Traveller Probo

A platter of roasted starlings was gently placed by Professor Taylor’s elbow. Florian immediately reached for one of the little honeyed birds with a mutter of delight. He chewed with his mouth open and crunched through the frail bones as he continued to speak, a spatter of oil on his bearded chin. “War’s good for us. It’s good for the soldiers, because they’ve received booty, booty that is spent here, and especially good for us, as suppliers. Because of the war, and of course the traders, Constantinople is richer and the Empire is a safer place.”

He belched and tossed the uneaten legs and tiny curled feet to the table as he reached for another. Leon chuckled and nodded in agreement. “This has been an unusually profitable time. Even though the Emperor has returned, our men must continue to garrison the wild country of the Bulgars. Though the Bulgars have been cowed, according to my friends in the army, they are far from beaten.”

“So there will be continued demand for uniforms and leather,” suggested Professor Taylor.

“Exactly!” exclaimed Florian with a flourish of a half-eaten starling. Florian took another delicate bite, flung the remains to the tabletop and then held out his hands. A servant rushed to his side with a bowl of rose-scented water and towel. As he washed his hands, Florian looked to Professor Taylor to see if more of the dish was wanted before he flicked his hand in dismissal. The starlings were promptly removed to be replaced with bowls of caviar and a platter of meatballs in a creamy sauce accompanied with bowls of salads and lightly steamed vegetables.

“The Emperor is livid that the Bulgar leader, Samuel, still persists in his opposition,” continued Leon as he scooped some of the meatballs into a bowl. “Oh, Lord Taylor, you’ll simply love these. I had the chef find the most delectable, day-old lambs. The meat is so tender it will melt in your mouth, like honeycomb.”

Florian sucked his fingers as he exclaimed, “Truly delectable my fair Leon. You must let my chef talk to yours. You can’t keep this all to yourself. I need the way these are cooked. I simply insist.” He again wiped his hands fastidiously and continued. “Yes, the rumours are true. Our dear Basil the Porhyrogenitis now treats the barbarians with the iron hand they deserve.”

“That’s right my dear Florian. Surely you have heard, my Lord Taylor?” added Leon.

Professor Taylor glanced to McFee, who reclined at the other table delicately nibbling at the food. Only Taylor lay with their host and Florian at the small table set aside for the master and his special guests.

The food was exceptional and the academic already felt full. He shook his head at Leon’s question, so the leather merchant grunted as he continued. “We’ve heard rumours that the Emperor decided to show no mercy. After all, the Bulgars threw all offers of clemency into his face. This time, he will crush our foe.”

“It seems,” added Florian with a flourish, “that the Emperor ordered the surviving Bulgar troops to be blinded. My sources tell me that of every hundred Bulgars blinded, he leaves one with only one good eye to lead them. If that doesn’t show the iron resolve of our Emperor, I don’t know what will.”

“So the men we saw in the Emperor’s parade …” continued Professor Taylor breathlessly. He recalled the men, starved and broken, and knew what the merchants would say next.

“Well, most of those will end up at the slave markets,” conceded Leon as he selected another meatball, “though there’s talk that the excess supply has seen the price of slaves collapse. The Radhanites have been loudly complaining throughout the whole affair.”

Florian sputtered, “Don’t let that fool you, Lord Taylor. The Fatimid traders are lining up. They value the young girls and boys and I understand the prices for them are still inflated.” He leaned a little closer, “If you’re interested, I can put you in touch with someone in the slave trade who is guaranteed to offer superb product.”

Professor Taylor flushed and stammered, “My thanks, my dear Florian. But you had not finished your tale of the Bulgar prisoners.”

The textile merchant paused in thought and smiled, “You’re so right. I thank you, Lord Taylor, for this is a tale worth telling.” He gave a conspiratorial smile as he leaned in close. “I hear our Emperor will demonstrate his power and martial prowess to the fair citizens, and perhaps most important, to the great families, and have a few hundred of the Bulgars blinded, right in the Hippodrome.”

“What? Oh. Those poor men,” stammered Professor Taylor

“What do you care?” guffawed Leon in jest. “It’s only a bunch of flea-ridden Bulgars, and good riddance with them too. From what I’ve hear they do to our troops when captured, it’s only what they deserve.”

There was a gentle cough as Leon’s steward approached and stood to one side. He bent and whispered into his master’s ear. The leather merchant gave a start of surprise. “Let him in! Let him in immediately!” he ordered as he wiped his hands and stood.

An exceptionally good-looking young man in military uniform was led to the dining area and stood quietly until formally welcomed.

He cleared his throat with a small cough and spoke clearly, “I bring greetings from the Emperor and Autocrat of the Rumi, Conqueror of the Bulgars and blessed of the Lord. He commands an audience with the visitors from Aengland, the land of the north.”

Leon frowned and gestured politely to Professor Taylor, who sat up with alacrity. He wondered what he or the Travellers had done to attract the attention of the Emperor. His immediate thought was of McAlister and Erol hiding in the guesthouse outside of the city. His stomach knotted in apprehension.

The young herald turned to Professor Taylor and gave a small bow. “Greetings my Lord. The Emperor bids you welcome to the great City of the Rumi. Leon of Hadrianopolis is well known for the depth of his hospitality.”

At the compliment, Leon inclined his head in gracious thanks.

“You are commanded to a hearing with the Emperor at Ennate Ora on the morrow. The Emperor will hold an informal court in the Phiale of the Greens. You will be permitted two of your men to accompany you, though you will, of course, be unarmed. The Emperor has heard of your wondrous ribbon that you desire to trade and wishes to see your wares for himself. Naturally, our friends Leon of Hadrianopolis and Florian tou Christophorou are to accompany. They will advise as to the required courtesies for all who attend court.”

At Professor Taylor’s surprised, gracious acceptance, the herald promptly turned and left.

***

“I wanted to leave tomorrow,” explained McFee. “I don’t like Mac and Erol hiding at the guest house and don’t think it wise they try to leave by themselves. I’m happy to put off the departure only on the condition that we’re safe. We have two of our lads dead and two on the run. I have to concentrate on that.”

For once, Professor Taylor remained silent. He had to let his squad leader come to his own conclusions, though he willed him to agree to their audience with the Emperor. In his wildest dreams, he could not have imagined their visit to be so productive. Not only had their footage, images and new findings set the academic world alight but the footage quality was so much better than that from Saxon Aengland. Better footage and better quality meant a profitable return for Transporter Corp and the board.

Poxon nodded in agreement, “Mac and Erol should be able to look after themselves for one more day. This is why we’re here, isn’t it? To learn about the Byzantine Empire. You won’t get another chance like this. Old Basil hey? Bloody exciting!”

McFee nodded. “Okay, I think it’s worth our while and certainly fits the mission parameters. Anyone have any thoughts?”

Parker asked, “What about the Varangian Guard? Do you think this is a trap to have us collared by them? I can only imagine that they might be suspicious of how late their squad has been in returning.”

Professor Taylor interjected, “It has been only a couple of days. Would it be unusual for their troops to return late?’

“Impossible to say,” added Poxon. “These lads don’t have radio contact, so their little mission might have been delayed, especially if they were going to torture McAlister’s team to death. That Blood Eagle sounds as if the victim could stay breathing for a while. Their delay might not have raised any suspicions as yet.”

McFee grimaced, “What a shambles. Good old Mac. No wonder he killed them all.”

Parker grunted. “You’d have done the same. We all would have.”

“What’s done is done,” agreed McFee. “Now we have to concentrate on the mission at hand and, I agree, we can’t knock back this opportunity. But I stress that we must leave immediately after the audience. Let’s plead urgency to fulfil the wishes of the Emperor, or something like that. I don’t like the potential for complications the Varangian Guard can present.” He turned to Professor Taylor, “You have a guide to the protocols of the court?”

“I do. It’s all rather complicated,” exclaimed Professor Taylor eagerly. “No weapons of any kind of course, and it will be about three o’clock in the afternoon. Leon and Florian are most excited, because for our friends it means official recognition by the Emperor. This is a very big deal for them and they believe it has all happened because of our presence.”

“Okay,” nodded McFee, “How do we all feel about this? Does anyone have any concerns?”

“We should be fine. We have the drone to keep watch and as comms backup. There’ll be crowds but I can’t see any way we can’t do this,” confirmed Parker.

“What about pistols?” asked Poxon.

McFee thought a moment. “Let’s just have the team outside of the audience armed, with suppressors. I don’t like the bloody Varangians. They might have a thing about us, or it might just have been a personal thing against Mac and Erol. We can’t trust them, so we have to be sharp.”

“Kevlar armour?” asked Talon, the last remaining Turk. He had taken the death of his friends very hard and was, understandably, livid at the Varangians.

McFee nodded, “Okay but under the tunics. I’ll accompany Professor Taylor, you too Parker. That means you other two will have the pistols, just in case. I’ll advise the AC and have them prepare for our return. Also, the drone will be on-hand.”

Professor Taylor could barely restrain himself. As he settled into bed, he shook his head in disbelief. But despite his excitement, he was soon asleep.