Martin was on his knees, a look of wonder on his young face, his hands clasped together under his chin. Brother Jonathan was on his knees too, but on his face was a scowl of disapproval. Talon wondered why.
Later came the blessing and then the dismissal, followed by the scrape of shoes and boots on the smooth marble and the rustle of expensive silks and stiff clothing as people roused themselves. Nobles, Senators and officials prepared to leave the church, and some would even leave with the emperor.
The Patriarch and the Emperor left first, led by a boy who waved the chained incense bowl to left and right, letting the light smoke drift to either side. The two leaders were followed by the empress and her ladies, who were accompanied by the royal children dressed in their finery, looking straight ahead as they departed for the Grand Palace on the opposite side of the square, where they would remain for the rest of the day. The crowd in the naves and under the arches of the Hagia gradually dispersed, most leaving the square, but the emissaries coagulated into their national groups in front of the massive gates of the Grand Palace to wait the pleasure of the emperor. The troops who were to go back to their barracks formed up and were marched out of the square, the rhythmic crash of their hob-nailed sandals receding into the distance, leaving a curious quiet in the maidan. But then the buzz of conversation in many tongues commenced.
__________
It’s possible I am pushing through solid rock
in flintlike layers, as the ore lies, alone;
I am such a long way in I see no way through,
and no space; everything close to my face,
and everything close to my face is stone.
Rainer Rilke
Chapter 8
The Audience
The two Knights Templar stood out in their chain mail with the crosses embroidered on the left breast of their surcoats. They wore their distinctive white cloaks with each side thrown back over their shoulders, and as they did not carry their helmets their heads were bare, their chain hoods down. Their sergeants were dressed in darker clothing, almost black, denoting their rank, and they too wore chain. The two monks were clad in their threadbare habits with the hoods thrown back, which showed that they were tonsured men of God. Talon wrinkled his nose at the smell emanating from Jonathan. Martin had somehow managed to become reasonably clean, but Jonathan’s nose still dripped and the sleeve of his habit was again becoming stiff with dry mucus from the wiping. He and Martin carried the presents from King Baldwin for the emperor wrapped in better cloth than they wore: two gold inset books of the saints that had been painstakingly put together by the monks of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. Sir Guy had said to Talon somewhat ruefully, “They are poor gifts for one such as the Emperor of Byzantium, he who must have had riches beyond measure presented to him from kings of Persia and Europe before. But…the Kingdom of Jerusalem has the one thing no one else does: the center of the Christian Faith. Hence the books.”
It was many minutes of waiting in the sunlight before Alexios touched Sir Guy on the arm and nodded in the direction of a small group of Greek officials making their way toward them through the crowd of would-be supplicants.
“See the large hat?” he murmured. “That would be the protospatharios. He is a very high-ranking officer in the Sword bearers, the Emperor’s Body Guard. I think we will be commanded to follow him.”
They were all suddenly alert and self-conscious. The official, accompanied by several other men including four golden guards, walked up to Alexios and, with a polite nod to Sir Guy, asked a question.
“Are the Templars ready to be taken before the emperor?”
“Yes, my Lord, they are ready,” Alexios responded.
“Then you are to follow me.” Without another glance at them he turned on his heel and led the way through the murmuring crowd of many nations.
Talon glanced at his companions and was glad to see that they seemed as awed with expectation as he was. The two Brothers were speechless, which was gratifying in the case of Brother Jonathan. Martin, he noted, was looking around with eyes bright with interest. The boy seemed to prefer to stay close to Talon as though their similar ages might be reassuring.
The extravagance of the interior of the palace halls was spectacular. They were led towards another tall building across a courtyard populated with statues and fountains. Gold inlaid bronze statues of children and dolphins gamboled in the water of the fountains, while the carved stone of the many pillars was remarkable. The amount of gold mosaic and precious metal inlay made one blink when struck by sunlight. The multitude of different palace troops and the army of exotically dressed servants and eunuchs hurrying to and fro were overwhelming to the small group of Templars who followed their guide to a tall edifice that Alexios called the Court of Daphne. They were informed at this point that their swords were to be handed over to the guards and they could collect them on their way out.
The interior of the building was ablaze with light from the hundreds of candles in every hall that reflected off the gold and silver hangings. They passed several other parties of emissaries, and again Talon caught a glimpse of the Turkish delegation. This time they passed close enough for the men in each group to size one another up. The man who appeared to lead the Turkish group was tall and well built. A long scar across the top of his forehead ended over his right eyebrow. It gave him a stern, concentrated look that Talon felt bore into him even after they had passed. They exchanged cool stares but otherwise did not pause as their respective guides hurried them along. Perhaps the Turks had already been before the emperor, for they were being ushered in another direction.
To Talon’s surprise he heard Farsi being spoken as they walked past a large group of elaborately dressed Persians huddled in a corner near a sleek marble pillar. They paused to stare after the Templars as they went by, so Talon did not hear anything more than the brief word. But he did notice a smaller group of men who stayed apart and turned away as they passed. Their mode of dress looked familiar, but he could not in that moment remember where he had encountered it before; besides, he needed to focus, as they were now being ushered into an inner sanctum. This would be where Sir Guy had to make his case for the Templars.
Two Officers of the Imperial Guard stood in front of the double bronze doors to the throne room. These men were armored in molded cuirasses and carried the lozenge-like shields of bronze. Their helmets were gleaming bronze with elaborate inlaid silver depictions of the saints. Alexios muttered to Talon that although they looked like doorkeepers, they were in fact important officials of the court and should be treated with great respect whenever encountered on the streets.
They were announced to the company at large by the protospatharios who had led them this far. Their names and titles were called out and called out again at the other end of the room while they waited. Talon could see down a long passage between a rainbow of colorful costumes on both men and women to the throne of the Emperor, and to his left another where sat the Empress of Byzantium.
The chamber was lined from the door to the thrones at the far end with people. Down the center of the path straight to the thrones lay a thick woven carpet of Persian origins along which the small group now walked very slowly behind the protospatharios.
Talon observed the vaulted roof supported by slim marble pillars, on either side of which were arched windows of colored glass that tinted the sunlight pouring through. Where the floor of polished marble met the walls, the frescoes began. They depicted former emperors and empresses surrounded by angels and their followers. The tiny tiles fitted so well that they gave the impression of being facets that gleamed in the lamplight, the gold and silver colors lighting up the walls. Many of the frescos depicted emperors and their wives accompanied by their children and wise men of the church. Patriarchs with long flowing beards stood or knelt alongside the emperors, their eyes raised to heaven, their hands clasped in prayer, their heads surrounded by golden halos.
He saw someone step onto the dai
s before the throne of the emperor, kneel, and present him with a large parchment that was the one Sir Guy had taken to the first meeting with his counterparts several weeks ago.
Both thrones were of ivory and gold, with rich felt cloth emblazoned with the eagles woven into the corners. The two figures seated were motionless, as though they were large gilded marionettes. Talon did not detect much life in them until they drew near. Then it became clear that the man on the throne was of a strong athletic build, and despite the finery Talon sensed a person of strong will and intelligence. He sensed too that their party was being scrutinized as it approached.
He cast a quick look at the empress and was struck again by her golden beauty. Her hair was spun gold and her calm features were white as snow. At her side and behind the throne was a small cluster of her ladies-in-waiting. They resembled angels gathered about their Madonna. All were of singular beauty and their rich dresses and glittering diadems gave them an ethereal glow. Again he felt that they were being watched with interest, this time by the ladies-in-waiting as they approached.
The Emperor lifted his hand and the official stood up and stepped to the side, but he beckoned to their guide that they should come forward. Talon was pleased with himself for remembering that this man was the parakoimomemos; the High Chamberlain, who was a eunuch; dressed in his finery one would have been forgiven for mistaking him for royalty itself.
Talon also remembered that Sir Guy had been told that both he and his entourage were expected to fall to their knees before the throne and shuffle forward in that mode before kissing the ground in front of the emperor. Sir Guy had discussed this with his group and said, “I might be a supplicant, but no Templar kisses the feet of anyone; so you will follow my moves exactly and do nothing else. I am the only person allowed to speak, and this will be done through an interpreter. You, Talon and Brother Jonathan, will listen carefully and relate all you have heard to me later after the audience.”
Their guide, the protospatharios, began to walk forward in a slow, deliberate gait towards the thrones. Talon became aware that among this glittering throng, especially gathered near to the throne, were many very powerful men who might well influence the final decision of the emperor at some stage. He did not envy Sir Guy his task after what he had heard about the previous crusade. At about ten paces before the throne their guide went down upon his knees and shuffled forward to stop directly before the throne of the emperor. At this point he kissed the foot of the emperor and then sat back on his heels, his head bowed.
Sir Guy, instead of going to his knees, bowed very low. The other men followed suit, and then Sir Guy walked forward, Talon one pace behind and the two sergeants one pace behind him, with the monks one pace behind them again. Sir Guy walked the remaining distance then went down on one knee before the emperor and again bowed his head.
The maneuver had brought a hiss of surprise and disapproval from the attendants and nobles clustered about the area near the front of the throne, but Sir Guy ignored them. He lifted up the document that carried the seal of King Baldwin with both hands for the parakoimomemos to take. The man presented it to the emperor, who touched it with the fingers of his right hand, and the document disappeared into the hands of the dignitaries clustered behind the throne.
Sir Guy indicated to the two monks that he wanted the presents brought forward, and these were passed to him still wrapped in silk cloth. He held both out towards the emperor with his arms straight and his head bowed. Talon marveled at his strength, for the books were huge and doubtless heavy. A eunuch took the presents and held them before the Emperor and Empress with the coverings taken off for a few long moments. No one opened the books.
There were formal murmurs of appreciation and the presents were whisked out of sight.
Sir Guy and his men stayed in front of the emperor in the kneeling position, heads bowed, awaiting his pleasure.
Manuel I spoke. Talon found with surprise that he could follow most of the words, but he did not show it and kept his head bowed. The strong voice stopped and the man who interpreted, the hypobolius, commenced to translate the emperor’s words into flawless French. Talon could find no fault with the words and concentrated on what was being said.
“We are pleased to see the notable Order of the Templars in our court once again.”
Sir Guy responded, “It is a great honor for me to be present before your most Exulted Majesty and to represent my Order and King Baldwin before you today, Sire.”
“We have read your petition from the King of Jerusalem, Sir Guy, and we will ponder its implications.”
“On behalf of the King of Jerusalem, Sire, I am to pass to you his sincere greetings and love. We are in your debt and will await your pleasure in this matter.”
Another voice spoke. “Will your Majesty allow me to talk to the Templars to hear the news from Jerusalem?”
It was spoken in French and came from the empress by his side; the emperor responded in the same language.
“I understand your wish, my Queen. We will have time for that after we have made our decision on the first subject, but your opinion will be required for the other matter.”
“Thank you, my Lord.”
The emperor lifted his hand and the interpreter said, “His Majesty has finished the audience. You are to await his pleasure.”
Sir Guy responded, “Your Majesty, I thank you for this great honor. May we stay in the city and await your summons?”
The emperor spoke in rapid Attic Greek.
“They are to stay in the palace, as I wish to speak to them in my private chambers after I have completed my audiences here. See to it, Senator. Within two hours at the most.”
The protospatharios bowed his head to the floor and slid backwards to stand beside Sir Guy.
“The audience is over, Sir Guy. We will leave now.”
Sir Guy stood up and waited until his small retinue had done the same. He then bowed very low and backed away from the thrones. When they were about ten paces back he bowed again, then turned and led the way past the curious throng of courtiers and notables who had been watching them. The murmuring receded as they exited.
As they came out of the main entrance they collected their swords and then waited until the Senator had joined them.
“Do we leave now?” Sir Guy asked the protospatharios.
Talon held his tongue.
“No Sir Guy, he wishes to see you within two hours at his private chambers to which I shall now take you. We will await him there.”
“Will the Empress be there too?”
“I cannot say, Sir Guy.”
Both the protospatharios and the hypobolius stayed with them as they made their way down long passageways lined with marble columns and very lifelike statues of warriors and athletes to an anteroom where they were invited to be seated.
Servants brought honeyed cakes and clear water for them while they waited.
Sir Guy did not invite conversation at this point, having warned his men previously that everyone in the palace was a spy and anything they said would be reported back to the emperor. He did not want any loose tongues to jeopardize his mission.
In fact they waited three hours before the same official, the parakoimomemos, came to collect them and guide them along some more corridors to another bronze door. Again they were relieved of their weapons and allowed to enter another sumptuous room. This time, however, there were only a few attendants upon the emperor. Talon noticed that the empress was absent.
Emperor Manuel the First was standing this time, as though he had tired of being seated. There was a small throne under a canopy at the far end of the room. He waited through the repeated introductions and the kneeling of the knights then addressed Sir Guy, “Please rise, Sir Guy. Your men may stand.”
Manuel addressed Sir Guy in Greek, although it was now clear he could speak good French. Talon supposed it was for the benefit of his senior advisors, as not all of them spoke that language. The hypobolius translated, and the emp
eror spoke again.
“We have some serious concerns about the proposal for another crusade coming through our lands, Sir Guy. What guarantees do the kings of the west make that there will not be a repeat of the pillaging and rapine that accompanied the last crusade?”
“My Lord, Your Majesty. That is the reason I am here in my capacity of Knight Templar. It is the wish of the Grand Master of my Order that we the Templars meet the crusading armies at your borders and ensure from there onwards that there is no untoward behavior.”
The emperor stroked his beard thoughtfully. “We understand that the Templars are a well disciplined body of men and we respect that. They demonstrated their discipline the last time but…not even they could enforce the law and police the Germans and the Franks when they arrived at the gates of Our city. Had I not reinforced my own walls it is quite possible that their barbaric hoards would have assaulted my city and pillaged it for themselves!”
“I was there, your Majesty. I was deeply shamed by what happened, but my Grand Master and indeed the king have both pledged that they will insist that the kings or leaders of any further crusades abide by strict rules of the march. Oaths will be taken to that effect. The Templars are pledged to stay with them all the way from your western borders to the time when they reach our lands in the south.”
One of the officials leaned close to Manuel and whispered something to him. The emperor nodded as though in agreement
“Sir Guy, my advisor the Korapalates, my Master of the Household, has mentioned something of importance. How will the armies feed themselves on the march?”
Sir Guy glanced at the official as though assessing his opposition. The official was older than most in the room, his grey-flecked beard and lined face denoted a man of great experience. He returned Sir Guy’s enquiring look with a trace of defiance.
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