Greek Fire

by James Boschert

  “I am sorry! I should not have opened it without your permission, Talon. You really must have done something very special to impress the emperor, so congratulations,” she said, her tone was demure, but her eyes glowed with pride.

  Theodora put her arms around her father’s neck and embraced him, still looking up at Talon. Damianus patted her on the arm and kissed her cheek.

  “You should be proud of yourself, Sir Talon. Few are granted favors of this kind. Be sure to keep that paper safe, as you will have to show it to the customs people before they will believe you.” He laughed. “John, bring more of my wine! We have to celebrate this momentous occasion with our boy Talon here and salute the enterprise we are about to embark upon. Alexios, my son, may you and Talon here have a very profitable enterprise. We need some good luck.”

  ________

  Let us cast off the haze

  Of the mists from our band,

  Till with far-seeing gaze

  We may look on the land.

  Aristophanes

  Chapter 20

  Rhodes

  Talon swiftly made his way to the wharf. He was greeted by a very curious group of friends at the ship’s side, and once aboard he told them what had transpired not only at the palace but also the information held in the letters, which he produced with a flourish to the awed murmurings of his companions. Nigel and Dmitri did a small jig around the deck while Guy’s smile of happiness would have frightened a lion.

  “This could make us all rich!” Henry exclaimed, rubbing his beard furiously, which he did when excited.

  “I thank God that we have now the passport to continue with the venture,” Talon informed them, “but we still have some proving to do, and it is time to do so without delay.”

  Max laughed. “I do not know how you do it, Talon. But I applaud you.”

  “You must name the ship, Talon,” Nigel said.

  “A ship must have a name, its true,” Guy agreed.

  They all looked at him while he thought about that.

  “We shall call her the Falcon, because of the carving on the front. It is like a bird of prey,” he stated at last.

  They all agreed to the name and had a noisy celebration at the inn that night. Nigel got so drunk that he wanted to sing and clambered onto the table where he swayed about blearily and forgot the words. He slipped off the table and fell into Max’s lap and then remembered the words and tried to get back onto the table. Max restrained him amid much laughter at his lugubrious grimaces and shouts.

  Some men at a table further across the room shouted at him to shut up and got up to follow up on their words. Talon got to his feet expecting trouble that he really did not want, but then Guy lumbered to his feet and smiled at them and gave them the come on with his fingers, then he called over, “Come over here and I will tear your heads off one by one then spit down your throats!”

  Nigel cackled from under the table and Guy grinned. Talon could not decide which was the most menacing, but it gave pause to the Greeks.

  They glowered at him for a long tense moment, during which Henry and Max also got to their feet, but then the Greeks all sat down again.

  “I want to go and fuck something,” Nigel slurred. “Guy, you got ta... take me to your fav’rit whore, le’s go!” He climbed to his feet and with Guy holding him upright they staggered out of the door.

  “Those two are true barbarians. Henry, you should go with them to make sure they get back to the ship in time. Do not forget the curfew.”

  “Do not worry, Talon. I am going with them anyway. You know us sailors, we have to take care of business before we sail, never know when if ever we will again. Are you coming?”

  “Not tonight, my friend. Max, do you want to go with them?” Talon asked his friend.

  “Go off to a whorehouse with those trolls? Not me,” Max said with a grin at Henry. Then he and Talon headed back to the ship. Talon hoped that there would be no more trouble.

  *****

  The next morning they all had hangovers, but there was work to do. Henry might have had a woolly head but he drove the crew hard as the dawn lit the sky. Talon remembered Sir Guy’s comment on the Templar interest in Cyprus and the possibility of some corsairs in the region of Rhodes. That troubled him, as he did not want to sail into the middle of an Arab fleet looking for victims. He had mentioned this to Henry the night before but the seaman had shrugged. “If we have the weather on our side and a good wind we can show them a clean pair of heels, Talon. I would not worry too much.”

  Talon had another worry to deal with. He had gone alone down to the harbor of Neorion to find that the Genoese ship had gone. He stood for a long time on the beach looking out to sea thinking about the evening of his almost disastrous visit to the Spartenos villa. The event was still very fresh in his mind but there was little he could do about it now, there was too much else going on. Yet he had an uneasy feeling that it was not over.

  This was confirmed when a one-eyed beggar sidled up to him with his dirty hand sticking out of the rags he wore. “Spare a coin, Sir. I am an old soldier with nothing now. God will bless you for your kindness,” the man whined.

  Talon looked at him and nodded, the battle of Myriokephalon still fresh in his mind. He reached into his purse and handed the man a copper. The money disappeared but beggar did not leave immediately.

  “What is it?” Talon asked him.

  “You was here the other day with a friend, weren’t you,” the bundle of rags stated.

  “What of it?”

  “If I was you I would watch my back. There are bad men, and they know about you.”

  “Who are you talking about?”

  “The man who was here asking about you.”

  “How did he know to ask you?”

  The beggar looked guilty and shuffled his rag bound feet in the sand.

  “Ah, a few coppers would have done it, right?” Talon asked, not unkindly.

  The man nodded. “A man’s got to live somehow. I was once in the Emperor’s army but then I took a spear to the thigh and a slash that took out my eye. At least I made it back, but to what? They do not care, they use you and and then throw you out onto the dungheap of this city to rot.” He sounded apologetic and resentful at the same time.

  Talon nodded. He could see these detritus of former battles all about in this city.“Well, what did you tell him?”

  “I didn’t have any choice,” the man whined. “He scared me, wanted to know what you were doing here. But you have given me coin, so now I wanted to warn you. Watch your back.”

  Before Talon could demand more of an explanation the man had shambled off back to a corner of the walls where there were others in like condition squatting around a fire.

  He did not think it worthwhile to follow so he made his way back to the inn deep in thought. He touched his side where it still ached.

  *****

  He was still deep in thought when Max entered his room and informed him that a message had arrived from the port authorities telling them to move the ship to the harbor of Prosphorion. He came down the stairs to find his companions preparing to leave.

  He decided to embark with them, as he feared another difficult encounter with either Eugenia or Theodora. They left for the harbor of Prosphorion within the hour. With Henry at the steersmen’s side they set off to round the curve of the peninsula heading for their new destination.

  The view from the ship was magnificent. They sailed by the church of Saint Serglas, its domed roof peeking over the tops of several trees, the copper dome glowing in the sunlight. Next they could see the roofs of the palace of Bucoleon. Talon was able to point out the terraces of the Tzykanisterion where he had played.

  “I wanted to come and watch that game,” Henry said with regret in his voice.

  “It was exclusively for the nobility, Henry, not the common riffraff or pirates like you,” Max said with an exaggerated sniff.

  “How then did you get in, Max, may I ask?” Nigel asked, his vo
ice dripping sarcasm.

  “Someone has to keep an eye on that lad, look at him. He’d be helpless without me,” Max said. Guffaws of derision greeted this remark, but then Henry had to devote his time to navigating the shoreline.

  Max and Talon stayed out of his way and stared at the magnificent sight of the many palaces and administrative buildings of the Grand Palace, which dominated the southeastern side of the peninsula, situated along the shallow slopes for all to see, and the buildings glowed in the autumn sunlight. The monastery of Hodegetia stood out, set amongst the green of many trees. Standing head and shoulders above it all was the massive body of the Hagia Sophia. Theodora had told him the name meant ‘Church of the Holy Wisdom of God.’ Talon never ceased to admire that huge structure, wondering as always how men could have been inspired to create such a place.

  They rounded the northernmost peninsular tip and gazed up at the Column of the Goths that sat on the very top of the hill, its twisted marble shaft resembling a massive unicorn horn with a four spiked cap, which Talon had been told was known as a Corinthian cap. Then they had to arrest their course, along with many other boats. The massive machinery had to grind into gear, which allowed the great chain across the Golden Horn to drop sufficiently to allow ships to pass. While they waited Talon could observe the ships of war anchored in small groups all along the line of the chain. Several were anchored on the side nearest to the city, but he saw many more on the other side of the Golden Horn: formidable galleys of two and three masts; they looked menacing—even more so now that he knew what weapons they carried.

  Their ship was boarded by a pilot who wanted to see their permit, after which they were guided through the fortified walls of the harbor Prosphorion into its still waters where, with shouted orders and much scurrying about by the crew, they hauled in the sails and dropped anchor with a splash.

  This was an entirely different harbor. The wide bellied, two masted Genoese cargo ships which towered over their sleek galley were tethered in groups or lying alongside the wharves which seethed with activity as gangs of slaves loaded and unloaded their cargoes. Racks of salted Tuna fillets lined the harbor walls. The season was over for fishing, but the smoking and salting were underway and now the fish was being taken west to the Latin countries which vied for the meat.

  Ferrymen plied their trade and boats were rowed from ship to ship offering fresh vegetables and just about anything else the crews might want.

  Now that the ship was idle the men leaned over the sides and called out to the boats to come closer and show off their wares. The fastest of the boats contained women. There seemed to be a universal language where boats that traded in whores were concerned and the dickering was lively. Henry threw cold water on that, eliciting groans from all around when he informed the crew that no women were allowed on board. There had been none of this kind of activity in the other secluded harbor.

  They had little time to relax. Now that he had a ship available, Makarios was in a hurry to see to it that they were loaded and sent on their way. He was rowed out to the ship that very day with papers that he wanted to discuss with Talon. They went down to the cluttered cabin accompanied by a younger man introduced as Giorgios. His hazel eyes were intelligent and he understood book keeping very well. Makarios told Talon that he would be sailing with him to the islands, as he knew the agents there personally and would be able to smooth over the official hurdles they were bound to encounter. Talon realized that Giorgios was a eunuch even before the man began speaking in a high falsetto voice.

  Makarios left the ship several hours later, leaving behind a cheerful Giorgios chatting to Dmitri on deck while a bemused Talon scratched his head as he pored over what Makarios called a manifest of the goods they were to carry. His unfamiliarity with Greek letters and numbers did not help. He called Giorgios to come into the cabin where he asked him to help with the numbers.

  A day later they were ordered to bring the ship alongside the quay where wagons were waiting. There was a vast amount of cargo to be squeezed into the ship and Talon wondered where it would all be placed.

  “If we cannot get it all into the holds we will put the overflow in the main cabin and we can all sleep on the deck on the soft bales. How else are any of us going to sleep on silk again?” Nigel said with a grin.

  The work started as soon as they were alongside the quay. The gang waiting for them was whipped into action and shortly after a stream of slaves were coming and going as the bales were hauled on board. Henry, Guy and Nigel, who knew something of loads and displacement, supervised the work with the help of Giorgio and Dmitri, who translated for the overseers. Talon and Max stood on the upper rear deck and watched the proceedings with interest.

  “I confess that I am very glad of those men. I feel helpless when confronted with all the details,” Talon told Max, indicating his busy companions supervising the loading.

  “We are to become traders, Talon. This is not the way of the Templars, but I find it exciting all the same. May God bless this venture.”

  “I agree. We should go to the church of Saint Menas before we leave to ask for God’s blessings.” Talon felt apprehensive. It was a huge responsibility to carry this cargo and sell it for the family. They were coming into the autumn and the weather south of the Hellespont could be unpredictable according to Henry and Dmitri.

  The slaves worked all that day and long into the night carrying bales of silk, barrels of olives and oil, and tightly woven sacks containing spices onto the deck of the galley. The pungent smell from these sacks dominated even the smell of olive oil. Talon observed the activity from the upper deck and thought back to his time in Egypt. There many of his own people were slaves, being beaten just as here, and dying or falling from exhaustion. The world was indifferent to a slave and his feelings no matter from where he came, as was being demonstrated on this wharf.

  Eventually the last of the empty wagons rumbled off, drawn by its sleepy oxen. The exhausted slaves were marched off in their chains and the noise and bustle on the ship fell silent as the crew, also exhausted from their exertions, fell asleep almost where they stood.

  Talon and Max spent some time on the top deck watching the harbor as the moon rose. A galley some ways off was slowly leaving port. Talon wondered who might be sailing off in the dead of night but was too tired to think about it. They found a place in the crowded main cabin where Henry and his companions were already snoring and they too fell instantly asleep.

  *****

  Late the next morning a message from Alexios arrived, asking him to come to the villa. Talon walked up the long straight street that paralleled the Wall of Byzantium, which he now knew to be the earliest constructed wall of the city. Citizens who wanted it for other purposes now that it served none at all had stripped its crumbling stone away in many places. He was met by Eugenia, who had been waiting to intercept him at the door to the main hall.

  The greeting was a little forced, although the kiss she gave him on the cheek was warm and friendly enough. Talon was curious as to why she was there.

  “God’s Blessings, Talon. It is good to see you again,” she said as her lips brushed his. She was still holding his hand in hers.

  “God’s Blessing to you too, Eugenia.” He released his hand and looked at her. The memory of their previous encounter threatened to surface, but now was not the time to dwell upon it.

  “I am delighted to see you, Eugenia, but what are you doing here?”

  “This is my home, Talon, despite the fact that I am so often at the palace. I understand you will be traveling very soon now that you have all the right papers?” she queried.

  “Of course it is your home. I meant, however, that I am surprised it is you who meets me. And yes, we are almost ready to leave,” he answered.

  “I hear it is to be Rhodes and even Cyprus.”

  “It is, my dear sister, although I have my doubts that Talon knows where they really are…even now.” The voice belonged to Theodora, who walked up to him in a proprie
tary manner and kissed him on the cheek with her arms around his neck.

  Embarrassed he loosened her arms and held her at arm’s length. “How are you, Theodora?” he asked with a glance at her sister. Eugenia had a half smile on her face that was both patronizing and annoyed at the same time, while Theodora was simply looking possessive.

  Eugenia ignored her sister and said, “You have come to see Alex, I am sure, Talon. Come, I will take you to him.”

  She slipped her arm into his and, with a bright smile at her scowling sister, walked him out of the room. As they walked toward the sunlit loggia she said in a low voice, “Talon, shall I see you before you leave?”

  He nodded without saying anything as he could hear light footsteps behind them. He glanced back expecting to see Theodora following, but instead it was Eugenia’s servant maid.

  “Then I shall wait near the hall. Look for me before you go,” she almost whispered.

  Eugenia led him to where Alex was seated, surrounded by papers. His leg, heavily bandaged was propped up on a small table. Eugenia smiled at her brother and kissed him on the forehead.

  “Look who I have brought with me, my brother. Talon and you have much to talk about so I shall leave you two,” she said. Her eyes held Talon’s for a brief electric moment before she turned and walked away.

  “Ah, there you are, Talon. Good to see you.” Alex looked rested and comfortable. He had recently been shaved and looked brighter than Talon had seen him in some time.

  “Will you not stay? I know you worked with your companions half the night. Makarios said that you did not waste a minute of daylight.”

  They talked till the servants came out with lamps, but by then Alexios was tired. Talon escorted him back to his room and then returned to the loggia.

  He ate with the family that night and stayed reluctantly, as he had no good explanation for leaving and thought it might even offend. He retired with everyone else and lay on the bed in the guest room wide awake, thinking about the impending journey, but also about what the beggar had said. Who was looking for him? It had to be the people from the villa, and it was very clear that the beggar had been afraid. He was still pondering this around midnight when he heard a faint noise. He had been expecting a visit. Eugenia had been very insistent when she encountered him in the corridor as he was leaving Alexios’ room.