Read Online Warriors by Jack Ludlow - Free Book Online

Now he had come to the salient point: here was the true nub of that at which he was driving. To inform the catapan of the involvement of Benevento could have unseen benefits, first by definitely diverting suspicion from Salerno, and secondly – and again this was based on the possibility of the failure of the Apulian revolt – with that information given early, any reprisals would bedirected against his fellow Lombard prince and that could present opportunities in the aftermath, which might see the expansion of Guaimar’s territory at the expense of his neighbour. It never did any man harm to be on the side of the victor.
    He did not smile, because he was too wise to let even his lord know of his thoughts, instead he looked grave. ‘We know from the past that the Eastern Empire does not forgive those who see it as its enemies.’
    ‘Are there ships at present in the harbour who might have reason to call at Bari?’
    ‘It can be arranged, honourable one.’
    If Guaimar detected any irony in the way Kasa Ephraim addressed him, it did not show.
    ‘A secret letter then, with my seal?’
    Ephraim shook his head. ‘No seal, my Lord, not even your name on the message. It would not be wise to gift Constantinople something with which they could later undermine you.’
    ‘That is wise. I must go now to my council, where we are to discuss the matter of Amalfi.’
    ‘A troublesome thorn, honourable one.’
    In saying that, Kasa Ephraim was identifying a truth to both him and his prince. Not only was Amalfi Salerno’s closest trade rival, but, positioned as they were, on the direct route west to the Tyrennian Sea, they could board and seize goods at will, interfering with shipping going to and from this port from halfthe Mediterranean. These interceptions were based on the flimsiest of excuses, but they diminished the revenues of the much larger principality. It had long been Guaimar’s intention to put Amalfi in its place.
    ‘They think by denying piracy, by claiming imperial edict, that I will believe them.’
    ‘No thief lacks justification for his crimes, honourable one.’
    ‘You see I have just cause, do you not, to subdue them by force?’ Ephraim merely nodded: it was, in truth, not a dispute in which he wanted to become involved, having as he did his own interests in the port of Amalfi. ‘And besides, we must keep Rainulf Drengot occupied, for if he is not he is inclined to mischief.’
    So, the territory of Amalfi will be invaded, Ephraim thought, and the concomitant of that was what he would need to do about his own investments.
    ‘Might I also suggest, honourable one, that you lay upon them, at some time in the future, the accusation of alerting the catapan to what is about to fall on Melfi?’
    The deviousness of that suggestion pleased Guaimar enormously, for he was grinning widely as he spoke. ‘How I wish I could have you as one of my council, but, of course, it would never do.’
     
    Arduin stopped William and his knights far enough off to tempt out, through the gates of Melfi, the leadingcitizens of the town, those who had left their homes to whatever they feared these Normans might do. He was alone as he addressed them, a man they already knew, who had feasted and flattered them on taking up his appointment, yet it was with obvious suspicion that they listened to the blandishments of this topoterites , as he sought to persuade them that they had nothing to fear.
    ‘These are the men I have engaged at the express request of the catapan. If you deny them entry to the castle they are supposed to garrison in your defence you will defy him and the emperor, not just me.’
    ‘They are Normans,’ one elderly worthy growled.
    It was a telling interjection, which brought forth a swelling murmur of agreement from the assembled crowd; the people in these parts had encountered Normans before in the last two decades, and suffered much from their unbridled banditry. The castle they left alone – it was too