Saldebreuil shook his head. ‘No, madam, but I dislike the way they go about it by such underhand ways and means.’
‘Indeed, we should be vigilant,’ she said. ‘But that does not include making war on them. Our duty is to bring an army to my uncle so he can deal with his enemies. We must bolster the King in this effort and keep his resolve strong. That is my direction to you. The goal is Antioch.’
‘How long before it’s our turn to cross the Arm of Saint George?’ Gisela asked. The young woman was playing with a pretty grey and silver kitten, dangling a length of red ribbon for it to chase and pounce upon.
‘Soon,’ Alienor said. They were waiting in the Blachernae for the call to go to their ships. Most of their baggage was packed and ready, and only the small fripperies remained, such as games and sewing to while away the time. Muttering to herself, Marchisa was busy checking her pouches of remedies and nostrums. She had stocked up on syrup of white poppy this morning, and Alienor was still feeling the hole in her purse, but better to have it than not in the months to come.
‘How soon is soon?’ Gisela danced the silk strip just out of reach of the kitten’s paws. ‘A few hours, a few days – a few weeks?’
Alienor swallowed her irritation at Gisela’s whining tone. They were all on edge and she had to make allowances. ‘Hours, I should think, certainly no more than a day.’ She went to look out of the window. The river bustled with ships travelling up and down the Golden Horn. The sky was overcast this October morning and the waters of the inlet choppy and grey. If it weren’t for the lateen rigging on the ships, it could almost have been the Seine.
Louis had begun ferrying their army across to the markets on the other side of the Arm of Saint George. This was partly because the Emperor had cut supplies to the existing camp to a dribble, so he had no choice, and partly because the French soldiers were itching to be on their way before the Germans claimed all the land and the glory. Emperor Manuel had been most accommodating with ships for the crossing and the embarkation was going forward at speed.
Gisela sighed. ‘In Paris the trees will be shedding their leaves,’ she said, ‘and they will be harvesting the apples. I wish I could drink a cup of new cider this instant.’
‘You risk being accused of being a barbarian,’ Alienor teased. ‘Why is Greek wine not to your palate?’
‘Because it goes down so smoothly, and only kicks you later,’ Gisela said.
Alienor had to nod at her sagacity.
The kitten tired of its game and went to curl up on a cushion of plump red silk. The last group of soldiers embarked and set off down the Golden Horn towards the lower chain across the mouth of the inlet, leaving their campsite no more than an area of bare ground, pocked with black scorch marks where the cooking fires had been.
Alienor expected an imminent summons to the quay, but the sun moved another hour on the dial without any word. Growing impatient, she sent Saldebreuil to find out what was happening. He returned looking grim. ‘Madam, the Greeks are delaying again. They say they are waiting for ships to return from the other bank and that there have been difficulties with the money changers at the new market, but I can glean no more than that. They either do not know, or will not say.’
Food arrived: vine leaves stuffed with a spicy meat mixture, and flagons of dark, Greek wine. The eunuchs pretended not to speak French or Latin, and to every question the women asked, they merely shook their heads and gave them bovine looks from kohl-rimmed eyes.
Sunset turned the waters of the Golden Horn the colour of blood and as darkness cloaked the room and the servants lit the scented lamps, Alienor gave up waiting and retired for the night.
By dawn there was still no summons. Looking out of the windows on a world lit by pale sunlight, Alienor noticed fewer vessels travelling on the waterway, and none going in yesterday’s direction. Her sense of unease increased.
Geoffrey de Rancon arrived and was ushered into her presence. He knelt at her feet. ‘Madam, there is news,’ he said. ‘The contingent from Apulia will be here by noon.’
‘Well, that is all to the good.’ She gestured Geoffrey to rise. ‘When do we embark? Have you heard from the main camp?’
‘Yes, madam, a moment ago.’ His eyes were troubled. ‘The Emperor is withholding his ships – keeping them all on the city side, and refusing to trade supplies with us. We had to cross over to you in a fishing vessel.’
‘What?’ Alienor looked at him in angry alarm.
Geoffrey grimaced. ‘There was rioting yesterday at the money-changers’ camp. Some of Count Thierry’s Flemings ransacked the Greek tables and caused mayhem. The King and the Count have punished those responsible and made reparation and the Emperor says he will restore the market once he is sure there is decent order, but he desires securities.’
‘Such as?’ Alienor’s unease deepened.
Geoffrey drew a deep breath. ‘He demands the homage of the King and his senior barons and the promise that any towns we take will be handed over to him.’
Alienor waved her hand impatiently. ‘That was discussed earlier. We knew it was likely. It is not worth fighting over, because once we are clear, we can do as we please.’
‘If that were all, madam, it would be simple,’ Geoffrey said. His gaze flicked to Gisela. ‘He also wants to seal the bargain with a marriage alliance between one of his nephews and a lady of the French royal house.’
Gisela’s eyes widened with shock. ‘I came as an attendant to the Queen, not as a piece of merchandise to be bartered for goodwill.’
‘What does the King say?’ Alienor asked.
‘He is considering the Emperor’s requests, madam,’ Geoffrey replied neutrally. ‘He thinks it might be a reasonable price to pay.’
‘No!’ Gisela cried. ‘I won’t do it! I would rather die!’
Alienor’s irritation stirred. What choice had she had when Louis entered Bordeaux in the summer of her thirteenth year? What would she have given to be able to refuse him? What would she have given for a rescue? ‘Be quiet,’ she snapped. ‘Weeping and railing will not help matters. Use your head, you foolish girl.’
Gisela swallowed and sent Alienor a beseeching, terrified look.
‘There are fates far worse, believe me,’ Alienor said grimly. ‘You would live a life of luxury here. You would dress in perfume and silks and want for nothing.’
‘Madam, I would lose my soul,’ Gisela wept. ‘Please do not let this happen to me. I would die.’
‘You only think you would. I tell you this because it happened to me ten years ago, but I live still.’ Alienor turned to Geoffrey. ‘That was why the Emperor wanted everyone across yesterday. If he withholds his ships, he can ransom us for whatever price he wants – or so he thinks.’ Her lips hardened. ‘He may have withdrawn his ships, but the Genoan traders still have theirs, and there are always those who can be bribed to take us across. Louis may do as he wishes in the matter of homage, but I will not stay here to be used.’ She placed her hand on Geoffrey’s sleeve. ‘Find a way for us to leave, and swiftly.’
He put his own hand over hers in reassurance – a steadying gesture to others but conveying much more to Alienor. ‘Trust me, madam.’ He squeezed her fingers, bowed and left the room.
‘I should have known,’ she said. ‘I cannot fault the Emperor’s politics, but we should have been more wary.’ She looked at the trembling Gisela. ‘Do not worry. I have more compassion than to leave you to the fate Louis would seal for you.’
Gisela swallowed. ‘When you said I would live a life of luxury here, I thought—’
‘I know what you thought,’ Alienor said. ‘Indeed there are some advantages to being a bride here, but I would not leave you behind.’
Gisela knelt at Alienor’s feet. ‘Thank you, madam, thank you!’
‘Oh, get up,’ Alienor snapped. ‘The women who serve me are not milksops. Make yourself useful. Our baggage is prepared, but we may have to travel light. Take the things you truly need and tie them in a bundle, and have your cloak ready. Who knows how quickly we may have to move.’