Varangian

by Griff Hosker

  The whole table stood and cheered and then drank down their drink. Ridley stood. “Give us a speech strategos. Inspire us!”

  I reluctantly stood, I hated speeches but they had touched me. As I stood Isaac returned with the rich red drink which he placed by my side. I nodded my thanks. “You are all fine officers and I can give no greater compliment than to say I would happily stand in a shield wall with any of you.”

  The Greeks looked a little confused but my Saxons took that as the greatest accolade they could receive.

  “We have just begun to learn how we fight and how we stand together and I am grateful for the chance, with Strategos Andronikos, to lead you and support our Commander.” They all banged the table.

  Isaac came next to me. “Do not forget your wine, my lord, and the toast.”

  “Thank you Isaac. How did I manage before without an aide?” I lifted the goblet. “Here is a toast to the finest officers in the Byzantine Empire.” I pointed the goblet to all of them and then, remembering Reuben’s advice to sip, I took a tiny mouthful of the warming liquor. It was, as I remembered it and it warmed as it went down. The men were still cheering as I raised it again but then the warmth changed to a sudden pain in my chest and I found that I could not breathe. The pain became intolerable as a fire surged through my body. My knees suddenly could not bear my weight and I found myself falling, unable to speak. I almost tried to laugh as I saw the horrified expressions of the others and then mercifully, all; went black.

  Chapter 13

  Constantinople Christmas 1080

  I dreamt I was back in England and Nanna and Aethelward were beating off the huge dog which was trying to eat me. I could see my brothers and their father laughing at me as I tried to run away but my feet kept sticking in the mud. All the time I could hear the cackle of laughter from William the Bastard who changed, strangely, into Olef and he held a knife which kept coming closer and closer to my eye and then I heard Ealdgyth scream, “Stop!”I could see a faint light and I felt weak as though I had run for a hundred miles in mail. A cool breeze came from somewhere which made me think about falling back to sleep and then I felt a cool hand on my brow. Was I dead? Was this Heaven? If so where were my comrades and friends who had died before me? Was the idea of heaven a lie?

  I began to discern voices, muted, but clear, somewhere near my fuzzy head. “Bring the water again Snorri.” It was Eric and unless he was dead too then I was alive still.

  I struggled to open my eyes which felt as though they had weights upon them and saw sunlight dappling a beautifully painted wall. I heard a grunt and felt the unmistakeably rough grip of Ragnar’s hand. ”He is awake.” A hand lifted my head and I looked up as Eric dabbed a water soaked cloth onto my parched lips.”We thought we had lost you my friend.” I tried to say something but just a croak came out of my mouth which seemed as dry as an Asian desert. Eric held up his hand, “No let us talk. We will give you sustenance for it has been a long ten days that you have lain close to death. You were nearly taken from us and you will need to build up your body’s strength. Ragnar, sit him up and then he can drink a little easier.”

  I was pulled upright and saw that I was in a room on the upper floor of Eric and Snorri’s home. The three of them all peered into my face as though to discern if I would live. Eric gave a satisfied nod, “Good! Ragnar get some food, soup I think and, Snorri, continue to give him water in small sips.” Eric had certainly grown over the years. What a confident young man he had become.

  “Well, where to begin. Ridley told us this first part for we were not at the feast. You were poisoned. Luckily for you it was but a sip and Ridley remembered the attempt on the Queen’s life and he recognised the signs. It was Andronikos who saved your life. He mixed some charcoal with water and forced it down your throat and you brought up much of the poison.”

  I croaked a, “Who?”

  And Eric shook his head and held his perfumed hand over my mouth. “We will come to that. You are going nowhere and remember, I am a storyteller, and this is my skill. Let me perform for you now.” The gentle smile took away any harshness from his words. “Isaac the aide had poisoned you for Edward had seen him hand you the drink moments before you fell. It was obvious that he was the culprit. After they had tortured him they discovered that it had been Olef the Varangian who had secured him his post and he was in the pay of that Norse. He had been paid to kill you.” My eyes asked the question that my throat could not. “He was killed and his head stuck on a spear outside the Varangian barracks.” I smiled. The Norse would know that was a message from my men for the Greeks would never resort to such barbarism. “Your officers all swore an oath of silence. As far as Olef and the others are concerned you were poisoned and the poisoner caught. They brought you here under cover of darkness and we have tended to you for the last ten days. Alexios and his mother know that you live but they will be silent on the matter for your sake. If Olef finds out that you are alive then he will not be so subtle next time and you are in no condition to defend yourself well against me, let alone Olef.”

  Ragnar brought soup and fed me like a mother with a sick child. Each spoonful was carefully cooled and gently poured into my open mouth. It was touching to see such concern in the gentle giant’s eyes.

  Eric went away for something and Snorri continued the tale. “The army is away somewhere secret, they did not tell us where, quite rightly in my view, and the city is still talking of the disappearance of the Inglinos hero. Those close to the Emperor and Olef talk of your death but those in the streets believe you are alive still. There is a cult of people who believe that you will be the saviour of Constantinople.” I shook my head in disbelief. Snorri too smiled, “I know, ridiculous isn’t it, but you have been associated with so many victories which have come from near defeat that you have attained mythical qualities. You and I are warriors and know that battles are won on the backs of brave men standing toe to toe but the citizens of the city believe that we bear charmed lives for we are favoured.”

  Eric returned with a letter. “Isaac the Jew knows that you live and he has purchased the estate you wanted. Here are the deeds. When you are well enough Ragnar will take you there and you can continue your recovery. I think that is all, no, of course it isn’t. The Empress has adopted Alexios as her son!” I almost spat my soup out in shock and my wide eyes showed my surprise. “I know, she is barely older than he but there is method behind the plan. She is protecting her son, by Michael the Fourth, but it also gives Alexios great power.” Even though we were in the safety of their home Eric lowered his voice. “The conspiracy against the Emperor grows. I hope it will not lead to war for Isaac the Jew has heard that Robert Guiscard is casting covetous eyes on Illyria. Now sleep and when you wake you can talk.” Ragnar forcefully pulled up the cover and wagging a finger at me mimed sleeping.

  Three more days saw me a little stronger and able to walk around the upstairs rooms. I dared not venture downstairs in case I was seen. It was maddening to be trapped, even though the cage I was in was gilded, it was still a cage. On the fourth morning all three of my friends came into my room. Eric looked very serious. “We have come up with a plan which may well help you to come downstairs and even get to your estates.”

  “Tell me! I will do anything!”

  They looked at each other dubiously. “Shave and have your hair cut.”

  I understood their suggestion and it made sense but would I be a Saxon warrior without my hair and beard?

  Snorri spread his hands, “I did it old friend and it did not change me.” That was not true and we both knew it. The Snorri before me was not the fierce wounded warrior we had rescued from the river but he was right. My beard and long hair marked me as a Saxon.

  Eric shrugged. “It will grow again. You just need to be able to get out of the city. People will recognise you.”

  I shrugged, “Very well then.”

  Eric was gentle as he first cut my hair and then shaved my beard and moustache. I had never seen myself with
a beard and I was not certain what I would look like without one but they had a piece of polished metal which they brought in and I saw my reflection. They were right. I did not look like a Saxon anymore but neither did I look like a Greek. I was too big but I would not be recognised.

  “Excellent. Now take a few more days to recover and we will risk a journey to the country.”

  I never did manage to get to the estate for events began to move faster than we had anticipated. The Emperor’s spymasters were becoming increasingly concerned about Alexios’ intentions. Even worse he had been summoned by the Emperor back to the city to receive instructions about the forthcoming invasion of the Seljuks. On reflection he should have chosen that moment to stage his rebellion but instead he did the honourable thing and returned to the city. Eric brought me a visitor a few days after he had deemed that I had regained my health, it was John. He beamed at me when he saw me. “I am pleased that you still live and that you have changed your appearance. But for your size I would not have recognised you.”

  “It is good of you to come to see me.”

  “Sadly I come not to inquire about your health but to enlist your help. The Commander has need of you. Straboromanos, the spymaster, has ordered extra guards around the palace and he fears that he will not be able to escape.”

  Eric protested, “But he has only just recovered from the poisoning. How does the Commander expect him to save him in his condition?”

  “I am fine Eric. I am a warrior and I have suffered worse than this and still survived. Tell me John, what do I need to do?”

  “First I have to get you into the palace. That will be easier now that you have shaved and cut your hair. We will colour your skin a little and you can pretend to be my slave. I have purchased some fine furniture from your friends here and you can carry it in. The guards will not look twice at a slave entering. They will be more concerned with others trying to escape.”

  “And how will he manage the escape of Alexios? There will be two of them trapped in the palace then rather than just one.”

  “It is more than just one now for the Commander’s mother and others in his family are in there. We need to rescue the whole family.”

  That sounded like a tall order to me but Alexios was a clever man and I knew that he would have some sort of plan; at the same time I also knew that my part would be one which would involve my strength and my skills as a warrior. All three of them were unhappy at my decision but I was Alexios’ man and, if he needed me, then I would be there for him.

  “You will not be able to carry weapons into the palace.”

  “I know, and once in, it does not matter for I have my own weapons in the barracks.”

  I bade farewell to my friends. “Thank you for all your help. I know that I owe my life to you three and I shall not forget it. When this is over we shall spend some time on my estate and enjoy the peace.”

  Eric embraced me, “For myself I would just have you returned to us whole!”

  The furniture I carried was heavy and Ragnar had to help me to hoist it upon my shoulder. “You need to drop your shoulders and shuffle your feet as the slaves do and keep your head down. “ Snorri adjusted the load to hide me and then Ragnar went back into the shop and brought out a floppy hat which he deposited on my head. “Hah, that is perfect; it hides your face and makes you look like every other male slave in the city.”

  I shuffled behind John who seemed to have the ability to carve a path through crowds despite his diminutive size. He assiduously avoided conversation with me but I saw his head flicking from side to side as he scanned the crowds for danger. As we neared the palace sentries he did not slow up but waved his arm imperiously for them to stand aside. They saw the familiar clerk with his slave and calmly stood aside. Within a heartbeat I was in the palace grounds. Getting out again would be the tricky part. He did not take me to Alexios’ quarters but led me through the corridors to his own rooms. They were exactly the way I envisaged them with everything neatly laid out and all the belongings were both beautiful and well arranged. “Just put it down there. You must be tired carrying such a heavy piece of furniture.”

  “No, after mail armour and my weapons it was nothing. Now how do I get to see Alexios?”

  “Go in there I have a tunic of one of the servants of the palace. It was the largest one I could find; put it on and we will see if it works.”

  The costume was white with Imperial purple borders and it did fit me, just. The shoulders were a little tight but it made me anonymous as there were many such servants dressed as I scurrying about the palace. Satisfied he nodded and left the room with me behind him. We went first to the kitchens where other servants were busy fetching and carrying. They were too busy to notice another servant and John confidently walked over to the jugs of wine and, sniffing them, chose the one he approved of. He then selected four of the best goblets and put everything on a tray. He nodded at me to pick them up and then he led me through the corridors to the quarters of Alexios and his mother. There was a guard at the door and I was not sure if he was there to protect Alexios or prevent his departure but he recognised John and relaxed as he opened the door for us. Once inside I could see that there was just the Commander and his mother.

  As soon as I put the tray on the table I was embraced by Alexios. “I am glad to see that you are alive my friend and sorry that I have to put your life in jeopardy again.”

  “I am your man sire and serve you in all things.”

  His mother looked over curiously at us. “I find this sense of honour amongst barbarians a strange concept.”

  Alexios said quickly, “They do not see themselves as barbarians, mother. Do not insult my friend.”

  “I understand your mother Commander and I suppose that we are barbarians but I would not trade that for the treachery of Byzantine politics.”

  “There my son, he does not need you to defend himself; he can trade insults even with a formidable foe such as I.” She smiled at me and I saw that she meant no malice. “Now, how do we get my son from the city?”

  “And protect my family.”

  “You are all under suspicion I take it?”

  “Yes all of us.”

  “So let us look at this in two steps. Step one would be to get your mother and the family out of the palace.”

  “Not the city?”

  “That is probably a step too far. “

  “You have an idea brewing in your head do you not?”

  “Just the glimmer of one. The Hagia Sophia, it is a holy place?”

  “Yes the most holy in the city.”

  “And the Queen could go there could she not, with the family to pray for…” I had no idea what they would pray for; prayer had never been high on my list of achievements.

  “They could say they need to make a visit to pray for the success of her son’s expedition to Asia, my lord.”

  “Perfect John.”

  “But, Aelfraed, how does that help me?”

  “If you were to claim sanctuary in the church would it be allowed?”

  The two of them looked at the bookish John who looked as though he knew the answer. “Straboromanos probably has men at the church and they would be paid to keep you out.”

  “It is a public place?”

  “Of course.”

  “Then when you get to the church you pretend to be women on a pilgrimage and get into the church. Once you are safely in, you make your way to the sanctuary and claim the right to safety.”

  “I can see how that would work but not how it would aid my son.”

  “We need to get your son out of the city and this way all attention will be on you and the family. Once in the Hagia Sophia you make a fuss and demand that the Emperor himself guarantees your safety. Make up something about a plot to kill you and your son. The Commander and I will then go to the stables, take two horses and sneak out of the palace while everyone is seeking you. We could then ride to the army, which I assume is close by?”

  “They ar
e in a valley to the north of the city where the other Strategoi await my arrival.”

  They still looked dubious. “It is a game of chess commander. You are not yet the king on the board,” I had deduced that he would be the next Emperor for everything had been leading to that inevitable conclusion, “you are the piece who is making for your opponent’s rear line. The Emperor will be looking to secure the next most important piece, the Queen. It is known that you are close with the Empress and she would demand that you be given sanctuary. You are only in a weak position when you are here hidden in the palace which Straboromanos controls. The Commander and I are warriors we can ride and fight our way out if needs be but the family cannot.”

  Alexios’ mother nodded. “It is a good plan and even if it were not it is the only plan we have. Besides I can improvise when I meet with the Emperor. I have a great ability, I can bring on tears instantly and men are always weak when a woman cries.”

  John nodded, “Then the first thing is to get the family together but there is one problem. The Emperor’s nephew and his tutor. The tutor is one of Straboromanos’ men and he would go directly to the Emperor if he got wind of your departure.”

  “I can deal with him. I will go along and tell them that I am to give a lesson on military tactics and the girls will not need that.” Alexios looked at me. “You need to wait in John’s chamber. I will come to you once the family has escaped.”

  And without further ado the plan began. John took me back to my room, Alexios headed for the tutor and Alexios’ mother gathered the women and children like a mother duck with her ducklings. She was a formidable woman who, had she been a man, would have been a mighty general. The hardest part for me was the waiting alone, for John had gone with the family to ensure their escape. It was Alexios who arrived, late in the afternoon. “I have spent the last three hours with the tutor, boring the boy with strategy. I would hope that they have made it to the church.” He handed me a sword and a dagger. It would not do to go unarmed. We walked through the servants’ quarters in the complex as though we had every right to be there. The Commander received a few strange looks but we were not challenged. It would be a different matter once we were closer to the stables for every soldier knew Alexios by sight and, despite my disguise, once seen in the company of the Commander, they would soon know me and I was already a hunted man.