Thus, when Nikos learned that Amir Sadiq had arrived and requested audience with the new emperor, he would certainly make it his concern to deal with the matter personally. We had but to wait for Eparch Nikos to come to us, and when he did, I would be ready. I steeled myself for that meeting, and I told myself that soon, soon it would be over.
I ate little and slept ill, my mind whirling with thoughts of what I would do when I finally saw him. Time and again, my hand strayed to the Qadi knife for reassurance. I am no warrior, and considered that I might be killed, but I no longer feared death. Nikos, I vowed, would never leave the house alive. If I could not accomplish his death, Harald and the Sea Wolves would.
Every possibility had been anticipated, save one: the speed with which Nikos sprung the trap. His arrival was so quick on the heels of Faysal's petition that I feared he had penetrated our deception.
Two mounted komes, dressed in their distinctive yellow and blue, arrived mid-morning, rapped respectfully at the door, and informed Faysal of the eparch's imminent arrival.
I had barely enough time to alert Lord Sadiq, hasten the Danes into position, and take up my own hiding place before the eparch himself appeared. He came with ten of the imperial bodyguard, the Farghanese-five of which took up position outside the house; the remaining five entered with him, watchful, bristling.
My heart, already pounding with an excitement of anticipation, beat even faster at my first glimpse of Eparch Nikos. His dark hair was longer, more closely observant of the moment's affectations at court, I suppose, and he was more richly clothed than when last I had seen him: wearing flowing black trousers, a long black tunic with voluminous white sleeves, held at his slim waist with a wide black belt which boasted a huge silver buckle in the shape of a spearblade. His manner was smoothly superior as always, his quick eyes just as keen, his smile tight and cold.
Faysal, ever the perfect servant, conducted the three officials to the courtyard which, in the eastern manner, had been furnished with a wide low table and cushions under a striped canopy. He brought them to the table and bade them to sit, then departed, saying, "I beg your pardon to inform the amir of your arrival."
After a suitably decorous interval, Lord Sadiq appeared, regal in his flowing robes of creamy white and turquoise. The three courtiers rose in a show of respect, receiving a slight bow from Sadiq, who then invited his guests to sit with him at table, and offered them refreshment of fruit, cake, and sweet drinks. This they did, under the vigilant eyes of the imperial bodyguard who had ranged themselves at the courtyard portals.
"How enjoyable to see you again, Amir Sadiq," Nikos said, beginning the proceedings. "Your journey was pleasant, I trust." Without waiting for a response, he added, "I must say, your arrival, agreeable though it is, has taken us somewhat by surprise."
"Truly?" The amir inquired, mild concern crossing his brow. "Eparch Nicephorus and I agreed that I should come to arrange suitable lodging for the Arab delegation prior to the arrival of the khalifa. Indeed, Khalifa al'Mutamid is eagerly anticipating his meeting with the emperor in the spring."
"As it happens, recent events have rather overshadowed affairs at court just now. The palace has been in turmoil, as you might imagine," he suggested delicately.
"The imperial funeral, of course," Sadiq responded with equal tact. "Appropriate gifts of condolence will be despatched to Emperor Leo at once, of course. And if our inauspicious arrival has disturbed the emperor, I will make official apologies."
"Please accept my assurance that apologies will not be necessary," replied Nikos with a thin, dismissive smile. Upon hearing this, it occurred to me why he had responded to our petition so promptly: the emperor did not yet know of the amir's arrival. If Nikos had his way, the emperor never would.
"Indeed," Nikos continued, "it is I who must beg your pardon, for I see now where the problem has arisen." He placed the palms of his hands together. "It is with the greatest regret that I must inform you that Eparch Nicephorus is, I fear, no longer living."
Sadiq stared for a moment. "I am sorry to hear it," he said at last, and with genuine feeling. "He was a good man. I was proud to call him my friend."
"Naturally, as happens in these situations," Nikos resumed placidly, "his unfortunate death has left various matters unattended. I myself have been struggling to shoulder many of the burdens he bore so effortlessly."
"Was it a long illness?"
"He passed quickly," Nikos replied. "But then, his age was against him, I suppose." Consummate liar that he was, I almost believed him when he paused sorrowfully, and added, "Poor Nicephorus, I truly miss him. It happened shortly after our return from Trebizond. In many ways, I am still trying to come to terms with his death. It has left something of a void in imperial affairs-and now that his emperor has followed him, so to speak…" He paused, as if reflecting on the impossible hardships of his position. Then, appearing to brush all the unpleasantness aside, and taking up his staff of office once more, he said, "Well, the affairs of the empire go on. That is why I have come, Amir Sadiq. How may I help you?"
"Before we begin, I feel I must seek your indulgence," Sadiq said, "but it seems I have exhausted my meagre store of Greek. With your permission, I will ask Faysal to translate for me."
Nikos nodded his consent, whereupon Faysal, who had been standing apart, took his place at the amir's left hand. This artifice served a useful tool for Sadiq, permitting him time to frame his replies, and the leisure to study his guest's responses.
"As you know, the treaty is very important to the khalifa, and to the Arab people," Sadiq said through Faysal, which was entirely true. "I would not like to think the Eparch Nicephorus's untimely demise had diminished our hopes for peace in any way."
"Then allow me to reassure the amir," replied Nikos when Faysal had finished translating. "The prospect for peace is as bright as it has ever been."
"That is good," agreed Sadiq sagely. "Those who have been influential in this matter will be remembered. I am certain the khalifa would desire me to dispense such rewards as I deem fitting. Rest assured I will do so with liberality."
All this I saw and heard from my hiding place, and marvelled at the amir's skill in guiding the conversation to its desired end.
"As always, your thoughtfulness is commendable, Lord Sadiq. Nothing would please me more than to serve you in this. If you will allow me, I will personally take your gift to the emperor. This would allow me the opportunity of presenting these sentiments on your behalf. The basileus will, I believe, appreciate your gesture."
"Very well," acceded the amir, when Faysal had translated for him. "Would you like to see what I have prepared for the emperor?"
"By all means," answered Nikos agreeably.
"It is in the next room," he said, rising. "Come, I will show you."
At this, I felt my heart seize in my chest. Flattening my back against the column, I touched the jewelled daigear at my belt and then the governor's letter beneath my siarc, closed my eyes, and drew a deep breath. Courage, I told myself. It is soon over.
The amir led his guests to a room opening onto the corridor surrounding the courtyard. The room was bare, save for a coil of braided leather rope on the floor. Nikos entered the room behind Sadiq, glanced quickly around, and said, "Where is the gift?"
"It is here," Sadiq assured him.
"Where?" Nikos, suspicion well roused, stepped away from the amir.
"But you are to be the gift, Eparch Nikos," Lord Sadiq said. He raised his hands and clapped them twice very loud. There came a clatter from the courtyard as the unsuspecting Farghanese were swiftly overpowered and disarmed by a swarm of vengeful Danes.