by Griff Hosker
As the guards returned the horses to the stables and we were, briefly, alone. Andronikos turned to me. “And what now Warlord?”
I leaned in and said, very quietly, “You let us know of any developments. I will not run like a dog to escape the hounds unless I am forced to do so. I will work on a plan to extricate all of us from this situation and you are lucky, strategos, for Myrddyn has a mind like a steel trap and if anyone can find a way out then it is him.”
As we returned to our rooms he shook his head, “You have much confidence in me Warlord.”
“I have every confidence in you. Tomorrow you will go to the library and see what you can discover. Lann and I will explore the city and find a noisy place within its walls where we can talk. That should not be difficult.”
The Emperor did not eat with us that night. At first I thought that he might be suspicious but Andronikos saw us, briefly, before we went to eat and told us that Heraclius had caused the Egyptian fleet to mutiny and the Emperor was dealing with that problem.
The next day Andronikos sent a servant to escort Myrddyn to the library. I smiled at him. Now that he was a known liar I did not have to treat him as I normally treated men. I smiled and said, graciously, “Lann and I will not need you today, strategos, we will stay within the city walls.”
“But the crowds…”
I held up my hand. So far every man I had seen had been shorter than I was and most were considerably skinnier. “I think my nephew and I can handle any crowds we encounter. After all, we are barbarians.” The barb struck home. We were being used by these Roman Greeks as expendable barbarians who were fit only to fight their battles for them.
We took our swords but, as it was hot, wore the clothes of the city. My beard and hair had been trimmed and washed and we did look slightly less barbaric than we had but we stood out, quite literally, and we drew stares. None approached us and that suited us. We walked down the hill to the harbour. There was a smaller wall than the one we had crossed the previous day and we used the pass, given to us by Andronikos, to gain access to its ramparts. We saw much activity in the harbour and it was mainly naval vessels. They were obviously reacting to the news of the mutiny. That apart, there were hundreds, if not thousands of ships moored within the harbour. No wonder they were rich; they were trading with every nation in the whole world. We must be a tiny part of that trade and, I suspected, not a particularly valuable one. I felt a fool for having believed the lies of the Emperor and his envoy; he had bribed me with a worthless title, Dux Britannica. It was a joke. I had, however, put my head in the lion’s mouth and it would take a miracle to extricate myself from it.
We left the walls and headed along the city, round the ancient acropolis. As we moved away from the place and the harbours of the Emperor we found more markets and people’s homes. The spice market was particularly loud and colourful. Hawkers shouted out prices to tempt you. To poor Lann it was just a cacophony as he could not understand a word. When they realised that I was foreign then they changed to Latin. I was assured that the saffron they had had been used by the Emperor himself and that the hot spice had come all the way from far shores of the golden Empires of the east. I waved them all away but their calls continued as we walked down the next street.
I turned to Lann. “This would be a good place to talk. There is so much other noise that we could not be overheard. Let us walk back and we will talk in Saxon.”
We turned and retraced our footsteps. “Will we escape, uncle?”
“I will not lie to you. It will be difficult but Myrddyn has not yet seen my death so we will not die here.” That was almost a lie for Myrddyn had not yet dreamed of Lann Aelle.
“It is a wondrous city is it not?”
“It is.” I peered at him. “Would you like to stay here?”
He shook his head. “Hogan told me before I came that I would like it but it would never be a home. He said that the thought crossed his mind once but he knew that his heart was back in Britannia. I feel the same.”
“Good.” We had crossed through the market and no one had paid any attention to our words. They still shouted their prices and hawked their wares.
We retraced our steps and reached the city walls again. The city appeared to be made up of groups of peoples who were from the same backgrounds. We heard strange accents and tongues which changed at the end of the block of buildings. I didn’t know if that would be useful but I stored it anyway. We found a small beach where fishermen launched small boats. The air was filled with the screams and cries of seabirds and we had to cover our ears to protect them.
Lann laughed and shouted, “No-one could hear us here Warlord.”
“No but I have had enough for the day. Let us return to the palace and see what Myrddyn has uncovered.”
Myrddyn was not back but Lann and I went to the baths in the palace. This time we did not have it to ourselves. There were others there. I suspected they were officials or soldiers. A stern look to Lann ensured that he was discreet and we just answered questions about our home. I used the opportunity to ask the other bathers about life in the city. I played the innocent barbarian and I think they took me for a fool. When they thought I wasn’t looking they mocked me. I just smiled throughout and feigned constant amazement at all things Byzantine. They revealed far more than I think Andronikos would have allowed and I stored it all up to tell Myrddyn when we had the chance.
Myrddyn joined us in the large hot pool just when we were about to leave. We stayed for a short time. We knew that we could not say anything in such a public place and so we spoke in generalities.
“We found interesting markets today. The harbour is enormous and there are many ships there. Different peoples inhabit different sections of the city.”
“I too had a good day and I discovered much about the sword you use, Warlord. I look forward to a conversation later.”
“We will use the cool room and see you later.”
When he returned to the chambers we were dressed and about ready to go for food. The room had a pleasant balcony which looked towards the sea and, while Myrddyn dressed, Lann and I enjoyed a lemon drink watching the ships in the distance. We talked of inconsequential things to confuse any listener there might have been.
After we had eaten, again without the Emperor, we retired to our room. Andronikos was waiting outside the room in which we had eaten. “Did you enjoy your day today?”
“You library is fascinating and full of information.”
“And you, Warlord, how were the harbour and the spice market? I suspect you smelled some strange aromas today.”
I kept an impassive face. “You are right Andronikos. They seem to travel from all over the world. We walked so far we are exhausted.”
“Well the Emperor returns tomorrow, perhaps you will have an answer for him then.”
I smiled, “Perhaps. Who can say?”
While we walked to our rooms I was pleased to have my suspicions confirmed. We had been followed and I daresay that all the books and papers used by Myrddyn would have been reported to Andronikos and the Emperor. We would have to tread very carefully if we were to escape.
Once in our room we sat by the open window. The noises from the city would make eavesdropping difficult. Not impossible, but difficult. “We will take you on a tour tomorrow, Myrddyn, we found many interesting sites.”
“Good. And I, for my part, can tell you what I discovered about your sword.” He looked at me expectantly and I nodded. That would seem innocent and could not jeopardise our position. “They are all correct Warlord. Hogan began their interest in the sword and the scribes researched once he had left. They are desperate to see the weapon for they wish to confirm its identity.” He laughed. “For such dry academics they became quite excited about the weapon.”
“I think that we can accommodate them. You have intrigued me. How did they manage to trace its lineage?”
“From the description Hogan gave of the blade and the history he knew of it. I added a lit
tle but your son was very accurate. The first writing about it came from Claudius the Emperor. He was the one who succeeded Caligula and he invaded Britannia.” He took out a scroll from the bag he used. “I copied down this section.” Lann get Saxon Slayer so that we may compare for ourselves. The document was written by Claudius himself or at least dictated by him to a scribe. He talks of himself in the third person. It is a fascinating document but I will just read the relevant section.” He began to read,
‘Its steel blade was so highly polished it was almost silver, with a line of gold trickling sinuously along its length. It was half as long as the tall Queen’s body and looked as though it needed two hands to hold it, although the warrior queen held it in one. The handle was adorned with a red jewel, the size of a grape and the Emperor surmised that it must be a ruby, an incredibly rare ruby. There were blue and green jewels decorating the hilt. The black ebony hilt was engraved with what appeared to be pure gold.’
Lann shouted, “It is! It is exactly as described.”
“When was this written?”
“When they invaded Britannia. Over five hundred years ago. The Queen who wielded it ruled a land which went from Rheged down to Elmet and beyond.”
I whistled, “That is a huge land.”
“She was a powerful Queen and,” he added significantly, “She lived at Stanwyck. “ I felt as though someone had hit me hard. When she died, the sword appears to have been used by a cavalryman from the auxilia. They were based at Eboracum, and also Civitas Carvetiorum as well as in the north to the land beyond the wall.”
“Then how…”
Myrddyn became excited. “The family of the warriors who passed it from father to son lived close to Stanwyck. The auxiliary ala ceased to exist over two hundred years ago and after that the sword was lost.”
I took the blade from Lann and held it. The blade had fought for Rome and for Britannia. It had come to me, deliberately, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. I had been meant to have it. Wyrd!
“And before that?”
“There are legends of a sword which is similar to that one and they appear to be from the mountains north of Italia but nothing was written down. It seems likely that it was taken to Britannia and the Queen’s ancestors acquired it.”
“It suddenly becomes more valuable doesn’t it?”
I suddenly looked to Lann. “Your sword, Lann; when we go to the library, you must take it with us too. They may have the history of yours too.”
We left the palace early and went to visit with the scribes. There were genuinely excited to see the blade and they took the original document from its case and read it aloud, as we had done, while they examined the weapon. “So the Divine Claudius saw this weapon. I have never seen a blade as old. And do you still use it Warlord?”
I laughed and it came out a little too loud in the quiet marbled room. “I used it on the voyage over here to kill some pirates.”
“Remarkable! And it is cared for?”
Lann stood proudly. “I clean and sharpen it each day for I am the squire of the Warlord.”
“Then that makes it even more remarkable.”
“Perhaps my squire’s sword may be of interest. It was taken from the Saxon king Aella when I slew him in combat. We have heard it is called Bear Killer.”
They examined the sword like physicians dissecting a body. They scurried around and then began to measure and make notes. “Of course it will take us some time to complete our investigations but we will let you know.” They almost giggled. “This is so exciting compared with our normal studies. We have something which is ancient and still in use.”
Lann took the sword back and looked at the six men as though they were touched in the head. “Come, we will walk the walls for some fresh air.”
Once we reached the beach with the fishing boats we could talk. “Well Myrddyn, is there an escape plan in your head?”
“I am afraid that the only one I have would need Heraclius to defeat Phocas and allow us to return home. Every ship which leaves the harbour is visited by the customs officials. We would need to join a ship once it had left the harbour. Of course once they knew we had left it would be child’s play to send one of their many swift ships after us and capture us.”
My shoulders sagged in resignation. “Then it is hopeless.”
“I think not. The Emperor is incredibly unpopular. His predecessor, Maurice might have been incompetent but the people liked him. Phocas is hated by all, even some of those in the army who put him where he is. Heraclius will win; it is just a question of time.”
“You mean stay here indefinitely? Rely on someone else rescuing me from this cage?”
“If you keep saying no then he may tire of you. He cannot force you to do his bidding.”
“Not unless he had Myfanwy and my children here.” Even as I voiced the thought my heart sank.
I could see from Myrddyn’s face that the thought had crossed his mind too. “Then we must hope that he has not done so or that Heraclius comes sooner rather than later. I fear, Warlord, that we are in the hands of Wyrd, once again.”
Chapter 4
The next day I was summoned to the Imperial Palace. There were six people there: the Emperor, Andronikos and four soldiers. The Emperor smiled, “Well, Warlord, have you reached a decision? I have heard that you have visited our library and our beautiful city. I am sure that they will have convinced you.”
The constant observation and spying was beginning to get me down. I had no freedom here. I was observed and watched at all times. I did not like it. I smiled and gave a slight bow. “I am sorry Emperor but my place is with my people and in my lands. I have discovered that my sword came from the lands of Britannia and has defended that land for five hundred years. I would be doing my ancestors a disservice if I abandoned them to their fate. Besides I know war in my land and not here. The heat and your style of fighting are new to me. I would be a poor leader.”
The Emperor’s face became angry. “You would not have to be the leader. I would make all those decisions. You would be the figure head. You would be the warrior who killed Heraclius.”
“In that case I can say, categorically, that I cannot accept your appointment. When I fight, I lead, it is my way. I am sorry but that is my final decision.” I made sure that I held his gaze so that he knew that I spoke the truth.
The anger left him. “I can see that what they say of you is true. You are a man of honour and you speak from the heart. I think that a long spell here in the city might help to change your mind. You are all confined to the palace until you change your mind. You may go.”
With that we were dismissed. A wild thought came into my head. If I drew Saxon Slayer I could close with the six men in a heartbeat. They would all die and I would be free. Myrddyn saw me and my face. He grabbed my arm and said, in Saxon, “The guards would kill us all. Lann included. We can still plan!”
I took a deep breath and nodded. The anger went and I knew that he was right again. “Come nephew, we will have to find some way to amuse ourselves eh?”
Once in the chambers again we disrobed. “I was expecting a prison cell or something of that sort. This is, somehow crueler. He is making this a battle of wills.”
“He is,” said Myrddyn, quite loudly and in Latin, “and he does not know that you and I are harder than iron and we will not break.” He winked at Lann. Lann smiled and I was touched in his confidence that we would escape this golden cage.
The next seven days showed us what our punishment would be. We were served food in our chambers. We discovered that we could use the baths, still, but we were escorted at all times. The single guard at the door had been replaced by four and there were others two below our window. Myrddyn was quite amused. “Do they think we can fly out of the window?”
Lann laughed, “Perhaps they heard the story of Din Guardi; you were supposed to have flown from there.”
He nodded and smiled at the story. “I do not doubt,” he said in Saxon, “that w
e could easily escape from here. There are only four guards and you two are more than competent at killing but it is how we would escape the city. We have weeks at sea before we can get home.”
“We could go across land.”
“That would be an interesting prospect; travelling through the barbarians who drove the Saxons from their own lands to invade us. Not to mention the fact that we would have at least a thousand miles of Imperial territory to navigate first. No, we will teach Lann, Latin and you two will practise with your swords and we will escape.”
I leaned forward and said quietly, “You have dreamed it?”
“No, but I have been dreaming of Mona and Wyddfa; that means that we will return there. I have just to see the journey and then I can tell you.”
Andronikos came to us on the eighth day. He looked tired and drawn. He was not happy. “The Emperor has sent me to you. He hopes you have changed your mind.”
“Strategos, you know me. Do you think I will change my mind?”
“No, but I had to ask. I am now charged with staying in the room next to his. There have been threats from the Green Circus Faction.” I screwed my face up at the name. “They began as supporters of the Green team at the Hippodrome, but over the years they have become political and some of them who live in Egypt have begun making threats against his life. There are members of the faction here in Constantinopolis.” He lowered his voice, “Some of the more vocal members have disappeared. The Emperor prefers his enemies in plain sight.” I said nothing but I wondered if this Green Circus Faction would do our job for us and facilitate our escape. “Please, Lord Lann, reconsider, I know that you could beat this Heraclius and once you did you would be free to return home.”