The Byzantine Wager

Chapter 72 - The Fourth Wager

Chapter 72

The Fourth Wager

"There's a good," Pons looked under the belly of the dog as it licked the dried eel from between his fingers, "Girl. Who is a sweet mutt? Why, you are. No, keep your snout out of the grease. It is no good. That is why I am putting it back on the shelf like nothing happened."

He held up the skin of the eel. The black hound, thankfully a sweet tempered barn dog - to keep the high strung horses calm - not a guard dog, begged wagging her tail. He had brought the fish in a pocket, as an afterthought, something to snack while sipping from a wineskin. But... was it an afterthought? A premonition?

"Ah, there you go," Pons tossed the morsel. The dog pursued it into the hay. He cleared up the telltale saw dust from beneath the chariot - hopefully the cut would suffice, "Now I must bid you a goodnight."

Passing through the archway and slipping from shadow to moonlight to shadow once again, Pons reconnoitered the avenue. All dark, all silent, except - from the steps of a church - the laughter of his own watchmen.

He strolled up to them. "Having a pleasant evening?"

"Except for our feet being wet, it has been a lovely night," Cyn held out the wineskin.

"Seen anything?"

"There is a beggar sleeping at the far end of the church stairs. Over yonder I spy the first of the fishing boats putting out to sea. There have been a few cats lurking about."

"Back to the tavern then."

"Above ground or below."

"Above. Looks like we are in the clear. We 'aven't done nothing wrong. If the viglas stop us we are simply drunks heading home."

"It is said the streets of this city are to be feared at night."

"True, Marius, true. That is because of evil men like us."

"Should we wait for our co-conspirators?" Cyn asked

"Bugger 'em. They'll show up, they always bloody do."

* * *

Late in the morning, when the trio from Montferrat came down to the Eel's common room, they did indeed find Nestor and Zinth pestering the goodwife for food.

"So, once again, who do I bet on, and who do I bet with?" Marius asked.

Pons raised his voice. "Gather around everyone I do not want to repeat this. We do not know which team to wager on until I watch the parade to the post. I will instruct you at that point. However, I recommend you wager with Kosmas, at the main stands. He enjoys betting with out-of-towners."

"And Kosmas pays." piped in Cyn. He was stiff having slept on the floor to allow Marius, the guest, his bed. "Can we eat and move this to the hot baths?"

"Kosmas pays almost all he owes, almost all of the time. He has not seen Marius before and does not know we are in league. Nestor and Zinth, you will show up later with more silver. You will tell Kosmas you have robbed us, 'the Latins.' He will love it."

"Since Fortune shows favor - we wish to wager." Zinth rhymed.

"And if Fortune does show favor, this will provide enough to continue living until the Margrave arrives."

* * *

Alexander the Great noticed that more flowers, thrown from the girls watching the parade to the post, rained down on Antenor (for the Greens) and Diocles for (the blues) than on any of the others. They were the favorite charioteers. Handsome pricks.