Conquest

As Leo’s eyes adjusted to the light, he noticed that the old man had effected a remarkable change in appearance. His long hair was tied back, his beard was neatly trimmed and he had the unmistakable appearance of an officer of the Varangian Guard. He wore a blood-red tunic trimmed with gold and a heavy, ruby-red cloak fastened by an ornate bronze clasp. Over one shoulder, held by a finely tooled leather strap, he carried a large circular shield adorned with the motif of the winged lion of Byzantium. Slung over the other shoulder was a heavy battle sword with a fine gilt handle and delicately worked sheath. Along his heavy belt were leather pouches for two shorter stabbing swords, a small close-quarters axe and a jewelled dagger. Then Leo’s eyes focused on the most fearsome weapon he had ever seen. The shaft was the diameter of a man’s wrist and its head stood almost at shoulder height. Although all Varangians carried a two-handed battle-axe, this was a double-headed version with two huge crescent-shaped blades. Leo wondered what mayhem it had caused and stared in awe at a man who seemed to have shed thirty years overnight.

‘Follow me… and try to keep up!’

Leo did his best, but the old man moved more quickly than seemed possible for someone of his age.

Two hours later, they were close to Leo’s chapel.

As they approached the perimeter guards, the Northerner stopped, drew himself up to his full height and bellowed in the clear, clipped tones of a man used to giving military commands: ‘Be alert in the camp! A former Captain of the Varangian Guard approaches. I am Godwin of Ely.’

He strode into the camp with Leo scurrying in his wake. The picket guards stood aside, clasped their weapons and snapped to attention. As the two men entered the clearing, with the sun just beginning to crest the hillside behind them, the Princes’ men got to their feet. A discernible murmur travelled through the ranks as the older men recognized the gilt and braid of a Captain of the Old Order of the Varangian Guard and saw the double-headed axe, carried effortlessly and balanced halfway down its shaft by a powerful hand.

Leo shuddered as he looked at the faces of the guards when the old man strode past them. Who was this man who could command such instant respect from elite soldiers such as these?

John Comnenus rose as the two approached, but before he could offer a greeting, the visitor addressed him.

‘Greetings, sire. I am your humble servant, Godwin of Ely.’

John Azoukh turned as he heard the greeting, his beard dripping with water from the leather bowl in which he had been washing.

The old man bowed and turned to him. ‘Greetings, Prince John Azoukh. I am honoured to meet you.’

‘Good morning to you. You have surprised us; we did not expect you so soon.’

‘I was told the heir to the Purple of Byzantium wished to see me. To delay would have been impolite.’

As the old man spoke, John Comnenus noticed that his breathing was not as controlled as it had first seemed and that sweat was dripping from his forehead and hands.

‘Please join us. Stewards, bring a chair.’

‘Thank you, sire.’

‘Tell me, I am right, am I not, you wear the uniform of a Captain of the Varangians of the Old Order?’

‘You are right, my Prince. I was Captain of the Varangians during your father’s early campaigns. I am an Englishman and I joined the Guard in 1081, the year your father became Emperor.’

‘Godwin of Ely, noble Englishman. Please sit with us.’

‘Thank you, sire.’

As stewards brought food and water, Godwin sat with the Two Johns of Constantinople and Leo took a place on a rock a few feet away.

‘I have come with greetings from my father. He often thinks of you and the many battles you fought together.’

‘Your father is a great man; it was an honour to serve him. How is he?’

‘I am afraid he is dying. His stomach is putrefied, it is slow and painful, but he hangs on through fear of what will happen next.’

‘I am saddened to hear that; it is not a fitting end for a man of valour. The only consolation is that he has the strength to bear it like few men I’ve ever met.’ Godwin looked at the Prince with a sympathetic smile as their eyes acknowledged one another with genuine warmth. ‘You have brought the Talisman of Truth. How may I assist you?’

‘My father told me to come here, to give you the Talisman and ask you to tell me a story. He said it would help me find the wisdom to know what is right and what is wrong.’