The Spring of the Ram - Dorothy Dunnett [176]
The expedition, of course, would get him out of the way. It would make the company popular with the Emperor: it might have been thought an Imperial duty to guide the incoming caravans past their enemies. On the other hand, these days the caravans collected each spring at Tabriz and came north through the eastern Armenian plains, leaving the troublesome land routes of Asia Minor alone. And at present the Sultan and his army were safely far to the west.
Of course the caravans would be rich. The first of the year always were, being an amalgamation of the trains from Baghdad, Arabia, India, and those from the Caspian, bringing laden pack-ponies from Lahidjan, Talich and Asterabad. From the first three, he would get dyes and spices. From the last, he would get what he had come for-raw silk at no more than two and a half florins a pound, and four months’ credit.
It would suit the company, of course, to find the train and have first pick of this and its other goods. But there would be plenty for everyone. If the Charetty company wished to waste time and money and manpower on such an uncomfortable venture, the other merchants were willing to wait and make their purchases in comfort at home. His only visit to the Palace in the end was a formal one, and he was received and wished well by the Treasurer, George Amiroutzes, whose shopping list he already had in his satchel. Julius was at his side all the time, smelling rankly of perfume. The pond of the villa had been emptied three times but still attracted seagulls and cats. On the actual day of departure, Astorre held him up at the Pyxitis bridge for ten minutes adding all the warnings he had forgotten to mention. Godscalc, the only other officer to ride with him so far, had said very little but had not prayed over him, either; or not audibly. Since all this was happening because of Godscalc, his own farewell to the priest was, he supposed, uncharacteristically grim. It reflected his feelings.
He had refused to take Loppe, who had wanted to come. He was on reasonably good terms already with the fifteen men of his retinue, who expected and would get some good jokes and light discipline, combined with a sense of controlled adventure. He had no misgivings about the journey. Anyone who had been beaten over the European Alps in winter had little to fear from the Pontic. Being both determined and well used to hardship, he had thrown off his illness and latterly had imposed on himself a régime which meant, he hoped, that whatever the privation, he would not do less well than his men.
He hoped there would be no privation beyond a fair amount of cold, which he was prepared for. The passes tended to be in the hands of men who would take what they could from an unguarded traveller but who did not mind selling hospitality and information to the other kind. Information he needed. For the rest, they carried their own tents of oxhide and cotton, and some supplies, and some fodder. But again, soon there would be mountain hamlets where a little oil, a little wine, a few pieces of nut paste would buy them hospitality in the small timber enclaves, and shelter from the rain, or the snow, or casual predators.
It fell out much as he expected. Riding through the thick forests and up the steep winding track to the Zigana, they hunted and caught fish and roasted their game. He had brought one of Astorre’s falconers with him, and had himself taught the art. They shot