Greek Fire

by James Boschert

  *****

  Nikoporus strode down the hill to stop at the gates that led to the house of the family Kalothesos; he was concerned about a message he had received that morning from Alexios. A few minutes later he presented himself at the house. He was met at the door by Joseph the eunuch, who smiled and said, “Thank you for coming, Sir. Master Alexios is in the library with his father.”

  Joseph announced his presence to the two men, who were studying some papers. They looked up when he entered with obvious relief showing on their faces.

  Alexios limped over and embraced his friend. “Gods Blessings to you, my friend. I am very glad you’ve come.” He sounded strained and worried. Nikoporus noted that the creases between his dark eyes that had formed after the disastrous campaign were deepening.

  The senator waved to Nikoporus from his chair. “I won’t get up, young man. The weather is playing havoc with my rheumatism and I ache from neck to toe! But thank you for coming and please, have a seat. You are very welcome in my house. Will you have some refreshment?”

  Nikoporus nodded with a smile. “I received your message this morning, but it said almost nothing other than it was very urgent, so I am very curious as to what it is all about, Sir.”

  “We dared not say more in the letter, Niko. We are very worried.”

  “Then perhaps you should explain, now I am here,” he said, as John walked in and placed some wine on the table.

  When Alex, with help from his father, had finished the account of Talon’s arrest Nikoporus sat back, his face grim.

  “Now perhaps I have an explanation for something that you do not know about,” he told them.

  “What are you talking about, young man?” Damianus said. His expression was tight.

  “Captain Petrous was found murdered in a ditch on the other side of the Golden Horn this morning. I was told they thought it might have been robbers, but now…”

  “Dear God!” Both men in front of him burst out, almost in unison. Their faces registered shock and alarm.

  “Had you talked with him? Had he told you anything of what we have told you?” Alexios whispered, his face ashen.

  “We were going to meet on my ship this morning, but then I heard about his death, and you sent me such an urgent message I thought I should come here before I crossed the water.”

  “I am very glad that you did, Niko. Do you know what this means?” Alexios demanded.

  “I think I do. Either Talon is next in line or I might be, by reason of association with him and Petrous,” Nikoporus said slowly, his eyes widening. “There is treachery here, and it would seem the Vice Admiral is involved. How they will justify the murder of a Templar I do not know but I must get to the right people or our own lives will be in jeopardy.”

  “You can’t leave this house without a substantial escort, Niko,” Alexios said flatly.

  “I agree with my son, Nikoporus. You cannot just go wandering about on your own any more. Anyone in these crowded streets could slip a knife into you and no one the wiser.”

  “But I have to find a way to get to the Admiral of the Fleet! How am I to do that if I am cowering in this house?” Nikoporus said with frustration in his voice.

  “My men will accompany you, and furthermore our…Talon’s ship can take you across the sea to the military harbor, although his men are concerned that they will be arrested too. They got out just in time last night.”

  “I can use my influence as a Mandatores to see that they are protected until I can get to the main offices of the Admiral. It will be chancy though,” Nikoporus said slowly. “I must leave immediately, as we do not know where Talon might be and what they plan for him next.”

  Alexios nodded and called for Joseph. “Get all the men from the stables here with their spears and whatever else they need for weapons, Joseph. I want you to take my friend down to the ship and ask Henry from me to take him across the Hellespont to the naval harbor. He won’t like it but tell him that Nikoporus knows what he is doing and it is for Talon.”

  *****

  Nikoporus jumped from the side of The Falcon onto the quayside and began walking casually toward the naval buildings. He was alone now and felt very vulnerable. He glanced behind him once to see that Henry, the grizzled Frank seaman who ran the ship, had already pushed off and the ship was being rowed out some distance to where it could not be surprised by anyone. Henry had been wary when he had first met Nikoporus, whom he did not know. It was only when Giorgios had shown up and had explained what was going on that Henry had reluctantly agreed to transport him. With the help of Giorgios, Nikoporus had told him of the most recent events and the death of Petrous. Giorgios was shocked and not a little frightened by what he heard, but he told Henry that this sounded like the only option they had and they must hurry. It had not taken Henry and his large and imposing looking assistant long to get the ship to the naval port.

  Nikoporus braced himself for what might come. For all he knew he might be walking into a trap, but he did not know where else to go to for help. The thought had occurred to him to bring with him a contingent of Varangians, but he realized that he only had a flimsy explanation and time was running out. By the time he had convinced some of the army people Talon might well be dead.

  He arrived at the gates to the large buildings and in his capacity of Mandatores he obtained speedy entrance to the outer offices of the Fleet Admiral. He was asked to wait by an unctuous eunuch as there was a conference taking place, but the Admiral would most likely be able to see him after that. He slipped a coin into the official’s hand.

  He was waiting impatiently at the back of the room when the first of the people who had been with the Admiral exited the room. Nikoporus gave a start, as he was looking directly at the Vice Admiral Tarchaneiotes, who came out of the room looking pleased with himself, followed by three other less senior officers. Nikoporus made haste to make himself look inconspicuous as the men sauntered out of the room. He glanced at the eunuch, and that worthy nodded. Nikoporus slipped into the main office where the Admiral Nestongos was busy writing.

  He walked up to the desk and saluted smartly, then stood to attention while the man finished his writing and glanced up. “Ah, Nikoporus, what brings you here? I am quite busy you know.”

  Nikoporus took a deep breath. “Sir, I come because there is treason most foul in this building and you need to know about it before it is too late.”

  The Admiral put his quill down and stood up. He walked past Nikoporus and shut the door and then came back to his desk. “What in God’s Name are you talking about?” he demanded in a low voice.

  *****

  Talon heard the bolts to the door being drawn and braced himself against the wall next to it. He had the knife down alongside his thigh ready to take the first man to come in the door and then strike for the others, hopefully taking them down with one of their own weapons.

  A man began to step into the cell peering into the dark; he was holding a torch in his right hand. Talon seized his wrist and pulled hard and was on the edge of stabbing up when he recognized the officer who had placed him under arrest the night before. The man gave a startled yelp and fell forward to land on his hands and knees. The torch fell out of his hands and sputtered on the filthy floor.

  Talon had pulled his knife back just in time, but now he waved it at the men in the doorway threateningly and placed it firmly alongside the man’s neck who was still on hands and knees gasping with surprise.

  “Stay where you are or this man dies!” Talon called up at the men who had started forward to help.

  “We could rush him.”One of the men on the outside of the cell who was peering in muttered.

  “Then your officer dies with me and several of you with him. Who will be first?” Talon called upas he seized the collar of the officer and slipped his blade around the man’s throat where it pressed. The man gurgled with fear and did not move from his position. It was a stand off that Talon did not know how to change. His mind was racing with options
when there came another shout from along the corridor. He thought he recognized the voice.

  “Stand where you are and do not move!” someone shouted and there was the sound of running iron shod sandals and the rattle of arms and armor.

  “What are you doing here?” the same man with the authoritative voice demanded as he came to the doorway. Abruptly the narrow corridor was full of armed men and the former group of soldiers protesting loudly, were being hustled away from the doorway at spear point.

  “Arrest these men at once and have them locked up.” Nikoporus said loudly as he peered into the dimly lit cell.

  “Ah Talon, I see you have everything under control?” he grinned but it was a tight grin. “You can let him go now, we have to hurry.”

  “How can I trust you, Niko, or anyone for that matter? Why am I here in this foul place?” Talon grated; the knife never wavered.

  “Alex told me everything he knew. He told me you might not believe me, but I am here to take you to the Admiral of the Fleet. I told him everything that Alex had said, but you know more. You must come with me to tell him what you know!”

  “Phew! It stinks in here! Talon, listen, there is not much time if your report is correct. The Admiral needs to see you and quickly. Will you come with me?”

  Talon pointed at the men above. “Can they be trusted?”

  “These are now my men, Talon. You can trust them. Come, my friend, we must hurry!”

  After locking the officer in the cell with a couple of his men and placing the rest in another cell Nikoporus led the way out of the building. His men formed a protective screen around him and Talon as they jogged across the large square into another imposing building. It began to rain, the gusts of wind pulling at their cloaks as they hurried across the paved square. They ducked their heads and hurried past guards who saluted as they passed, along echoing corridors until they came finally to a grand pair of doors and Nikoporus was saluted by a junior officer and two guards.

  As they walked Talon told Nikoporus about the Greek Fire. His friend stopped and stared at him aghast, then turned and almost ran into the offices.

  “Is he in?” Nikoporus demanded.

  “Yes, he is in, Sir,” the officer said.

  “I must see him immediately,” Nikoporus said. “I am expected.”

  They were admitted to another anteroom that was almost deserted.“This will be my head if you are wrong, but I do not think we should be wasting time,” Nikoporus said. “Follow me, Talon.”

  The man seated at the table was a marked contrast to the Vice Admiral. This man was burly but looked as though he was fit and used to being outdoors. He glanced up when Nikoporus marched up and saluted him.

  “Sir, you need to hear this man. He is the one who I told you about,” Nikoporus said. “I believe him. There is a lot more behind this than just an attack on Abydos. The Arabs have captured several fire machines and their crews.”

  The Admiral snapped his head around at this. “What did you say? They have captured some of our fire machines?”

  “With me is Sir Talon of the Knights Templar, to substantiate the news. I feel that you should hear it for yourself,” Nikoporus said.

  The officer stood up and walked around the table. “I am Nestongos,” he said. “I welcome you to Constantinople—although from what I hear you have not exactly had a fine welcome.” He clasped hands with Talon, who bowed.

  “I am honored to be in your presence, my lord. I come with news of the utmost import, and I do not understand why when I and the other captain had completed our report we were dismissed and then I was arrested.”

  The Admiral gave him a grim look, then went back to his desk and picked up a piece of paper. As he scanned the paper, he glanced from time to time at Talon.

  “Nikoporus has told me something of you, Sir Talon, and it is all good. But there is another thing. Captain Petrous came with you to see the Vice Admiral, and he is now dead.”

  Talon stared at him and then turned to look at Nikoporus. “Is this so, Niko? Why would they kill him?”

  “For the same reason they threw you in prison, Talon. To keep him quiet.”

  The Admiral waved the piece of paper in the air. “This is a very flattering letter of your courage, Sir Talon. However, Admiral Tarchaneiotes does not think that the Arabs will come this far north. It is his contention that they will lay siege to Abydos and do as much damage as they are able, then disappear as soon as we come and chase them away. What do you wish to add?” He looked hard at Talon. “Ah, yes, now I remember the name. You are the man who played alongside Nikoporus in that interesting game of tzykanion, are you not?”

  Talon nodded. “ I am, Sir, but…” He wished he did not have this reputation which everyone appeared to know about.

  “Sir, if Sir Talon has anything to say, I for one will vouch for it on my honor,” Nikoporus said.

  “Why do not we let Sir Talon tell it in his own words,” Nestongos said.

  Talon wondered if he was committing another wrong move for an instant but there was little he could do. He trusted Niko, so he told Nestongos everything that had transpired. The Admiral listened intently, and when Talon got to the capture of the two warships by the Arab fleet, his eyes grew hard. He questioned Talon with great intensity, looking more and more grim as the story unfolded. He started when he heard about the use of the Greek Fire weapon and shared a knowing look with Nikoporus. Clearly Talon had struck a chord. By the time Talon had finished there was absolute silence in the room other than the crackle of the logs burning in the brazier at the other end of the room.

  Admiral Nestongos sat back in his chair with the letters in his hands.

  “These are dismissive of everything you have said, saying it is mere speculation. There is very little in either report to confirm what you have said to me, other than they accept there might be a fleet of corsairs out there and it might be heading for Abydos, nothing to warn me of any other intent, least of all that they are coming here to this city. But the officers flatter you for your courage in capturing the Arab ship. What do you say to that?”

  Talon went on to recount how he had interrogated the prisoner Aarif and what Aarif had omitted rather than what he had confirmed.

  “So, you speak their language? How can we be sure that he was providing misinformation? Why do I not order him to be arrested and brought in for questioning and torture to confirm what you think?”

  “Because it would be a waste of time, Sir. I gave my word not to do so, and I believe I managed to gain more from that. If you torture him he will die first. He will think I betrayed him, and besides, it will be a while before you gain anything of value. By which time it might be too late to act upon it. The Arab fleet was heading into the straits when we left, of that I am sure, and not to tarry at Abydos.”

  “Sir, he might be right,” Nikoporus interjected. “Is it possible that they have another strategy in mind? Perhaps they intend to sail here and surprise the fleet in harbor where it cannot maneuver. With the stolen fire weapon on board they would not only have the advantage of surprise but also flame to immobilize the foremost ships and prevent the others from being able to get out of the harbor to the open sea. It could be a disaster for our fleet.”

  The Admiral frowned. “Perhaps…” he said slowly. “But why would they want the Arabs to destroy our fleet if they’re contemplating treason? They would be better off taking it over.”

  “Perhaps they do not…perhaps the Arabs have a different agenda? Would it be possible that the traitors do not realize this?” Talon asked.

  His words were greeted with a long silence.

  “Do you think the storm might have disrupted their passage?” Nikoporus asked Talon with a glance at the Admiral.

  “Possibly. It was a fierce storm. But I am sure of one thing, and that is that no shipping will escape from Abydos to tell us what they are doing. But I am very sure that so many ships will not tarry long at that city other than to leave behind some to blockade the port a
nd then continue north.”

  “Admiral Tarchaneiotes has totally ignored your report about the theft of our fire weapons. I wonder why,” the Admiral mused. But his eyes were hard and his face tight.

  “It should have been in the report you were given, Sir,” Nikoporus said. “I do not know why it is not, but my guess is that Meletios did not want to mention it because the ships that were lost were under his command. I mourn their loss, but he should have mentioned it in the report, Sir. Talon here picked up a sailor who had been on those ships and he told a sorry tale. I am bewildered as to why the Vice Admiral ignored everything that Sir Talon has told you,” Nikoporus finished.

  The Admiral muttered something under his breath.

  There was another long pause before the Admiral came to a decision. “Sir Talon, you may leave with your ship to go to the city harbor now. Be aware that I shall inform the emperor and the generals of what you have told me. Nikoporus, in your capacity as Mandatores you will stay here with me. I want to talk to the Vice Admiral.”

  As Talon was leaving the room he heard the Fleet Admiral say to Nikoporus, “I want the Vice Admiral here as soon as possible and you are to bring an escort of soldiers back with you…. Alert the harbor…Make sure you alert the men you most trust.” He did not hear anything else, but it was enough to tell him that the Fleet Admiral was taking him seriously. He also sensed that there was more going on than he was aware of and the Admiral was alarmed for more than one reason.

  *****

  Talon made his way back to the ship in a thoughtful mood. He stood on the quayside looking for his ship and was alerted by a shout as it appeared around the side of one of the larger dromons. Henry and Guy were waving at him excitedly. They paused long enough to allow him to climb aboard and then pulled away from the stone quay with alacrity. As soon as he was aboard he told Henry to cross over the Golden Horn back to the harbor, and while they were moving across the water they talked.