Greek Fire

by James Boschert

  All three of them stared at the old man. “So you agree…to the plan, Father?” Alex was hesitant.

  “You are correct that our merchandise is languishing in the warehouses, and under the circumstances I would prefer to trust it to Talon and his merry crew than those Genoese, Pizans and the rest of those Latin pirates. You must not let us down, Talon,” he admonished. “As for you, Alexios, you will begin work with my help to become a senator. Do not underestimate the usefulness of influence.”

  Alex turned to Talon and tried to embrace him. Talon laughed his relief. Then he murmured, “I do not think you will make a very good senator.”

  “Why do you say that?” Alexios sounded indignant.

  “You will have to work harder at being a crusty old fellow. That seems to be a necessary qualification.”

  Alexios hid his face in his hands and shook with laughter.

  Theodora embraced her father again, eliciting a gruff complaint, then she rushed over to embrace her brother and finally Talon. He sensed that there was more to the embrace than there should have been, but he held her tight nonetheless.

  Damianus called for some of his own wine and they knew he had given them his blessing.

  It was a tired Talon who was escorted late that evening back to the inn by the servant Joseph. Joannina had protested but he felt that he should get out of the villa and away from the risks of any more encounters in the night, so he had pleaded the necessity of planning with the crew.

  On the way, he said, “Joseph, it was a good thing to get this done. I applaud you fetching Alex to the meeting.”

  “I merely mentioned that the subject had come up, Sir. Alexios insisted on getting out of bed and coming in person to talk to his father. He knew that it might be difficult.”

  “But he came with your help. It was just the right moment and I am very glad of it. Thank you Joseph.” Talon then bade Joseph goodnight.

  *****

  The next day at breakfast Talon discussed the plans with the others and they in turn explained the advantages and the limitations of carrying cargo in a galley rather than a normal merchant ship.

  “We will be able to move faster and that is a huge advantage if there is trouble. We can deliver a perishable cargo in good time and, I hope, beat the winter storms, which will be coming soon,” Nigel said.

  “The disadvantage is that we will not be able to take as much as those fat tubs the Genoese float around in,” Guy pointed out. “Besides, I do not mind spending a winter here.” He gave his usual feral grin.

  “I do not doubt it!” Nigel said, his lank blond hair falling over sinister blue eyes. “But you will need money to spend, and there is none to be found by us in this city. We will soon have to change lodgings so that you can take care of all the women in a different brothel.”

  Nigel thumped his shamefaced friend on the back while the others laughed.

  “It would seem to me that this is a trial run to begin with, so we need to prove ourselves,” Max said.

  “What is to be our share of the profits?” Henry asked.

  “We get forty percent,” Talon said.

  “That is not bad. Not bad at all. So this is some kind of partnership? Does that also mean we do not get lumbered with the shipping tax? Who pays that?”

  “How much is it?” Talon asked, his tone apprehensive. He had not even considered taxes.

  “It is thirty solidi to everyone except the Genoese and the Venetians,” Henry said. “We nearly had to pay it on our return but Dmitri persuaded the guard ship that we were picking up an ambassador. Their officer was not nice about it.”

  “That seems to be a lot of coin,” Max said.

  “It is,” Dmitri spoke up. He had joined them from the ship. “That is why those cursed Venetians got rich so quickly; they only paid seventeen!”

  “Speaking of coin,” Talon said, “I should pay the crew, should I not?”

  “Hmm, that would be a good idea, Talon, as they are owed. But better not do so until we’re back at sea or you will have no crew for this next enterprise. They will disappear into every wine house or whorehouse there is like rats and we won’t be able to find them again for a week,” Henry said with a glare of warning at his companions. Nigel and Guy, who had brightened up at the thought of coin in their pockets, subsided with resigned sighs.

  “Where are the crewmen at this time?” Max asked.

  “I confined them to the ship and told the soldiers that they couldn’t leave the harbor.”

  “Perhaps we could send down a cask of wine and some decent food to keep them sweet?” Guy wheedled.

  Talon agreed and Henry nodded. “I shall see to it, Talon,” he said.

  Talon excused himself to write some letters. He had some documents to deliver to the palace but needed to be called first. He could not just appear at the doors. Alexios had promised to send a messenger to the chamberlain to let him know that Talon was seeking an audience.

  *****

  Sooner than any of them expected the command came for Talon to present himself at the palace of Blachernae in the east. The messenger came from Alexios, informing Talon that he would find an escort waiting for him at the gates of the harbor in the afternoon. He dressed carefully in a newly purchased tunic, which he had bought at one of the many small tailor shops along the Mese. He told the others where he was going and was escorted across the busy quay by Max and Nigel who told him to be careful and to come back in one piece.

  True to Alexios’ word there was a small escort of mounted men waiting for him at the gates of the port, and soon they were one their way to the palace. Talon was nervous. He was in awe of the wealth and power of the empire in evidence all around him. Not only that, there was the lingering memory of the disastrous campaign, and he wondered how the emperor would behave when he saw him again.

  There was the familiar group of people to greet him, followed by the wait in the anteroom which was so quiet it allowed him to collect his thoughts and relax somewhat. He wondered for the hundredth time what the emperor might say. He had the letters sent by Sir Guy in his sleeve, but these could have been delivered without the complexity of another audience. He wondered why he was really here.

  The wait this time was not as long as before. The same eunuch glided into the room and beckoned him to follow down the highly polished marble floors, past the intricate mosaics on the walls, and finally to the doorway of the audience room. He was cautioned as before to observe the protocols. He was to use the interpreter at all times and never to speak directly to the emperor unless that august figure did so first.

  The doors were opened and he walked slowly behind the eunuch along the carpeted floor up to the single figure seated on the throne. Talon was struck by the contrast between the emperor in his palaces and his far less formal behavior in the field. He had little time to dwell on this, however, as he was now in front of Manuel. He went down on one knee, his head bowed, as the eunuch introduced him as though he were a complete stranger. It felt odd. Talon knew half the men in the room, as most were army officers that had fought in the gorge at Myriokephalon. He wondered why they were all here for this occasion.

  “We are pleased to see you again, Sir Talon, Knight of the Templars,” Manuel said. There was a pause while the translator repeated his words.

  Talon glanced up and bobbed his head. “The honor is all mine, Your Majesty. I bring letters from Sir Guy and His Majesty Baldwin, King of Jerusalem. I am to offer their greetings and sincerest good wishes for the health of Your Majesties.”

  He offered the letters, holding them out in both hands. The eunuch took them and held them before the emperor. Manuel touched them and the letters were removed. Then Talon waited.

  “We will read them with pleasure and you may expect a reply in due course,” Manuel informed him by way of the translator.

  Talon bobbed his head again. He thought this might be the end of the audience, but then Manuel spoke to him in French.

  “My generals inform me that yo
u saved our life on one occasion while we were…in the gorge.”

  Talon said nothing.

  “I hear too that you brought one of our well beloved officers, Alexios Kalothesos, home with you even though he was grievously wounded. We would reward you for this exemplary behavior.”

  There was a brief silence at which point Talon realized that he was expected to speak. He looked up at the emperor and said, “Your Highness, I but did my duty. I would willingly place my life at your disposal again. I wish that I could have helped more of the men but there was no choice…for any of us, and Alexios has become a close friend.”

  He stopped and waited head bowed, but his mind was working furiously.

  “We would ask again, what can we do to reward you for such sacrifice.” Something about Manuel’s tone indicated that he was uncomfortable with the interview.

  Talon looked up into the dark eyes of the man on the jewel-encrusted throne. He made up his mind.

  “My Lord, I own a ship and would ask for trading rights with your people.”

  There was an audible murmur of surprise from the military men gathered nearby, some of whom spoke French. This was clearly unexpected. He noted the surprise in the eyes of the emperor as he stared back at him

  “You are a Templar knight, are you not? Why then do you wish to resort to trade?” Manuel asked.

  “My Lord, with a ship I carry out my duties for the Order of Templars, but I must also find a way to pay for the crew. I note that there is a shortage of vessels for transport at present and would offer my services in this regard.”

  He was not expecting the response he got. Manuel sat back in his throne. His swarthy features creased with amusement and he laughed.

  “My people have told me that you are an astute man, Sir Talon, but this is a surprise indeed! How do you propose to do this?”

  “With your permission, my Lord, this is all I ask as a reward and I will not abuse this privilege, my Liege. I shall respect all the laws of this land, as God is my witness.”

  Manuel was still smiling. “This is unusual in the extreme. Does Sir Guy know of your ambitions?”

  “No, my Lord, but of course I intend to inform him if…if you do grant me permission to trade with your people.”

  Manuel stared at him for a long moment and then said, “We shall think on this, Sir Talon. It is a very unusual request.” He waved his hand in dismissal.

  The interview was over. Talon stood and bowed very deeply before the throne then bowed himself out of the room. He wondered if he had overstepped himself. One never really knew with Manuel, as he had already discovered, and he almost despaired. He might have lost the one opportunity to achieve something for not only himself but for the family Kalothesos as well. If permission were refused he could not act for the family no matter how much he wanted to. That route would be barred forever.

  But there was another surprise for him. In the extravagantly decorated anteroom the eunuch told him to wait, then disappeared. He sat on a stone bench with the impassive golden guards for company, wondering what was going to happen for almost two long hours during which he agonized over the whole scheme of things.

  Eventually the eunuch glided back into the room accompanied by General Theodore Mavrozomes. Talon stood up immediately when he saw him and bowed respectfully.

  “Ah, Sir Talon!” The general said with a broad smile. “It is good to see you again. I hear that young Alexios is doing well, thanks to you. You seem to be full of surprises. The emperor was still laughing after you had left. We were all surprised by the request.”

  Talon felt himself reddening. “How so, Sir?”

  “He expected you to ask for an estate or many pounds of gold…as anyone else would have done. But no, you asked for a piece of paper!”

  “It is an important piece of paper, Sir,” Talon said. He was tense; the wait had not been easy.

  “Indeed it is. Yes, indeed it is! I am here with Ionnikios to present it to you with the emperor’s best wishes. I told you that I would make sure that your action was not forgotten.”

  Talon gaped at him. “I…I do not know what to say, Sir. How can I thank you enough? I wish I could thank His Majesty. I am deeply honored,” he babbled, relief washing over him.

  “Myriokephalon is still a somewhat sensitive subject and the less said about that particular campaign the better, but I think it is enough for His Majesty that you will use this opportunity well, Sir Talon. It was not hard to persuade him.”

  The general handed Talon a tightly folded and sealed velum package while the eunuch smiled and gave him another rolled paper also bearing a large seal with ribbons. “Sir Talon. You will want to keep these in a safe place. Please read them carefully when you get back to your ship. You do read Greek, do you not?”

  Talon took the roll from him and slipped them both into his sleeve. He gave a small bow to the eunuch as protocol demanded and then gave a deep bow to the general. He was about to leave when the general motioned the eunuch to move out of earshot.

  The General came close to Talon and said in a low voice. “I hope to see more of you in the future, Sir Talon. I am sure that there are enterprises we can discuss with Senator Damianus. I also think the emperor admires your action…” He laughed and clapped Talon on the shoulder. “He said as much, but not in so many words.”

  Talon left the palace in a state of high excitement. The first place he wanted to go was the villa to talk to Alexios and if possible the senator. He went at a fast trot all the way and arrived in time to find the family about to sit down to a meal. Joannina kissed him on the cheek and took his hand. Even the senator was at the dining table, as was Alexios and both daughters. Everyone greeted him as a member of the family and he was given a seat next to the senator, who beamed at him. Talon noted that Eugenia’s warm smile was just a little proprietary.

  “So you come from the palace, eh, Sir Talon?” Damianus asked.

  “I do, Sir, and I have good news!”

  He showed the two documents to Alexios, who almost snatched them out of his hand. He broke the seal and unfolded the velum package first and examined it.

  His eyes widened and he exclaimed. “The emperor has granted Sir Talon trading rights anywhere in the empire! We will be allowed to move ahead with our enterprise. Thank God for all his mercies!” He looked up, his face pale with emotion.

  Theodora gave an excited cry and jumped off her seat to rush over to read the paper that Alexios held in his hands. He passed it to her, and she scanned the papers quickly, then gave a whoop of excitement.

  “Mama, Papa it is true. Sir Talon has the right to trade with the empire. Anywhere at all!”

  Everyone was suddenly talking excitedly. It was clear the senator was very happy as he called for his wine to be brought to the table. They all drank to Talon.

  “You do not know what an honor this is, Talon. Father does not bring his good wine to the table very often,” Eugenia told him, her soft voice a little sardonic.

  “You need to know what an honor the emperor has bestowed upon you, Talon. This velum is exceedingly valuable,” Alexios informed him. “It can take many months and much in the way of bribes to obtain one of these.”

  They were interrupted by an excited shriek from Theodora. She was holding the roll in both hands and staring at it with shock written all over her face. Joannina jumped up and rushed to her daughter, putting her arms around the girl.

  “What is it, my dearest? What is the matter?” she demanded as she held Theodora. Then, “You really should not open other people’s letters, my dear!” she admonished as she realized with horror what her impetuous daughter had done.

  Eugenia also rose but with less haste and moved around the table to stand next to her sister, peering over her shoulder to see what she was so excited about. Not for the first time Talon was struck at how similar she was to her lovely mother, but there was something harder about her features.

  She too gasped as she read the paper and her eyes widened. She tur
ned to her mother and pointed at the writing and the stamp. “It has the signature of the Emperor himself!” she all but whispered as she stared at Talon. “What did you do?”

  Theodora lifted her face to the men and said in a voice full of awe. “This is incredible. You must read this, Father!”

  “Read it child, you have it in your hand,” the senator said, but a look of apprehension flitted across his face. Talon felt his heart sink. Had the capricious emperor laid down some impossible condition, he wondered?

  Everyone was quiet, so quiet that they could all hear Theodora gulp, then she said, “It says that Their Imperial Majesties grant exclusively to Sir Talon, Knight Templar, the right to pay a Tax of ten solidi for every ship belonging to him that enters the ports of Constantinople…” She did not finish as it was now the turn of Alexios to shout.

  He turned to Talon and cried, “Do you know what this means?”

  “Er, yes, that I have to pay a tax for my ship every time I…”

  “No!” he bellowed, his eyes blazing. “I mean, yes, but do not you see? We not only have the Emperor’s formal permission to trade but you will have the best…” Alexios began, trying to stand. He fell back with a wince and his stick clattered to the floor. One of the servants hastened to pick it up and place it nearby but Alexios ignored him. Talon had never seen his friend so exuberant.

  “Alex is quite right!” Damianus interrupted. He beamed at Talon. “It is much less than the rate the Genoese and the Venetians had to pay. They have to pay seventeen! Do you not see, boy, that the emperor has granted you a very special privilege?”

  Talon could only stare at them all in a state of bemused surprise. “I…I did not know,” he stammered.

  Theodora swiped at her hair, which was now in disarray, falling all about her shoulders and across her face. She was enormously excited and tearful. She hugged her mother, pecked her sister on her alabaster cheek and then rushed around the table to embrace her brother, who kissed her back with enthusiastic affection. She restrained herself with difficulty as she strode up to Talon and almost diffidently handed him the paper and then impulsively kissed him on the corner of his mouth.