Greek Fire

by James Boschert

  Aarif looked from one to the other. Max assumed a cold, indifferent expression and Talon just gazed back, his face bland, as though he wanted to help. It might have been that expression that unnerved Aarif, but Talon could see him fighting hard to be resolute. Talon was desperate for the information. Even as they were speaking, elements of the flotilla might be gathering close to Abydos and blocking the port, or even traveling further north to inflict mischief on shipping in the Marmara Sea.

  “Are they coming here to besiege this city?” he asked, pretending not to watch Aarif too carefully.

  He caught something in Aarif’s eyes just before he nodded vigorously and said. “Yes, it is tAbydos we were coming to besiege.”

  “Why?”

  “Why, in God’s name? It is an entrance port to the straights that lead to Constantinople, that is why.”

  Talon sensed that something was not quite right. He spoke in rapid French to Max without looking at him, hoping that Aarif would not know the language.

  “Do you believe him?”

  Max was staring at Aarif. “No, I do not. There is something going on here but I cannot put my finger on it.”

  “I agree. Stay with him and keep the guards near at hand. Did you check him for his knife?”

  Max nodded.

  Talon rose to his feet. “I shall give you one hour to think upon this, Aarif. If I am not satisfied, then you go and join your crew, and I am afraid that you will stay there forever—or end up on a galley, perhaps?”

  He left the cabin and made his way to the larger main cabin where he found a body wrapped in a fine cloth lying on a very beautiful carpet. He left the body undisturbed and gazed around the ornate cabin fittings, the pile of exquisite carpets and the cushions, along with the books and the chests lying about in casual disarray. The silent cabin was fitted for comfort and style, clearly the home at sea of a very wealthy man. Talon opened one of the chests and found papers and letters. He decided to look them over, hoping the ship did not sink before he could.

  Something draped with silk cloths caught his eye in one corner. It was a small locked chest. He tried to lift it and found it very heavy. He took a beautifully etched dagger that was lying on the floor near a belt, a pair of gauntlets, and a helmet, and with a couple of hard blows broke the padlock and shifted the bolts sideways to open it. He was not surprised to find it full of gold coins. Talon was too tired to feel pleased, but he understood very clearly the significance of this find. If all went well he might have another ship, and there was gold aplenty in the chest to allow for repairs and much, much more. But there was also much business to attend to before he could feel safe.

  Talon placed the small chest inside the larger one underneath the books and letters and then stepped out of the cabin. He jammed the same sharp dagger into the space between the door and the lintel, thus effectively preventing access without his knowledge. He made his way onto the deck and encountered Nigel on deck.

  “Nigel, the captain of this ship is lying in the main cabin. I need you to send two guards. They are not to enter the cabin under any circumstances and they are to allow no one in, unless I have given permission.”

  Nigel nodded and shouted for two men to do as Talon commanded. Talon thanked him and went onto the afterdeck to observe the release of many of the oarsmen. They came staggering up into the light rain, blinking at the light and croaking their joy at their release. These men were led over to a corner of the deck and given some scraps of cloth to cover their nakedness and told to wait for the rest to join them.

  Talon turned away from the dreadful sight of these filthy creatures that were once hale men. He had seen enough of this in Egypt. He turned and faced the sea and thought about what had to be done next.

  An hour later he entered the cabin where Max and Aarif were talking. They stopped as he came into the cabin and sat down on the carpet across from them. Max was yawning but was still alert and watchful. Aarif was still sitting where Talon had left him, and there was a resigned look to his face now.

  “Are you going to tell me more than you have?” Talon asked.

  Aarif looked back at him and said, “Allah protect me but I have told you all that I know.” He gave a shrug his shoulders slumped. He stared defiantly back at Talon, who looked into his eyes for a long moment.

  Talon got up and went to the doorway and called for Nigel or Guy. When Guy arrived Talon said, “Take this man under tight escort to our own ship and have him placed under guard in the storeroom. I want him chained to the wall by the wrists until I have decided what to do with him.”

  Guy nodded and beckoned to Aarif. “Come along, you,” he said in French, but it was clear what he meant. Aarif got to his feet.

  “What is going to happen to me?” he asked uncertainly.

  “You will have a little time to compose two letters, one on behalf of your former captain and the other informing your relatives that you are a prisoner and need to be ransomed,” Talon told him as he walked out. The expression of relief and triumph he noted on Aarif’s face was all he needed.

  Turning to Max, Talon told him about the dagger in the door jam and the chest, and asked him to take the chest over to the Falcon and secure it in his cabin. Max departed and Talon considered his next task.

  He rubbed his face. He was tired, but he had to go and see the Phalangarches and tell him and the ships’ captains the information he had. He was rowed to the quayside where he was met by an officer and several men who greeted him politely and then escorted him to the gates of the fortress that overlooked the entire harbor and the sea. Talon realized that the people on the walls must have witnessed the whole pursuit, surrender and passage at the entrance.

  It was a relief that there was no sign of any fleet out there as yet. He hurried after the officer along stone corridors and guarded hallways, eventually to be shown into a large room with a huge fire burning at the other end. Grouped around the fire were several men, all of them older than Talon by many years; one even had a grey beard. They were dressed in military uniforms and looked considerably better groomed than Talon felt. Standing several paces away was the young officer Leontios.

  All of them watched Talon with interest as he walked the twenty paces it took to join them. Leontios made the introductions. He spoke in Greek, satisfied that Talon was competent in the language.

  The officer with the grey beard turned out to be the Phalangarches; three of the others were captains of the ships riding at anchor, and another was introduced as a quartermaster. There were soldiers at the doors; Talon assumed they were there to ensure no interruptions.

  “You had quite an interesting time out there in the approaches, Sir Talon.” the commander Meletios remarked. His shrewd gray eyes regarded Talon with interest. “Leontios has told us briefly what happened. We would hear your story from your own lips, and do not spare the details.” He offered Talon some warmed wine that the knight gratefully sipped.

  Talon told them all that he knew, only leaving out the last hours spent on the Arab ship. They listened intently, especially when he explained the theft of the fire machines and the evidence that the Arab fleet possessed them. There were angry murmurs and much shaking of heads from the captains as Talon described coming upon the remains of the destroyed naval ship, but the men allowed Talon to continue.

  When he had finished, Talon stood waiting. The officers began to talk in animated tones among themselves, at times too rapidly for him to understand.

  Finally the commander turned to Talon. “How many ships do you estimate there were in that fleet?”

  “My men and I think that there were in excess of sixty ships, Sir. But as it was dark we could only guess. There were many, many lights on the water. They were not worried about being seen from behind.”

  There was a buzz of low talk as the officers considered this statement. The Phalangarches nodded.

  “Where do you think the enemy fleet was sailing?”

  “I can only tell you what I’ve concluded from tal
king with the prisoner, Sir. He said that the fleet was coming to Abydos. However…”

  “However, Sir Talon?”

  “Sir, I do not believe him.”

  “Now you must explain yourself, Sir Talon.” The Phalangarches’ tone was sharp. “Why would they not come here and try to take the port? It would be a significant prize for them.”

  “Sir, I cannot explain it with solid evidence and, of course, I am sure that they will leave some ships to keep this port bottled up so that no one can go north to warn the fleets in the Marmara or the city of Constantinople; but every instinct tells me that they are going for a larger prize. It is not a small fleet of corsairs, it is a large fleet of more than sixty dromon warships and larger ones that take horses, and now they have at least four ships that carry the fire machines, if they share out the ones they captured. My guess is that the fleet will be sailing directly for Constantinople.”

  There was real consternation at this. The officers began to talk again, casting many looks in his direction. They appeared to be arguing about whether they believed Talon. After much shaking of heads the commander turned to him again and said courteously.

  “We do not doubt your courage, Sir Talon, we witnessed it here today. Only a very brave man would have done what you did, or a very mad one.” He smiled to take the sting out of the words. “But there does not appear to be much to the argument that they are going all the way into the Marmara Sea. I and my officers are not convinced of that. However…I shall send a warship, under the command of Captain Petrous here, to the fleet at Constantinople. We are sure to need them in any case if we are besieged. You may remain here with us, as I am sure you need to make repairs to your ship. You will be a welcome guest at my house. We have not had the pleasure of a Templar Knight’s company before.”

  Talon nodded his understanding, but he knew what he needed to do. “Sir, if I and my ship might accompany your naval vessel I would be very grateful. I have pressing business to attend to and it cannot wait.”

  Meletios looked sharply at him, hesitated for a moment, then said, “Very well, but you realize that you will have to leave very soon. Once the enemy arrive we will have a chain across the inner harbor and no one will be able leave; the enemy will, I am sure, see to that.”

  “I realize that, Sir. I have to ask if we can leave the injured Greek sailor in your charge, for I do not think he will live much longer if he does not have the attentions of a good physician very soon. Likewise some of my men need tending, and also the Arab prisoners, unless the Greeks do not care and just throw them into the dungeons to rot.”

  “They will be seen by a physician,” the officer said stiffly.

  “The Arab ship I captured on the high seas, Sir. I believe it is now my ship, but it’ll not be able to sail. May I leave it under your protection while I am gone?”

  “Of course! Leontios will see to that. Leontios tells me that you know Nikoporus Tagaris?”

  “Thank you, Sir. Yes, I had the privilege of playing tzykanion with him in front of the Emperor.”

  “Now I remember! The news of that game had come even to us here in Abydos. I heard that…wait, was it you who knocked the prince off his horse?” Talon looked hard at the commander, but the man only chuckled. “I would have liked very much to have seen that game,” he remarked. “Well, you seem to be living up to a reputation for courage and fire, Sir Talon. We are honored to have made your acquaintance. I suggest that you hasten to your ship and prepare to leave. Negotiating that outer wall will be dangerous, as the light is going and the sea is still rough.”

  Talon clasped hands with all the men, and then walked out of the room with Leontios almost running after him. On the way they discussed the wounded men and where they would be taken. Talon was concerned about the other ship but Leontios said, “You have made quite an impression, Sir. Meletios will honor his word. I shall give instructions to the harbormaster to allow your men access and help with repairs.”

  Talon made his way over to the Falcon and called Henry and Max to join him, then sent a messenger over to the captured Arab ship to ask Guy and Nigel to come over as soon as they could.

  Talon wanted to talk privately to Henry and Max. When the two men were seated on stools in the main cabin he broached the subject on his mind.

  “I am sure that it has not escaped either of you that now we possess two ships instead of one?”

  They nodded and grinned wolfishly. “We will need to fix it first, but given time I think we can,” Henry said, rubbing his hands together.

  “That is right, Henry. You are captain of this ship and we have a task still to perform but…Guy or Nigel, who should I put in charge of the other ship with a view to his being captain eventually?”

  Henry stared at him and Max glanced at Talon. “You are not thinking of trying to sail it away, are you Talon?” Max began. Talon held up his hand. “No, Max, not yet anyway. Henry, which one can I leave with the ship here to make repairs and eventually sail it home?”

  Henry scratched his beard vigorously. “My choice, but only just, is to have Nigel stay with the ship, Sir Talon,” he said slowly. “Guy will not like it but…well, that is my first choice. Guy is a very good navigator and mariner too, so there is not much to chose between them.”

  “I am glad that you told me that, Henry.” He did not continue, for just then they were interrupted by the sound of a boat coming alongside, and then the tramp of two pairs of boots on the companionway, followed by a rap on the door.

  Nigel and Guy came in and noticed the serious faces. They took stools and sat down at the low table and Nigel said, “Is there something wrong, Sir Talon?” He always used the formal term when he was worried.

  “Yes, we have been trying to decide which one of you pirates we should leave behind to the mercies of the Greeks in this town,” Talon said.

  Both men looked disheveled and filthy. Nigel pushed back his long lank hair, while Guy’s sharp teeth made a short appearance as he grimaced.

  “I have decided that it will be you, Nigel, who remains here. You will prepare the other ship for sea and you will have the help of the harbor master and that officer to do so.”

  Nigel stared at him with his watery blue eyes. “Er, I do not speak Greek, Talon, or have you forgotten that?”

  “No, but Max now speaks enough to get by, and he will remain in overall charge to have a Templar presence. You will assume the position of captain of the ship.”

  Talon sat back and watched as his companions digested this information. Max was as surprised as Nigel.

  Nigel was overcome. He reached across the table to clasp the hands of all there with tears in his eyes. Guy came around the table and they embraced as good friends. “I always knew you would make a good pirate someday,” Guy said with real affection in his voice.

  Talon spoke again. “Max, I want you to remain here in Abydos to act as my representative, but also to protect Nigel from the dangers of the officials. I shall leave Dmitri with you, as I know Nigel thinks the world of him.” They all laughed at that. “He is a good man and you will be able to rely upon him, I am sure.” Nigel nodded vigorously in agreement.

  “I am truly honored, Talon. You will not be disappointed; we will make that ship seaworthy again. But…what about the Arab fleet?” There was concern in Nigel’s voice.

  They all looked at Talon and waited while he collected his thoughts. Finally he said, “Henry and I must leave within the hour. They did not really believe me when I told them of my concerns, so I need to deliver the message to Nikoporus myself and see if he will. I will also require help with another matter, which may or may not be connected, so I will take Guy and Giorgios with me. Be aware, however, that even if the Arab fleet does go up the Hellespont they will blockade this harbor and there will be real danger. Max, you are charged with ensuring that the men are protected as well as possible. God protect all of you.”

  After a brief silence the others immediately began to discuss what might be needed to get the F
alcon ready. Eventually Talon chased the three sailors out of the room, leaving him alone with Max.

  He went to the chest and took out the smaller box from inside. Opening it he exposed the contents to Max, who gasped.

  “I found this in the cabin of the other ship, Max. You will need some coin.” He laid out two small piles of gold on the table, which gleamed in the semi-light of the cabin. “The smaller pile is for the Phalangarches Meletios who commands the city. You must seek an audience with him as soon as you can and deliver this to him with my compliments. You know why I do this?”

  “It will smooth our way for sure, Talon.”

  “I think so too. The other pile is to pay for repairs. I do not want them confiscating the ship under any pretense, so you should pay for everything as it needed. Now, make sure we have reliable men from the oars of that Arab ship. Ones you and Nigel can trust. He spent long enough in that kind of hellhole to know how to sort out the good from the bad. Help him make good decisions, Max. I plan to come back for you as soon as I can.”

  They embraced. “God go with you, Talon. Be safe, but get that bastard Genoese. I think he is behind this treachery.”

  “I am sure you are right, Max, but I also believe that a certain senator is as well. How deep that goes I have no idea. The first thing we must do, however, is to alert the fleet.”

  *****

  Henry and Talon saw Max and Nigel over the side, and almost immediately Guy had the anchor hauled in. The Greek dromon they were to follow to Constantinople was already making its way across the inner harbor. The rain had stopped but the wind was still strong, although it had veered back to a more southerly direction. Talon wondered how Henry was going to get them back out through the sea breaker. He stared back at the cleaning activity on the captured ship and hoped that all would be well, but there was nothing to be done other than hope that Max and Nigel would come through.

  He stood on the afterdeck as Henry maneuvered the Falcon out of the clustered shipping and into the area before the main entrance to the inner harbor. Following the Greek galley they rowed out between the tall towers, where many curious people stood staring down.A ragged cheer rose from the walls as the crowd watched them leave. The captain of the naval ship knew what he was about, for he set sail as soon as he cleared the entrance and guided his ship unerringly toward the gap in the barrier, where waves were breaking over the rocks on either side of the opening.