Greek Fire

by James Boschert

  He watched with keen interest as the teams swept around the nearest post during the fourth round, admiring the skill of the charioteers as they controlled the four racing animals. They were bunched again, although the Green driver had gained some distance on the others and went around the pillar without difficulty, teasing the reins and shouting encouragement to his animals. A second later they raced off along the straight line of the arena in a spray of sand and dust. Just behind him, however, the three following teams were competing to take the lead position. The inside man, the White driver, appeared to be dangerously close to the side of the Spina, the wheels of his chariot spinning within inches of the stone wall. Talon held his breath as the chariot raced towards the pillar the Green had negotiated only a second ago. He noticed the Blue chariot pulling across the path of the White at the last moment while the Red chariot was closing on the right side of the Blue.

  Suddenly there was nowhere for the White driver to go. He turned a panicked face to the Blue driver and screamed at him to give him room, but that driver had his own problems. He was sandwiched between the Red and the White teams and could only scream back and haul on the reins. Then the White driver made a bad decision; he seized his whip and lashed at his horses, trying desperately to gain vital yards that would allow him to get round the pillar before the other two. It was too late, and before the horrified eyes of the entire crowd the White team galloped straight into the pillar. One horse ran directly into the post, which shook but stood. The shocked horse crashed to the ground, twitching. In doing so it brought the entire team down in a tangle of bodies and equipment.

  Panic stricken horses tried to evade the wall and pillar but were caught up in the traces and the haft of the chariot, and try as they might they could not free themselves. The driver of the White chariot was thrown sideways to strike the wall hard and appeared to be knocked out by the blow, as he tumbled to the ground in a limp heap. One of the horses struggled off to the right and almost managed to break free, but the other two chariots swept up and the head of the struggling horse was struck by the shoulder of one of the oncoming horses of the Blue chariot. The animal was thrown back into the mass of kicking and screaming animals to lie inert and bleeding. The horses of the Blue chariot staggered for a few paces but then resumed their headlong pace.

  The Blue and the Red chariots had slowed, but neither stopped. They swept around the mass of struggling animals and the wreckage of the chariot almost in parallel and raced off in a cloud of dust and sand.

  F For a brief moment there was a shocked silence from the crowd, but then there were shouts of alarm and then anger. Fists were waved and shouts of abuse came from the White enclosures as they realized that their chariot was out of the race, their man was injured and quite possibly dead from the accident, and their bets were now lost. Their anger was directed at the Blue driver and now rubbish was being thrown.

  “They believe the Blue driver caused the accident and are very angry. And it is just like Pantoleon to do such a thing,” Alexios said with some apprehension as the shouting and traded insults grew noisier.

  “Why did the White driver not pull up when he saw there was no room?” Talon asked.

  “I suppose he thought he could squeeze by,” Sir Guy said.

  “It was a mistake he might not live to regret,” Alexios said in a grim tone, as they watched the slaves race out onto the sand to try and sort out the mess at the corner.

  “Will they not stop the race?” Sir Guy asked, his voice incredulous.

  “It depends upon the emperor. But Manuel is unlikely to interfere, I would say.” Alexios glanced over to the royal balcony. Several people were remonstrating with the emperor, but he dismissed them with a wave of his hand and they were forced to sit down and watch the events unfolding below.

  The slaves managed to retrieve the body of the White driver and get him out of the way before the teams came racing back towards the tangle of horses and the overturned chariot. They hugged the wall of the Spina as the drivers hurtled past. As soon as they had gone by the slaves went to work to cut the horses free and run the surviving ones out of the arena. The two dead ones were dragged off after another round by the charioteers.

  The drivers, who knew what they were doing, were careful to slow and negotiate this corner with care before racing off again. The cheering grew louder and more intense as the Blue driver was catching up with the Green chariot. Their horses were covered in sweat and struggling to maintain their former pace. It was now that the whips came out and the drivers lashed their teams forward with yells and strikes. The finish of the race was now between the Blue and the Green team. The Red driver despite all his efforts could not drive his team to match those of the others, perhaps because their horses were without doubt the best bred and the most expensive. He came a far third now, although he continued to drive the laboring animals on with shouts and curses.

  It became evident that experience might be the telling point in this race, and Talon could see by the way the Blue driver guided his animals that he had an edge, although it was not by much. He was able to get the best out of his horses without belaboring them with the whip, unlike the Green driver, who was now looking over his shoulder at the four horses galloping almost alongside his chariot. He drew back his whip and lashed it forward to strike the lead animal on a back already streaked with welts.

  The Blue driver calmly called a word to his straining animals and his chariot surged forward. They were now only two hundred yards from the finish marker, half way along one of the straight sides of the arena and almost in front of the emperor’s balcony. Talon watched approvingly as the Blue driver drew alongside the other chariot, his horses, while covered in sweat and streaked with foam from their bits, still seemed to have reserves left; but the Green team was laboring, their legs and sides soaked with sweat and their sides heaving with the effort.

  The Blue’s rival looked across the short gap between the racing chariots and spinning wheels and shouted something to him. Although he could not hear over the noise of the screaming crowd Talon was sure it was an insult, as the Blue driver glared back but did not lose his temper. Instead he took out his whip and cracked it over the ears of his team. The horses plunged forward, seeming to leave the Green team standing. The Blue chariot streaked past the finish line to the cheers and yells of the now standing crowd in the Blue sections who waved their banners and howled their approval. Alexios jumped to his feet and yelled too. Talon laughed and so did Sir Guy.

  The Green team raced over the finish line a good five yards behind. The charioteer hauled his horses to a stop about fifty paces further down the course, once again shouting something to the Blue driver. In response the Blue driver turned his team around and walked back to face his Green opponent. As he drew near he raised his whip, snapping it with force straight at the Green driver. The tip of the long plaited leather cord struck his target on the chest. The blow threw him off his chariot with a startled yelp of pain. The Blue driver then stepped down from his chariot and walked over to the stunned man, who was lying on the ground clutching his chest. The Blue driver then kicked him hard in the ribs. But this time, the other man bounded to his feet and the two set to wrestling with each other. They were quite oblivious of the Red chariot, whose driver was now desperately hauling his team to a stop for fear of running them over.

  The crowd erupted to its feet; those on the other side of the Spina were confused and shouted questions to those who could see properly. There were boos, jeers and shouts of excitement as viewers took in what was going on. The banners began to wave and men of different persuasions began to wave fists at one another across the dividing lines between the color sections. Rubbish and old food were thrown as people screamed insults at one another. A man wearing a blue tunic jumped into the moat and swam across it to join in the fight, bellowing insults as he did so. He was quickly followed by other spectators from the Blues and Greens. In a few short minutes there was a mass of struggling men punching and kicking at
one another and rolling on the sand. Talon and his companions the other Franks stifled their laughter as members of the crowd belonging to all colors lifted their tunics to bare their behinds or their genitals before daring their opponents to come and fight, none of whom seemed loath to do so.

  Soldiers and slaves appeared on the sand like magic and restrained the two drivers who, already exhausted from their race, were now staggering about trying vainly to hit one another and not succeeding. Then the soldiers chased off the spectators who had joined in the scrap with the sharp ends of their spears.

  Talon glanced at Alexios who said calmly, “There’s going to be a riot now unless the soldiers can quiet things down.”

  Heavily armed soldiers were beginning to hasten down the aisles between the tiers of seats with their shields and spears at the ready. An officer who seemed to know what he was about shouted to several of them to get into the struggling mass of men who were punching and yelling at one another. Others of the crowd were cheering the fighters on and many were laughing, clearly enjoying the spectacle.

  “It is not very serious,” Alexios remarked.

  “What will happen to the Blue driver?”

  “He will be acclaimed the victor and that will be the end of it.”

  “Does this kind of thing happen often?” Sir Guy asked.

  “Not that often, but when it does it can become a full blown riot, and then the soldiers come and break heads or even kill a few of the crowd to restore order.”

  Talon and Sir Guy looked at one another.

  Indeed the soldiers did restore order very quickly. Several of the more rowdy spectators in the crowd were hustled off by soldiers and then slaves ran back onto the sand and guided the now calmer drivers to a place in front of the emperor’s balcony.

  Manuel was standing waiting for them. He had obviously enjoyed the affray as he laughed at the charioteers, wagging his finger at the Blue driver, then he told them to make up and be friends again.

  “It was a good race and the winner deserves the prize!” he shouted down at them. He raised the laurel leaf crown on high, and at this point the crowd began to chant.

  “We ask for equal share of your victory that comes from God,

  An equal share of your victory, Master,

  The faith of Kings prevails!”

  Manuel waved his hand to the spectators and then handed the wreath to a slave who carried it down to the Blue charioteer. The servant vanished from sight but almost as quickly reappeared on the sand. He walked up to the Blue driver and placed the wreath of dark green, tapering leaves upon his head. The crowd roared its approval while the charioteers saluted the emperor and then in procession performed a victory lap. The organs played a sonorous melody to which the spectators sang along with some raucous songs.

  They were to witness several races that day, most of which ended in a clear winner and few accidents.

  On one occasion a team was so badly bumped that the chariot tipped over on its side, spilling the driver unceremoniously into the moat with a big splash amid laughter and jeers of the crowd. He crawled out of the water looking bedraggled and filthy while his horses were hurried out of the arena. Many spectators were by now intoxicated with wine, which seemed to be flowing freely. This induced arguments and then fights erupted in which empty wine skins were used as weapons to slap opponents about, and once more the soldiers came and restored order. Then there was a flash of lightning followed by the crash of thunder, and the rain began to fall.

  The emperor seemed to think it was a good time to leave and stood up. The music played and the crowd cheered as he left the balcony. The races were over.

  *****

  Later, back in the inn, while they were sitting under the loggia watching the water dripping from the tiles, Sir Guy remarked, “I am glad we went to see the races as it gives us a better idea as to who these people are.”

  “They don’t seem to mind a scrap,” Claude said with a laugh. “I have never seen men showing off their bare arses like that just before they go and have a fight. I was terrified.” He rolled his eyes theatrically.

  Talon choked on his wine.

  “No one can tell me that the Greeks aren’t an excitable people after this,” Max laughed as he thumped Talon’s back.

  “It is very different from their behavior when they’re not in the Hippodrome,” Talon spluttered and caught his breath.

  “Yes, they seem very reserved when you meet them. But just look at Alexios! He went mad when his friend won and then got into that fight,” Max replied. He laughed again, shaking his head.

  “I think that the less we say about the whole affair to our beloved Brothers the better,” Sir Guy said as he watched Martin approach.

  Talon had no doubts as to whom they would all confess when the time came.

  __________

  All the way with solemn sound

  Rings the leader's clarion cry

  O'er dewless deserts and glad harvest ground.

  We would bid them, as they go,

  Neck by neck against the cloud

  Racing nightly 'neath the stars,

  When Eurotas rolls below,

  Light and leave a message loud,

  How princely Menelaus, proud

  With conquest, cometh from the Dardan wars.

  Euripides

  Chapter 7

  The Emperor and Liturgy

  The following day Sir Guy was informed that they were all commanded to attend the emperor’s parade, which would then be followed by a possible audience. They feverishly trimmed beards, brushed clothes and cloaks and polished boots that had not been attended to properly for some time. Sir Guy even managed to force Bother Jonathan and Martin to have their habits washed, which Talon and Max deemed to be a singular achievement.

  “Today you will witness pomp and ceremony such as you’ve never seen before,” he told them all at breakfast.

  The great parade from the Palace of Blachernae to the Great Palace on the eastern side of the city was almost a mile long, so that by the time the emperor arrived at the Forum of Theodoseus and was well on his way to the Great Palace, the end of the train had only just begun to move from the Blachernae itself at the other end of the city.

  Talon had never before witnessed the rituals of the Byzantine Empire and its Church, and although he had been a spectator at more than one parade in his life he’d never been present at one of this magnitude. Sir Guy had told him that the ceremonies were ancient, indeed, there was a preoccupation with the preservation of these ancient rites, and what he witnessed on this day would remain with him for the rest of his life.

  Soldiers lined the Mese from one end to the other. Many of them looked very like Norse men to Talon. In the van of the parade were the emperor’s heralds and eunuchs who were of the household staff—some holding high office if their costumes were any indication of their status. These rites and the costumes worn by the high officials of the church and the court denoted a culture that was more ancient than anything he had ever witnessed before.

  The standards and great crosses, carried by slaves, officers of the court, and exalted eunuchs alike, were made of crimson satin, heavily fringed and attached to gilded poles that rose high into the air. The standard bearers and musicians wore identical uniforms: bright white tunics of fine white silk cloth with intricately sewn gold and colored thread depicting saints and holy men, crosses and other saintly imagery.

  The horses they rode had bright plumes of feathers on their heads, and their manes, bound with ribbons and tassels, combed as fine as silk, moved and flowed with every step the animals took. Each harness was inlaid with gold filigree and semi precious beads, while the saddles were studded with silver. They stepped high with their heads arched so that their chins almost touched their glossy throats, and the foam on their mouths from the bits only added to the sense that this was a living parade despite the expressionless faces of their riders. The riders wore crowns and diadems looped, strung and fringed with fine gold chain
s, and their freshly oiled hair shone bright in the sunlight, from pure blond gold to deepest black. The over robes the riders wore were tight fitting and encrusted with precious stones, gorgets and bands of gems that had been worked generations before. So heavily stitched and embroidered were the costumes that they could have been armor.

  Every rider’s back was as straight as a spear and their faces painted such that aside from their eyes and their hair color the masks of paint were all alike: impersonal white coverings, elongated holes for the eyes to see through, the mouth a cupid bow of red paint. Even the ears and necks of the masked riders were painted white. The leading riders of the train reached the Forum of Constantinople, its great ring of flag stones densely packed with people of all races and classes, from aristocratic families waiting to join the procession to the ordinary people of the city there to gawp and cheer. Because of the circle the line closed up upon itself and the emperor and his private train closed with them. Talon felt overwhelmed by the pomp and the many people clad in such finery.

  The personal guard of the emperor was a mixture of fierce looking Norsemen. They were large, blond, and most wore big mustaches and short beards, although a few were beardless. The uniforms over their chain mail were of the finest cloth with richly embroidered hems. Each carried a distinctive one-bladed axe along and bore a kite-like shield on a wide strap across his back. Most of them wore round helmets of plain, polished iron. In some cases the entire face was protected with chain, exposing only the eyes, giving them a dangerous aspect.

  Alongside the Norsemen were soldiers of another kind. They were layered in gold and their tunics were of golden hues, rich with embroidery. They carried large shields of burnished bronze that gleamed in the sunlight and their long spears were painted gold. Their helmets were of bronze with gold filigree embossed into the metal, while their upper bodies were clad in molded polished bronze breast plates and shoulder plates that Talon sensed were from another era.