Varangian

by Griff Hosker

  We reached Larissa after five of the hardest days’ travel I can remember. Ridley began to stir as we approached the walls. The Tourmache of the Thema had taken charge of the defence and I could see new ditches being dug and wagons entering with foods. The Governor of the town was a frightened looking little fat man who immediately began pestering Alexios with questions.

  “Majesty, your man has begun to order my soldiers around and bring in supplies. Surely if you are here there is no danger?”

  Alexios had a voice which seemed to calm people just by its sound and so it was with the Governor, “Governor, the Normans are coming but they are a nation of horseman. I will leave the Thema hereto defend you whilst I go to Byzantium to raise an army to come to your aid. We are laying in food. If you wish to send your wives and daughters to Byzantium then we will escort them. We will defeat this enemy.”

  The Governor smiled and suddenly seemed calmer and more amenable. We stayed there for one day only, merely enough time to collect the handful of wives, mainly the officials of the town, and we took them east. As we left the wagons were rolling in with supplies. Robert would have his hands full with a siege if he attempted it.

  Ridley awoke as we left the vicinity of the soon to be beleaguered city. The wounded warrior next to him, Olaf shouted to me. “Strategos, the lord he is awake.”

  I rode to the rear of the wagon; we had left the front and rear open for fresh air to carry away the smell of blood. Olaf was supporting him. His face, with the red, raw scar running down it was now looking worse as the bruising made it also look black and blue. “I am sorry Aelfraed. I let you down.”

  I was aware that the men were listening and this was not the time for recriminations. “We escaped the trap and your charge, reckless though it was, bought us time. Now rest. We are heading back to the city so that you can see your family and recuperate.”

  “This little wound, “he pointed to his knee, “will not stop me fighting again!”

  There was no point in depressing him so soon. “Just get well as soon as you can.”

  There was a sombre atmosphere as the remnants of the army which had marched so proudly to war now slunk its way home. The sentries on the city walls looked shocked as the survivors of the vaunted Varangian Guard entered, barely a third of the number who had left. Their expressions told it all. If the Imperial Guards could not withstand the Normans then what chance did they stand? That was our lowest ebb. As soon as the wagons entered the barracks with their wounded, the doctors and aides rushed to see to them. Anna was also there, her face filled with joy. We had sent riders back with news of the dead for I did not want the poor woman to be worried that her husband had died. I had written in my message of his wounds so that she knew what to expect. Ridley hated being on the litter but Anna grabbed his hand. “Strategos, this is a happy day! I have my husband back, he is alive and he cannot go to war again!” She kissed me on the lips. “Thank you my lord.”

  Ridley almost screamed, “I will go to war again. This will not stop me.”

  I put my hand on his arm. “When you walk again, unaided then you can rejoin the army.” Anna looked horrified but, unseen by Ridley I gave her a slight shake of the head and she mouthed her thanks. “The important thing is to get well. That is your wife’s department. I have an army to rebuild.”

  “I am sorry Aelfraed. I am burden and you can do without my whining. I will concentrate on regaining my health.”

  I then went to see to the wounded with Edward. “Find out which ones will be fit to fight again and which ones will need a pension. Make a list of new and suitable officers and check the equipment.”

  “We will be fighting again soon?”

  I looked at the sky. “Winter is coming soon and for once that will be our ally as it will slow down the siege. If our Venetian allies can maintain their blockade then the Normans will not have as many supplies but by the spring we will be fighting again Edward and it will be we who are at the heart of the army.”

  As I left to meet with Alexios and John I thought that what I had not said was that the Thema had not covered themselves in glory. They had not stood against the Normans and until they did then we would lose every battle we fought. I was praying that the Scorpions would be ready and more volunteers had arrived to fill the ranks of those who had died.

  The normally ebullient and cheerful John looked downcast, as did Alexios when I entered their office later in the day. “More bad news my lord, Andronikos has lost another battle in Asia.”

  “So we will get no help from that quarter.” They had a map on the table. I pointed at the red dot, “If Larissa can hold out for the winter and the Venetians continue to help us we may be able to attack them in spring. Will the Scorpions be ready?”

  “In the next month, they will be completed.”

  “Any more Saxons or Norse?”

  “Three hundred but your friend Jarl Gunnersson tells me that many more are heading for the city by different routes. They seem to know your name strategos.”

  Alexios smiled for the first time. “That is good news at least for your men and the men of the Hetaireia saved the day.”

  “And the cataphracts and light cavalry.”

  “You are right but the light cavalry only slow down the enemy they do not defeat them and we do not have enough cataphracts to make a difference.”

  “You need a better Thema. Arm them with longer spears, give them a bigger shield and incorporate more archers amongst their numbers.”

  “We could do all of that but how would that help us?”

  “We need them to stand and soak up punishment. Shields and spears keep the knights at bay, arrows thin their numbers. When they tire then we attack with the few cataphracts we have and the Imperial Guard. There is no point using your best troops as assault troops until the enemy are tired and that is our advantage. They fight on horses and horses tire. Their horses wear no armour and we can kill them. If these Scorpions prove useful we can add those too.” With positive ideas the meeting ended fruitfully. Over the next few months we worked hard to train new men and equip the Thema more effectively. Christmas was anything but a celebration. Too many men had been lost and the enemy too successful for cheer.

  In January we received more bad news. I was summoned to a meeting of the Imperial staff. “Robert and his son have captured all of Thessaly apart from Larissa!”

  I had to admire the Norman general. He had been thwarted by the fortification of the largest city but that still left him a whole province to ravage and he had done so. Alexios continued, “There are refugees thronging the roads. I have sent a Droungos of cavalry to guard the main highway to Constantinople.”

  “It does not change our task. While Larissa stands then we have a thorn in his side. As long as the Venetians are our ally he cannot reinforce and his men will have to be spread thinly guarding what he has. He will be busy building castles to protect his land. We still have until Easter to prepare. Our artillery is ready. We have new recruits and the Thema are better armed.”

  “You are right Aelfraed; we can still rid the land of Robert and his son Bohemund but we cannot afford to lose another battle. Each battle we now fight must be won. One more loss and the Empire will crumble.”

  I had taken to visiting Ridley each night to tell him of our progress. That progress and his family were his only highlights in each pain filled day as he tried to learn how to walk again.” Then I shall be walking by then.”

  I had taken the precaution of bringing John with me and he was hovering outside. I waved him in. “John you have had many discussions with the doctors have you not and been examining the progress of my friend.”

  “I have.”

  “And what is the prognosis?”

  John looked as sad as I had ever seen as he sat on Ridley’s bed and held his rough hand in his soft ones. “The spear to your leg shattered your kneecap. They can stiffen it with metal bands but it will not bend if we do that. Your other leg was hamstrung and will not bear yo
ur weight alone. The only way you would be able to walk would be to use a crutch. You will never be able to fight again. I am sorry but you know me, I speak the truth.”

  I saw the look of gratitude on Anna’s face as she cuddled their daughter. Ridley slowly nodded and tears began to slip down his face. “But what am I to do? Do I lie on a bed growing fat and old?”

  “I sincerely hope not old friend. I did not say you were leaving the Varangian Guard; you are too valuable for that. We need someone here who can train the men and prepare them for war. There is no-one better suited than you. You can do that using a crutch, can you not? And you can take charge of the defence of the Hetaireia and the palace. When the Emperor is away with his guards there is no-one left to do that. Would that task suit?”

  He smiled. “It would but are you not doing this to stop me moaning?”

  “If it does that then all well and good but more the important issue is that you do the role so that I can lead the men knowing that I will have many good and well trained recruits to help us rid this land of the Normans.” The smile from the couple was worth the world to me. Ridley would live and, for that I was thankful.

  I took the opportunity, as the first signs of spring began to manifest themselves, to visit to my estate. It was a day’s ride north of the city and I had put off the visit due to the needs of the army but I felt guilty that I had asked Ragnar to look after it and then ignored it. Once I was riding along the peaceful road north I found myself enjoying myself. For the first time since I could remember I was doing something which was peaceful. Even at Topcliffe I had been making a defensive home. Here I would not need to do that. I would sleep without armour and be able to relax in my own home. I had been given clear directions and a map by Snorri; my two friends had spent Christmas on the estate, away from the depression of the city and they both spoke highly of the house and the land. I found that I was becoming excited. I stopped along the way at a roadside seller of wine. I did not particularly want a beaker of wine but I did it because I could and it was a measure of the lack of urgency. He had no idea who I was for I had no sign of office upon me.

  “Good day sir. A fine day for travelling. Have you come far?”

  “From the city.”

  His face darkened. “They say the Norman monsters will take it soon.”

  I laughed, “They have as much chance of taking Byzantium as I have of growing tits!”

  My laughter was infectious. “I am glad then sir. Still as long as those axe wielding barbarians defend us I will be happy. They may be as ugly as my cow’s arse but they are wonderfully tough men to stand between us and the enemy eh sir?” He leaned in and tapped his nose, “I have heard sir, that the leader of them has bought an estate around here. That made us all feel happier let me tell you.”

  “Why is that?”

  “It means if any enemy causes trouble around here they will have the invincible one to fight!”

  As I rode away I smiled to myself. The ordinary people had no idea what warriors did to survive and to protect others. They had the stories after the battles, the stories from the winners, not from the dead. They were in blessed ignorance of the truth but I was glad of that for the truth would terrify them knowing that an enemy like the Pecheng, the Seljuk or the Norman was only kept away by the width of the wood of a shield and the sliver of steel that was a blade. It was little enough but it would have to do and as long as it was wield by a true warrior then the Empire would be safe.

  The house and lands were in a pleasant valley and the olive trees and vines rose steeply on the terraces I descended. As a defensible position it was hopeless but as a home it looked like perfection and I wondered what life would have been like had Gytha and Harold shared this with me? Wyrd. I could do nothing about the past and very little about the future. As I rode through the gates, a farm worker approached me. “What can I do for you stranger?” He had a billhook in his hand and he sounded s though he would be ready to rid the world of me if I gave the wrong answer. I did not have to give an answer as Ragnar and two other servants rushed out. Ragnar clipped the poor farm worker on the back of the head and hit him so hard that he was knocked to the floor.

  I almost laughed but I could not upset Ragnar. The smaller man said, “Apologies Lord Aelfraed. We did not know you were coming and we had not prepared the workers. I am Andros and I work with the master.”

  I dismounted, “Do not worry Andros, Ragnar knows I am not easily upset. “ I embraced Ragnar. “Thank you for what you have done old friend. It looks perfect.”

  He mimed sleeping and held up his fingers; I knew what he meant. “I can just stay for a couple of days and then I will be away to war but I wanted to see you and my new home.” He made some hand gestures and Andros took my bags while the other servant took the horse. Ragnar had grown since I had seen him last. Gone was the quiet, almost sullen and shy cripple from the thrall hall in Hedeby and here was a confident manager of what looked like a well run estate.

  The inside was beautiful and cool and I could see that Isaac had bought a good property for there was much marble and well painted murals. Whoever had built this had had taste. I was taken by Ragnar to a cool courtyard with a tinkling fountain and there was a jug of iced wine. As I sat down he clapped his hands and two servants came in with a bowl, a jug and water. They carefully washed and dried my hands and face, then they removed my shoes and began to wash my feet. How civilised it felt. Andros came in. Ragnar mimed and I could see that the two of the understood each well, far better than I, who only understood his basic gestures.

  “The master asks what you would like to do first? I have the books if you would like to go over them? We could look around the estate?”

  I looked at Ragnar when I spoke for I knew he read lips. “I have ridden enough today but I will look at the estate tomorrow and I am in no mood for reading. Just tell me about the estate and how it goes.” I liked the fact that Andros called Ragnar master, for he was master of the estate and I could never see me living there even though the idea appealed to me. I was a warrior and the only time I would cease to be a warrior would be when I was either too badly injured like Ridley or dead. I suspected it would be the latter.

  Andros smiled, “Good. As per your instructions all profits are handled by Isaac the Jew. We visit him four times a year and he checks all the figures.”

  “You do not need to worry about my trust. Isaac and Ragnar have my complete trust and if they trust you then I am satisfied. “

  He seemed taken aback by my frankness and then I remembered that he was a Byzantine Greek and openness and honesty were not their usual characteristics. “We had a good year last year and both olives and grapes were good crops. The master has enlarged the terraces and put in more vines and trees. In addition we have created an orchard with lemons, oranges and figs. We have some good pasture and we have begun to rear horses as well as having cows for milk. Finally the master introduced herds of sheep and goats for the high pastures so that we can provide our own meat as well as producing good cheese.”

  I smiled and looked at Ragnar when I spoke, “Well done my friend, and I see that you yearn for your meat still.” He grinned and rubbed his stomach. “I am surprised you do not grow barley for the ale.” He put his head wistfully on the side.

  The two days I spent at the estate were the happiest days I had in my whole time in Byzantium. Had I had a different fate or been a different man I could have been happy there. I could have found a woman and raised children and enjoyed watching things grow rather than just being a killer but my life had been formed long ago and the Norns had spun a different life and story. I took Ragnar to one side so that Andros would not hear my words for they were just for Ragnar. I spoke in Danish and slowly so that he would know what I said. “I am grateful to you old friend for what you have done. My heart is full with joy at the home you have built for me. I may not be able to visit often but I will do so as often as I can for here, I am truly happy. Thank you.”

  We embrac
ed for a long time. I felt real affection for the crippled and scarred old warrior for he and Ridley were my most faithful and loyal of all companions. I returned to the city feeling younger for the first time in years.

  Chapter 16

  Constantinople summer 1082

  We had a larger army when we left Constantinople in the early hours, long before the city was up. The Imperial Guard was almost at full strength although we still only had two Droungoi of Varangians. Edward commanded one and Cnut the other as Egbert had died in the slaughter of the last battle. Ridley had managed to hobble around the parade ground with the aid of a crutch and the pain of his wounds added to the lash of his tongue but the men were better trained and prepared because of that. The rest of the army was already on the road with the added artillery which we hoped would make the difference. We only had one Thema of troops but they had a better mixture of weapons which we hoped would stiffen the resolve of troops who had yet to provide their reliability. Alexios and John had managed to procure, somehow, more cataphracts and two hundred and fifty of these formidable horsemen rode with us as our shock tactic and finally we had three Banda of light cavalry, including one whole Bandon of horse archers. We also left optimistically for Andronikos had finally won a victory against the Seljuk Turk. Perhaps God was smiling on Byzantium again was the view of Alexios and others, for myself I thought it was the capricious Norns toying with us like a cat with a wounded mouse.

  When we reached the army it was stretched out for miles and Alexios took the precaution of sending out a screen of two Banda of cavalry. The third was further afield seeking out the Normans. There were many of them for they were spread out across the whole of Thessaly. We suspected that the main army would be at Larissa and that was our present destination. Before we reached it, however, we had our first encounter with the Normans. The scouts reported a force of them close to Mount Olympus, near the coast at Heracleum. It was a worrying development for if they held Heracleum they controlled the western road to the capital. It was but a short deviation to reach it and Alexios sent all but a Kentarchia of light cavalry, along with the cataphracts to cut off their retreat. The scouts estimated a thousand men were there but only two hundred knights. It was the chance to put some steel into the Thema.