Greek Fire

by James Boschert

  “You must understand, Talon, that the empire of Byzantium is a great light in a sea of darkness. Constantinople is the greatest city in the world today and is the foremost shining example of civilization. It does not matter where you go in the world; anywhere from Baghdad to the cities of Persia or even those of Andalusia, which I hear are remarkable places, there is nowhere that has more to offer than this city in this empire. That is why we are surrounded by enemies: nations, tribes and others of a more barbaric sort who envy us and are jealous of our achievements. They want to take what we have and destroy and pillage what has taken centuries to build.”

  He stopped and stared out at the sea for a long pensive moment before continuing.

  “The Normans and Franks were a part of that envious crowd in the form of one Roger of Sicily, who is dead now, thank God. May his soul burn forever! But he had a son who is just as unpleasant, William, a grasping pirate! There are other adventurers who have all but taken over Italy and want to take us down too. Those Lombards will bear watching, and the Venetians, who are a murky crowd of pirates.

  “The Arabs have tried and failed. They came to our very walls and died of starvation in front of us, eating their camels as they left. The Bulgars and the Pechenegs, God rot them all, have come and gone, as have many others of a like mind. Even today it is not over. They all want this city. They are like moths attracted to the flame but they do not understand it. They only envy us and just want to loot our city and take what plunder they can back to their own hovels.” He sounded bitter.

  In the silence that followed Talon gazed out at the east seaway that was bathed in the last of the evening sunshine. The harbors were now almost in darkness and lamps were beginning to glow in the streets and houses below them. He was beginning to understand the perspective of this man who had ridden out many storms in his time and had little patience for those who could not or refused to understand his people. He turned his attention back to the senator.

  “What angered everyone here were the Franks who came through these parts on their way to Palestine. They came with the Germans about twenty years ago with that pathetic king of theirs, Louis, and his stunning wife…can’t remember her name now.”

  “Eleanor?”

  “Yes, that might be her. They looted their way across the countries they passed through, paid for almost nothing, and left a trail of destruction behind them, killing every Jew they could hunt down along the way. Then when they arrived here they had the gall to tell us that they were here to save us from the infidel! The pious hypocrites!”

  The senator gave another of his barking laughs. “We who have been fighting the Persians and the Arabs for three hundred years before those barbaric nations even knew the Arabs existed, let alone the Persians or the Turk! You are a Knight Templar, I hear, so I suppose you know the difference between an Arab, a Turk and a Persian by now?”

  Talon grinned. “Yes Sir I do…now.”

  The old man smiled dryly. “Then you will know that one deals with one’s enemies each to his own traits and characteristics. The Turks are tribal and pastoral. They want land for their sheep and goats and do not give a fig for our kind of civilization—and that makes them dangerous as they are great fighters.The Arabs know full well what we have as do the Persians, who have been our enemy of ages. The empire of Byzantium, whatever its faults, is a bastion of Christendom and the only barrier against implacable enemies and yet the Latin people despise us.

  “We have dealt with each of our enemies separately, with negotiation and diplomacy, because, my young friend, when you have more enemies than friends you cannot fight them all. Instead, you play them off against each other. Our empire has had to deal with our enemies with guile and cunning. This has meant sending delegations to their camps and cities and bringing their emissaries here to Constantinople to make deals that allow us breathing space. There is little enough to begin with.”

  “Is that why I have seen so many delegations here in the city and at the palace, Sir?”

  “Yes. You cannot just go out and hope to crush all your enemies all at the same time. You need to know where their pieces are on the chessboard and play the game, concealing your true intentions but finding out theirs before they can use them. The Franks and their German cohorts naively consider this treachery. God preserve us from ‘friends’ like that!”

  At this moment there was a light step at the entrance and Joannina walked out onto the loggia.

  “Ah, there you are, my dear. I have been looking all over for you. You should know better than to be out here at this time of the evening. The insects will be biting and then you will have the fever to contend with. I am here to take you inside.” She smiled at Talon. “Talon, excuse my husband please, he likes to talk about the grand scheme of things. Would you join us for dinner?”

  Talon rose from his chair. “I would enjoy that very much, my Lady Joannina.” He turned to the senator. “I thank you for taking the time to explain some things to me, Sir.”

  Joannina helped the senator struggle to his feet.

  “You listen well, Talon. I am an old man who talks far too much,” he said as he hobbled off with his wife.

  Talon bowed and went off to find Joseph.

  Later, dressed in a comfortable knee length tunic, he made his way to the lamp-lit dining room where he found the others already seated. The senator was absent, as was Alexios, who was still convalescing, so Talon was presented with three women who regarded him with interest by the light of many lamps. Even Theodora appeared pleased to see him and greeted him with a smile.

  “We were just talking about you, Sir Talon. I hope your ears were burning?” she said with a malicious grin.

  He smiled back and then fingered his ears. “I had wondered why they were so hot. Greetings, Lady Joannina and Lady Theodora. God’s blessings, Lady Eugenia.”

  Joannina gave an enigmatic smile. “The empress has granted her some time with us so that she could see her brother.”

  Talon bowed and looked at the young woman as he took his seat. Her beautiful dark eyes were accentuated by kohl, making her already large eyes seem larger, but they also were a shade calculating as she watched him take his place at the table.

  “The senator will not be joining us this evening, but he wanted me to assure you that he enjoyed the afternoon in your company and wishes you to know that he looks forward to doing it again.”

  Talon nodded. “He honors me. How, may I ask, is Alexios? I have not seen him since the physician told me he could have no visitors for a while.”

  “He is…on the mend.” She put her hand to her breast.

  He felt eyes upon him and looked up from his plate. Eugenia regarded him with eyes that were speculative. She looked very beautiful.

  Talon smiled tentatively at her inspection and received one in return, but it was cool. He then concentrated on the excellent grilled fish that was being placed in front of him. There was a short silence as they enjoyed the food. Talon was hungry but he paid attention to his use of the fork, surreptitiously watching the women as they used the instrument with absent-minded skill.

  Theodora ate with the speed of a teenager who wants to get it over with but is too hungry to not be present. This did not stop her from interrogating him.

  “Alex has not told us much about the great battle and the journey home, Talon. I expect you to tell us all about it.”

  “Theodora! Please mind your manners.”

  “I only want to know how they managed to escape being taken prisoner, Mama,” she protested.

  “I shall tell you as much as I can,” Talon said with a grin at Joannina.

  She gave him a warm smile and sipped her wine but she gave her daughter a look that said, Do not overstep any bounds.

  Talon told the story without adornment and finished with their arrival in Constantinople. In the silence that ensued he could feel their eyes on him but it was Eugenia who spoke.

  “Did you not think you might die out there, Sir Talon, and not
come back at all?”

  “It did cross my mind, my Lady.”

  Theodora gave an exaggerated sigh and said, “Of course he could have died! But he did not, and furthermore he brought back our brother safe and, well…not so sound.”

  Her sister gave an irritated shrug. “I just asked. We can all give thanks to God that they did survive.”

  “I want to know what the Turk warriors look like, Talon. Are they like the ones we met in front of the Grand Palace? And why did not the Emperor listen to his scouts? It was stupid!” Theodora said. Her tone so resembled that of her father that Talon had to suppress a laugh. Before he could answer her sister replied.

  “Theodora, my dear sister. You had better watch that flappy tongue of yours or someone might cut it out.” Eugenia’s tone was acid.

  “But it is true, isn’t it, Talon? It is all over the city. Why else would the citizens be rioting and screaming abuse at the emperor?”

  “Whether it is or not you should learn to keep that kind of thing to yourself, little sister. It is not wise to spread rumors,” Eugenia said.

  Theodora glared at her sister but subsided and pretended to pay attention to her bowl of fruit.

  Joannina interjected smoothly. “It is clear to all of us that it was a desperate time and we do give thanks to God for the preservation of our beloved Alexios. Nikoporus has sent a message to say he is coming to visit soon. I trust you will stay the night, Talon? We would be honored,” she continued.

  *****

  Before retiring for the night to the guest quarters, Talon decided that he wanted to take a relaxing bath. It was late and the bathroom was deserted and quiet, although there were a few oil lamps still burning that shed a faint light on the dark water of the pool. He would have liked to have a massage for his new wounds ached, but the water was sufficient for the moment. He spent some minutes soaking, then swam before pulling himself out onto the side. He glanced at the scar forming on his arm and rubbed it, feeling that the wound was tightening. He remembered with appreciation the physician who had stitched it up. The man had clearly known his trade as now the wound only gave him an occasional twinge.

  He sat on the side of the small pool, enjoying the quiet of the darkened room and the muted sound of running water from the garden fountain. The oil lamps cast long shadows that flickered among the pillars and alcoves. The villa was asleep at this late hour. His thoughts were interrupted by a small sound off to the side in the darkness.

  Instantly he was on his feet seeking a weapon. The only thing of any use was a long brass candlestick on the stone table in an alcove behind him. He scurried silently into the alcove and retrieved the thin length of brass and then stood, dripping water on the marble floor, listening hard.

  The small sound came again. This time he identified it as a footstep on the marble. He peered out from the alcove across the dimly lit pool into the gloom at the far end but saw nothing. He drew back into the concealment of the alcove and waited. Nearer to hand came the same small noise and he raised the stick, ready to strike.

  A voice said, “You can come out now. Ah, our hero is on the prowl, and quite bare too! Is this how you greet a woman?”

  Talon snapped his head at the sound of the voice. Eugenia was lying on one of the lounge chairs watching him with an expression of amusement on her fine features. Talon moved toward her but then became aware that he was quite naked and began frantically to look for some form of cover. He put the candlestick down on the side table and reached for one of the many folded cloths. It was very quiet. This late at night that would not be unusual, but he was sure there had to be a servant around to attend to the needs of Eugenia.

  As though anticipating his thoughts she gave a low laugh and said, “You need have no fear, Sir Talon. I am quite alone, and the servants have been sent to bed. I might ask why you are here at such a late hour, but I imagine it was because you thought you would be alone too?”

  “How did you know I was here?” he asked. He felt self-conscious and foolish. He had been so absorbed in his thoughts that an assassin with real intent could have finished him.

  “I didn’t. I first went to your room and discovered you were not there, but your sword was and I assumed this would be the first place to come.”

  He looked down at her and realized that she was very scantily clad herself. Her slim form was covered only by a diaphanous veil that did little to hide her long slim legs or her breasts. She lay in such a manner as to show off her best without being too obvious, but it was clear that this was her intent. Her robe hung over the back of the divan.

  He found he was staring. In the dim light of the lamps she was very beautiful, her fine oval face surrounded by a halo of dark hair that was now unbound; the jewels that had adorned her neck and arms were gone, adding to the impression of nakedness that he found very seductive.

  “I am beginning to see that you are pleased to see me,” she said with a smile, and then she licked her lips like a cat and beckoned him closer. “My, but you have some serious looking scars. How did you get them?”

  “I should leave, My Lady. I…I should not be here,” Talon croaked.

  “Do not leave now, Sir. That would not be…knightly, and besides I do not want you to go,” she whispered. “I have wanted you since the first day I saw you, and from what I have heard about you and now see, I still want you. I, too, have come dressed for the occasion.”

  Talon knew it was dangerous and foolish to allow this to go any further, but here was a lovely woman inviting him to bed her and he found it very hard to find an excuse to leave. He wondered what the punishment might be for bedding the daughter of a senator in his own house. They liked to blind people in this city, he knew. But his own desire was getting the better of him. Despite his misgivings he moved over her and leaned down to kiss her.

  She met his kiss with her own soft lips and then pulled his head hard down onto her mouth, her teeth clicking onto his. Their tongues met and fought and it was as though he had opened a dam. For a long moment they kissed, tasting one another. They separated and he felt his heart pounding and his breathing short. Her breath also came in sharp gasps as she looked up at him with eyes that were almost predatory. Without a word she reached up and seized his arms and pulled him down. There was no room alongside so he landed more or less on top of her. But then after only a brief pause while he inhaled her perfume she forced his head down and pushed her breasts up to be kissed. He kissed the one while fondling the other and heard her gasp then moan with pleasure.

  His lips made their way down over her full breasts down the silky smooth surface of her stomach to her belly and lingered there before moving on. He looked up and saw that she had her eyes shut and her head back, her lips parted. Her body gave a spasm and she gave a low cry. Her hand reached down and caressed his manhood, pulling him up so their lips met again and and she thrust her hips up at his.

  Their motion was slow at first but as he moved inside her he could sense that there was an urgency that she did not want to control. Then she raked his back with her nails and cried out into his shoulder.

  She shuddered as she climaxed, wrapping her legs about him as though to pull him into her as far as she could. He moved harder and felt himself about to climax and she came again, but this time she bit him on the shoulder then threw her head back and her mouth opened in a silent scream as her body arched back under him. The sharp pain of the bite brought him to his own peak which felt as if it would last forever.

  They lay together gasping for breath for long moments before Talon slid off her wet body to land on his knees on the hard marble floor. His hand was still lying on the slippery skin of her belly, while she lay back against the rise of the divan with her eyes shut her breasts rising and falling as she recovered her breath. Her left hand strayed to her belly and rested for a brief moment on his hand then slid off while her right hand played with his head and hair. He lowered his head to enjoy the fingers caressing him.

  “So there are things the Fr
anks can do well. By the Saints but that was what I needed more than you could know.”

  He sat back on his heels and looked up at her. The flush of their exertions was still on her face and the scent of lovemaking hung in the air.

  “What do you mean?”

  “You know that I am a Lady in Waiting for the queen?, Well, our duties are many, but for the most part they are very routine and very, very, boring. We dress up and look pretty and then make the empress look pretty and then we all stand around the throne and watch the officials and merchants and princes and foreigners fawning and crawling up to the throne as they beg for favors and try to influence the Emperor or the Empress. There is no excitement in our lives and no men…the eunuchs sometimes serve, but unless you threaten to cut their tongues out they will talk. They can be worse than the other women about that. I have one friend…but.”

  She stopped abruptly and left it in the air. Then she surprised him by asking. “Why are you here, Talon? You are a Templar and they do not visit this city very often, but you Templars have been to see the Emperor at least twice.”

  “We are here to…” he stopped.

  “To do what?” she probed.

  He sensed that she was perhaps too keen to know and felt a tiny alarm inside. He lifted his head and stared at her then said lightly. “Why, does it matter why we are here? The Templars are independent of the King of Jerusalem and wanted to establish a cordial relationship with the Emperor.” He knew he sounded evasive but Sir Guy had sworn him to secrecy. Eugenia regarded him with eyes that told him she was skeptical of his answer.

  “There is a lot of gossip in the palace as to why you came. Was it about another crusade?”

  This was too close to the mark and he wondered again why her interest.

  Instead of answering he changed the subject and asked her,”You do not have an arrangement for marriage to look forward to?”

  She shook of her head emphatically. It made the thick mantle of her hair move across her face and she gave low laugh, almost as though she understood why he had shifted the ground. But then she said, “It is true that we Ladies in Waiting are prime marriageable material, especially those born to the porphyrogennitos. I have no doubt that the empress is contemplating potential alliances among the smelly foreigners who try to paw at us while we dine at the feasts.”