‘An alliance?’ The emperor chuckled. ‘Well, we are in need of good allies at present, Lady.’

‘You will find none better. Mine is the most powerful kingdom in the north.’

‘Yet the north is far away. And unless my spies have failed me, you did not bring your armies with you.’

‘True, Majesty. My retinue is small. We were forced to travel discreetly.’

‘Pity,’ Leo replied. ‘My need is rather pressing, as you may have heard.’

‘What I have heard, Majesty, is that in you, your people have the answer to their prayers.’

‘You flatter me.’

‘Is it not hard truth? As solid as the famous walls of this city?’

The Emperor Leo didn’t answer for some time. Perhaps she had gone too far and he thought she was mocking him. ‘Christ willing, the city will stand,’ he said at length. ‘The infidel will be defeated and this dark tide will recede. In the meantime, you should not underestimate the danger we are all in, whoever sits on this gilded seat.’

‘As you say, Majesty.’ She bowed her head.

‘Now,’ he sighed. ‘For my part, I am curious about what you hope to gain from an alliance with me.’

‘I, too, have an enemy, Majesty. One who has taken much from me.’

‘I’m sorry to hear it.’

‘Not as sorry as he will be when I return to my homeland.’

‘And so. . . return with what?’

‘An edge, Majesty, over him. . . I know not what exactly. Whether fighting men, or gold and silver. . . or perhaps something else entirely.’

‘And supposing I had any of those things to spare for you – what would I gain in return?

‘We have many things of value – furs, oil, honey, whale ivory, tin, timber, leather hides—’

Katāros began listing these goods to his lord in Greek but the emperor suddenly raised a hand for silence. ‘Trade goes hand in hand with peace, Lady,’ he answered. ‘But the empire is at war and in a battle for its very survival. A few pots of honey aren’t going to help us.’

‘Men, then,’ she said abruptly. ‘Fighting men. When I can spare them.’ At this Leo nodded, showing a degree more interest.

‘And you?’ he said.

‘Me, Majesty?’

‘You are a queen. Is there a king of these northern lands? A lord husband?’

‘There was. He is dead.’

‘Oh. I’m sorry.’ His gaze grew a little keener. ‘Although, of course, that creates its own opportunities.’

‘Perhaps.’

‘You are too modest. You have omitted from your list the most valuable treasure of all.’

Lilla was not stupid. She held the emperor’s gaze, her expression as guileless as she could make it. ‘There are many ways to seal friendship between two great kingdoms.’