Assassins of Kantara

by James Boschert

  “The emperor is an avaricious, greedy and stupid man. The moment you arrived he would plunder your possessions and leave you destitute, or worse. He now has a man who works for him who is, if anything, even more vicious and dangerous, who would hear of you no matter how hard we tried to hide the fact of your presence.”

  “Boethius has informed me of that,” Jacob said sadly, “But still I dared hope. So we must discuss our holdings of your wealth, Sir Talon. That is the reason I am here.”

  “Most of it is still in the care of the Jews in Muscat, is it not?”

  “That is so, and it could stay there as long as you wanted, in their care, as I do not think the Caliph wants to plunder the Jews. The treasure that is in Acre, however, must be transferred somehow. It will be difficult enough to get it out of the city as it is.”

  Jacob looked directly towards Talon. “I am truly sorry that I bring such bad news.”

  “You have told me what I need to hear, and I am deeply grateful; whether I like it or not is of no importance. Alas, I know of almost nowhere at present that is a haven of peace,” Talon stated. “What news have you heard from Byzantium, Boethius?” he asked his merchant friend. “Would there be safety there?”

  “Unlikely, Sir Talon,” Boethius replied. “Outsiders of any sort are unwelcome now. The Normans from Sicily were driven out of Thessalonica after a big battle. They were also driven out of Durazzo and Corfu, but they keep the islands of Cephalonia. The spreaders of gossip say that Byzantium has seen a miraculous deliverance and has entered a gentler time. I hear from merchants, who now arrive in great numbers at Paphos, that there is a feeling of spring after a bitter winter. However, it is reported in quiet voices that Isaac Angelus is even more corrupt than Manuel and is selling government offices like vegetables in a common market.”

  “So other than that the monster is gone and we have his shade here, little has changed in Constantinople,” Talon remarked with a grimace.

  “Nothing changes very much, Sir Talon,” Boethius agreed.

  “I wonder what Theo will make of this,” Talon mused.

  “You don’t think she is happy here, Talon?” Max asked.

  Talon looked puzzled. “Why no, Max. She appears to be content, do you not think so?’

  Max scowled. “Why should she not be content here? Is she not safe from the terror she endured while in that terrible city?” his tone was sharp.

  Talon looked at his friend, who seemed to be upset. “I shall be at pains to ask her how she feels, Max,” he said.

  Again there was silence in the room, other than the crackle of the fire. Finally Talon said, “Reza, you could go back with Jacob and help with that matter, could you not? Henry will be your captain. Bring the treasure back here to Cyprus.”

  “Should he not take both ships, one to carry and the other to protect?” Max asked. Talon looked at his old friend and nodded. “Yes, that would be wise. I think we can manage here without them for a short while at least. How is Guy doing?”

  “The last time I checked he was complaining about his inactivity. Theo—Theodora has had quite enough of him,” Max said.

  Reza shot a grin at Talon, who was clearly wondering what was going on with Max.

  To change the subject, Reza said. “I can go and collect the treasure. We’ll make arrangements. Famagusta can stew for a while and Paphos is quiet for the moment, is it not?” he asked Boethius.

  “It is for the time being, Reza. No one knows what will happen when this Pantoleon gets moving.”

  “He is very dangerous, Boethius. Your child can stay here for as long as she needs to.

  Boethius was clearly was unhappy about the separation but saw the good sense of that. Talon insisted that he and Jacob stay for at least a week and then leave with Henry when the weather improved. Storms were sweeping in from the West and it had become quite cold and damp.

  Much later in the day Talon found Reza and drew him aside to discuss something that was on his mind.

  “What is going on with Max?” he asked.

  Reza chuckled. “Jannat, my all-seeing and wise one, says that he is in love, Brother.”

  Talon closed his eyes. “Ah,” he shook his head. “But... Max! The old wolf! I was wondering what was going on. Does Theodora feel the same?”

  Reza responded with a laugh. “How should I know, Brother? You should ask the girls, they know everything.”

  “I had an odd message from Dimitri today,” he told Reza, who looked interested.

  “Dimitri keeps an eye on the villa belonging to Pantoleon. The night after the emperor arrived back in the city, there was a lot of activity. Furtive stuff, you know? They moved many small boxes out of the villa, and these found their way to the docks, where they were loaded onto the ship that is captained by Nigel.”

  “I wonder what he is up to?” Reza said. He was referring to Pantoleon. “Is he moving out?”

  “I don’t know. But why would he do that when he is now the man in charge? No. But... if I had any treasure, I most certainly would not take it with me to the palace. I might never be able to get it back. It could be that he is making sure that he has options if things do go badly for him. Remember, Isaac is not stable and could turn on him in a minute.”

  Reza nodded. “I say we should investigate.”

  Talon agreed.“But not just yet. Did Boethius not say that at one time the emperor was a friend of Salah Ed Din?” Talon asked, changing the subject to the one he most wanted to discuss.

  “I heard that too,” Reza responded.

  “Then here is what I would ask of you, if you think it possible,” Talon said. “It is dangerous, and only you can carry this off, but it is very important. And you can take anyone you want with you to accomplish this.”

  Talon finally found time to go hunting with Rostam and initiate his son into the pleasures of falconry.

  To Rostam’s delight, Talon ordered his hawkers to take the boy in hand and teach him what they could, and took every opportunity to join them when they went off into the hills. Small game, including deer, were plentiful. Despite the light powder of snow on the top of the ridge, they would ride down to the north side into the forests and bring back game for the table. Rostam took care of the hawks and was speechless when Talon presented him with one that was to be his.

  “Make sure you listen carefully to our master Hawker, Rostam. He can teach you much,” his father told him.

  Rostam was growing into a strong youth and applied himself willingly to the grueling training Reza set him and his companions. Talon noted with approval how his son and the other trainees were forming bonds that would stand them in good stead later on in life.

  His own work kept him out of the castle for many hours, even in winter. The villagers of the valley and the harbor, once they understood that he was concerned with their welfare, tripped over themselves to please him; but made many demands on his time.

  “How goes the life of a Lord these days?” Reza asked him one evening, when he arrived back late, cold and hungry, to stand in front of the fire rubbing his hands to get some warmth back into his fingers.

  “I am the provider of tools, the person they come to when they cannot decide whether to dig in this direction or that in the mine. Should we breed this or that sheep with that flock, and which of these cows should we slaughter for winter meat?” he grumbled to the room at large.

  Theodora laughed. She had put Damian to bed and was now seated with Jannat and Rav’an. “Have you only just found out, Talon, that being a Lord entails responsibilities? They will be asking you to act as their judge next,” she said with a smile at Rav’an.

  “I have already been imposed upon in that direction, Theo. Palladius came to me and asked me to adjudicate for the villagers. Max handles the soldiers, thank God for that, with Palladius as his Second. How is the man doing, Max?” he asked.

  “Well, he is a bit clumsy, but eager to please, and his men are terrified of him—especially when he smiles at them. That is just as it
should be for a Sergeant.” Max chuckled.

  “The villagers set upon me the moment I arrive and give me no peace! Today they wanted me to declare against a young girl who has become pregnant. I think they wanted to have her whipped,” Talon exclaimed.

  “What did you say to them?” Rav’an asked. All three women were now alert and staring at him.

  “I demanded to know who was the father. After some time a youth was pushed forward, a decidedly callow youth, I might add. He clearly wanted none of it, but I ordered that he marry her right then and there. Psellos approved, and he took care of the ceremony. He told me later it was the shortest marriage he had ever performed but good for the protection of the girl. I left the villagers with the instructions to provide them with a hut and that the girl was not to be harmed in any way. Psellos said that he would keep an eye on things.”

  “I am glad you told us about that, Talon,” Rav’an said after calling on the maid to bring some food and drink for Talon. “I shall go and see them in the morning. You will come Jannat, Theo?”

  “I shall come,” Theodora stated. “After I have seen to Simon. I have not visited the villagers yet.”

  “They are in need of your services as a physician,” Jannat said.

  “Take Palladius with you, and some men at arms. Max, can you assist?” Talon asked.

  “I shall accompany them,” Max said firmly, and Talon smiled to himself.

  “I shall not come, I need a break from their woes,” he stated. “When I told Julian and John, the village leaders, that I needed some building and reinforcements done on the castle they looked very worried!”

  “Why? Have you not treated them well?” asked Jannat, sounding amused.

  Talon made a face. “You know very well I treat them fairly. When I asked why they looked upset, John said, “You will not throw our masons off the walls when we are done?”

  Reza almost choked and Jannat giggled. Max gave a bark of laughter, which elicited a fond smile from Theodora. So that was the way it was? Talon thought to himself, then continued, while his audience looked on amused.

  “To reassure them I said I would pay half in advance and the other half later. He seemed relieved.”

  “Did they really think that you might, Talon?” Theo asked.

  “I fail to understand them most of the time, but I hope that with the arrival of Psellos they will cease to come to me with every single problem they have,” Talon huffed.

  “He finessed this castle, two villages and a harbor out from under a rogue, and now he complains,” Rav’an sighed. “You, my Talon, are now Lord of a large region, in spite of the emperor, and your people need you.”

  “It is clear I have no friends in this room,” Talon said, pretending to look glum. He fondled the ears of one of the hounds that were ever at his heels. They had pride of place by the fire, and gradually everyone else had become used to their presence. The hounds in return behaved respectfully enough. Somehow, he could not think how, the black cat had survived and was unafraid of the two huge hounds, which regarded it warily but did nothing to harm it. Irene kept a close eye on the cat, now curled up in her lap.

  “I forgot to mention,” Talon said to the assembled group. “I was down at the harbor village the other day with Palladius, looking forward to seeing Henry and Guy, when we were diverted by the sound of drums and pipes.”

  “Well, go on. What was that all about?” Reza demanded.

  “Let him continue, my Reza!” Jannat said.

  “Yes, well, we were curious, although the villagers were not very keen on us investigating. However, I insisted upon finding out, and we made our way along a very narrow street to a little opening wide enough for two carts to pass each other. There was a small crowd which parted as we arrived...” Talon could see he had the full attention of his audience.

  “You will never imagine what I saw there.”

  “Don’t keep us in suspense, Talon!” Rav’an insisted.

  Talon glanced uneasily at Irene.

  “Er, there was a woman, quite a young woman, lying on a blanket writhing, yes that was it, she was writhing about, as though in pain.”

  He regarded the startled looks of everyone in the chamber. “The music, there was even a plucking sound from a stringed instrument, never stopped, and the pipes were shrill. She was crying, and her skirts were um, up around her waist!” He was still somewhat shocked by what he had seen.

  Rav’an shot a look at Irene who was listening with keen interest, but then so was everyone else. She frowned. “What was it all about, Talon?”

  “I had to ask and the village head man. He told me that she had been bitten by a Tarantula on her ‘you know what’ and was having a fit because of it.”

  There was a collective gasp from everyone and an amused snort from Jannat. Even Max couldn’t help himself, he gave a bark of incredulous laughter.

  Rav’an looked over at Irene and said firmly, “Irene, my dear, it’s time for bed. Go along now.”

  Irene looked upset. “But Aunty Rav’an, I want to hear.”

  “Yes, I’m sure you do; but, my little one, this is not for your ears right now. Off you go, and Rostam, you can go too.” Her tone brooked no argument.

  “The damage is done, Rav’an,” Jannat said with a giggle. They might as well stay now.” But Rav’an was adamant and the two youngsters were herded out of the door by a nurse who had been called.

  “So what was this really all about, Talon? It’s not one of your terrible jokes, is it?” Reza chuckled. Talon looked hurt and shrugged. “It’s what they told me,” he said defensively. “Palladius couldn’t take his eyes off her.”

  “I’m sure he couldn’t,” Rav’an said dryly.

  “I know exactly what it is all about,” Theodora stated with confidence. All eyes swiveled to her.

  “You do?” Talon asked.

  “Yes, I do,” she stated again. “You see, women have no way to release their pent up emotions. Especially,” she paused with a dark look at the menfolk, “If they are not getting enough attention in the bed! There, I’ve said it.” Her face aflame with embarrassment, she turned as though for support to Max, who had his mouth open, as did everyone else in the room. “She wasn’t really bitten. It’s how men explain away the odd behavior of their womenfolk.”

  “You know of this kind of thing?” Talon demanded, unable to hide his surprise.

  “Yes, it is quite common in the islands. I have heard that it is not unusual on the mainland too, although I never heard of it in Constantinople. The shaking is a release from the constraints of their wretched lives where men tell them what to do all the time. On occasion they have to throw a fit. Rather than admit there may be a problem that has anything to do with how they treat their wives and daughters, the men say that she has been bitten by a tarantula. It’s the kind of nonsense they would come up with,” she finished, her face still burning bright red.

  Jannat snickered, then said, “Beware then, my Reza, of when the tarantula bites me!”

  “By the way,” she added. “you did kill that one we found in the back rooms, didn’t you? I cannot believe the screaming and fright from all the serving girls. You did, didn’t you?” she repeated, staring at him accusingly.

  “Well, er... not exactly,” Reza mumbled, looking guilty.

  “Reza!” both Rav’an and Jannat said together. “It was huge! What did you do with it?”

  “I am keeping it in a box, as a present perhaps, for the emperor, when next one of us has to pay him a visit,” Reza said, with a sly glance at Talon, who shook his head with amusement.

  “It’s all right for you men. You wear trews, but us women have to walk about in long skirts and it is not nice to see a mouse or a tarantula creeping about. They can get up a skirt and, and well, bite us in those places,” Rav’an stated with a straight face. The room dissolved into howls of laughter.

  “Lucky mice!” Reza stated, slapping his thighs and receiving glares from the women.

  The next even
ing, Talon cast an eye over at Boethius, who was playing chess with Rostam while Irene sat nearby, happy that her father was with her. Jacob had pleaded fatigue and retired to bed and Henry had gone back to his ship. Talon wondered how long they would be able to continue this peaceful existence. Everything was so fragile; he knew that, especially life. A visit to the chapel might make him feel more sanguine about the future, which appeared bleak no matter which direction he looked. One thing that was very certain in his mind: unless Pantoleon was out of the way permanently, they would always be looking over their shoulders.

  “I should become a pirate and live a carefree life on the sea,” Talon stated.

  “A pirate!” Irene squealed excitedly. “Lord Talon, you can’t be a pirate. You are a knight!”

  “Yes well, sometimes even knights change course, young lady,” Talon said with a grin. “And it’s Uncle or Talon to you.”

  “I know for a fact that although you have ships and are a great navigator, my Lord, you have an uneasy relationship with the sea,” Rav’an said with a sly glance at him from under her brows.

  “But he seems so comfortable with the sea. Didn’t he bring us home from that perilous voyage all the way from China?” Jannat teased.

  Rav’an snorted, “He hides it well, my Sister.”

  “Let’s not forget that my son helped greatly with the navigation,” Talon stated loud enough for Rostam to hear.

  “Indeed,” said Reza from his place opposite Jannat where they had been playing their favorite game of Chinese dominos. “The boy earned his keep then. I doubt if we would be here if Talon had been navigating alone!”

  “Reza, that was unkind!” Jannat scolded him and leaned forward to give him a light slap on the knee.

  “Ouch!” Reza pretended to be sorely wounded.

  Talon laughed. “He is right, you know. Be thankful to God that he guided us all home.”

  “Are you so uncomfortable with the sea?” Theodora asked Talon with a glance at Max.

  “Max and I were shipwrecked once and spent some time on a deserted beach. I lost my best horse because of it, and since then I have not, shall we say, loved the sea, although it has and still does provide us with wealth,” Talon stated with a shrug.