Varangian (Aelfraed) (27 page)

As soon as I put the tray on the table I was embraced by Alexios. “I am glad to see that you are alive my friend and sorry that I have to put your life in jeopardy again.”

“I am your man sire and serve you in all things.”

His mother looked over curiously at us. “I find this sense of honour amongst barbarians a strange concept.”

Alexios said quickly, “They do not see themselves as barbarians, mother.  Do not insult my friend.”

“I understand your mother Commander and I suppose that we are barbarians but I would not trade that for the treachery of Byzantine politics.”

“There my son, he does not need you to defend himself; he can trade insults even with a formidable foe such as I.” She smiled at me and I saw that she meant no malice. “Now, how do we get my son from the city?”

“And protect my family.”

“You are all under suspicion I take it?”

“Yes all of us.”

“So let us look at this in two steps.  Step one would be to get your mother and the family out of the palace.”

“Not the city?”

“That is probably a step too far. “

“You have an idea brewing in your head do you not?”

“Just the glimmer of one.  The
Hagia Sophia
, it is a holy place?”

“Yes the most holy in the city.”

“And the Queen could go there could she not, with the family to pray for…” I had no idea what they would pray for; prayer had never been high on my list of achievements.

“They could say they need to make a visit to pray for the success of her son’s expedition to Asia, my lord.”

“Perfect John.”
 

“But, Aelfraed, how does that help me?”

“If you were to claim sanctuary in the church would it be allowed?”

The two of them looked at the bookish John who looked as though he knew the answer. “Straboromanos probably has men at the church and they would be paid to keep you out.”

“It is a public place?”

“Of course.”

“Then when you get to the church you pretend to be women on a pilgrimage and get into the church. Once you are safely in, you make your way to the sanctuary and claim the right to safety.”

“I can see how that would work but not how it would aid my son.”

“We need to get your son out of the city and this way all attention will be on you and the family.  Once in the Hagia Sophia you make a fuss and demand that the Emperor himself guarantees your safety.  Make up something about a plot to kill you and your son. The Commander and I will then go to the stables, take two horses and sneak out of the palace while everyone is seeking you.  We could then ride to the army, which I assume is close by?”

“They are in a valley to the north of the city where the other Strategoi await my arrival.”

They still looked dubious.  “It is a game of chess commander.  You are not yet the king on the board,” I had deduced that he would be the next Emperor for everything had been leading to that inevitable conclusion, “you are the piece who is making for your opponent’s rear line.  The Emperor will be looking to secure the next most important piece, the Queen.  It is known that you are close with the Empress and she would demand that you be given sanctuary.  You are only in a weak position when you are here hidden in the palace which Straboromanos controls. The Commander and I are warriors we can ride and fight our way out if needs be but the family cannot.”

Alexios’ mother nodded.
  “It is a good plan and even if it were not it is the only plan we have.  Besides I can improvise when I meet with the Emperor.  I have a great ability, I can bring on tears instantly and men are always weak when a woman cries.”

John nodded, “Then the first thing is to get the family together but there is one problem. The Emperor’s nephew and his tutor.
  The tutor is one of Straboromanos’ men and he would go directly to the Emperor if he got wind of your departure.”

“I can deal with him.
  I will go along and tell them that I am to give a lesson on military tactics and the girls will not need that.” Alexios looked at me. “You need to wait in John’s chamber. I will come to you once the family has escaped.”

And without further ado the plan began. John took me back to my room, Alexios headed for the tutor and Alexios’ mother gathered the women and children like a mother duck with her ducklings.
  She was a formidable woman who, had she been a man, would have been a mighty general. The hardest part for me was the waiting alone, for John had gone with the family to ensure their escape. It was Alexios who arrived, late in the afternoon. “I have spent the last three hours with the tutor, boring the boy with strategy.  I would hope that they have made it to the church.” He handed me a sword and a dagger. It would not do to go unarmed. We walked through the servants’ quarters in the complex as though we had every right to be there. The Commander received a few strange looks but we were not challenged.  It would be a different matter once we were closer to the stables for every soldier knew Alexios by sight and, despite my disguise, once seen in the company of the Commander, they would soon know me and I was already a hunted man.

We were favoured by the darkening night.
  Unlike England, where nightfall took a long time to arrive, here it happened quickly and that, too aided us.  My clothes were now the liability for what was an Imperial servant doing around the barrack area? We knew we were nearing the stables when the foetid, sweaty smell of horse dung hit us.  We peered around the corner of the stone building and there, standing guard, were two men of the Hetaireia.  Had I been with Ridley I would have been confident that we could take them but I had never seen my Commander in close fighting.  I had the feeling that I would have to deal with them both myself. As much as I did not wish these two sentries to die, I had to make sure of their silence. I turned to Alexios.  “You head for them and tell them you wish to look at your horse.”

“Why would I do that?”

“Why not and you would no expect to have to explain your actions would you? Not to a common soldier.” He could see the sense in that.  “When they turn to take you in I will strike the one on the right and render him unconscious.  You just stop the other one from shouting out and I will deal with him.”

“You have done this before.”

I grinned, “Many times, my lord!”

The two guards viewed the Commander of the Army of the West with suspicion but they stood stiffly to attention. “I would visit with my horse.” He made to pass them but they looked at each other and then him in confusion.

“Your horse my lord?”

“Yes! If I am to lead the army on a glorious war against the infidel then I would make sure that he is in good condition.”

“But…” one began to be silenced by a nudge in the ribs. They stood aside and started to enter, no doubt to make sure we did not grab a horse and escape. I saw the heavy wooden bucket they used to relieve themselves in at the door and I picked it up and swung it heavily at the side of the head of the right hand guard.  It was half full and heavy. The ceremonial helmet was just that and he slumped to the ground in a heap. Alexios had thrown the other to the ground and I took out my dagger, reversed the blade and, taking the man’s helmet off smacked him sharply on the back of his head.

“Tie them up.”

There were leather reins a-plenty and we soon had the two of them trussed up.  I tore some strips from their cloaks and gagged them.  They would live and they would not be able to raise the alarm. We chose our own horses from the barracks. They were both good horses and we knew them. The last thing we needed was a skittish horse. Once mounted, we rode casually out of the stables, although we knew that the first time we were seen the alarm would be raised for the palace gates were shut.  I was still unsure about our ability to get out but, if it came to it I could kill any guards and we would be able to leave.

Suddenly I caught a movement out of the corner of my eye and John appeared. He rushed to us. “Your mother should have been an actress.
  She demanded a cross and Straboromanos had to fetch one and then she demanded that the Emperor himself should guarantee their safety.  He is leaving now. “We quickly dismounted and led the horses down an alley between two barracks. I heard the tramp of the Varangians as they flanked Nicephorus and headed for the gate.

“That’s the end of that plan then.” Alexios’ shoulders slumped in defeat.

“Not so commander.  Let us follow them, leading our horses.”We walked forty paces behind the last guards.  They did not turn round for the clatter of their hobnails and the hooves of their horses masked any noise we might make.  I was doubly glad that they were our horses for they did not whinny nor make a noise. We gradually drew closer to them so that, as we neared the gate leading to the city, we were but twenty paces behind. The last Varangian exited and the sentries began to close the gates.  Alexios waved his arm at them and their training took over. They stood to attention and we mounted at the gate. It was then that our luck left us. The last two Varangians turned, I assume to make sure the gates had closed, and they finally saw and recognised us.  They both drew their swords and raced at us.  This was no time for honour and noble gestures.  I drew my sword, and galloped at the two men slashing my sword on either side of the horse. My horse took care of one and the other had half his face ripped open.  I swung my horse around and we headed through the narrow streets.  “Head for the port!”

“Why Aelfraed?”

“The other gates will be guarded.  The sea is our only chance.” I did not mention that I had friends there and we had a better chance of survival on the quayside rather than at the gates, for I had not time.  The putative Emperor would have to trust me if he was to gain the Byzantine throne.

No-one followed us and we rode our luck. We reined in at the port.
  There were many ships tied up and, to my delight I saw one I recognised, “‘The Maiden’. We are in luck.” We dismounted and I led the horses away from ‘The Maiden’ and tied them up outside one of the many taverns frequented by sailors.  I doubted that the horses would remain there for long. It was a shame to lose two such magnificent beast but our lives were more important. We made our way along the shadows towards the Jarl’s boat.  I could see two figures at the gang plank, which meant they had just loaded and would be leaving on the morning tide.
Wyrd
.

As we approached we were spotted and I heard Stig shout.
  “You two, we don’t need any bum bandits on this ship so fuck off!”

I continued walking and he drew his sword. “Is that any welcome for an old friend?”

It took him a moment and then Olaf recognised me.  “It is Aelfraed although he looks plucked.”

They both embraced me. “We have not time for that. Take us to the Captain, we are in trouble.”

Stig rushed us aboard while Olaf kept watch. Our faces gave away our plight and Gunnar quickly took in our predicament. “The Emperor is hunting you?”

“He is.”

“I cannot afford to upset the Emperor.”

“He will not know. All you need to do is to leave a little earlier and drop us up the coast a little ways.” I sensed Alexios anxious frustration and I put my arm around his shoulders.
  “This is the Commander of the Army of the West and, just up the coast is the army that will make him Emperor. Now which Emperor do you want to piss off, the old one or the new one?”

He laughed, “Life is always interesting with you Aelfraed.” He turned to Stig.
  “Tell the First Mate to get the rowers ready, but do it quietly and then pull up the gang plank.  As soon as the First Mate is there he can slip one of the moorings so that we can have a speedy exit.” He bowed to Alexios.  “Apologies for my caution but I would hate to lose what I took a lifetime to get.”

Alexios began to relax and he smiled.
  “As would I and I thank you captain.  This kind deed will not be forgotten.”

The Jarl inclined his head to me, “I owe this one so much already and this small deed does not even begin to repay him.”

I was too anxious to listen.  I wanted us away as quickly as we could manage it. The First Mate burst in.  “Which Dickhead wants us to sail in the middle of the night?”

Alexios looked shocked.
  I just said, “This Dickhead.”

“I might have known.” His grin spoke volumes, “Right Captain, we’ll be under way in a moment!”

He was as good as his word and I heard the clunk of the oars and felt the sensation of the ship as she moved away from the quay and headed for open water. The army was camped on the Black Sea and we would reach there no faster on horses and this way we would be safe from any pursuers.

Once we passed through the harbour entrance
I felt a sense of relief. As dawn broke we could see Miklagård disappearing in the distance.  With the family safe in Hagia Sofia we could now act honourably and declare for Alexios. As we ate some dried venison and sipped some ale he put me right on that one.  “No Aelfraed.  I will not embroil the Empire in a bloody civil war which only suits the Turk and the Norman.  I have decided that, when I return to the city, I will be welcomed.  My mother and the Empress will keep us informed of the best moment to return but until then we will move ever closer to the city.  It will be a reminder of our power and my mother will also tell the city of the treachery of Olef and that you are not, as they feared dead but alive having saved me from the machinations of Straboromanos.”