A Death in the Venetian Quarter Read Free

he objected. “I have to uphold my reputation. Indeed, that of all troubadours. Milady, I bid you farewell.”
    He kissed her hand gallantly, and she curtsied as if she were still a duchess.
    â€œRegards to Fat Basil,” said Rico.
    â€œI’ll await word in Rhaidestos,” promised Alfonso, and he left. We soon heard him singing as his horse clopped away, but both sounds faded quickly.
    â€œAnd now we are four,” said Plossus.
    â€œDon’t forget our brethren in the ships,” I said. “We’ll meet back here nightly. Be careful.”
    Plossus stepped through the window onto his stilts, which were leaning against the building. “Stand aside, world!” he cried. “Plossus the Colossus walks among you.” He strode away to the laughter of the children playing in the courtyard.
    We picked up our bags and walked to the inner Blachernae gate. The complex had an interior wall separating it from the city, just in case the population decided to rebel. Once inside, we passed by the domes of the Church of Saint Savior in Chora and the Church of the Theotokos, passed the older palace and marched up to the marbled and frescoed ornateness of the new palace.
    We used the side entrance, of course. Aglaia gave me a quick kiss and hurried off to the Empress’s quarters, while Rico and I passed through a series of rooms until we reached the Imperial Throne Room.
    Emperor Alexios Angelos was up before noon, an indication that he was taking the arrival of the Venetian fleet seriously. He was in his sixties, a hale man with hearty appetites and bad legs who dyed his thick, black beard daily to maintain its virile appearance. He was on his throne with his feet propped up on a cushioned stool, the Imperial
legs being massaged by his favorite mistress, a sultry Egyptian who played the flute quite badly.
    He had his ministers and generals with him, all looking worried and confused. He saw us enter and smiled wanly.
    â€œThe fools are here, everyone,” he said. “Finally, some worthwhile advice.”
    We bowed, and set up quietly near the foot of the throne. A soldier came in, panting and sweaty, and saluted.
    â€œOut with it,” said the Emperor.
    â€œThey’ve raised anchor and set sail toward the city,” he gasped.
    â€œDid they come ashore at all while they were anchored?” inquired Theodore Laskaris, one of the Emperor’s sons-in-law and one of his more competent generals.
    â€œNo, milord,” said the soldier.
    â€œThey didn’t even stop to forage,” said Laskaris. “That’s bad. They’re determined to come straight for us, that’s what I think.”
    â€œHow much of a navy do we have left?” asked the Emperor.
    Michael Stryphnos, the Lord Admiral, looked glum. He had acquired his post by way of being the Empress’s brother-in-law and had spent his time embezzling the funds allocated to restoring the navy. Perhaps he never expected that he would actually have to take to the sea while admiral. “We can put maybe twenty ships in the water against them,” he said.
    â€œAnd how many are in their fleet?” the Emperor asked the soldier.
    â€œWe counted about two hundred,” he replied.
    â€œWell, that would be more, wouldn’t it?” commented the Emperor. “Didn’t we used to have a bigger navy?”
    â€œNot really,” said Stryphnos quickly.
    â€œOh, yes,” said the Emperor. “I remember having more. You’ve let it go, haven’t you, Admiral? Diverted a little ship-building money to your own needs?”

    His brother-in-law said nothing.
    â€œI think he’s an excellent admiral,” chirped Rico.
    â€œYour reason, my foolish little one?” inquired the Emperor.
    â€œFor he has single-handedly destroyed a mighty fleet,” said the dwarf. “Too bad it was his own.”
    â€œHmph,” said Alexios, not particularly cheered. “Maybe