Chained to the Barbarian

by Carol Townend

  ‘Good man!’ William went to examine the bundle. It was bedding—woollen blankets wrapped round a rolled-up mattress. Anna was watching him, she had not moved from the couch. Her cheeks were pink and she was making several self-conscious little gestures, tidying her hair, straightening her cloak.

  Constantine leaned back through the door and spoke to someone outside. ‘My thanks, I shall take it from here. Symeon, wait for me outside.’

  Another bundle came flying through the doorway. Sackcloth this time. William thought he could smell bread and cheese, but that was likely wishful thinking on his part. Since coming to the Palace, he seemed to be permanently hungry. Constantine vanished for a moment and returned with a clay amphora in either hand.

  ‘Good God, Constantine, are we laying in for a siege?’

  Constantine laughed. ‘If you could see the kitchens, you would not mock—they are in an uproar. In truth, the whole Palace is being turned upside down by preparations for the General’s enthronement. Matters will only get worse, so I thought I would sneak out what I could.’

  ‘Because of the enthronement on Easter Day?’ Anna asked, leaving the couch and coming towards them.

  William frowned. ‘That’s only a couple of days away. Isn’t that short notice for those who don’t live in the City?’

  ‘General Alexios has taken the throne by force—speed is of the essence.’

  ‘I thought he was a popular choice?’

  ‘He is, but his accession could be questioned. Once he has been enthroned, his position will be more secure. Heralds have been sent out to all corners with invitations, but as you say, given the time, that is largely a formality. They will not get far. However, you may rest assured that the General’s allies will be attending.’

  ‘The Doukas family,’ Anna murmured. ‘I expect they will be present in force.’

  Anna was staring at the floor in a manner that could only be described as abstracted and when she lifted her gaze to look at Constantine, cold fingers trailed down William’s back. She is afraid. And her fear is centred on the Doukas family. Why won’t she confide in me?

  ‘I wouldn’t be so sure,’ Constantine said, propping the amphorae up in a corner.

  ‘Why do you say that?’ Anna’s voice was casual, but her tone did not match the intensity in her eyes.

  ‘One moment.’ Constantine scrambled over the rubble and reappeared with another sack, which he tossed onto the growing heap. ‘There, that’s the last of it.’

  ‘Constantine…’ Anna bit her lip. ‘You had something to add about the Doukas family… I think you had better tell me, it may affect the Princess.’

  ‘Don’t fret, Anna, this is nothing to do with Princess Theodora, and in any case, I can scarcely credit what I was told.’

  Anna’s foot tapped. ‘What? What were you told?’

  ‘That General Alexios is so besotted with his adopted mother, he is considering setting his wife aside.’

  When Anna’s face went completely blank, William realised how shocked she was. He had no idea what she had been expecting Constantine to say, but this had caught her completely off guard.

  Constantine gave a short laugh. ‘It would appear that the battle for the throne is not yet over. The men have done their part, now it is the women’s turn.’

  ‘Whatever can you mean?’

  ‘The prize this time is Alexios himself.’ Constantine put his hands on his hips. ‘Some rather surprising negotiations seem to be going on behind the scenes, it would seem that Irene’s accession is by no means assured. It is possible that the General has his own reasons for allowing this idea to circulate, but there do not seem to be plans to have Irene enthroned beside him. She has not even been given an apartment in the Boukoleon, instead, Irene Doukaina and her entourage have been allocated space in one of the lesser palaces. And in the meantime, the General’s adopted mother is ensconced in the Boukoleon, within earshot of his chambers. The Doukas family are outraged.’

  ‘I am not surprised,’ she said. ‘At the least it is a grave insult.’

  William kept his gaze on Anna, but her face was inscrutable, he was unable to tell whether this new intelligence concerned or relieved her.

  ‘The General’s wife is very young,’ she went on, thoughtfully. ‘If it comes to a battle between his wife and his adopted mother, whom do you think will win?’

  ‘It’s too soon to say,’ Constantine said, ‘but they are making wagers in every guardhouse and tavern in the City.’ He crouched down beside one of the sacks and rooted through it. ‘Speaking of taverns, there should be a couple of drinking horns in here. I don’t suppose

  either of you would care to try out the wine they’re going to serve after the enthronement?’

  ‘Not for me, thank you,’ Anna said. ‘I shall join you shortly. First, I have to return to the Boukoleon—I have been neglecting my duties. Constantine, is all the Palace in uproar?’

  ‘It’s buzzing like a hornet’s nest,’ Constantine said, flourishing a drinking horn. With its rim of chased silver, it would not have looked amiss in the hand of a Norse god. He tossed it to William.

  ‘I shall be as quick as I can. Save some wine, I should like to try it.’ Giving them a strained smile, Anna started for the door.

  William watched Anna prepare to leave, guessing that she was going to search for his documents. He wanted to go with her, he didn’t know what was troubling her, but it was possible she might need his help.

  ‘Here, Constantine, I shall escort her.’ William lobbed the drinking horn back.

  ‘No, William, that will not be necessary.’ Anna’s voice was firm. ‘I shall not be long.’

  William searched her face and received an unconvincing smile. She was worried. ‘Are you sure, my lady?’

  ‘Quite sure.’ Her smile was strained, her voice cool. ‘I thank you for the offer of your escort, but it is not necessary.’

  ‘Get Symeon to accompany you, he’s waiting outside,’ Constantine said. ‘I want to talk to William.’

  * * *

  Constantine had not lied when he had said the Palace was buzzing like a hornet’s nest, the marble corridors and stairways of the Boukoleon were crowded to the point of impassability. Anna was glad of Symeon’s escort. Shouts and curses bounced off the walls as slaves laden with packing cases were elbowed into plaster frescoes. In one of the narrower passages, Anna saw the ear of a deer in a bucolic hunting scene flake off as it was knocked from the wall. Ladies in rich brocades jostled and jabbed their way along, tripping over trailing hems and shawls in the race to beat the others to the best sleeping spaces.

  Breathing in a pungent mix of scent and unwashed bodies, Anna fought her way through the sea of bodies until at last she and Symeon succeeded in gaining the landing outside the Princess’s apartment.

  ‘My thanks, Symeon,’ she said, as he rapped on the door. ‘I did not appreciate quite how necessary your escort would be. It would seem the entire Empire is set on witnessing the General’s enthronement. You may return to Constantine now.’

  ‘Thank you, my lady.’

  A Varangian Guard—it was young Kari—opened one of the double doors and Anna was whisked inside. Kari resumed his post inside the entrance.

  Peace. Compared to the noise and desperate scrabbling of the courtiers, the apartment was an oasis of peace.

  ‘Kari, are there any messages?’

  ‘No, my lady, you have no messages.’

  ‘Has anyone been to visit the Princess? Perhaps her family…?’

  ‘No, my lady, the apartment has been quiet since you left.’ The Varangian rolled his eyes. ‘Unlike out there.’

  Anna went straight to the Princess’s bedchamber to hunt out William’s document. She was not sure what she was going to do with it when she found it. I should free him without question. Katerina would, she was sure, have placed it in her jewel box. This was kept in a small dressing room off her bedchamber, beneath the table with the icon on it.

  The icon stood i
n place, but as for the jewel box…it was not there. Anna’s guts tightened and she fell to her knees, feeling along the floor. Her hand slid over smooth cool marble. It really was not there. She leaned back on her haunches.

  Everything Katerina owns is in that jewel box, she must have taken it with her when she left with Commander Ashfirth. There is nothing for it, I shall have to go to Commander Ashfirth’s house in the City. It would be good to see for myself that Katerina and the children are safe and well, and Katerina can give me that document…

  It was a setback not to have laid her hands on the document at once, but it was a small one. Katerina would surely have it with her.

  Anna returned to the main reception chamber. Several of the windows opened onto balconies overlooking the Sea of Marmara. Anna went over to one, silken window hangings brushed her shoulders as she went outside. The chill on the balcony was sharp enough to make her wrap her cloak more tightly about her. Easter was almost upon them, but the wind was wintry. The sea looked like beaten lead.

  Anna gripped the edges of the cloak together and stared at a passing ship that was little more than a dot on the horizon. Yes, it was irritating not to have found William’s document, even though she knew that Katerina would keep it safe.

  Loud knocking broke into her thoughts. Her heart lifted. Might Katerina have returned?

  She stuck her head through the curtain as Kari opened one of the doors, but it was not Katerina who walked in, it was Anna’s father.

  Saints, Father will want to know about my meeting with Lord Michael—what am I to say to him?

  Pushing past the curtain, Anna unclasped her cloak and dropped it on a chair. ‘Father! I did not expect to see you again so soon.’

  Taking her arm, Lord Isaac drew her down the chamber, away from the door. His eyes were brighter than Anna had seen in years and he was smiling at her in the old way, as he had done when she was a child.

  ‘Anna, I have news for you, great news!’ He patted her hand, his voice became confidential. ‘You have another suitor!’

  ‘Another suitor, Father?’ Anna fought to keep the surprise from her voice. ‘I thought you favoured Lord Michael.’

  Her father grunted. ‘Forget Lord Michael. On reflection I thought you might look more favourably on a man of more…mature years. So when I received another approach, I realised I must tell you at once, before you committed yourself to Lord Michael. This man has served several Emperors, his record is impeccable.’

  ‘He is a soldier, too?’

  ‘No, no. It’s the Lord Chamberlain, Basil.’

  ‘Lord Basil?’ Anna felt her face fall. ‘He’s twice my age!’

  ‘As I said, he is a man of mature years. He is someone you can look up to, someone you can respect. Lord Basil has the advantage of owning lands close to ours. Which means that, in the fullness of time, when your brother inherits, you will be nearby. I find that thought pleases me.’

  Anna didn’t know what to say. She had been dreading telling her father that she did not want to marry Lord Michael, but this was far worse—Lord Basil was old enough to be her grandfather! ‘Father, I think I prefer Lord Michael to Lord Basil.’

  Face darkening, her father took his hand from hers. ‘Anna, you will meet Lord Basil. He is my choice.’

  He is not my choice, I want William! ‘Father, only this morning you favoured Lord Michael.’

  ‘Anna, I hope we are not going to see a repetition of the behaviour we saw two years ago…’

  Anna bowed her head to shield her expression. She remembered Lord Basil as a fussy Court official whose enormous girth testified to his love of food. ‘Lord Basil has already had two wives,’ she muttered.

  ‘His first wife died, you can hardly blame that on the man,’ her father said coldly.

  ‘And the second wife? Didn’t she enter a nunnery?’ Anna felt her hands begin to shake, she gripped them together. ‘Please, Father, I have never liked the look of Lord Basil.’ I refuse to marry Lord Basil! Heavens, there’s nothing for it, I shall have to tell William that his freedom comes at a price…

  ‘Don’t be difficult. Anna, it is my wish that you meet Lord Basil as soon as possible. It is a great honour that he is prepared to consider you. He is the Chamberlain, you know.’

  ‘A man of great influence,’ Anna murmured.

  ‘Exactly.’ Her father cleared his throat. ‘Lord Basil has made it clear that should you come to an agreement, he does not consider a long betrothal will be necessary.’

  Anna’s thoughts raced. There must be some way I can delay this meeting, at least until I have spoken to William. I shall have to tell him that I have changed my mind about the conditions upon which I am prepared to give him his freedom. She felt shaky and panicky, but she had some time. Marriages during Holy Week were unheard of, she couldn’t marry anyone, until after Easter Day. ‘Yes, Father. Perhaps…’ inspiration struck and she looked into her father’s eyes ‘…after the enthronement? I am sure Lord Basil has his hands full dealing with the demands of the new Emperor and all that entails.’

  Her father smiled and patted her hand. ‘Very good, Anna, that’s more like it. It is most gratifying to hear you voice an understanding of Lord Basil’s concerns. I shall convey your response to him and arrange for introductions to be made after the enthronement.’

  ‘Thank you, Father.’ Anna managed a smile. It hid the fact that, inside, she was fretting over what William’s response would be. He will hate me! Will I have to force him? How does one force a man like William?

  * * *

  When Anna returned to the Hall of the Nineteen Couches, she swept in like a queen with an armed guard at each elbow. One glance at her set face warned William that tasting the wine was the last thing on her mind. The guards at her side were Varangians, fully armed Varangians.

  The hairs rose on the back of William’s neck. Exchanging glances with Constantine, he set the drinking horn aside. What is she up to? I thought she had gone to look for my document of manumission, but I see no document…

  ‘Anna?’ Constantine climbed slowly to his feet. ‘There are difficulties in the Palace?’

  The blue veil rippled as she shook her head. ‘No difficulties, I thank you, Constantine.’

  William nodded at the Varangians, smiling to cover the unease roiling in his gut. ‘Why the guards, my lady? Are you expecting trouble?’

  Anna gave him a look he had never expected to see her direct at him—it was hard, it was determined, it was implacable. ‘They have come to ensure that if there is trouble, it will be…short-lived.’

  Holding William’s gaze, she came closer, the hem of her skirts dragging across the mosaic floor. ‘Leave us, Constantine,’ she said.

  ‘Anna? What is going on?’

  ‘If you please…leave us.’

  Constantine’s hand went to his sword hilt as his gaze shifted from the Varangians to William and finally to Anna. ‘Anna, if something is wrong, you know I will always help you.’

  ‘Nothing is wrong. Leave us.’ Anna held William’s gaze until Constantine had left the hall, then she turned to the guards. ‘You too,’ she said, with an imperious wave. ‘Wait outside with the others. Watch the door. I shall call you if I need you—otherwise, wait outside.’

  ‘Yes, my lady.’ Bowing, the Varangians withdrew.

  William’s heart was cold as stone. Wait outside with the others? ‘Anna, what is going on?’

  She was standing very straight, head erect, shoulders rigid. Her nostrils flared. ‘I have come to confirm the terms upon which you shall be give your freedom.’

  William stopped breathing. ‘You said that you would free me…“unconditionally” was the word you used.’

  ‘I have changed my mind.’

  William bunched his hands into fists and jerked his head towards the door. ‘And that is why you brought guards?’ She cannot change her mind! I trusted her!

  Her chin lifted. ‘You have already tried to escape. I thought it possible you might try again.’


  He gave a snort of laughter. He couldn’t believe it—after what had passed between them, for her to treat him like this—it was unthinkable. And yet…something about the set of her face, the stubborn lift to her chin, told him she meant what she said. She says she has changed her mind, but was she lying all along?

  ‘You were never going to free me in the first place! That is why you were so quick to disarm me when we got back to the Palace.’

  ‘No.’ Her smile appeared sad, but William didn’t think he could trust it. ‘I was intending to free you but…but…’ her voice broke ‘…circumstances have changed.’

  ‘You are a liar, my lady. And I am a fool. I trusted you and you have merely been biding your time, waiting for the right moment.’

  ‘No.’ She clasped her hands, twisting her fingers together so tightly her knuckles went white. ‘I was going to free you, and I swear I shall do so. But not until you have performed a simple task for me. It should not…’ flushing, she gestured vaguely at one of the alcoves

  ‘…given the talents you have already demonstrated, be a task that is beyond you.’

  ‘What is it that you want me to do?’

  ‘I want you to marry me.’

  William felt his jaw drop. ‘I beg your pardon?’

  ‘I want you to marry me.’

  William groped behind him for the lopsided couch and sat down heavily. ‘You must have lost your wits, I cannot marry you! I told you I have to get back to Apulia. And…and…what about your suitors? Good God, woman, surely you have enough men to choose from—why involve me?’ He narrowed his eyes. ‘This is part of some scheme to spite your father—you cannot mean to go through with it.’

  She shook her head and her veil quivered. ‘No, I want to marry you.’ Her colour was heightened, her eyes would not meet his.

  ‘And when I have married you, then you shall free me?’

  ‘Not quite,’ she murmured.

  William’s nails were digging into his palms. Slowly he uncurled his fingers. Look at me, my lady. Meet my eyes. Slowly, he uncurled his fingers. ‘When will you free me, my lady?’