The Byzantine Wager

Chapter 83 - The Piece with Oblique Moves

Chapter 83

The Piece with Oblique Moves

An early knock at the chamber door woke the Margrave. Still in his nightshirt he crossed to draw back the latch. He had spent the past few nights in a fine guest room at John Ducas' mansion.

"'Morning Sire," Pons handed him a loaf of fresh bread as he entered.

"You are up early, has the sun risen yet?"

It was hard to tell - the sky was lightening, but the room's window opened to the northwest.

"Just now. John Ducas' steward does not like being roused early. I am sure I also woke him with my knocking. I have some hot news from a reliable source to go with your hot bread. Young Emperor Alexios is dead."

"Just as Cyn's girl said. How have you come by this? And at such an hour?"

"Captain of the Varangians."

"A Captain of the Varangians is also an informant?"

"Si. I forgot to mention him. We have had a lot to talk about. How big of a warchest did you bring? Enough to turn the entire guard? We wouldn't need to bribe officers. I am sure my friend would change sides for free if I asked nicely - and gladly kill Andronikos and the other captain in the bargain. That would save us a lot."

"Bribe the Imperial guard and take the palace. Excellent idea." Margrave said dryly. "You must excuse my lack of enthusiasm at the thought. I am in my bed-garb, and I need to piss. I also lack anywhere near the amount of gold you are talking about? Five hundred men? They would want, what? Five years pay? In a lump sum?"

Pons nodded glumly.

"Not if I sold all three ships - two of which are not mine - and turned the pilgrims to begging in the streets. Not even close."

"Damn."

"On the ship I have an amount similar to what I first gave you. You will be able to visit the girl at the brothel - for information, and have living expenses. Perhaps there is enough for some bribes and petty corruption. There is also yours and Cyn's annual salary and the past year's income from your mill. You may do with that as you see fit."

Pons brightened a bit.

"For myself, I am traveling on the cheap. I did not even add the price of mounts into my budget. Once we arrive in the Holy Land, Marius will live in the stables and is half horse himself. I was counting on someone gifting me one. When the dreadful disease takes King Baldwin, it is my intention to stand as regent for my grandson."

"Sybilla's new husband, the Frankish bandit - Guy de Lusignan, will not take kindly to that."

"I do not expect that he will. No, that is why the warchest comes with Conrad. He is gathering the army. Now if you will excuse me, the privy calls."

The Margrave entered a small alcove with a low bench into which a hole was cut. It dropped to the city's sewers below. John Ducas had a nice old home with comfortable amenities. Pons retreated to a respectful distance in the hall.

"Do you remember all those nights on campaign when you sat with Emperor Fredrick and played that game - on the board with the little carved pieces."

"I remember. Why?"

"It feels like this 'situation' is a bit like that game."

"Go on."

"I do not know how to play the game. I spent my time teaching Red Beard's hounds tricks by the fire, but I watched. You tried to explain it to me, but I could not remember how each piece moved. I watched you play, though. Many games. I noticed a few things."

"What did you notice?"

"Often you would sit for a long time pondering things, and then... move, move, move... game over."

"Si. Anything else?"

"The player who takes the most of his opponent's pieces off the board usually wins."

The Margrave emerged from the alcove and proceeded to dress. "Si. So, what do we need to do?"

"Take some pieces off of the board. And then everything will move quickly."

"Exactly. And with a knight - the piece with the oblique moves - placed just so. The King can be taken."

"Gather Cyn, Marius, and your friends. Meet me in five hours, at the Church of St. Demetrios by the Harbor. I will go aboard to make final preparations with the ship's master and see if this cupbearer bastard shows up. Go to the baths and dress respectfully."

Pons raised an eyebrow.

"I will bring an abbot we have traveling among the pilgrims and we will pray for our journey to Jerusalem and your endeavor here."

* * *

Margrave Guilhelm was going over the ship's inventory with the quartermaster, when Alexios Komnenos, the cupbearer, arrived. He was unobtrusively cloaked - the morning had turned to misting drizzle - and bore the signet ring which Mariapitkee had given him to announce himself. Clever Pons had thought of everything.

The young man was terrified, slipped out in the morning's confusion, and was intrigued by the idea of going to Rhodes and thence to Sicily, and positively loved the idea of becoming emperor. Cautiously he remained below deck and missed the church service.

* * *

The group met at the appointed hour. After Mass, communion, the blessing of the assembled, the invocation of St. Mary's protection, and the sprinkling of holy water, Pons was speechless when the Marquis of Montferat bade him take a knee and with his sword dubbed him knight bachelor.

Neither Nestor nor Zinth had seen this strange western ritual.

"Should I not have kept a vigil?" Pons finally asked.

"When all of this is done, meet me in Jerusalem. There you can complete your pilgrimage. Have a vigil before you visit the holy sepulchre. At our age, kneeling all night should be limited."

"Si. Then I can be absolved of my sins. I will have a lot of sins by then."

"If all goes well."

Cyn and Marius clapped him on the back and shook his hand.

Even on the walk from the church St. Demetrios to the docks and onto the St. Evasius, the Margrave's ship, the men continued to talk.

"Conrad?"

"He will come with the Venetians bringing men by sea. The Normans will come overland. Send word to Venice. He can be here in weeks if the sea is clear."

"You are taking Marius and I have not found a trustworthy messenger."

"Think happy thoughts. Overall you are doing well here. Something will turn up."

"The pot finds its own herbs."

"Olera olla legit - now that you are a knight that could be your motto."

At the gangplank, Pons was handed a chest of coin. The men shook hands and embraced.

"You could have left me behind half a hundred times after the rout at Damascus and saved yourself. I was wounded unto death and you dragged me... leagues. No. this was long over due."

"Ser Pontius of Tanibrook Mill? Knight constable when you are regent of Jerusalem?"

"That is the spirit. Happy thoughts. The Hospitaliers would be lucky to have you after I am gone. As a knight you will want a crest."

"Crossed axes. It is time to knock some pieces off to the board."

* * *

The small fleet of pilgrim ships slipped from the Elutherion docks and sailed south into the Sea of Marmara. Sharp eyed Marius listened to the slapping waves and kept watch. A small vessel put out from the Imperial wharves at the Bucephelon Palace at almost the same time. This ship also headed south.

Concerned that they were being followed he peered closely. However, after a few miles, the ship dropped anchor and then a grey box was tossed overboard. Several figures danced on the deck before it turned north again and headed back to harbor.