I have three broken keys on my keyboard, so until I fix them, I can't provide the same number of chapters because I can't type at the same speed. These are important letters, such as e, d, and s. Since I'm short on cash, I'll probably fix it on the 19th.
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Anno Domini 828, October-17
With nothing more to do at Theophilos' feast, I simply withdrew to my mansion in the city to rest. I could not enjoy any of it with so many eyes fixed on me, even after speaking with the Church about its plans for Jerusalem once the Muslim population was subdued and the destruction of their temples began, which would be far more difficult than it sounded.
That would provoke religious unrest to satisfy the Byzantine Church as a whole, because it went beyond the dispute between iconoclasts and iconodules. Beyond suppressing possible Sarakenoi uprisings or beginning the enslavement of the city, if I received imperial authorization, I had to consider that technically they would already be subjects of the Empire, and I doubted anyone would wish to lose a source of taxes.
I would also have to deal with Muslim walīs who might attempt to retake the city by force, provoking yet another war, since the city was sacred to both empires.
I waited for the hours to pass, knowing that at any moment a messenger would be sent to explain what would now happen with the matter of my marriage. I would likely have to remain in the capital to celebrate the ceremony, officiated by the Patriarch in Hagia Sophia.
After a few days I finally received a response to one of the requests I had made to Theophilos. It was negative. He did not authorize me to kill the judge of the city, as according to him I had no proof of corruption. However, if I found such proof, I was to inform him so he could grant me what was just. He did give me permission to send Varangians to watch him so that he would feel observed. That was exactly what I did.
I sent several of my men to take up positions at key points. Some stood in the street before his mansion, others watched the court where he worked each day, and a patrol followed him whenever he left his house or the tribunal, ensuring that he always felt a pair of eyes upon him while I remained in the city.
While in the capital I visited many of the local bookshops, though most were owned by the clergy and much of what they possessed were religious texts and endless analyses of the Scriptures, something that bored me deeply. No matter how much I searched for interesting works, they were not easily found.
Most of the available texts were religious. Many of the books I sought, such as Aristotle, Nicomachus, or other Greek philosophers who had caught my attention, were incredibly difficult to obtain. Their reading was considered suspect, if not outright heretical, so many state buildings did not preserve them. I had to rummage through old bookshops to find copies that had not been destroyed or forgotten.
So I spent the rest of my days utterly bored, counting the hours. There was nothing in the city that entertained me. The Hippodrome did not interest me, and other forms of amusement such as gambling held no appeal, since I prefer earning money rather than losing it. Street fights might have been interesting, but someone of my political rank could not simply attend brawls that usually formed in the lower quarters of the city to entertain the masses when there were no races at the Hippodrome.
The only thing left was to train all day with my Varangians. We conducted constant drills and friendly bouts to measure our skill. That I enjoyed, because every man in my hird was well trained. It was not like instructing the novices I had in Syria. Here there were no careless mistakes. One had to watch every movement of the opponent, because they rarely erred and even more rarely left their guard open for a kick to the knees or anything similar.
''What is it, Sigurd, tired?'' I said as sweat ran down my body while I kept him on the defensive.
''Just catching my breath'' he replied, covering himself with his shield, waiting for my next move.
I continued circling him, observing his footwork, waiting for the slightest mistake to unbalance him. It was the only way to defeat a Varangian taller and more muscular than I in armored combat.
As I struck with the wooden sword, trying to make Sigurd close his eyes, someone called out to me.
''Estrategos, a man who claims to be the tourmarchēs Marinos requests entry to your property'' said one of my Greek guards.
''Let him in, that is the father of…'' I began, turning my head slightly, but Sigurd tackled me and threw me to the ground.
''Treacherous attack'' I growled, covering my face as Sigurd tried to subdue me with a wooden knife and drive it toward my eyes.
''You lowered your guard'' he replied, still trying to overpower me.
Having a Varangian in armor, weighing more than a hundred kilos, pressing down on my torso made breathing difficult. Even so, I extended my arms and wrapped Sigurd in as much strength as I could gather. I twisted my torso and managed to roll him off, reversing our positions so that I was on top of him.
Unlike Sigurd, I knew very well what had to be done in such situations. While pressing near his throat with one hand, I slowly brought my knee toward his neck. Sigurd tried to imitate the movement I had used against him, but failed because I kept my legs firm against his hips.
After several attempts to break free from my grip, I managed to place my knee and began applying pressure. I felt his strength fading; he was no longer breathing well. Each effort to escape grew weaker. Finally I brought the wooden knife close to his eyes and he yielded.
I helped him to his feet as he panted.
Then I turned and saw that we had visitors watching us.
''It seems what the soldiers say about your physical abilities is no exaggeration, estrategos Basil'' said Maria's father, accompanied by his entire family.
''It is something that has always characterized me. To what do I owe the honor of your presence on my property today?'' I replied as I removed my sallet and bevor to wipe the sweat from my face.
''Well, why don't you tell your servants to prepare wine for us so we may discuss certain important matters?'' Marinos said calmly.
''That will be difficult, since I have no servants on this property, much less wine. I have beer, which my Varangians drink'' I replied as I removed my armor.
''I did not know you were fond of jokes'' Marinos said with a faint smile, until he saw my serious expression. ''Are you speaking in earnest? An estrategos without servants on his estate? And these barbaroi? Why not send them to fetch wine and prepare everything?''
''Because I do not pay them for that. I pay them to kill anyone who attempts to approach without my permission and to watch over me in battle, not to serve wine I do not even drink. Besides, this property stands empty except when I am obliged to remain in the capital, which I will not do often unless the basileus Rhōmaiōn demands it'' I said, walking toward the interior.
''But… and Crete? Surely Crete is different'' he asked, somewhat uneasy.
''It is similar. There are some who might fall under the category of servants, but they oversee the maintenance of the work areas and the administration of the city. I usually sleep there, or in the training fields, or in a tent when I visit villages in Crete and have the time'' I answered as I lit several candles in the hall and took a seat.
''Basil, I know you come from humble origins, but this is no way to live. We, members of the aristocracy, must live and appear above the common folk. We must show clear differences in our way of life from those we govern. Otherwise what distinguishes us from them?'' Marinos said as he sat down, the rest of his family doing the same.
At that moment the remainder of my hird began to fill the room. They surrounded us completely. Some twenty Varangians watched the scene in silence.
''I shall keep that in mind in the future. For now I like my way of life. I am not attached to luxury, save for food. From a young age I learned to appreciate spices and salt, especially when I had to eat bland meals every day. Bring the smoked hams we have stored and let the beer flow'' I told one of my Varangians, who nodded.
A group left and soon returned with several smoked hams. They were expensive. Before being smoked they had been marinated in water with salt, pepper, and saffron. The aroma filled the hall. Jugs were quickly served to all, including the hird.
''Well, I believe the matter of the marriage has already been settled with Theophilos, has it not?'' I asked as I cut a slice of ham and held it in my mouth for a long moment, savoring the concentrated taste.
''Yes, the wedding has been arranged for five days from now. I am concerned that my daughter may not have a lifestyle befitting her station. I assumed that, as a high-ranking officer of the army, you would possess estates more… suitable'' Marinos said.
I raised an eyebrow.
''My coffers are full. The sale of slaves and the spoils of war have left me with more than I require. I spend only when necessary. My father, for example, has more than a hundred servants and workers at his disposal. He does nothing he does not wish to do.''
Marinos bit his lip. ''Setting that aside, there is an important matter that would benefit our families'' he said at last.
''Benefit?'' I repeated, still slicing ham, watching from the corner of my eye as the Varangians ate and drank while keeping guard.
''Bardas, your future brother-in-law, could begin his career more swiftly. I thought we might persuade His Majesty to create an administrative thema in Jerusalem and grant him the post'' Marinos said cautiously.
I smiled faintly before taking another bite. ''That will not happen. The city is mine. It has already been promised to me, and I have plans for it.''
''It would be a great step for Bardas. He would gain influence within the clergy, and we both know you dislike politics. Jerusalem will bring you trouble'' he insisted, gesturing toward his son, who waited eagerly.
''No. Jerusalem is mine. And I will not hand such an important city to someone without military experience. What experience does Bardas possess?''
''He is eighteen. We would not send him alone. I would dispatch my best men, and you would as well'' Marinos replied, moistening his lips.
''So I cover the costs and surrender control of my prize for sweeping the floor with the sarakenoi?'' I answered with a faint smile. I saw Sigurd restrain a laugh.
''We shall be family. We must aid one another…'' Bardas interjected.
I cut him off.
''One another. All I have heard is give me, give me, give me. The answer is no. Jerusalem is mine, and I will carry out the plans I have already set. This marriage was not my idea. If you expected an ally who would ease your political ascent, you are mistaken.''
The silence grew heavy. Marinos sighed in irritation.''I hope you understand how marriages function by the day of your wedding'' he said sharply.
He rose, and his family followed. The only one with the decency to bid farewell was Maria. She gave me a slight nod before departing, a faint smile upon her lips.
When the door closed, Sigurd snorted.''What a cursed business, this politics.''
''It was to be expected. Now I can eat in peace'' I replied, taking the ham leg in my hands and biting into it without the knife.
One of my guards entered in haste. ''Estrategos, a man named Leon is outside. He comes with a cart loaded with books.''
''Let him in'' I said, barely containing my smile.
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If there are spelling mistakes, please let me know.
Leave a comment; support is always appreciated.
I remind you to leave your ideas or what you would like to see.
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