The Unicorn Hunt - Dorothy Dunnett [330]
‘I trust then,’ said Nicholas, ‘that the lord Hadji Mehmet and his companions intend to speak to the Knights at Rhodes and to the magnates of the West before such a confusion of interests occurs?’
‘We leave for Rhodes in two days,’ said Mehmet. ‘We shall be in Venice in a matter of weeks.’ In public he used his native language and an interpreter although, as Nicholas knew, he spoke both French and Greek. He added, ‘If the Knights cannot help us, however, we may be unable to follow the good advice of Ser Andrea. We may be obliged to wait for the Baron Cortachy and sue for help from the Genoese of the Order.’
Zacco said, ‘What do you mean? The Knights will help you.’
Corner cleared his throat. ‘Monseigneur, you have heard what the lord Uzum Hasan requires. Ships, cannon, hackbuts, metalworkers, gunnery officers – the Order can provide little of that.’
‘They have money!’ said Zacco.
‘Well,’ said Ludovico da Bologna. Suddenly, below his ceremonial clothes, Nicholas felt his skin tighten. He kept his breath even.
‘Or if not, Venice has?’ Zacco had decided to sneer.
Andrea Corner said, ‘Venice has artillery, or her merchants, like Ser Niccolò here, could provide it. But all her present weapons and money are already committed to war. Venice has been fighting unaided for Christendom for too long already. Only Rhodes has some access to gold, were she permitted to employ it.’
It was so neat, so lethal, so exquisite that there was never any doubt but that he would rise to it. ‘To how much gold?’ Nicholas said.
‘Over four hundred pounds. If they are permitted to keep it.’
‘You surprise me,’ said Nicholas. ‘It must amount to something like three mule-loads. The ownership is uncertain?’
‘I shouldn’t say so,’ said Ludovico da Bologna. ‘Morally, it belongs to the Knights. Without it, they could never afford to buy what they need from Venice to arm Uzum. Weapons. The use of an army. Ships. Silver and timber.’
‘Timber?’ said Nicholas.
‘Egypt needs it. They used to get it from the Karamanid Emirate on the Anatolian coast. There are some concessions on the Venetian border which have been in dispute with the Tyrol. The same with the silver. But of course,’ said Andrea Corner, ‘there would be no question of legal processes now. And Cairo would be strengthened in their resolve to help Venice and Cyprus. What does Ser Niccolò feel?’
Laughter welled, but he knew better than show it. Beneath all the formality, he was being told that the thieves of his African gold were the Order of the Knights of St John, captors of the Ghost, and, no doubt, of Ochoa de Marchena. From there, step by step, it all followed. And now, with supreme and brilliant insolence, he was being offered compensation. Don’t fuss, and we shall use it to pay you for your excellent services.
If he agreed, he would have no gold to offer to Gelis.
He could find the child without gold.
He said, ‘I am not sure that I am interested. It would depend on what men and supplies I should be required to provide, and on what precise terms.’
Ludovico da Bologna said, ‘Particular, aren’t you? So are we. We’d expect you to go with Hadji Mehmet to Rhodes for their views. Then we’d all know after the Papal meeting at Rome what the Italian states are doing. By the time Mehmet here comes to Venice you should have worked out your figures and we’ll all know the answers.’
‘I should be the sole dealer?’ said Nicholas.
‘If you want to be,’ Corner said.
‘And if I decide to refuse?’
‘Someone else gets the business,’ said the Patriarch. ‘And you get nothing at all, or, if you prefer, a lot of expensive litigation. You don’t need to decide now, tomorrow will do. The Order is sending a galley.’
‘I hope you will come,’ said Hadji Mehmet in