Greek Fire

by James Boschert

  “We could not believe it when Giorgios came running down the hill and told us that you had been arrested, Talon.”

  “Why would they do such a thing?” Guy asked.

  “There’s treachery of some sort going on, my friends. Giorgios, you did well. I thank you from my heart for reaching the boat.”

  Giorgios looked embarrassed at the praise, then said, “We went to the house and told them all about it, Sir Talon. They are very alarmed and I think it would be a good idea if you were to go there today.”

  Talon agreed.

  A short while later they were guided into the walled interior of the harbor and the anchor stone was dropped. Leaving the ship in Henry’s charge Talon decided to take Guy and a couple of seamen with him to call upon the family Kalothesos. Before he left he told Giorgios to find Makarios and arrange to have the salt taken off the ship as soon as possible. He glanced up at the sky. The clouds were dark and low, the wind from the north had picked up and was ruffling the sea; it was going to rain again before long.

  As they made their way up the hill he glanced over the stretch of water they had just crossed and had the impression even at that distance that there was a lot of activity going on with the fleet. Small sail boats were driving across the waters toward a cluster of the galleys anchored in the middle of the channel and others were putting out from the harbor and racing eastwards in the direction of the Blachernae palace. He felt better for having been able to talk to the Admiral and blessed Nikoporus for having made it possible.

  It was beginning to rain again when they arrived at the gates of the villa. Talon he was greeted respectfully by the guards, who knew him well by now, and even the dog merely growled at him instead of showing its teeth. At the house John looked relieved and pleased to see him and asked him to wait in the anteroom while he found the lady of the house. Talon handed Guy and the two sailors off to another servant who promised to make sure they were well fed in the kitchens.

  Long before he saw her, he heard the slap of sandals on the tiled floors, and Theodora came running into the room.

  “You are back!” Theodora rushed into his arms and kissed him. “Thank God for keeping you safe! We have been so worried, Talon. What were they doing to you? You look awful!” she cried, hugging him hard. He laughed and gave her a hug back and a peck on the cheek in return.

  “I am back from our adventures with much to tell. How are you?” he asked, holding her at arms’ length, enjoying her obvious excitement at seeing him back.

  Joannina glided into the room right behind her daughter and admonished her.

  “Theodora, you really must show better manners. What will Sir Talon think of us if you behave like this?” But she was smiling with delight, and with far more decorum she gave him both hands and allowed him to kiss her on the cheeks.

  “God’s Blessings. We have missed you, Talon.” She stood back from him and sniffed, then said, “You must have a bath, and then you must tell us all about your trip.”

  “That would give me much pleasure, my Lady Joannina,” he responded with feeling.

  At that moment Eugenia made her appearance, almost as though waiting to make her entrance alone and with effect.

  Talon looked at her as she too glided into the room, dressed in a simple tunic of shimmering colors that, while ankle length, did very little to hide her figure. He found himself staring for a brief moment but then he greeted her with a smile.

  “I have returned to pay my respects and to inform the family Kalothesos that we were successful, Eugenia.” He did not notice how pale she had become or the slight tremble of her hand as she gave it to him.

  He bent over and kissed the back of it, then she asked him, “Did you achieve all your goals and sell all your cargo, Sir Talon?”

  “I have more than a mere journey to report to you, my Lady,” he responded with a smile. “We have been having adventures and there is much to tell.”

  At this point Damianus and Alexios made their more careful entry. Talon remarked to himself that they were both limping, but that the old man was staying close to his son. They were not at odds any more, he surmised.

  They greeted him warmly and looked very relieved to see him.

  “Your men came and told us what had happened, and we told Niko, then sent him to find you. Clearly he was successful, as you are here and unharmed. We were very worried.”

  “There is much to discuss, but I think the Admiral of the Fleet is going to take some action at last, and mostly because of Niko,” Talon told them.

  He allowed himself to be sent off to the baths and spent a comfortable hour in the warm water of the pool; then, feeling refreshed and clean, and dressed in new clothes, he returned to the family, which was now grouped together in the dining room eager to hear about his adventures.

  He recounted to them all that had occurred since his arrival. Before long it was time for a meal. Lamps were being lit as they seated themselves. While they waited for the servants to produce the food Talon changed the subject and explained that his men and Guy were with him, as he had brought the first payment with him for the cargo sold in Rhodes. He casually laid a medium sized bag of gold on the table. It chinked as it landed and everyone stared.

  He watched the faces of Alexios and his father intently as he waited for a reaction. Alexios was about to say something when Talon produced another medium sized bag of gold and dropped it onto the table; it too chinked as it fell.

  Before anyone could say a word the third bag landed and fell open to spill coins onto the table; one coin rolled for a small distance before falling over and settling on the surface near to Damianus.

  Theodora gave a cry of delight and Alexios let out a whoop of joy then turned to Talon. “You rogue, Talon! You had me so worried for a moment. I knew the cargo was worth more than the one bag. Father, he teases us!”

  The old man chuckled. “I, for one, am very happy that you came back safe and sound and that the enterprise seems to have been a success, Sir Talon. Welcome back, my boy.” He laughed. “My goodness, my son’s face was a picture wasn’t it? Ha, Ha!”

  He banged his stick on the floor. “John, bring the wine. We are to have a celebration.”

  John appeared like a genie at the door holding a bottle of the prescribed wine. He poured a glass for all the adults. He paused at Theodora but the senator waved his hand. “Give her some,” he said.

  “Make sure it has some water in it John,” Joannina said sternly.

  Theodora looked up at John as though to say not too much water and smiled beguilingly. He made as though he was pouring water into her glass with a twitch of his lips. He was rewarded with a thankful grin from Theodora, then he stood back to wait for the senator to sip his first. There was a brief silence, before he nodded with satisfaction and said, “It will do, it will do, thank you John. Now, Talon, tell us all about it.”

  There was happy laughter as everyone joined in a toast to Talon while John supervised the distribution of food brought in by the servants.

  In between the courses Talon told them all about his adventures up to and including the capture of the Arab ship and finally his discussion with the Admiral.

  There were somber faces and Damianus grunted with alarm when Talon told them of his fears. He had not wanted to alarm anyone, but he also realized that he owed them the facts. But it was Alexios who saw the greater danger. He interrogated Talon about the nature of the fleet in detail and finally he said, “Despite what you have told us I still do not think the Admiral has fully understood the peril of what you have uncovered. This is more than just a casual visit by a fleet of Arabs bent upon mischief, Talon. There is more to this, though I cannot fathom it yet. One thing I can do, however, it to alert my regiment and have them put on standby. I shall have Joseph send a runner down to the barracks by the Tower of Belisarius with a message.”

  He called Joseph into the room and in rapid Greek instructed him to alert the regiment. “Ask the Merarch Philippos to send one of my colleagu
es to the house so that we can explain our concerns to him,” he told Joseph, and dismissed him with a short note for the runner.

  “We do not live very far from the Great Palace where the Varangian guard are bivouacked. Should we not alert them too?” Alexios asked the room at large.

  “It would be a good thing, but I do not think the Admiral ignored what I said,” Talon told them. “I saw a lot of activity as I was walking up the hill on my way here.”

  Then he remembered something. “Is not the house of Pantoleon Spartenos close by?”

  Eugenia paled but it was her sister who spoke up. “Yes, it belongs to Senator Spartenos...” She was about to say more when she shut her mouth and stared at Talon. Her face went white as some of the implications dawned on her.

  Eugenia abruptly got up and excused herself. “I am not feeling quite as well as I should, Mamma. Will you please excuse me, Sir Talon? I am sure I will recover momentarily.” She hurried out of the room.

  “She is probably having her moon,” Theodora said dismissively with a shake of her head.

  “Theodora! What a thing to say in front of a guest!” Her mother was shocked. “You will be sent to your room if you continue in this vein, young woman.”

  Theodora was instantly contrite, but Talon sensed that she was not sorry her sister had chosen this moment to leave. He wondered what had occurred to disturb Eugenia so much. His mind went back to what had just been said. It had been the mention of the senator’s house that had set this off, but he could not see any connection that could concern her. He dismissed it and concentrated on what Alexios was saying.

  “You were right about unloading the cargo of salt at the earliest opportunity, Talon. From what you and Henry have told me it is still mostly in good condition, so first thing in the morning I shall instruct Makarios and Giorgios to complete the process. How did Giorgios behave on the journey?” He asked.

  “He is a first rate negotiator. I would willingly take him on my next voyage, Alex. But he does not like conflict, so I hope that the next time is less exciting.”

  “What will you do with the other ship, Talon?” Damianus asked him. The old man had been gleeful at the story of its capture.

  “Why, once it is repaired, I have a captain for it already and I thought that we might put it to good use, Senator,” Talon responded with a grin.

  The senator nodded and said, “You did an impressive thing there. Most men would have allowed them to sink, but you thought ahead. Well done, my boy. You shall have a fleet if you keep this up. I can promise you one thing, with your mandate from the emperor, there will be many calling upon you for help with their cargoes.” He laughed and called for more wine.

  “There is one thing you can be sure of, Sir. My ships will be carrying your cargos before all others.”

  *****

  It was only later, after the senator had gone to bed accompanied by Joannina, and Alexios had limped off pleading tiredness, that Talon found himself alone with Theodora.

  Talon rose to leave but Theodora said quickly, “Talon, do not leave. There is something…I need to tell you.”

  He returned to his chair. Theodora motioned the silent servants to leave and watched them go. Then she turned to him and said, “I am afraid, Talon. Something happened while you were in prison.”

  He straightened. “Can you explain, Theo?”

  She told him of the visit that she thought had occurred, and when she had finished there were tears trickling down her face. She trembled and edged closer but evidently did not think it a good idea to crawl into his arms, where she clearly wanted to be.

  She could see how upset he had become at the news, but for a long time he said nothing.

  Eventually, when she thought he would never say anything, he turned to her and she saw his eyes. He terrified her with that look.

  “Have you told anyone else about this?”

  “No, because I did not want to worry them. It might have been just my imagination but…I am sure I saw someone, although I cannot be certain it was the same person who was in my room. It was just that, I felt so strongly that someone had been there. It frightened me so much! I do not know how long they were there nor why—she was crying now.”

  “Perhaps you should have told you brother, Theo. He could have at least taken precautions.”

  “He has enough troubles with getting better and I did not want to add to his problems, Talon,” she said between sobs.

  He reached over and grasped her hand. “You have nothing further to fear, Theo. I am here now and whoever contemplates harm to you will answer to me.” He waited, still holding her hand, as the sobs subsided.

  In the darkness of the corridor just outside Eugenia held her hand over her mouth and nearly choked. Then she hurried away, making as little noise as possible.

  __________

  All we have of freedom, all we use or know—

  This our fathers bought for us long and long ago.

  Ancient Right unnoticed as the breath we draw—

  Leave to live by no man’s leave, underneath the Law.

  Lance and torch and tumult, steel and grey-goose wing

  Wrenched it, inch and ell and all, slowly from the King.

  Rudyard Kipling

  Chapter 25

  War in the City

  It had been three days since Caravello had sailed into port and delivered his report, then returned to his ship to await further orders. Now it was late evening at the villa. Senator Spartenos leaned back in his chair, and while he half-listened to the rain on the closed shutters he contemplated the situation as it had developed so far. He felt satisfied that all the pieces of his chess game were now in place and it was almost time to make his move. There was a low cough, and his eunuch Markos indicated that he had a visitor.

  The senator motioned the eunuch to allow entry and there was a light footstep at the door and then his wife appeared with Eugenia at her side.

  “You have a visitor, John,” she said.

  The senator stood up and said to his wife. “Thank you, Constance, leave her here with us and you may go.”

  His wife touched the girl on the shoulder and said in a low voice, “God protect you my dear, I shall leave you now.” She disappeared back into her own rooms.

  The senator looked after his wife and the movement of the leather curtain for a brief moment as she departed. Since the news of their son’s demise she had become almost a wraith, eating very little and praying till the early hours of the mornings. Almost nothing could enliven her now, and he suspected that she was going to the church nearby to pray for the soul of their lost son once again. He gave a mental shrug. His anger with the emperor was sustenance enough and the thought of bringing that august figure down would compensate in part for the loss of Pantoleon. He beckoned to Eugenia to come into the room and waved the servant off who was standing near the door. He wanted privacy.

  “What brings you to us at this time, my dear?” he asked in his most kindly manner.

  Eugenia stepped warily inside and stood before him, dipping her head with respect. Her hair was wet and her outer clothing was damp from the rain.

  “I have come as you ordered to inform you that the Templar has returned, Sir.”

  “That is not much in the way of news,” Spartenos snapped.

  Eugenia stared at him, and there was fear in her eyes when she next spoke.

  “He has been release from prison Senator!” His eyes flew wide with surprise.

  “Furthermore Sir Talon has spoken to the authorities, the Admiral of the Fleet no less, about an Arab fleet that is on its way to attack this city.”

  The reaction she got was unexpected. There was a stunned silence for a few moments, then the senator recovered himself enough to almost physically bring himself under control; he turned a death-like smile to the girl and said, “Tell me again what you just said, and you had better explain what has happened.”

  The last words were delivered in almost a whisper and the girl shrank
from the now blazing eyes that glared at her.

  “Sir Talon arrived the other evening with his ship. He has been south on a voyage for my father and brother, as I told you before. However, on his way back he encountered an Arab fleet and managed to evade them and sail on to Constantinople. Did you know he had been placed in prison but then released on the orders of the Admiral of the Fleet? He reported to the Admiral of the Fleet what he saw, including that the Arabs now have the use of Greek Fire. He thinks that the Vice Admiral has been placed under arrest.”

  The Senator took her by the shoulders and sat her down, telling Markos to bring some mulled wine. Then for the next half an hour he asked her many questions, most of which she could not answer, but after a while he drew back from leaning over her and sat back in his own chair, his mind in turmoil. The news of a plot would have reached the ears of the emperor by now. But far worse was the news that the Arabs were going to attack this city? This had never been the plan.

  “What does this mean senator? Is my…the prince in danger?” She asked the last with apprehension in her voice, her eyes wide with concern.

  “There is nothing for you to worry about, my dear. Have you told me everything that you know?” his eyes were hooded as he looked at her.

  “Yes, it is all I know. What should I do now?” she asked, her hands plucking at the edge of her cloak in her agitation.

  “You shall go home and wait there until I call for you. It is better that you do not go out anywhere, least of all to the palace tonight.” His tone was cold.

  Of a sudden all her dislike and revulsion for him surfaced and Eugenia blurted out, “I know that you have been having my sister watched! Why?”