Hosker, G [Wolf Brethren 05] Saxon Slayer

by Griff Hosker

  Our quarters were a suite of rooms all interconnected. There was a guard on the door and he nodded and stepped aside as Andronikos approached. Once we were inside I turned to speak but Andronikos held his finger up to his lips. He smiled and said loudly. “If you take off you armour and put on your lighter clothes.” I noticed that our chests had been brought up and the items unpacked. “I will await you outside and we will visit the Imperial bath. I think you will enjoy the experience.”

  Myrddyn had got the message too but I could see that Lann Aelle was both bemused and confused. I smiled. “It is all strange to us too Lann. Let us have a couple of days to become used to things first.”

  Lann shook his head, “What was the Emperor saying? I didn’t understand a word of it.”

  I laughed. Of course Lann could not speak Latin it would have been incomprehensible to him. “The Emperor welcomed us and praised us for defeating the pirates. He asked to see Saxon Slayer.”

  Lann looked relieved, “Ah that explains it. I wondered why they were all cheering and why you were waving the sword around.” He looked up at the huge room. “Are all the rooms as big as this I wonder?”

  “We will find out, nephew. Now come I am ready to see these magnificent baths.”

  The baths did not disappoint. Even before we reached the water the white marble floor was highlighted by mosaic murals on the ceilings and walls. Statues adorned every niche and cranny. We were taken into a room where slaves disrobed us. I found it disconcerting but the look of horror on Lann’s face as two men undressed him, made my ordeal less painful. They wrapped towels around us and then we were taken to a room with gleaming white benches surrounded by shallow pools of water. More servants bathed our feet and then we were led by Andronikos towards a room with steam emanating from it. There was a bath big enough to contain my shield wall, all one hundred of them! The lighting was discreet and there were torches lighting up more murals on the ceiling. The water was a bright blue. There were steps leading down to the water and a slave took away our towels as we entered the wonderfully warm water.

  Andronikos had a justifiably smug smile upon his face. “This is worth travelling half way around the world for is it not?”

  He led us to places where we could lie with our heads above the water. Lann was just beyond amazed. He had entered the world of dreams. Myrddyn was working out how the whole thing functioned and I could see him formulating questions for Andronikos. Slaves brought us iced wine. I was too enraptured by my surroundings to talk and I lay with a pillow, discreetly brought by a slave, sipping the wine and taking in the colours, sights and smells of this most fantastic place. No wonder Hogan had been impressed.

  I almost fell asleep I was so relaxed but Andronikos stood and said. “We have more to experience yet.”

  We rose and were towelled dry and then led to another room with benches. There, slaves laid us on towels and began to oil our bodies. They used a stick, called a strigil and began to scrape the oil off. I was amazed at how much dirt came off. My slave said something and Andronikos laughed. “What did he say?”

  “He wonders how much would come off if you had the hairs on your body shaved.”

  It was only then that I noticed that Andronikos had a completely hairless body. “Do many men have their bodies shaved?”

  There was a pause and he said, “All of them!”

  I did not know if I would go as far as that. When they had finished we were taken to a room with six baths in and we were lowered into chillingly cold water. I shivered. “Is that supposed to be good?”

  “Wait until we have finished the whole process and then you can decide for yourself. After the cold bath we were taken to a bath the same size as the first one but this one had water which was warm rather than hot. After the icy water it felt wonderful and this time I did fall asleep. I was woken by Myrddyn, “I think we need to dress. It is time for the feast.”

  I did not know what to expect at the feast. The baths had been beyond my comprehension; how much more fantastic would the food be? It was Myrddyn who noticed that we had been perfumed. “We now smell as your son and Pol did when they returned from this land.” He sniffed himself. “I am not sure I approve. The smell of the earth is more natural.”

  “Let us just live as they do whilst we are here. The last thing we want is to stand out more than we have to.” I looked around the room. “Let us use only Saxon while we are in here but save meaningful conversations for when we are outside and alone. I would not be overheard in case we offend someone.”

  We had discussed this on the boat and, now that we were here, it made even more sense. There was an air and atmosphere of intrigue. I would find the time to talk with Myrddyn for I was sure he had deduced how they were listening to conversations and spying on people. I looked at the other two, “Ready?” They both nodded and I felt better that I had two people sharing my ordeal.

  We did not sit at a table as I had expected but we lay on couches with low tables before us. Plates and platters of food kept appearing. There were many oohs and aahs and I suppose that meant it was supposed to be wonderful food but I found most of it too insubstantial. The dormice were supposed to be a delicacy but I could taste little and they seemed to be all bone. I enjoyed some of the spicy food and the wine was excellent but I moderated my intake and watched what the others did and said. The latter was difficult as most of the talk was in Greek but I learned to watch their bodies and they way that they looked. Suddenly I was aware that Phocas, the Emperor was watching me. He raised his goblet in a toast to me and I reciprocated. I sensed that he too was watching his alcohol intake. He struck me as a very careful and calculating man.

  I had expected that I would be summoned to speak with him at some point but it did not happen. I looked up late in the evening and he had gone. It was then that the other guests began to drift away. I turned to Andronikos, “Do we leave now too?”

  He had not been watching his drink. I saw, for the first time since I had met him, that he was a little drunk. “You can stay or you can leave. You just don’t leave before the Emperor; that would never do.” He leaned in to me, his breath sweet with the strong wine he had been drinking. “The Emperor is very pleased with me and with you. He has high hopes and great plans for you!” He tapped his nose. “We will talk in the morning.”

  Myrddyn stretched. “We might as well retire. I have seen sufficient tonight to keep my mind working until dawn.”

  Chapter 3

  We were summoned early the next morning. I was glad that I had watched what I drank for I knew that I would need a clear head. This time we were taken to a small courtyard which overlooked the Hippodrome. There were chariots practising already in the cool morning air.

  There were bowls of fruit and jugs with juice on the low table. Emperor Phocas waved an airy hand indicating that we should eat. Lann looked eagerly at the fruit but then he glanced at me for approval. “Eat Lann. It is there for us I am sure.”

  My squire eagerly fell upon the fruit most of which we did not recognise. We had seen people eating them the night before and I knew Lann was eager to try new tastes. While he ate I drank a goblet of the sharp juice before me. It was refreshing and delicious at the same time.

  “You are a careful man Lord Lann.” It was not a question and so I smiled and nodded, “I watched you last night. You drank less than all but me and you listened more than you spoke. Those are traits I admire.” He suddenly sat up, “You know my story do you?”

  “Your story you highness?”

  “I was a strategos. Andronikos and I were the two best generals but we tired, or at least, I tired of Emperor Maurice and his failure to hold back the enemies of our Empire. I took the Empire by force and I have been making her stronger ever since. Our stories are similar. You are the one who held together Rheged and you are the only hope the people have against the Saxons. It is the same for me and that is why I wished to meet with you. I think we can learn much from each other.”

  I shook my head,
“With respect, Highness, I rule a tiny island and you rule a vast Empire.”

  “You keep all your enemies at bay. You do not lose land you gain it. You have warriors who flock to serve you. They are great achievements. Now come, tell me how you rule your lands.”

  We spent the morning talking of how we operated. I could see, from within the first moments, how we differed. Phocas demanded total control. He trusted no-one. I could see that Andronikos was the only leader in whom he had faith. Andronikos’ fear showed that it was not a good relationship. After an hour he waved Myrddyn over. I knew that my wizard had been eager to join in.

  “You are a wizard?” Myrddyn nodded. “We do not have wizards in this land.”

  “You have men who study in your libraries and you have engineers. Picture me as a mix of the two.”

  Phocas laughed and it was one of the first genuine laughs I had seen. “Then you do not use magic?”

  “What is magic highness? It is that which men do not understand. If you are a man who studies then you can understand more than those who do not study and you can use that knowledge. To the tribes who live in caves in your far regions your bolt throwers, your Greek Fire, even your Cataphractoi will seem as magic will they not?”

  The Emperor rubbed his chin. “I can see how you two work so well together.” He leaned forwards. “Even though I have heard it before I would like to hear your stories, from the beginning.” He gestured at the four clerks who sat in the corner. I had not noticed them. “My scribes will write down your words and then they will be placed in my library.”

  And so we told our tales and they were written down. We did not see the finished versions before we left for home but I have met people who have read them. They are versions of the truth. There are others who heard the stories and retold them. They are not the truth. Many of the story tellers earned a living telling the tales and I do not blame them but they are not the truth. I did not find a hand coming from a lake holding my sword nor did I pull it from a rock in a cave guarded by a dragon. Morcant Bulc, or Mordant as he is often named, was not the king’s illegitimate son and he did not slay the king on the battlefield. I did not fly with my wizard into the high tower of Din Guardi to kill the king’s murderer. I did not disappear into the underworld and visit the world of the dead.

  When Myrddyn heard the stories he was amused but I was not. We had told our tale truthfully and it had been changed into a story of fantasy and romance.

  When we had finished the Emperor dismissed his scribes. He gestured for Andronikos who had been seated in the corner all morning, to join us. “My good friend and strategos, Andronikos has been watching you Lord Lann and reporting to me. I like what I hear. Having heard your story from your own lips it has confirmed an idea I have had for some time.” He paused and peered keenly into my eyes. “I would like you and Myrddyn here to become the leaders of my army and reconquer the lands lost by Maurice.”

  I looked at Myrddyn in shock. This could not be happening. When I glanced at Andronikos I could see an embarrassed expression on his face. He had known. “I am flattered, your Highness, but I have a family at home and people who need me.”

  “Bring your family here and as for your people I believe that your son Hogan will make a good leader. We invested much time in him and his companions last year so that they would be able to rule your lands.”

  This had been planned. Now I understood the subtle changes in Hogan. Now I knew why he had been so keen for me to visit. I became angry. Myrddyn knew me better than any man alive and he gave a slight shake of the head and I kept my anger cold and within and not hot and without. I took a deep breath. “You do me great honour but this is a surprise. If you value me at all you will know that such a decision needs thought and reflection.”

  “Of course. Take all the time you need. The ship which brought you is ready to take your squire home to return with your family. Now please, go with my strategos and explore our city. I am sure it will help you to reach a decision.”

  I was seething with rage as we left but I kept a smile on my face and my thoughts to myself. Myrddyn had trained me well. Andronikos was eager to please and behaved like a young puppy offering various suggestions.

  I had my own ideas and my own plan. “I think that I would like to ride beyond the city to see its fabled walls. How about you Myrddyn?”

  Myrddyn could almost read my mind. “I think a ride would be an excellent idea.” Lann, of course, just wanted to be wherever we were.

  “Very well I will just get some guards…”

  “We need guards? I thought that this was the most civilised city in the world and yet we cannot travel twenty paces from its walls?”

  “It is not that. I just did not want you to be mobbed by the people. They have all heard of you.”

  Myrddyn gave him a wry smile. “I think we can cope.”

  “If you get the horses, strategos we will meet with you at the main gate.”

  As soon as we entered our chambers I changed to Saxon. “Arm yourself Lann. I think we need to be careful today.” I looked at Myrddyn and saw the same steely expression I knew was on mine. “I want some answers from this slippery Greek.”

  “And what better place than outside the city walls and well away from prying eyes and ears.”

  The guards in the corridors were surprised to see two armoured men walking along its mosaic floors but they said nothing. Andronikos was also about to say something when Myrddyn said, “As you were worried about us being mobbed, we thought that we would be prepared for all eventualities.”

  He was about to say something else but then thought better of it. He leaned down to the captain of the guard. “We will be back before dusk.” I recognised the implied message; if we were not back then a search would be started.

  There were a number of walls in the city, each one marking the development of the city. The first one was the wall of Constantine. It was impressive but the burgeoning city had spread beyond that and we reached the huge walls of Theodosius. They were a triple wall system and they were as high as twelve men. Even though I had taken us there for ulterior motives I was impressed by the size of these fortifications.

  “And these go around the whole city?”

  Andronikos beamed with pleasure. “They go from the Golden Horn to the Sea of Marmara. No enemy can take the city without destroying these and it would take the magic of a wizard far more powerful than Myrddyn to achieve that.”

  Even Myrddyn nodded. “I can see that.”

  “Let us ride to yonder hill so that we can appreciate them.” The hill in question was some half a mile away and we rode with Andronikos explaining how the gates and the walls worked. I could see how we could improve our own walls by adapting some of the ideas we had seen.

  When we reached the hill I turned to Andronikos. “Now, strategos, we are away from ears and eyes. “ I drew my sword and placed it at his throat. It was done so swiftly that he had no time to react. “I have had enough of your lies and deceptions. I had thought as a warrior like me you had honour and I was wrong. You have no honour. You duped us into coming here and now we are prisoners.”

  “Please Warlord, I had no choice. The Emperor will not take no for an answer.”

  “And how much is my son embroiled in this plot? Was he party to my removal from Mona? Is he your man already? Bought and paid for with a few paltry sets of armour.”

  “I swear, Warlord, that your son is innocent. We merely tempted him with the trappings of war. He would be appalled to hear that you were kept here against your will.”

  I lowered the sword, suddenly aware that the guards on the walls could see us and might wonder at my actions. “Then speak and tell me the truth. Myrddyn is good at reading minds and seeing lies. He warned me of treachery here and I ignored him because I trusted you. Speak now but my sword still itches for your blood.” He dismounted and I joined him with Myrddyn. “Lann, watch the horses and keep an eye out for visitors.”

  “Even before Hogan was he
re the Emperor heard about your sword. I had told him of it and he had been hearing rumours of its power. The idea to bring you and use Hogan as your deputy began at that time. Hogan found out much but after he had returned to Mona the scribes gathered all the material about the sword and discovered that it was older than the Empire and had been forged during the years of the Republic. It was said to be a sword which had great power. Then Heraclius began his rebellion in Egypt. This Heraclius is like you, he is a warrior and he leads his men into battle as you do. The Emperor is a leader but not a warrior. He sees you as the natural opponent for Heraclius. He sees you leading his armies and fighting and killing this usurper.”

  I looked at this huge city before me. The man running it was not fit to do so and I would certainly not fight his enemies for him. “So we cannot leave until I do this?”

  “No, I think not.”

  “Suppose I refuse?”

  Andronikos paled. “You would not refuse would you? You could easily defeat this rebel and then return home.”

  Myrddyn laughed, “You are a fool strategos! Do you think that the Emperor would allow so valuable a weapon as the Warlord here to leave his service? He would either be killed or used to take on the next rebel. It is the way of tyrants and you know this. You are lying again.”

  His shoulders sagged, “You are right but there is no other way out of this.”

  It was my turn to laugh. “I have been imprisoned before. Let us worry about that but if we suddenly have extra guards and restrictions on movements then, believe me, you will die. I promise you that. You know that I am a man of my word.”

  He nodded. “Then I am a dead man for if you escape then the Emperor will have me killed.”

  “Wyrd!”

  He gave a rueful smile, “I now know what that word means and you are correct, wyrd.”

  We rode back to the city. I was glad that we had cleared the air and knew where we stood. I would not be staying but we had to find a way out of this spider’s web of intrigue. The guards at the gate gave us a curious look as we entered but, as we were smiling, they saw nothing amiss. We reached the palace and it was well before dark. I saw the relief on the face of the captain of the guard. I had no doubt that we had been watched. In fact I was sure that we would be watched every time we left the palace but at least we now had found one place to talk.