The Betrothed Sister

by Carol McGrath

  Anya said, ‘It is best if we destroy them first and only a small number need to use the fire pots. We have some amongst our horsemen who can outride the Cumans’ best riders, but not many.’ She thought for a moment. ‘But we must try. Let us find Katya and ask her to make a list of ingredients.’ Anya rose from the bench. ‘We have told the cargo ships to wait in Miskenk or return to Byzantium. Dimitri may be amongst the ships in Miskenk, just down river, out of immediate danger.’

  Thea felt more positive than she had since her arrival in Pereiaslavl. ‘It is possible that he is still on the river,’ she said.

  ‘Then we must find him. I know of a smith called Peter who understands alchemy. Vsevolod always says that Peter forges the greatest swords. He has spoken of how he thought he could turn base metal into gold if he could work out a formula. Maybe he can make our fire.’

  ‘There is no need for alchemy, just the right formula. There is no magic in this.’

  ‘I shall send a scout down river to search for Katya’s father. Padar did say he saw him in Byzantium as he was setting out. Padar said he was on his way, close behind his own vessel.’

  ‘Katya will be pleased at that news.’

  ‘The Cuman army is still miles away to the east. With good fortune he will be here by mid-morning.’ Anya’s eyes shone with hope. ‘Come, let us see if we can collect up the right ingredients.’ She hurried Thea along the garden pathway. ‘We shall speak to Katya and then you must get some sleep. You have been travelling all day. Besides, you are too far with child not to need rest. Does he move?’

  ‘She,’ Thea said. ‘I am going to have a girl. I think she is moving now.’ Thea placed Anya’s hand on her belly.

  ‘She is full of hope and life.’ She drew Thea close and linked arms. ‘Just like her mother. For the sake of our children, we will destroy our enemies.’ She glanced up at the sickle moon that hung high in the sky. ‘The Moon Goddess is for us as well,’ Anya said smiling. ‘And maybe my husband will bring us a large army.’

  Thea had a feeling that whatever was happening in the Chernigov region and in Kiev, Vsevolod would not ride south. The Cuman presence was a cunning strategy designed to divide Vsevolod’s armies and take hostages from Pereiaslavl. The prince could not leave until he had taken Chernigov.

  They climbed the terem stairs to Thea’s chamber. Thea gently shook Katya awake and confided their plan to her.

  ‘So Father is on his way to us.’

  ‘Padar thinks he was close behind his own vessel.’ Thea paused. ‘Does he know how to make the mixture? Does he truly know the secret?’

  ‘He knows something of it. I can remember those items, my princess, I recollect them because my father was obsessed by it, the weapon, I mean. He used to make me gather the ingredients. Bring me writing tools,’ she said, her excitement clearly beginning to mount. ‘I can make a list.’

  Thea searched through her travelling chest until she found a birch tablet and stylus. She passed it to Katya, who climbed down from the bed they were sharing, sat at the table in the window and scratched away by the moon’s light. After chewing the top of her stylus for a moment she placed it in front of her on the table beside her list. ‘I think that is it; all these items will be to hand, that is the joy of it. We need my father to bring them together.’ She handed the birch bark and stylus to Thea. ‘You must bring him back to us.’

  ‘We shall find him. Go back to sleep. I’ll come to bed soon.’

  Katya nodded. ‘Find my father,’ she repeated, turning to Princess Anya.

  ‘I intend to,’ the princess replied. ‘I shall send a messenger tonight.’ She frowned. ‘And I shall call a council to discuss this, in the morning,’ she added before softly closing the door. ‘You must both be present.’

  Thea read the list over and over – pine resin, naphtha, a dozen copper cauldrons, pots, copper tubes, stoves, and so the list went on. These were common enough items in Pereiaslavl but they would need time to make the concoction, assuming they found Dimitri, who would have the formula. When she looked away from the list and glanced out of the window, she observed Padar and Edmund walking towards the outer courtyard, deep in conversation. She pulled the slatted shutters closed, wondering what the council had decided, and climbed into bed beside Katya. She must speak to Edmund at Prime before Anya demanded the meeting of the inner council. They needed his support. Reticent men would always be an obstacle. They would assume they knew better. Subtlety was the best approach, with Edmund helping them to put over their idea.

  The next day, after Prime, when Anya sent a servant to fetch Thea, Thea carried the list to the meeting. Followed by Katya, she entered the blue antechamber to see that the city’s patriarch, the governor, the general, Padar and Edmund were already present. Katya slipped away to sit on the bench by the wall beside Anya’s steward. The others, the important ones, were seated on cushioned low stools around a long, low, mosaic table. The men rose politely and bowed to Thea.

  ‘Thea, sit here beside me,’ Anya said, nodding to a stool by her side. Thea placed the missive with the list on the table in front of Princess Anya.

  Governor Ilyich threw a puzzled look at the birch tablet lying on the table.

  ‘Your report first, General Luke, then we shall explain that,’ Anya said, looking at the birch tablet which contained what clearly seemed to be a shopping list.

  The general stood and cleared his throat. Governor Ilyich was not looking at the general. Thea noted that rather he could not lift his eyes from the list. She was sure he was trying to read it upside down as the general cleared his throat again and began to speak.

  ‘My spies returned after we spoke yesterday.’ The general bowed again in an obsequious manner to Princess Anya. It was an unnecessarily low bow. ‘Safely, Princess, since they kept out of sight. They have reported that a great Cuman army are organising their horsemen far out on the Steppes, to the east. Within a day, two at most, this army will move forward to surround Pereiaslavl.’

  Edmund gestured his impatience. He muttered, ‘As if we were unaware of that.’

  Anya frowned at him, and then returned her attention to General Luke. ‘This much we know already,’ she said quietly. ‘Tell us what we don’t yet know.’

  ‘We have decided to send both cavalry and infantry out to give battle rather than allow a siege to commence. That has been the council’s decision. There is no alternative unless Prince Vsevolod reaches us with reinforcements. Otherwise, our chances of keeping their troops off our bridges are slim,’ he said grimly.

  Princess Anya shook her head. ‘My husband will surely advance once he knows we are under attack, but our messengers may not have broken through to Kiev never mind Chernigov.’

  The governor tugged at his neat little beard with fingers that Thea observed were perfectly manicured. A bemused smile played about her mouth. He was vain. He tore his eyes from the missive. Thea reached over and pulled it towards her.

  ‘We have no option, Princess,’ he said. He studied Thea. ‘May I ask what is the purpose of –’ he pointed at the list ‘– that shopping list?’

  The patriarch raised a hand. ‘I think I know, Governor. Princess Gita’s brother told me at Prime that she has a suggestion that might stop the Steppe tribes from besieging us.’ He nodded to her. ‘You could explain, Princess.’

  Thea took a deep breath. She rose to her feet.

  ‘Be seated, General Luke, you will listen to the princess,’ Anya said firmly. The general pulled his stool back and sat. Thea could see a thunderous look gathering between his bushy brows, as if to say, how dare a woman, even a princess, tell me to sit.

  ‘It is just an idea,’ she said quickly. ‘My lords, if the army that is camped out on the Steppes fights its way into this fortress we will be sold into slavery or worse.’

  ‘If my strategy is followed we can fend them off,’ General Luke said, looking even more furiously at Thea.

  Thea said in a confident voice that was more assured than she truly felt,
‘No, you cannot. We are outnumbered. Even I know that.’

  The governor said, ‘What do you suggest then, Princess? I expect the missive lying there is part of something.’

  Thea opened her hands and directed her eyes at the men seated around the table, looking from one to the other. ‘My lords, have you heard of Greek fire, siphons sending fire through ships’ figureheads and warriors riding into battle carrying throwing pots?’

  Eyebrows raised, mouths moved, but did not open. The general grunted. The governor muttered the word, ‘Insane.’

  Anya said quietly, ‘Continue. Princess Gita, explain further.’

  ‘If we make the liquid fire, we can destroy our enemy.’ She glanced about her.

  ‘No such weapon, not nowadays, anyway,’ the governor remarked and shrugged his heavy-looking shoulders.

  Thea braved a smile. ‘That is not true. We all know about liquid fire and I think Katya might help with this.’ She turned to where Katya sat on the bench beside the steward. ‘Katya, come forward.’

  Katya rose, nervousness showing in her face, her hands clasped to stop them shaking. Edmund smiled reassurance at her as she came to stand by Thea. ‘Katya, what are the ingredients used in Greek fire?’ Thea asked, as at last she lifted the missive with its list of ingredients. She passed it to Katya. ‘These are the ingredients you wrote down last night. Read them aloud.’

  Katya’s voice was so quiet, it was hardly audible. The men around the table leaned closer to listen.

  ‘Speak up, girl, these men don’t eat women,’ the patriarch demanded.

  Katya said clearly, ‘Naphtha and pine resin will work in combination. My father knows more about that. His may not be the Greeks’ secret recipe but it will work.’ She glanced at her list. ‘We need metal containers, cauldrons, charcoal, siphons, containers and tap mechanisms, nails and copper for tubes.’

  ‘Why does Prince Vsevolod not know this?’ General Luke asked.

  ‘Because, my lord, it is dangerous; it is difficult to control,’ Katya replied. ‘My father has not perfected its making. I have seen him construct siphons and I have seen him fill small jars to throw. They contained the dragon fire. He once took it out into a pool in a wood and said afterwards that he could not reveal the recipe he used until he discovered a way to stop the flames running wild. He said that sand would work, my lord. It would stop it running wild.’

  ‘Well, well,’ Governor Ilyich said scratching at the bald patch on his head. ‘What an idea!’

  Thea addressed them. ‘We have no time to test it but, my lords, do we have these ingredients?’

  For a moment no one spoke. Steward Michael coughed from the bench. He stepped forward. ‘May I speak?’ he said in a soft voice. They all turned to hear what he was about to say. ‘We do have the resin and the oil, lots of it, for our lamps. As I see it, if we can find the girl’s father we can provide the items on her list.’

  ‘I have already sent a guarded vessel of my own down river to find Katya’s father,’ Anya said.

  ‘Without our advice?’

  ‘Yes, and he should be here soon if he is to be found.’

  The general and the governor muttered amongst themselves for a moment. Thea heard mutterings of ‘Too dangerous, what nonsense; it is a woman’s idea and it won’t work.’

  ‘It can work,’ Princess Anya said, her voice so scissor-sharp they looked up at her in shocked horror. ‘Let us vote – including myself, Katya and Princess Gita. Who is in favour of trying it?’ The patriarch, Padar and Edmund raised their hands. They would be six, seven with Steward Michael supporting the plan. He would not go against Anya.

  The governor lifted the tablet from the table and studied the list scratched on it. He laid it down again, shaking his head. Gradually, his blue eyes filled with anticipation, followed by something close to hope. At last he broke into the silence. ‘Perhaps it is possible. We have alchemists in this city.’ He unlocked his clenched fingers and clapped one huge fist to his forehead. ‘Greek alchemists, by the saints; I know of several.’

  ‘Then send for them, sir,’ Steward Michael said. ‘It is a chance. It is a difficult and dangerous chance, but it is all we have and we must take it. I vote for it.’

  ‘It is our only chance of survival,’ Padar ventured. ‘I vote for it. If we make enough liquid fire we will need siphons to attach the containers to the dragons and griffons on our ships’ prows. And … be aware … we can only pray that the fire shoots away from the water.’

  ‘I have thought of that,’ Thea said with increasing confidence.

  Five pairs of ears were now clearly ready to listen. Anya was smiling. Having now captured their complete attention, Thea now explained her strategy.

  ‘Princess Gita, you would make a fine general if you were not a princess,’ General Luke said in a conciliatory manner. He was smiling at her when she finished speaking. ‘We can use our ships as well as the throwing pots. It is the only way we can do this.’

  ‘Our cavalry should disperse from the north bridge behind the Cuman army,’ Edmund lifted his head and suggested.

  ‘Let me lead them,’ Padar interrupted. ‘I am good with horses.’

  ‘How is your throwing technique?’

  ‘I can lead the throwers,’ Padar said.

  ‘And if you allow me, I can command the ships containing the fire siphons,’ Edmund suggested. ‘The wind has blown from the north-west for days so that will be in our favour.’

  There was a knock. Governor Ilyich drew the precious list towards him and turned it over. Princess Anya called out, ‘Enter.’

  A moment later, Earl Connor, looking as if he had not slept for a week, unkempt and bearded and wearing a huge grey mantle trimmed with green velvet, stood in the doorway.

  Thea gasped her shock. Earl Connor was not expected. The Rus council stared, surprised at the Irishman as if he were an ancient giant come to haunt them and would gather them up into his elegant cloak as easily as they all took in a sharp breath. They drew back. Anya looked at Thea. Thea looked at Padar and then at Edmund. Edmund pushed his stool back and crossed to the door and embraced Connor.

  ‘Lord Edmund, my lady.’ Earl Connor’s eyes returned to rest on Thea.

  Thea rose. ‘Earl Connor, I thought you were in Novgorod …’ His presence had filled the chamber and for a moment it felt as if it were only she and Earl Connor.

  He shook his head. ‘I was on the river. They let me through. And you here also with the Arctic Fox, well ahead of me. How could I allow that, Padar?’ He glanced around the chamber. ‘And Edmund too, well, well. The guards told me messengers were looking for Dimitri.’

  ‘Do you have knowledge of Katya’s father?’

  ‘No, I do not, but I can see my sword may be put to good use here.’

  ‘We need more than your sword. We need a miracle,’ Padar said.

  ‘We saved another city from destruction long ago, if I remember, Princess Gita and Padar. With God’s grace we shall again.’

  ‘We do have a plan, Earl Connor,’ Thea announced ‘My brother will explain our strategy to you both,’ she said. She leaned down and lightly touched Anya’s sleeve.

  Seeing her intent, Princess Anya rose from her chair. ‘Dine with us later, Earl Connor. Come, Princess Gita and Lady Katya. We women shall pass the afternoon with our children and wait for news of Dimitri.’

  33

  An anxious day passed. Preparations continued within the city. The nunneries and monasteries prepared dormitories to house those who had entered the city from the countryside and were seeking shelter. The price of grain inflated to double within a day. Chickens and small birds went in the markets at a premium expense to those prepared to pay highly to eat flesh. Blacksmiths sold weapons at enormous cost to those who looked to purchase swords and daggers. The sound of knife grinding joined the general hubbub in the market place.

  There was no movement out on the Steppe to the east. The smoke from thousands of cooking pots rose calmly into the skies and the
distant encampment appeared as if it had settled comfortably for a clan gathering. When Katya remarked on this, Anya said, ‘It is doubtful they are gathering to sell goats. Your father will need to arrive soon if we are to stop General Luke changing his mind and riding forth to attack. That would be a disaster. Have we collected the ingredients, Katya?’

  ‘At a huge cost to the treasury here,’ Katya said. ‘No one is selling anything cheap. Padar, Gudrun and Padar’s crew set about that task. If my father does not come I doubt I can do anything with them. They will sit below the fortress waiting for the Cumans’ attention. I doubt those alchemists Governor Ilyich summoned into the keep know how.’

  ‘And no news from Kiev either,’ Thea said morosely.

  At last Dimitri appeared accompanied by castle guards and the messengers. His dragon ship had been turned back and he was about to return to the great Dark Sea trading ports when, after much searching and enquiry along the river, he was discovered. There was no time for reunions. Dimitri had an audience with General Luke, Governor Ilyich, Thea and Princess Anya. He confirmed that he had a recipe, not the recipe, but a possible formula, if the ingredients were to hand.

  ‘Your daughter has given us a list,’ Thea said. ‘We had thought we might have to make the fire ourselves.’

  ‘And you think you could achieve that?’ Dimitri grunted doubtfully. ‘Even my clever daughter cannot make Greek fire. Where are these ingredients stored?’

  Two days later, exhausted, Thea leaned against the battlements at the top of the Wolf Tower and surveyed the broad river. Ten boats could span this river, she thought, prow drawn up to stern. Her eye was pulled northwards to the upper bridge over the Dnieper. It was guarded by bowmen. She could see how heavily armoured they were, how the sun was reflecting off their pointed metal helmets as it eased its way out of the eastern horizon. The enemy would see them too.