The queen’s actions, repugnant as they were, were logical. Your title, Contessa – did many siblings aspire for it also?’
When Sofia admitted that she had none, Arik said, ‘That follows. Familial bonds are helpful when a family is striving to rise, but when it reaches the summit, the competition does not cease but intensifies. Your sister, your brother, formerly your closest allies, become your closest rivals.’ He paused. ‘I speak, as you know, from experience.’
‘You never told me how you escaped.’
‘When I was very young my father made me a hostage to the queen’s grandfather. That’s when Fulk and I became friends. My father wanted me to learn the ways of the Franj and I cursed him for it. Now I know he was giving me an escape route. When I saw Yusuf sharpening his knife, where else could I go? One man in the desert is a dead man. I fled to Akka and offered Catrina my dagger.’ He smiled with embarrassment. ‘I know the land as well as any Ebionite, better than any of her men. I see how you look at me, Sofia. You are thinking, you are thinking, “This scoundrel betrayed his people.” I will tell you the manner of men I betrayed. The Prophetess led a righteous rebellion against foreign oppressors. My brother’s running dogs dishonour the name of Sicarii. Freedom fighters – ha! They prey on the baggage trains that cross the desert, murdering Oltremarines and extorting Ebionites. What courage. What folly. The last hope of overthrowing the Franj vanished with the Old Man of the Mountain. My brother knows that, as do the other Ebionite tribes. Individually you will find no men stronger, but they value their freedom too much to submit to a king and that’s what keeps them weak.’
‘Do all Ebionites think their cause so hopeless?’
‘The Sicarii believe there is hope, but what does their sincerity count for? They are misguided. My brother – a black year on him – is no patriot.’
Sofia was sickened by this compromised, hedging world. ‘And you are a slave!’
Arik’s hand went quickly to his dagger, but there he stopped. ‘Perhaps,’ he said at last. ‘And what are you, Contessa?’
She could no longer deny it. ‘A prisoner.’
CHAPTER 81
Though the young Prince Jorge had managed to maintain order after word came north of Andronikos’ death, the army was likely to stay in the vicinity of Byzant until things were more stable. This allowed Leto to withdraw some troops from the Dalmatian frontier to Concord, enough to restore absolute order in the Old City and to mop up the last of Geta’s bravos, who had outlived their usefulness.
The next step was bringing Etruria to heel.
The Ariminumese delegation sat opposite Torbidda and Leto at the stone table. Leto had left Ariminum on bad terms and his attitude to the smiling procurator was not conciliatory.
‘I was most gratified to receive your invitation, First Apprentice. Though we afforded General Spinther every opportunity to catch Contessa Scaligeri, he was – if I may say – rather rude when she escaped. How it was our fault, I can’t imagine. Look, things were said in the heat of the moment … we are willing to forget. For our part the deal negotiated still stands.’
‘I would have promised anything to scupper the league,’ said Leto.
‘Of course. Nevertheless an alliance between Concord and Ariminum is logical. Our ambitions do not overlap, but our common enemy, if we are to realise our ambitions unhindered, is Oltremare.’
‘So you want our siege-engines?’ said Torbidda neutrally.
‘And engineers to teach the arsenalotti to operate them. Give us the sea, First Apprentice, and Etruria is yours.’
The procurator had brought Admiral Azizi along ‘for his expertise’, though the Moor did little beside study Torbidda with unconcealed curiosity. The procurator’s giddiness made up for the admiral’s reserve; since Torbidda appeared willing to countenance the alliance, he was full of ideas for postinvasion arrangements.
Leto felt obliged to sound a note of military caution. ‘First Apprentice, it’s one thing moving markers on a map, quite another in the field. Sappers can only do the job if they land. I’m sure Admiral Azizi will agree that establishing a beachhead in Akka would be difficult.’
When the Moor said nothing, the procurator waved his hand dismissively. ‘The Queen’s navy is old. Pirates like Azizi here are as much as they can deal with. Our armada will overwhelm them.’
‘You’re being complacent,’ said Leto. ‘I saw no galley equal to the Tancred in all Ariminum.’
‘The Tancred is but one ship,’ said