Race of Scorpions - Dorothy Dunnett [82]
Nicholas said, ‘Perhaps. You would still have the franchise for Kolossi. But I hope the King consulted you about it.’
‘I received a message,’ said the Venetian. ‘As the King was kind enough to remark, half my profit is still better than what I would have if Carlotta returned. You have not even made up your mind to accept the offer, I hear. How delightful to be young and carefree, and in a position to debate what to toy with, and what to throw aside as insignificant.’
Nicholas said, ‘Myself, I avoid such dilemmas. This one, I must remind you, was forced on me. I feel no compulsion, I’m afraid, to apologise.’
‘I didn’t expect it,’ said Luigi Martini. ‘You are here to command a vessel for Rhodes? Your own ship, I hear, has been dispatched on some errand.’
‘My own ship?’ Nicholas said. ‘I have no idea where my stolen vessel may be. I am not here to find her. I want to find and silence a man who could prevent me from bringing my army from Rhodes. He is connected with the Knights Hospitaller, and his name is John of Kinloch. Do you know him?’
‘I know him,’ said Martini. He stepped aside, calling to someone, then returned and stood, his hands on his hips. Sand swirled round them and stuck to their skins. He said, ‘What do you mean? The Knights believe you will fight for Carlotta. Why should they prevent your army from leaving for Cyprus? It is Cyprus she wants you to take for her.’
‘Because,’ said Nicholas, ‘this priest has reason to know that, whoever I fight for, it won’t be Carlotta. He will warn the Knights at Kolossi. He will tell her. And she will prevent my men from leaving. Do you know where he is?’
Luigi Martini surveyed him. ‘You won’t fight for Carlotta?’
‘As it happens, no,’ Nicholas said. ‘I may not fight for James of Lusignan either, but that choice is still open. Meanwhile, where is the fellow?’
The Venetian didn’t immediately answer. His face, full of distrust, had turned thoughtful. Nicholas hoped he was a student of logic. If he refused to help Nicholas, he would incur Zacco’s displeasure. If he agreed to help Nicholas, the plan might still fail and Nicholas be prevented from coming to Zacco, in which case, Luigi Martini would retain the Kouklia franchise. Luigi Martini said, ‘You have missed the chaplain you want. He is on his way back to Kolossi. With a good horse, you might overtake him.’
Nicholas said, ‘I should need more than a good horse. I don’t want to be recognised. I need a man who knows John of Kinloch by sight, and who would help catch him for me, and keep him until I’ve got clear of Rhodes. I don’t mean the priest harm, and I should accept any blame that resulted. No one need know your share except, of course, Zacco. Will you help?’
It was hard to remain calm, and talk quietly. There were only two miles to cover, and the priest had already set out. Had there been more time, he would have added another inducement. He had made sure Martini would hear of it afterwards. Then the Venetian said, ‘Yes. I will help you. There is a man who knows Father John, but is not known by him. This horse is fast: he can take it. Tell him what you want as you go. You will remember that the Knights are my employers.’
‘The deed is mine. You know nothing about it. Thank you,’ said Nicholas. He mounted as he spoke, and waited as Martini’s man trotted up, looking puzzled, and then set off up the road. Ahead somewhere was John of Kinloch. And he had to reach him before he got to Kolossi.
He might have managed it, if the priest had kept to the road. Nicholas never discovered why Father John chose to diverge. He only knew that he and his companion raced all the way to Kolossi without catching sight of him. Across the drawbridge, the first