Varangian (Aelfraed) (12 page)

As we approached I saw them tense and their spears crossed to bar our way. We halted and I spoke in English, which they did not understand.
  I tried them in the language of the river. “We wish to seek employment as warriors.”

One of them understood and said, “Wait here.” He went through the open gate and we were left to be examined by the remaining three guards.
  I could see that they were interested in Death Bringer for the finely made blade always attracted attention. They were well trained men and I could see that although they looked keenly at the weapon they were constantly watching the street behind us.  Eventually the guard returned with a small neatly dressed clerk.  “I am John and I understand from the guard that you wish to enlist.”

I was astounded with his English which was perfect. “I am Aelfraed Godwinson and this is Ridley of Coxold.”

“I see from your weapons that you were Housecarls.”

“We were.”

He paused as though he expected us to add more information and when we did not he shrugged. “What made you travel here?”

“We heard that the Emperor valued the axes of our comrades and we would like to serve him.”

He gave a wry smile, “And yet I would hazard that you do not know his name?”

I blushed and shook my head, “No, I heard that the last Emperor died at Manzikert but I do not know who has succeeded him.”

“Ah I do so love Anglo-Saxons for they are naïve in politics.  You have much to learn but Aelfraed Godwinson your name and your reputation will gain you entry into the palace but as for employment, that will depend upon the commander of the guard.  Come with me.”

The guards parted and we followed the tiny man into the palace. He might have been small but he walked as though he was a giant.
  He strode with the confidence of power and seemed to bounce, almost skipping along the road. It was my first lesson in the ways of Byzantium. I remembered my uncle’s words and determined to speak little but hear all. The people we met were either officials or soldiers there was no sign of either women or servants.  I suspected there would be both but the fact that they were not outside was of interest to me.

The warrior hall of the Varangians was only recognisable as such when you entered.
  On the outside it was the same pale colour of stone as all the other buildings. Inside Ridley and I recognised it immediately; it was like the inside of every warrior hall we had seen from Jorvik to Hedeby.  The guards who were there were dressed much as we and, as we entered, there was a dip in the conversation.  John was unperturbed by the attention and led us to a small antechamber at the back of the hall. He gestured for us to enter. “I will await you outside for a while in case…” Enigmatically smiling he left us.

A huge warrior suddenly filled the doorway. “You two wish to join the Varangians?”

He was a Norwegian but thanks to Harald I could understand and speak the language. “Yes, we are from England.”

“I know who you are, Aelfraed Godwinson, you are the bastard of Harold and you killed my king Hadrada at Stamford Bridge for I, Olef the Bold also fought there.”

The Norns again and our past had now come to haunt us. I felt Ridley stiffen and I put my hand on his arm.  “I fought against Hadrada at Stamford and I defended my land.  What has that to with joining the Varangians?”

“It has everything to do with that for I am commander and I determine who serves the Emperor and I would sooner shovel shit in hell for eternity than allow a glory hunter such as you to enlist in the guard.
  Now fuck off and the next time I see you have weapons ready for that will be your last on this earth for there are many men here who remember you from Stamford and Fulford and would have their revenge.”

I smiled, “Many men have made that promise and yet I am still standing. You say I killed your king but had you been closer to this man you hold so dear you would have known that one of my archers killed him but I slew many brave Norwegians that day. Where were you?”

His face filled with a rage and I wondered had I pushed him too far. “Go, you have used up all the time I will allow you!”

We walked into the warrior hall to total silence for they had all been listening. Ridley said, as we walked to the door where I hoped John would be waiting. “Well I see we have managed to piss off the Varangians too.”

“
Wyrd
old friend,
wyrd
.”

The smiling official, John, awaited us.
  “I see your reputation is not exaggerated Thegn Aelfraed.”

“You knew what his reaction would be.”

He cocked his head to the side.  “Olef has only been leader of the Varangians for less than a year.  He is trying to fill its ranks with fellow Norse. The other Saxons who came were also shown the door but none of them had the temerity to stand up to him. Now would you still like to serve the Empire?”

“Of course it is why we came here but I thought that my services would only be needed by the Varangians.”

“Come with me.” He led us off at a brisk pace, chattering all the while. “The Varangians serve Michael who was the joint Emperor with the poor Romanos who was captured. There are other strategoi who enjoy employing Saxons.  I will take you to meet one such and, who knows, perhaps he may employ you.”

I halted and the man turned to face me.
  “You are being very helpful to two men whom you do not know; why?”

He laughed and clapped his hands together, his voice suddenly high pitched, “Excellent, you are suspicious and do not take things at face value.
  You are learning the politics of the East. To answer you as honestly as I can I will say that I serve the Empire in all things and I see in you and your companion two men who may be useful to its continuation.  I have heard of your exploits fighting the Normans and I know that you do not give in easily.  I suspect you came down on the ship which docked yesterday for the port is filled with the story of how the Pechengs suffered defeat at the hands of a handful of Norse led by a Saxon.” He looked at me his blue eyes twinkling, “You I believe.” I cocked my head to one side and nodded.  “Just so, just so.  It confirms my opinion.  Do not worry Aelfraed I care not for you but I care for my Empire and it needs men like you; men who can die for the Emperor.”

We walked on.
  “Reassuringly blunt.”

He did not turn around but I saw his shoulders shrug.
  “That is as close to honest as you will get from me and believe me that is far more honest than you will see anywhere else in this city.”

We went through a warren of passageways and he suddenly halted at a large door. He opened it and we were in an antechamber with a table and two chairs.
  “Put your war gear over there and sit, this may take some time.  I will send in refreshments for you.”

As we sat down Ridley looked troubled.
  “I am not sure we have done the right thing Aelfraed.  This is not what I was expecting.”

“Me neither. I hoped to strike back at the Normans but it seems the Norns have other plans for us.” I was not overly worried by the turn of events but, like Ridley, this was not what I had expected. I had thought we would have been welcomed with open arms; we would have joined the Varangians and had a glorious career. That was not meant to be. A servant girl, the first female we had seen, glided in with a tray and put a jug and two metal chalices on the table.
  She left a bowl of fruit and, nodding to us left.  I wondered if the drink and the food was poisoned but then dismissed the idea, John could have just taken us out of the palace if he wished to be rid of us.  Olef and the Varangians would have seen to the rest. I poured us some of the rich red wine and sipped it.  It had a slightly bitter, although not unpleasant taste.  The fruits I did not recognise but I had heard them described and I thought they were figs and olives.  I tried them both and found them to be quite pleasant. 

Ridley watched me and my reaction and then tried his. He pulled a face when he tasted the wine.
  “I would rather have ale.” I laughed, you could take the Saxon out of England but you could not take the English out of the Saxon.  He seemed to like the figs but not the olives.  We spent some years in the east and Ridley never quite came to terms with the food, he always yearned for the food and drink of Northumbria.

I do not know how long we waited but the room itself was pleasant and cool. We still wore our mail beneath our tunics as it had become a habit and we were sweltering in the heat of the city. Fortunately there was a slight breeze from the Sea of Marmara which made the room bearable, even
in armour. It was not even summer yet and I envisaged a time when we would actually melt like spring ice. “Events have not turned out as we had hoped eh Aelfraed?”

“We plan, Ridley, but our lives are shaped by others.
  We are here for a purpose.  I had thought that it was to be a Varangian Guard and to fight the Normans but it seems we are destined for other things.”

“Very philosophical of you Saxon and more perceptive than most of your colleagues.” I jumped at the quiet voice which appeared from behind me. Alexios Comnenus and John had not used the door which we were watching but had emerged from behind a tapestry. We both stood. The strategos was not a big man but he looked as though he had been used to a warrior’s life at
some time.  He looked to be about the same age as me and I later found out that we had been born within a year of each other. “I am Alexios Comnenus and John here tells me that you wish to serve the Empire.” This was the first time I met the man who would save the Byzantine Empire.  He seemed to me to be too gentle to be a soldier, but I was to be proved wrong.

“We do.
  You are the only people fighting the Normans and I would fight the enemy of my people.”

He flicked a quick glance at John and nodded.
  “Leave your war gear here.  John will make arrangements and we can go to my chambers which are more private and will allow us a more intimate conversation.” We were led through the labyrinthine corridors which were behind the tapestry.  His rooms were modestly furnished but had the most magnificent view of the Golden Horn. He lounged on a couch as did John but Ridley and I sat on the hard chairs; it was easier wearing mail.  The strategos smiled at us.  “You will soon learn to dress for the climate.”

“We are warriors and have been so for many years.
  We are accustomed to wearing mail.”

“John has told me who you are and, indeed, we have heard of you.
  Do not take offence at my next words but I do not see every Saxon who wishes to fight for the Empire but you are different. All the reports I have had of you have told me that you, like me are a strategos.” I now understood the delay; it had not been a mark of disrespect but rather a briefing from John who lay smiling beatifically at us. “I command an army and I am leaving later this day for an expedition and I would have you join me.”

I looked over at Ridley who nodded in that confused way he had when he did not understand events. “Just like that, my lord? You would take us on my reputation?”

“As I said I had heard of you before but your success on the river confirmed you as someone whom I could use.  Let me speak plainly.” I saw the smirk briefly appear on John’s face and thought back to his words earlier.  Should I trust this man or not? “When we lost the battle of Manzikert, I say ‘we’ although I was not present, one reason was the lack of support from some of our mercenaries, the Normans and the Franks.” I sat up my eyes wide with interest.  “Ah I see I have your attention now.  Their leader Roussel de Bailleul was forgiven and led an army to retake Galatia.  In that he was successful but we should have known better for he has set himself up as a prince leading his Norman cavalry to control the land.” My face betrayed my thoughts and Alexios laughed.  “John is right you are intelligent and see my purpose for I know that you have fought successfully against the Norman horse as well as the Pechengs.  So will you serve with me and help me to capture and defeat this rebel?”

“As soon as I knew it was a Norman knight I decided to join you.
  But I am still a little confused. What is my role?”

“It is good to ask questions and to clarify now for later will be too late.
  You will command the small group of warriors who I have taken on.  They are the ones Olef did not want for the guard.” He gave a wry smile, “I think he only wishes for Norse warriors and seems to hate you and your kind of warrior. You will also advise me on the tactics I would use. You would command a Droungos of five hundred warriors.  You would be the Droungarios in command and receive the appropriate pay.”

“And Ridley?”

“Ah the one who says nothing?  It is true what they say of you Aelfraed, you do think of others. I will ask bluntly and, as he is present, rudely, what is he like as a soldier and an officer?”

“He has commanded large numbers in England he is resolute and sound.
  Give Ridley a command and it is done.  Ask him to hold a position and none will take it while he lives.”

Nodding he said, “I knew this already but it is good to have it confirmed.
  He can have a commission as a Komes and take command of two hundred of your men.”

“Then I accept.”

“Good.  I believe that you were sent here for you are the last piece of the puzzle.  You may have the answer to defeating these horsemen. John will take you to your men.  You will have to become acquainted on the road for we leave this night.”