COLD FIRE

Untitled

KOMBARSOS Bulgarians!... he roared. Damn dogs! What hell washed you, hideous demons, among an unarmed populace...

NIKITAS What's going on here? asked Nikitas who spoke Bulgarian like a Bulgarian.

KOMBARSOS A certain Greek lord has been caught and is being tried by Ivatzis, answered a soldier.

Nikitas slipped into the crowd. He knew Ivatzis to be tough as well as daring. The trial could only be condemnation, and he knew it! And he wanted to see who the lord was who was being tried. But suddenly he stopped. In front of him stood two boys, hugging each other tightly. Their pale faces were illuminated by the flickering light of the torches, and Nikitas recognized Konstantinos Krinitis and Michael Igerinos.

MICHAEL What are they doing to him? Michael whispered. I can't see...

NIKITAS Don't speak Greek here, and don't recognize me...

And the child did not move.

IVATZIS - Listen, Krinitis, Ivatzis said, I have you in my hands. There is no hope of salvation for you. Write the letter I ask of you, tell your King, in such a way that he will believe it, that Bodena has surrendered and that Veria is besieged, or only tell him that his two fortresses are in danger, assure him that the only way from Vidynia so far is open, and I give you life.

Katepano did not respond. With his unperturbed gaze he was still provoking the Bulgarian.

IVATZIS Will you write? "Ivatzis shouted bursting out. '' Will you write?

Katepano remained silent

KOSTANTINOS "Running"