Hell. These were treacherous waters. It had been obvious from the first that Princess Theodora had not the slightest desire to marry the Duke of Larissa. She would not have made herself so hard to find.
You are a commander, my commander.
Was she asking him to take her as his lover?
Was that what princesses did when they wanted a lover? Ashfirth had never thought to look so high, but a certain tension in his loins told him that part of him, at least, was more than a little interested in the possibility. Was she asking him to have an affair with her?
Clearly she was more sophisticated than she had at first appeared. Doe Eyes. Perhaps she thought to while away the time until Duke Nikolaos arrived at the capital? Many of the ladies of the court took lovers. Ashfirth had always taken pains to avoid such entanglements—the complexities of such liaisons had never appealed.
But…the Princess? Temptation personified.
Sigurd, one of his captains, set his axe in the wall-rack and came over. ‘It is good to see you, Commander. What do you make of the news?’
‘What news is that, Captain?’
Half-listening to Sigurd, Ash allowed his thoughts to run where they would. An affair with a princess was not unheard of. It was risky though, damned risky. It would be hard—no, he must face this—it would be impossible to keep news of such an affair from Duke Nikolaos. The Duke wouldn’t take kindly to discovering his betrothed had been playing him false.
Was she hinting at the possibility of an affair? He must have misread her. Her response had been…unexpected, to say the least, particularly when she was said to be carrying a torch for Prince Peter.
How she had kissed him! A grieving woman would surely not have kissed him quite so…enthusiastically. It was most odd, he hadn’t judged her as the faithless type. Spoilt? Perhaps. Driven by whim? Possibly. But faithless? Ash sighed. Even if she was asking him to take her as his lover, he couldn’t do it. She might have made it plain she did not want to marry the Duke, but he still couldn’t do it.
Damn. He held down a reminiscent grin. What an armful she made! And that little wriggle she had given as she pressed herself against his manhood, that breathy moan…that hint of bliss to come. She knew what she was about, did the little Princess. An affair with her might just be worth the risks…
But, no. He could not in all conscience take matters further. It had taken him years to fight his way to this position in the Palace. It was a position of trust, of responsibility. An affair with Princess Theodora would destroy everything he had worked so hard to achieve.
‘So, Commander, what are your views?’
Sigurd was looking expectantly at him. Recollecting himself with a wrench, Ashfirth realised that not only had he not heard half of what his captain had had to say, but Sigurd—and the rest of the guardhouse, by the look on their faces—were waiting for Ash to make some pronouncement.
‘My apologies, Sigurd—you were saying?’
‘Alexios Komnenos—do you think he intends to storm the city, or is he merely posturing?’
Ashfirth called his thoughts to order. General Alexios—storm the city?
Alexios Komnenos and his brother Isaac had until recently both been loyal to the current Emperor Nikephoros. And while general disaffection with the Emperor had grown, surely they would never take such drastic action? Unless… Ash had not been able to believe it, but…could that wild rumour of the army acclaiming General Alexios as Emperor actually be true?
‘I have been away far too long if matters have indeed reached such a pass. I have only this moment returned from escorting Princess Theodora to her apartments and I have the devil of a thirst. Call for wine to be sent to the armoury, would you? And then you may bring me fully up to date with events.’
‘I thought you knew,’ Sigurd said. ‘The Imperial army has acclaimed Alexios Komnenos Emperor.’
Ashfirth stared. ‘It is true, then? The army has acclaimed Alexios?’
Sigurd nodded.
Good choice. The disloyal thought was out before he could check himself. Good choice, but…
‘This is evil news, there will be bloodshed over this,’ he said. ‘What does Emperor Nikephoros have to say?’
Sigurd shrugged. ‘God knows, the Emperor is holed up in his apartments and refuses to see anyone. Word has gone out that this has driven him over the edge.’
Ashfirth swore.
‘Where does that leave us, sir? The world knows that General Alexios has the makings of a fine emperor…’
He has indeed. Sweet Mary, save us.
‘So where does that leave us, Commander?’
‘Our position is quite clear.’ Ashfirth put steel in his voice. ‘We made our oaths to Emperor Nikephoros. He pays us, we owe him our loyalty—it is as simple as that. Where is General Alexios?’
‘He has set up camp outside the Adrianople Gate.’
Ashfirth drew his brows together. ‘The Adrianople?’
‘Yes, sir.’
Frown deepening, Ashfirth shook his head. ‘Not one of ours.’
‘No, sir. Manned by Germanic tribesmen.’
A slave appeared in the doorway with a tray of wine. ‘Do you wish to take this in the armoury, sir?’
Ash waved the slave away. ‘My thanks, but later. Come, Sigurd, I’ve heard enough.’ He glanced about the guardhouse. ‘The briefing will have to wait. First, I need to consult with our Emperor.’
‘But, sir, he refuses to see anyone!’
‘He will see me,’ Ashfirth said quietly. ‘He is in his apartments, you say?’
‘Yes, sir.’
‘Captain, you will accompany me.’
Unlocking the enamelled jewel casket, Katerina eased back the lid.
Happily unaware that the Empire was shaking on its foundations all around her, she was sitting next to Anna on a couch in the bedchamber. The jewel box lay between them. The bulk of Katerina’s new wealth sat in this box, carefully wrapped in silk. Picking up one of the bundles, she took out the gold diadem and set it on her knee. The gems in the headband sparked coloured fire; the pearls in the trailing pendants gleamed, cool and smooth to the touch.
‘Anna, would you say this was one of the more costly items?’
‘Oh, yes, the diadem is easily the most valuable piece.’
‘And this—can this be gold, too?’ Katerina held out a cloak fastening shaped like a round shield, it was studded with garnets and sapphires.
Anna took the cloak fastening, weighing it in her hand. ‘It is heavy.’
Katerina smiled. ‘Good, the gold is more likely to be pure. It should fetch a fair amount. I shall sell the dolphin bracelet, too.’ She loved that bracelet. She had been wearing it when Ashfirth kissed her into forgetting who she really was, when Ashfirth made her wish she was a woman he might come to care for rather than an impostor.
‘Yes, but—’ Anna looked wistfully at the diadem on Katerina’s knee ‘—are you certain about this?’
‘Quite certain.’
‘You are not likely to see such riches again, Ka—Theodora.’ Impulsively, Anna laid her hand on Katerina’s arm. ‘Do not sell everything! Keep something back for yourself.’
Katerina looked at the diadem, at the jewel box. ‘What use have I for such baubles? My freedom is gift enough.’
Sighing, Anna replaced the cloak fastening in the jewel box. ‘Very well. But you would be wise not to sell everything at once.’
‘Why?’
‘There is simply too much, and it is clearly so precious. One glance at the contents of this casket and anyone would know it must come from the Great Palace. Such treasures could only belong to someone in the Imperial household. There will be questions, questions—’ Anna lowered her voice ‘—that at the moment neither you nor the real princess would care to have answered.’
‘Yes, I see, that does make sense.’ Katerina gave a jerky nod. ‘Thank you, Anna.’
‘We will start with a few items, then?’
‘Agreed.’ K
aterina caught Anna’s eye. ‘But only if you are confident that our intermediary will be completely trustworthy. Whom do you have in mind?’
‘I thought Sergeant Toki would be a good man to approach.’
Thoughtfully, Katerina wound a pearl pendant round her finger. ‘As long as he is made to understand he must not breathe a word of this to Commander Ashfirth. I have received the distinct impression that he does not approve of this venture.’
Anna nodded. ‘Rest easy, I will make sure Toki understands.’
Both the clouds and the Sea of Marmara were tinged with pink when the guard opened the door to re-admit Anna to the apartment.
‘Here, Theodora—’ Anna dropped a red leather purse into Katerina’s palm ‘—I have brought you your money.’
‘Thank you.’
The red purse was heavy and the coins made a satisfying chink. Katerina opened it and several gold coins winked up at her. ‘Not half as pretty as the diadem, but far more useful.’ Pulling the drawstrings tight, she smiled at Anna, the aristocratic lady she now counted as her friend. Mindful of the guard at the door, she whispered, ‘How many slaves do you reckon we may buy with the contents of this purse?’
Anna spread her hands. ‘That will depend on many things. On the age of the slaves, on their sex, on their strength and condition…’
Katerina grimaced. No one knew better than she what privations the slaves might have suffered. ‘I want to make the best use of this money.’
‘By that I take it you want to use it to save as many slaves as possible?’
‘Yes.’ Katerina nodded at the brilliant sunset that flamed across both sky and sea. ‘I would like to act straight away, but we shall have to wait until tomorrow.’
‘The slave market opens early.’
‘Did you remind Sergeant Toki not to breathe a word of this to Commander Ashfirth?’
‘Of course.’
‘Anna, I am most grateful for your help, I would be completely at a loss without you.’
Anna gave her a strange look. ‘I doubt that very much. In your own quiet way, Ka—Theodora, you are one of the most determined people I have ever met.’
At breakfast, the sunrise echoed the sunset of the previous night, as a fiery sun rose over the hills on the eastern arm of the Empire. When the shutters in the reception chamber were opened, a tide of apricot-coloured light washed over the marble floors.
Katerina and Anna ate a frugal breakfast in the apartment—some warm bread, brought by one of the slaves, a handful of dried fruits. They had dressed plainly, in brown woollen gowns the fabric of which might have been woven on any household loom, and the red purse was fastened to the plainest belt that Katerina could find. Their veils were as simple and unremarkable as their gowns.
When they had finished eating, Katerina reached for her cloak. ‘No adornments, Anna,’ she said, noticing a golden bangle on Anna’s arm. ‘There must be nothing to mark us out as ladies from the Palace.’
‘I understand.’ Anna removed the bangle.
‘What time did Toki say we would set out?’
Even as Katerina posed the question, someone rapped on the door and Sergeant Toki came in.
‘Princess Theodora, good morning.’ He bowed. ‘Lady Anna.’
‘Good morning, Sergeant.’ Briskly, Katerina fastened her cloak. She looked past him. ‘Where is our escort?’
‘Waiting outside the Palace gate. In view of your instructions, I thought the less fuss, the better.’
‘Quite right, Sergeant, quite right.’
Shrugging deep into their cloaks, they left the apartment and began making their way down the wide staircase. The door to the guardhouse loomed large in Katerina’s mind. Would Ashfirth be in there? She pulled her cloak hood more closely about her face. Would he choose that moment to come out?
Katerina’s mind was sliding all over the place, and a cold sweat was trickling down her back. She did not have to look far to find the reason. This was an echo of the dread she had felt when she had been forced on to the slave block. Her fingers clutched at her skirts as they left the women’s quarters and approached the floor where the Varangian Guardsmen were billeted. The bread sat heavily in her stomach.
Think of Ashfirth, do not think about the hell that is a slave market.
Ashfirth might be angry that she had ignored his advice yet again, but nothing, nothing could compare with the sinking, shaming dread of being forced onto the auction block. It was far worse being stared at, being poked and prodded and made the subject of lascivious remarks. Notwithstanding that, Katerina did not want Ashfirth to see her—he would be bound to ask questions.
The thought of him filled her own mind with questions. What is he doing? Has he seen the Emperor? Does he think of me when we are apart? How will he react when he learns the truth about me?
Katerina could not get him out of her mind. If only I could be open with him, if only I could tell him the truth.
A soldier she did not recognise was on duty by the guardhouse. She scuttled past him, head down. They crossed more marble floors; they hurried past alcoves filled with statues of pagan gods and goddesses; they went through a wide door with gilded handles. Another.
And then they were outside, and the walls of the Boukoleon Palace were behind them and the lighthouse tower was rearing up on their right. The morning breeze was cool on Katerina’s cheeks; she could smell baking bread and roasting meats.
Her mouth fell open at the size and grandeur of the Palace. There were lawns and gardens with sparrows chirping in the bushes. There were fountains and paved courtyards, buildings with tiled roofs and domes and columned porticoes; there were arcades that seemed to run on for ever. Sergeant Toki hustled them along while her eyes darted this way and that. She must memorise every inch of the grounds.
But there was so much!
It was shortly after dawn and already the paths and courtyards were filling with people. Slaves were rushing to and fro with trays and serving vessels. Fresh-faced eunuchs stalked along, juggling the scrolls, parchments and quills that marked them as scribes. Courtiers in long silk tunics jostled each other for space on the walkways…
There was a wall ahead. Sergeant Toki escorted them past a sentry post at a gate, and another courtyard opened out in front of them. It was surrounded by stately buildings in the style the Romans had favoured. There were more fountains, and when that courtyard was crossed, they faced yet another.
‘Surely we are not still in the Palace?’
‘Yes, all this is the Palace.’
‘It is like a city, I remember being told as much, but I did not believe it.’
The Sergeant grunted. ‘This way, if you please.’
Katerina glanced over her shoulder, half-hoping and half-fearing to see Ashfirth striding up behind them, ordering them to stop. There was no sign of him. They passed under an archway and through another gate. She kept her hood firmly up and avoided looking at the sentries.
‘We’re out of the Palace,’ Anna whispered.
Two men pushed away from the Palace wall and came to join them. They were not wearing the uniform of the Varangian Guard, nor were they carrying the distinctive axes, but they were wearing swords. Katerina recognised them from the ship.
She nudged Anna in the ribs. ‘They are Ashfirth’s men?’
‘Yes.’
‘Will they be discreet? I don’t want him to know about this.’
Anna gave an impatient sigh. ‘They will be discreet. They are off duty, anyway.’
It was odd, but once they were free of the Palace and were truly on their way to the slave market, Katerina’s sense of dread eased. Perhaps it was because every step was taking her closer to her goal. Her heart was set on freeing as many slaves as possible.
Sergeant Toki pressed on. Flanked by the Guards, they hurried down a broad avenue lined with prosperous houses with gardens. They turned down another street, and another, each busier than the last. Men were pulling handcarts heavy with coffers and cookin
g pots; women were carrying babies on their backs; there were donkeys with laden panniers…
Why were so many people on the move? ‘What’s going on? Is it always like this? The whole city must be out on the streets,’ Katerina said.
Anna shrugged and plucked at her sleeve. ‘Let’s get this over with.’
The road sloped down and the smell of the sea grew stronger. The gardens became smaller and then there were no gardens at all, just row after row of wooden tenements. Refuse littered the road. A mangy dog was nosing through a pile of rubbish, a rank stink caught in her throat. There were people here, too, lots of them. And more handcarts, more overburdened donkeys.
What is going on?
‘Not far now,’ Sergeant Toki announced.
The road widened, the guards stood close, the crowd thickened. A stone building lay directly ahead; the ground floor was all round arches and entirely open to the elements. The slave market. The city walls and a glimpse of sea were just visible beyond.
And there—Katerina bit the inside of her mouth—there were the slaves. Poor souls. The air was foul with the smell of fear and pain. Dread washed through her. She had to force her legs to carry her towards the auction block—it was that or run screaming from this place, and that would do nobody any good.
Anna linked arms with her. ‘You are trembling, my lady.’
‘I…I am remembering.’
Anna nodded and squeezed her arm, half-supporting her as Sergeant Toki shouldered through and secured them a place at the foot of the platform.
Katerina cleared her throat. ‘You can tell much about a slave master by the condition of his slaves. See, over there, under the third arch on the left…’ She gestured towards a particularly bedraggled group in filthy homespun.
‘That little girl,’ Anna pointed, ‘she cannot be more than two!’
The child’s hair hung in rat’s tails about her face, a face that was pitifully young to be so drawn and dirty. Her eyes were red-rimmed and she was gripping the hand of an even smaller child whose wretched clothes made it impossible to determine whether the child was a girl or a boy. Heart twisting in sympathy, Katerina forced herself to release Anna. Her nails dug into her palms.
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