I had not come to conclude an agreement with the barbarians. My business was to arrange an exchange of hostages so that my lord might treat in person. That sounds straightforward, and so it is among western leaders who know each other’s families. In the west we are also agreed on the sanctity of oaths; not many Franks would commit blatant perjury, without at least blaming the other side for doing it first. But among these savages I was in the dark. All Turks take as many wives as they like, and beget enormous quantities of children; furthermore, each chooses his heir, who need not be the eldest son; and since they all dress in grubby woollens I could not tell by looking at them who was an important magnate.
Tutach professed to be delighted by my proposal, and at once offered six hostages of my choosing. But when I answered that in that case I would choose the six councillors who sat beside him of course the reply was that nothing could be decided without their advice. Then the renegade had the impudence to suggest that our hostages should include the lady Matilda. I told him that was out of the question. Then we wasted a lot of time trying to fix up a meeting in some open space, each side to bring an escort of equal strength. That didn’t work because there was no plain, within a day’s ride, so level that the Turks could not hide an ambush in it. In the end Tutach grew tired of the argument, and caused his kettledrums to be beaten; his whole force, about two thousand men, assembled in arms, and the renegade told me to walk down the ranks and take my pick; any ten men must come back with me to Amasia, and in return the Frankish embassy would bring the Bishop’s chaplain, two members of the town council, and one respectable knight from our band. This was a diplomatic victory; we gave only one of our men, three of our subjects, in return for ten of their warriors. After such generous treatment I could make no more difficulties; I chose at random ten well-mounted Turks, who looked as though they habitually had enough to eat. It was too late to return the same day, and I spent an uncomfortable night on the floor of the church, with the servants of Tutach’s household sleeping all round and on top of me; but a stray Frank would not have been safe in any other part of the camp.
Next day I rode home with my hostages. They made no trouble on the road, but they seemed frightened. In the west that would be a bad sign, showing that they knew their lord intended treachery; but with these savages it might be nothing more than the dislike all nomads feel of being shut within stone walls.
In the citadel we held another council, to draw up the details of our proposal. Matilda was still against the whole idea; she wanted us to stay where we were, or retreat towards Armenia if the town could not be held. But that meant giving up all hope of getting back to Italy, and no one supported her. Several wicked knights wanted to join Tutach in attacking the towns of the Propontis; Messer Roussel answered that he would find his way home alone rather than join infidels in attacking Christendom. In the end we decided to help Tutach if Artouch barred his way, and otherwise part company outside the first town we found in Christian hands. To me it did not seem a wise plan, for we did not offer Tutach enough to make him friendly. But the others were so pleased at the thought of turning their horses’ heads for Italy that they insisted we must give it a trial.
Of course I rode on the embassy, to translate into Greek what the renegade would then translate into Turkish; the curse of Babel is one of the worst afflictions of sinful men, and it is especially trying to linguists who understand the first time and then hear everything said all over again. Besides our hostages we were a party of only eight negotiators, Messer Roussel, six of his council, and myself. Ranulf the Monk had been appointed hostage from the band; he was not exactly respectable, but he had influence, so that was fair enough; and by putting him in the hands of the Turks we made sure he would not persuade his comrades to break the agreement. We rode unarmed, which I thought a mistake; but my lord said his rowdy and hot-tempered councillors would be more likely to keep the peace if they had no swords to hand. He was convinced we could make a treaty, if only our men would behave themselves. He had not formally handed over the castle of Amasia to a deputy-castellan; it was more or less taken for granted, after our march through the hills, that Matilda commanded in his absence; but some men dislike taking orders from a woman, and it was more tactful to leave the position unfilled. In a crisis all would quickly seek my lady’s advice.
The Turks seemed pleased to see us. Like most barbarians, they are very fond of making pompous speeches, the only way in which a clever man among them can display his cleverness. They knew that Christians who ride with a long stirrup are uncomfortable with their legs tucked under them, and they had arranged a row of packsaddles as a bench for us; this was in the roofless church which they used as a hall, facing the row of cushions where sat Tutach and his council. The renegade stood before them, and I stood before the Christians. Tutach spoke in Turkish, it was put into Greek, then I told what he said word for word in French. The reply went the same way, so everything was said three times.
The Turks had two main objects, to drive their rival Artouch from his remunerative position on the Roman border, and then to plunder the shores of the Propontis. We were willing to help them with the first, but not with the second; but they wouldn’t take no for an answer, and the argument continued. Some of our knights were tempted, remembering the rich booty we had won from Chrysopolis; the infidels spotted this division of opinion, although I was careful to translate only my lord’s view. At length Tutach himself led us to a large tent where an excellent meal of roast mutton was spread on the carpeted floor; there he left us to ourselves, obviously hoping that before negotiations began again my lord would have been persuaded by his own men to join the attack on Romania.
The infidels had provided plenty of wine. They drink great quantities themselves, though their unnatural religion forbids it; but then the only part of their disgusting faith which they really follow is the injunction to wage war on Christendom. But there was no bread and no cabbage, since these are scarce among the nomads. I was hungry, and ate heartily, until I felt some discomfort. The thought of poison entered my mind, only to be dismissed; these savages could never calculate a minimum dose; if our food had been poisoned we would have writhed in agony after the first mouthful. It was just roast meat and red wine, gulped down greedily, which had upset my digestion. I told my lord, saying I would go outside; he nodded agreement, but told me to come back soon, since without a linguist they could not resume the discussion.
Nomads are dirty; but since they live mostly on the floor of their dwellings they usually appoint some place in the open as a latrine. There was a sentry outside our tent; I gave him a friendly grin and indicated my business by a rather coarse gesture. He smiled, pointing to a canvas screen fifty yards away.
I had finished my business and was preparing to depart when someone popped round the screen in a great hurry, knocking into me. ‘Sorry,’ he muttered in Greek, ‘but those seeking the latrine have right of way.’ That is a Greek proverb, meaning roughly that urgent business should have precedence; I had heard it often and it made no particular impression. Then suddenly my mind began to function; this stranger wore Turkish dress, but Greek was his native language; I recalled that the renegade had told me there was no one in the band who could take his place.
‘One moment, sir,’ I said politely. ‘I am a Frank and a Christian. If you are held captive perhaps I could arrange your ransom.’
‘Damn it all, I’ve broken my parole,’ said the other, but rather in confusion than anger. ‘I promised that if they let me out the Franks wouldn’t spot I was a Roman. That’s why I wear these funny trousers. If you must know I am Theodore Docianus, and I am not a captive, but a hostage for my cousin Alexius Comnenus. They treat me well; don’t mention that you’ve seen me. My companions are under guard, but the sentry let me out because this blasted dysentery is really too much inside a stuffy tent.’
‘Thank you, sir. I shall inform my lord of our meeting, but we will keep it most secret from the Turks. If they found out they might str
angle you.’
Theodore shrugged his shoulders. ‘They may do that any day. But now we have no army the best service for a brave man is to volunteer as hostage.’
I hurried back, puzzling over this encounter. Alexius was commander in chief of the Roman army; why should he send hostages to the infidels? If he did, why must it be kept secret from Franks? Then I understood. I burst into the tent, shouting: ‘We must get away, quickly. Tutach is playing Romans against Franks. Roman hostages are hidden in his camp!’
All jumped to their feet, clamouring in panic. But at that moment the renegade entered. He walked straight up to my lord, and stared insolently. ‘Now then, Roussel,’ he said sharply, ‘you know enough Greek to answer Yes or No. Are you willing to follow the mighty Tutach of the Six Horsetails, or do you still hold to the Christian dogs? If you do, you will visit the Emperor immediately.’
Behind him crowded armed Turks. My lord held out his hands, speaking over his shoulder to his dismayed followers: ‘No fighting. I would rather be sent to the Emperor, where I shall see a priest before the end, than die here unshriven. Submit quietly.’
The Turks thought it an excellent joke. They bound us comfortably, without beating us; I think they liked my lord, though of course that did not stop them selling him to the highest bidder. I made one last effort, after I was bound and they could see I was not trying to escape; I pushed forward and whispered to the renegade: ‘Remember your hostages. Matilda de Balliol holds them until my lord returns. Are you willing, is Tutach willing, that they should die by torture?’
‘Perfectly willing,’ the scoundrel answered with a grin. ‘You forget that Tutach is young; his sons are still too small to ride in arms. Among the hostages you chose were two of his cousins, as well born as he and rivals for his command. As Martyrs for the Faith they will reflect credit on the family, while at present they are a nuisance. The other eight are decent men, but they may as well die tomorrow as the next day.’
That is the trouble with barbarians; a chief who has two hundred wives is not bound by the family feeling which is the basis of the western system of hostages.
When we were safely bound (but they did not steal our clothes), we were hoisted to the backs of the worst ponies in the herd of the Six Horsetails. Then we were driven by happy whooping Turks to the edge of their camp, and handed over to an escort of Roman troopers. The Roman hostages watched us, openly wearing their Roman gowns; they were very cheerful, for everything had gone their way, but of course they would not be released until Tutach received his blood-money.
As we jogged by, bouncing on those rough ponies, Docianus called to me. ‘You will soon be in Christian hands,’ he shouted. ‘Alexius is merciful, and his quarrel is with your leader only.’ I suppose he meant it kindly.
Messer Roussel heard and understood. He addressed us in French: ‘Gentlemen, I release you from your fealty, in the presence of these witnesses. They are free men and warriors, competent to bear witness; though they happen to be infidels, and can’t understand a word I say. Since I give permission no one may hold you recreant if you enlist under the Labarum.’ One should not expect too much of mercenaries; many of the band would have sought another employer anyway. But it was thoughtful of my lord to make things easy for us. I loved him all the more, and decided to serve him while he lived; after the Emperor had judged him I would look after his widow and children.
We rode five miles in the direction of Amasia, until we reached a small Roman encampment, not more than six hundred men; but in the midst was a great tent, with the standards of the Domestics of Asia, Europe, and the Schools planted before it. In the diminished Roman army Alexius Comnenus held these three commands at once.
14. Alexius
The Romans are humane, and they have the imagination to put themselves in the place of a prisoner, knowing that the worst of his misery is wondering what will happen next. They helped us gently off our ponies, and an officer called:‘Take courage, Franks. You are only hostages for the delivery of Amasia, which the Domestic will arrange immediately.’
Then we were led into the presence of Alexius Comnenus, commander of all the armies of Romania.
He was seated on the magnificent folding stool which is part of the insignia of a Domestic. But he wore the short undress tunic which normally goes under the corselet, and his only attendant was an elderly monk. He smiled pleasantly, and waved a greeting. ‘We are not strangers. I met you, gentlemen, at Ancyra last spring. Well, well, fortunes of war. I’m not proud of the way I caught you, but to defend a great Empire without an army I must use tricks my ancestors would have despised. I cannot offer you refreshment. You have just come from a feast in the infidel tents, a feast provided by the unfortunate peasants of Romania; and this little army looks to Amasia for its next meal. Now then, lord Roussel, I have orders to bring you before the Equal of the Apostles to receive judgement from his own lips. You will be fettered and put under guard. An officer will visit you daily, to hear any complaints about rations or quarters; but no one may remove your fetters without a direct order from the Emperor, so don’t waste time asking for that. You other gentlemen have nothing to fear. I want to get Amasia without fighting, and if you help me I can arrange for you to enter the Roman army at the usual rate of pay, letting bygones be bygones. Now which of you is the linguist? You must have had one, to speak to those Turks.’
I stepped forward. A captive linguist sometimes has an unpleasant time, for his gaolers may torment him to encourage him to plead for peace and freedom. But it is worth running that risk to know what goes on; anything is better than hanging about in helpless ignorance.
‘Oh yes, we met before, when you arranged for the surrender of Ancyra. Tomorrow you shall speak to the castellan of Amasia. I won’t let you inside; we are the stronger party, and their envoys should come to us. But you need only tell them the truth. Now it’s bedtime. We are all on short rations, but you will have as much food as my men.’
We were chained to tent-poles, but they gave us blankets, and a little biscuit. Alexius is a chivalrous enemy. I thought over my own position, and what I should say to Matilda in the morning. Messer Roussel had come to the end of his career; the Emperor might spare his life, but the best he could hope for was long years in a monastery, blinded and castrated. But he had very bravely foreseen this when he was taken, and I was no longer bound to his service by oath. I was free to serve any lord I might choose; and the lord I wished to serve was my lady Matilda.
Nowadays people always think that if a man and a woman work together, or even see a lot of one another in the course of business, there must be a love affair in the background. It is the fault of those idle Provencals, who hang about their neighbours’ castles, composing poetry and playing on musical instruments, instead of spending the summer ravaging the fields of their enemies as a gentleman should. In my young days only serfs fell in love; a lady was sent to the husband chosen by her parents and they both made the best of it. Matilda was one of those old-fashioned ladies. She had been lucky to marry at all, as things fell out; but she served her chance-met husband loyally. She was plain, and could never dress properly. I repeat, I was not in love with her.
But she was a very gallant companion; her horsy ways and delight in manly sports gave her rather an eccentric character, but it was consistent all through; she did not behave quite like other people, but once you understood her you could count on what she would do next. Besides, I had known her for ten years, and the Balliols were my substitute for the home I had lost. All that night I tried to find some way in which, despite the wreck of our fortunes, she and her children could live with dignity and comfort
In the morning we rode to Amasia. We found the gates closed and the wall manned; but when Messer Roussel was paraded in chains the burgesses opened a wicket and sent out the Bishop to arrange peaceful entry. I did not hear the discussion which followed, but before noon the little army had dismounted in the market-place.
It was time for me to play my part. I ha
d given my word not to escape into the citadel, and Alexius trusted me, as he always trusted those whom he considered honourable; he was very rarely mistaken, and by avoiding a lot of unnecessary precautions he got his business done quickly and smoothly. I climbed the steep track unguarded, with only a Treasury eunuch as witness. The gates of the fortress were closed, and a plume of smoke showed that my comrades were heating pitch to repel an escalade. I was gratified to see dangling from the gatehouse the ten Turkish hostages; they were naked, because it is always a pity to waste warm clothing in winter, but the bodies were unmarked. I recognised the firm command of Matilda. These hostages deserved death, and a great many angry wives would have impaled them, or at least flogged them to pieces; she had killed them swiftly, in a manner which brave warriors can endure with dignity, instead of forcing them to disgrace their last moments by shrieking with pain. To do less would have been weakness, to do more cruelty, she always knew what to do, and did it efficiently.
The garrison, who from their towers could see what went on in the market-place, awaited an envoy. When I was recognised Matilda herself came to an arrow-slit over the gate, and I told her all that had befallen. She made up her mind without hesitation. ‘Tell the Roman commander,’ she said in a level voice, ‘that I shall be in the market-place within an hour. I do not seek hostages for my safe return; I should be within my rights in demanding them, but I want to get things settled. The only condition I make is that before negotiations begin I must see my husband face to face. I don’t want to surrender this strong place to buy his freedom, and then receive a corpse as my reward; that trick was old when I was in my cradle.’
‘My lady,’ I answered,‘you should certainly come down and treat, to save all the Franks in Amasia. But my lord’s freedom you cannot buy. Alexius has orders to take him to the city; make up your mind what else to ask for, and consider him as already dead.’
The Lady for Ransom Page 21
