Greek Fire by James Boschert

Author:James Boschert [Boschert, James]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781942756026
Publisher: Penmore Press LLC
Published: 2015-03-22T04:00:00+00:00

*****

They entered the great city at the Gate of St John of Cornibus located on the northern side of Constantinople. It was almost midday after three weeks on the road from Dorylaeum. They had taken a ferryboat from Gelation on the other side of the Golden Horn using some of the last coins that they possessed to pay for the crossing. As they sailed over the gap between the lands, Talon had seen the Byzantine navy at anchor and wondered if Nikoporus was somewhere there on a ship.

Max insisted on going straight to the Church of St Demetrius, which was a stone’s throw from the gate, and giving thanks for their deliverance. As they knelt and prayed in a corner of the tall stone building they were watched with curiosity by some of the locals, and a priest even came over and stood near them. He looked askance, but Alexios, who was pale with exhaustion, still managed to explain briefly what they were there for and where they had come from. The bearded priest promised to say prayers for them as they left.

They were unsettled to see smoke rising from various places along the hillsides. The streets were almost deserted, which was unusual and those people who were there hurried past without looking at them or pausing.

Talon stopped one man who wanted to push past and asked him, “What is happening in the city?”

The man looked up at him. “You have been away? The army came back two weeks ago and the citizens have rioted. They are very angry at the Emperor.” Talon would have asked him more, but he looked over his shoulder and started, then hastened away.

Down the road came a detachment of soldiers. Talon recognized them as Varangians. The officer in charge was none other than Eadgar.

He stopped the men and greeted Talon and Max as old friends.

“Well met, Sir Talon, Max! Where have you been?”

“We were delayed because of our friend Alexios here.” Eadgar into the cart at the prone figure of Alexios lying asleep.

He nodded.“You should hurry to your destination, Talon. There have been riots and burnings. It is not safe to be out on the streets. I will give you two men as an escort.”

Talon thanked him and they proceeded at a faster pace towards the villa. Talon hoped that it was untouched and was relieved to see the walls intact and the gates shut. He thanked the two Varangians and sent them on their way.

Their arrival at the senator’s house created pandemonium. Talon had to pound several times to get the attention of the guards, but the gates were eventually opened. The large dog named Belisarius barked loudly and tried eagerly to leap up at the cart as he sensed that Alexios was there, but the guard who was holding his leash tugged him away. He then contented himself with a raucous exchange of barks and growls with the dog accompanying the three men. Max called his dog to his side and they moved past the sentries.

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