Byzantium

The guard shrugged. "He did not say. Probably he is at one of the gates."

I thanked the soldier and left, wondering how I would ever be able to return to the Great Palace, and even if that could be accomplished, how to go about finding Justin.

35

Gu

Glancing around, I noticed the people passing to and fro through the gate; many were bearing burdens, and some of these were led by others who walked ahead, clearing the way. On a sudden inspiration, I said, "Far easier to say than do. We all know what happened last time we went a-viking in this city."

"Jarl Harald was not so pleased with us as I thought he would be," Gu

"No, he was not," I agreed. "The best way to avoid incurring the king's wrath would be to find someone to guide us."

"You have good ideas, Aeddan," Gu

Thinking quickly, I said, "How much silver do you have?"

Gu

"Good," I said. "That should be enough. Perhaps we will not need them." Regarding the others waiting a few paces away, I said, "Now let us ask Hnefi."

A short consultation ensued in which Gu

"Jarl Harald would never use a guide," Hnefi insisted. "And I will not use one either. We are Sea Wolves; we will find the way ourselves."

The Danes looking on nodded their agreement; opinion, I could see, strongly favoured Hnefi's position.

"You are wrong, Hnefi. In this place it is far better to have someone to show us the way," I insisted.

"We did not fare so well last time on our own," added Gu

"You use a guide," sneered Hnefi, as if this were insult enough. "I would never consider such an undignified thing."

"Very well. We will use a guide," I declared, "and we will deliver the bread to the ships before you."

"You speak above yourself," he growled. "I do not listen to the gibber of slaves."

Seizing the moment, I made my challenge. "Then let us make a wager and see who is right."

"It was your fault that the jarl became angry," Hnefi replied carelessly. "I am not listening to you."

"You only say that because you do not wish to part with your silver," I observed, half-fearing he would strike me. "You know I am right, but it pains you to admit it in front of your friends." I indicated the Danes who stood looking on with mounting interest.

As expected, Hnefi took the bait. "I do not make wagers with slaves." He drew himself up haughtily. "Besides, you do not have any silver."

"That is true," I conceded. "However, Gu

"Not so full that it ca

"Ten pieces of silver," I put in quickly. "Ten denarii to the first one to reach the ship with half the allowance of bread."

Gu

"Ha! You are not so certain now, Gu

"I was merely thinking how best to spend my wi

Tolar chuckled.

"Go your way," Hnefi sneered. "We will see who returns to the ship first." Hnefi turned to the onlooking barbarians. "You men are free to choose. Who will go with Gu

This invitation occasioned a brief discussion of the merits of both sides. A few were intrigued and might have sided with Gu

"Perhaps you should give me your silver now," mocked Hnefi, "it appears you are alone with your slave-friend."

"Tolar stands with me," Gu

"But the rest go with me."

"How will you carry so much bread-just the three of you?" called one of the barbarians.

"That is no worry," Hnefi laughed. "They will never find any!" He gestured to the shore party to follow him, and they all moved off in good spirits, discussing how to help Hnefi spend his wi

"He is right," observed Gu

"Be of good cheer, Gu

"Then do so now, Aeddan," Gu

Standing in the street I offered up a prayer that God would lead us speedily to the nearest bakery and allow us to prevail. The prayer pleased Gu

"Now then," I said, "it only remains for us to find a guide."

I ran back to the quay, where a search of the harbour quickly produced the desired result. "There! There he is," I cried. "Hurry, help me call him."

Gu

"My friend," he replied happily, "you say to Didimus 'find a guide', and I say to you: look no further. Before you stands the finest guide in all Byzantium. The city holds no secrets for Didimus. You may place your entire trust in me, my barbarian friends. I will soon take you anywhere you want to go."

He scurried down the steps to his boat, secured it to an iron ring in the quay wall and returned at once, eager to lead us on. "Now then, where do you wish to go? Perhaps you wish to see Hagia Sophia, eh? The Church of Holy Wisdom, yes? I will take you there. The Hippodrome? I can take you there. Follow me, my friends, I will soon show you everything of interest in this city."

If I had not stopped him, he would have been away at once. "A moment please, Didimus," I said. "We have urgent business to conduct, and for this we require your aid."

"I am your servant. Consider your affairs successfully completed." He smiled, looking from me to Gu

"To the nearest imperial bakery."

"A bakery!" The little boatman made a sour face. "The whole city is before you! I will take you to Hagia Sophia! You will enjoy this greatly."

"By all means, let us go to the Church of Saint Sophia," I replied, "but first it is of utmost importance to visit the bakery to fetch the bread allowance for the ships."

Didimus shrugged. "If that is what you wish, it is soon accomplished. Follow me."

He strode out smartly, calling out for people to clear the way before us. Gu

Following our chattering guide, who seemed determined that we should appreciate as many of the sights as possible along the way, we threaded our way along narrow, close-crowded streets. As it happened, the closest imperial bakery was very near the granaries, which were no great distance from the harbour. We arrived after a short walk. "Here, my friends, is the bakery," said Didimus, pointing to the white-painted building before us.