The Spring of the Ram - Dorothy Dunnett [204]
Since then, she had changed her mind about some things, for the blood of Lombardy as well as Trebizond had gone to her making. She had a respect for John le Grant’s wits. To him she said only, “Have you a parlour? I have something to ask of you all.” And in five minutes there was a room, warmed and lit; and a chair for her, and a cup of warm wine. In ten, all the men she knew had entered, bowed, and were sitting in silence about her. Then she began.
She said, “I have questions to ask you, and then you may question me. First: what action have you decided upon, following this unfortunate loss? Will you close the venture and return home forthwith?”
It was the priest who answered. He said, “The company came here to trade, Despoina, and we are remaining to trade.”
“I see,” she said. “All of you?”
“All of us,” said the doctor. “Were you afraid the army would leave?”
She ignored it. She said, “Then we have matters to talk of for the good of the company. Messer Niccolò left you some letters?”
“He did leave letters,” said John le Grant. “Highness.”
“And you have begun to act on them. I thought so. He warned you that Messer Doria would immediately claim to represent your station in the name of his wife?”
The priest answered. “For the good of our company, I’m afraid we cannot reply. I should tell you that we know of your past association with Pagano Doria. We don’t yet know how Nicholas died.”
It was no surprise that they were wary of her. Their young Nicholas had severed her connection with Doria somewhat unattractively himself. She again wondered, briefly, how he had known of it. And if he had known, why he had allowed John le Grant to come and see her. She watched John le Grant. She said, “When a Venetian associates with a Genoese, it is not for the sake of amusement, I assure you. Nevertheless, for your own peace of mind, tell me nothing you wouldn’t wish Doria to hear. I shall begin by telling you something. I assume Messer Niccolò has stressed that your ledgers are precious. Those and any letter of authority he has left must be put in a safe place, unknown to your servants and me. If you have goods still for sale, then conceal them. You should put a guard on your gates and give an escort to those who go to market or on errands. Remember, men can be bribed. Take care not to change servants, and watch your food and your water. You have an informer already: the Greek Paraskeuas serves Doria as well as you. Tell him only what you want Doria to know.”
“Paraskeuas!” said the priest sharply.
The black slave said, “Paraskeuas was here, on an errand, the day Master Julius left.”
The priest said, “We assumed Julius decided to go to keep Nicholas company. But suppose he was tricked into following? Told that Nicholas needed him?”
The doctor said, “I feel we could make Paraskeuas tell us.”
She said, “His wife and son are in that household. I don’t think you would get the truth. In any case, isn’t he worth more where he is? I told you only to warn you. I have news that is not for his ears. First, the town of Amastris has fallen to the Turk.”
The doctor said, “Should that worry Trebizond? It’s hundreds of miles west of Sinope. Or you think the Sultan’s aiming at Sinope?”
“Certainly the Turkish fleet may move along the Black Sea. Even if they only try to besiege Sinope, they could make it both dangerous and expensive for your galley to travel west in the summer. On the other hand, you take a risk leaving your goods and your galley off Trebizond. If the fleet arrives here, it will seize all the ships the Emperor might otherwise use. And as you know, there are no walls round the suburbs.”
“What are the Genoese doing?” the doctor said. He made no effort to give her her title.
“As you see, the round ship is still at anchor. When the caravan