henry and Guy now called home.

  Guy went in ahead and lit a candle, whereupon the rest hurried in, and the door was closed. Some sacking was pulled over the door to hide the light within, and the men inside regarded one another warily.

  Talon gave a brief smile then said, “Henry, I want you to meet my ‘Brother’ Reza and Dar’an, one of my men. They have been my loyal companions for many years.” He had spoken French.

  Reza was staring about him with a disgusted look on his face. “Please tell me this isn’t the house you have been bragging about ever since we came to this fly-infested country, Talon!” he said in mock dismay accompanied by a grimace of disgust.

  Talon rolled his eyes but ignored the jibe. “Reza, these two rough-looking rogues are my ships’ captains. They will help us all they can. Learn more French, my friend, because you are going to need it. They will never be able to learn your language!” he smiled at this and then said, “First there is Simon. There is space above us where he will be warm enough. Dar’an, take him up there and make him comfortable, then come down. We have some planning to do, and all of us will soon be very busy.”

  Turning to Henry, he said, “We need to obtain a better place than this where we can hide for more than a week. I have coin, so you and Guy must find somewhere very safe, very private, where inquisitive neighbors cannot see what is going on. A small courtyard perhaps, but high walls all around for privacy. That is urgent; we cannot continue to live in this hovel. There is work to do.”

  Up until this moment their faces had been etched with expressions of despair and resignation, but now they slowly brightened with hope.

  “Your ‘companions’ look very dangerous to me, Talon,” Guy said with a grin. “I am encouraged by that. Also, I recall our men used to call you the Fox. Do you have a plan?”

  Talon tilted his head. “Perhaps, but much of its success will depend upon you and Henry.

  We are as pieces of chess engaged in victory and defeat:

  our victory and defeat is from thee,

  O thou whose qualities are comely!

  —Rumi

  Chapter 7

  Persecution

  Talon woke the next day and scratched himself. Fleas! He had wondered why those two disheveled captains of his scratched themselves so much. Now he knew. Disgusting!

  “I’m back in the Christian world, and it stinks!” he told himself with a rueful grimace. Getting up, he woke the others and convened a quick council of war. He had done a lot of thinking.

  While the others rubbed the sleep out of their eyes and scratched themselves awake, he issued some orders.

  “Dar’an, you must go back to the encampment. Go tonight, and let Rav’an know what has transpired. I’ll write a letter if I can find an ink and quill. Stay there and send Yosef back to me. Reza, meet Yosef at around midnight tomorrow, at the same place where we climbed into the city. I am not yet ready to risk something going wrong at the gates. But sooner or later we are going to have to chance it, because we have to bring all the others into the city along with our possessions.”

  Dar’an would go down the wall where they had arrived, and the boat shou
ld be waiting for him according to a prearranged agreement that it would return every night at the same time to either deliver or receive men.

  He turned to Henry and spoke French to him. “Henry, I want you and Guy here to do several things. The first and most urgent is to find a place where we can hide out until we are ready to depart.”

  “Why don’t we go outside of the city?” Henry started to ask, but then the light dawned. He gasped. “You intend to steal one of the ships, don’t you? My God, but that is really dangerous, Talon!” he exclaimed, tugging so hard at his beard Talon was afraid he would pull it out in tufts.

  “Which brings me to the second task,” Talon told them. “I want both ships. Not just one, so both of you are to go out there and find the crews. I want only the very best men you can find of our old crews, men who know you and know me who will swear allegiance.”

  Guy gaped at him, and then turned to Henry. His eyes were goggling. “He is serious, by God!” he cackled. “Well, now the Fox is back, and we have some work to do. Ha! Ha!” He slapped the table with glee.

  “I doubt if it will be too hard to find them, Talon. Most of them are out of work and don’t want to be pressed into the army, so they’ll be glad to sign up,” Henry told him.

  “You must impress upon the men that this is to be done in absolute secret. Timing is the most important thing. If anyone blabs then all will be lost, including our lives I suspect,” Talon admonished him. “I shall provide coin by tomorrow, which you will distribute very carefully. Withhold most of it, because I don’t want that crowd of rogues who worked for you in the past to go out and get blind drunk.”

  Henry chuckled. “You’re right, of course, Talon. I know them, but I also know that they are in desperate straights and most will come without question. This is their chance to get out of this hell hole, and they will be grateful and careful.”

  “What are these two ugly apes laughing about?” Reza asked Talon.

  “I think they are happy that they now have something to do. Don’t forget what I told you, Brother. They are captains of ships and live for the sea. I have given them some hope. We all need some of that.”

  Reza looked suspiciously at the two grinning Franks. He shook his head doubtfully. “What are you and I going to do?” he asked.

  “First we are going to visit the Jews of this fair city, and then we are going to walk about this town until you know it all and can move around it in the dark,” Talon replied. A thought struck him.

  “I need robes and something else, Henry.”

  Henry cocked his head. “What would that be, Talon?”

  “I need you and Guy here to find chain hauberks that will fit you both, and we will need... ” he went on to list the things that he required within three days to the bemused captains. He finished with, “And get cleaned up. You both stink and look like out of work pirates! Go to the baths. You do know where they are don’t you?”

  Guy rolled his eyes. “I don’t like baths,” he muttered.

  “You will get one if I have to drag you along by that beard of yours,” Henry threatened. “Our Chief has given us an order.”

  A visit to the Jewish quarter by Reza and Talon took place two days later. They wore light turbans and flowing robes that blended in with the crowd that lived and worked in the Jewish quarter. Indeed, over the years of occupation many Franks who had grown up in Palestine had adopted a similar mode of dress.

  Dar’an had departed with a letter for Rav’an, informing her of events and reassuring her that for the time being at least all was well. Talon had also asked for several essential things, including the bows and arrows, which he wanted immediately. In addition, Talon had directed his companions that they should be prepared to move at very short notice. He explained in detail how they were to do so, as they would be entering the city through the main gates.

  Yosef had arrived up the wall on the second night, bringing with him the requested items and a letter in return for Talon. Rav’an was very worried, but Dar’an had spent some time with her and Jannat, telling them of the situation and attempting to reassure them.

  Talon now carried the chits which had been provided by the Jews in Muscat, and more of the coin from the hoard that Rav’an and his men guarded in the encampment. The man they finally met was named Jacob. To all outward appearances he was just a small business Jew who sold mats, skins, inexpensive carpets, cheap ghilims, some spice, and other small household goods mainly copper pots. His place of work was deep inside the Jewish quarter and unless one knew exactly where to find him in the labyrinth of narrow streets and shops there was no point in searching.

  Striding purposefully along the busy streets Talon and Reza attracted no attention whatsoever and soon arrived at the open doorway of Jacob’s shop set back in a very busy part of the Jewish area. Ignoring the clang of hammers on iron and the tapping of small hammers on brass and copper in the places nearby they drifted into the quiet of Jacob’s shop and were greeted by one of Jacob’s relatives. They were politely asked their business and then another younger relative was sent off to find Jacob. Despite appearances Jacob was much more than a small-time merchant to Talon. He was a banker who held onto the money Talon had delivered to his care, and subsequently Max’s as well. There was much coin to be handed over, but not all of it today.

  Jacob was surprised and pleased to see Talon. They sipped scalding tea from small porcelain cups while seated on one of his more expensive ghilims that was spread over a wide, flat bale of wool.

  “I have heard rumor after rumor about you, Sir Talon,” he told him. “If half of them are true, then you are a great man.”

  Talon shrugged. “Great, hmm, but wealthy now, yes. Our journey to China saw to that, Jacob.”

  Jacob’s eyes widened. “So you have indeed been to China! It was said but you know rumors they often appear like djins in the desert wind, no substance to them. So you actually went all that way? You must tell me all about it!” he exclaimed. He waved over to his brother and an uncle who had been hovering about at the back in case of trouble, and bid them be seated with them. The three men looked eagerly at Talon and Reza as though willing them to begin.

  Neither Talon nor Reza saw any point in hurrying this exchange. Jacob was behaving like any other merchant, Arab, Byzantine, Turk or Jew. Gone was any reserve; they lived for gossip, and besides, it would have been unpardonably rude to act in haste and not quench some of their hosts’ thirst for news outside the city of Acre. More tea arrived, and they began to tell of their adventures. It did not take long for several other members of the extended family to hover about straining their ears to hear all about the fabled China. They whispered in astonishment and hushed one another as one fantastic statement followed another from the two travelers.

  Eventually the stories were told. Numerous tiny cups of tea, and sweet, honied cakes had appeared and been consumed when finally, hours later, they came to the point of the visit. Jacob and his uncle shooed the wide-eyed family away and when they had vanished he turned to Talon expectantly.

  Talon reached into the folds of his robe and drew out a small bundle of narrow parchment strips. Upon each was written in Hebrew an amount of coin in either gold or silver. Jacob’s eyes widened with surprise when he looked them over. As he shuffled them and began to count the amounts on his abacus, he gasped; the total amount was enormous! He showed them to his uncle and brother, who both looked shocked at the huge amount they were seeing.

  “Sir Talon, we will not be able to pay all of this for a long time. There would be much time before we could bring it all to you,” Jacob stammered. His normally calm demeanor had changed to one of pale-faced shock.

  “You mistake my intent, Jacob,” Talon hastened to reassure him. He leaned forward and said in a low tone. “I simply want to work out an arrangement with you that will ensure that what I own in Muscat that has been delivered to your cousin there will eventually come my way when I need it. Of course I do not want it all at once. I will be traveling qu
ite a lot, but on occasion I shall send a messenger to you and ask for some payment. You, of course, will collect your usual fee. I would like to think that it will be reasonable?”

  “Perhaps,” said Jacob softly, “we can lower the fee, just a little, for a man like yourself. How would you like this arrangement to work?”

  For the next hour he and Talon discussed the eventual transfer of his money to the Jews of Acre and how it would be moved further on whenever he asked for it.

  They left well after noon to return to their new abode. Henry and Guy had had done their best to look tidier, with clean, new clothes. They had not wasted any time locating a new residence either, one discreetly placed in a back street, with escape routes to the front and back of the house should they be needed. Talon had stipulated the need for this.

  It was a spacious household, although basic, and it had the advantage of being furnished. A knight had once owned it but had died in some battle, and his widow had left for France. The steward, representing the knight’s lady, had remained behind to complete the liquidation of the property. He met Henry and went through the negotiations with him. If he was surprised at the condition of the men buying the house he made no comment, other than to ask if the servants should stay. Henry told him no, and, having paid for the house and not trusting the steward to make the payments to the servants, did so himself. The servants departed promptly, happy enough at the severance payment they received. The steward himself was the last to leave.

  “He looks quite put out that he was not able to cheat the other servants of their coin, the thieving hound,” Guy remarked with a sardonic grin to Henry as they watched him go down the street.

  Henry chuckled. “I saw that. The bastard took our generous severance but still wanted more!”