CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

‘Is it over?’ asked Anna.

‘The fighting isn’t. But the battle is decided.’ Her father was still gazing out over the carnage on the Bosporus.

Lilla had watched with Gerutha from a neighbouring battlement, mixed feelings stirring in her all the while. To die by that fire was a horrible fate for any man to suffer, whether friend or foe. But its effectiveness was undeniable. She’d seen some Byzantine ships go down and could only pray that Erlan was not on them. Even if the battle was won, her heart would have no peace till she knew Erlan was not among the dead.

The few surviving Arab galleys had pulled back to the north when their surprise attack failed. Meanwhile, the little fire-runners had pushed on around the point towards Chalcedon. She could only imagine what terror they were causing there. That was where her ship should have been, though it had been many months since she had any word of their fate. ‘Is the city safe, then?’

‘For now,’ replied Leo. ‘Thank God.’ Out on the straits slicks of liquid fire were still burning, drifting south with the current. Anna came up to Lilla and huddled up under her cloak. ‘I’m cold,’ she said softly. ‘Do you mind?’

There was a sound on the stairs. They turned and saw the guard challenging some newcomer standing in the gloom. ‘I carry word from the empress,’ said a husky voice.

‘Yana?’ said Lilla in surprise, recognizing her servant’s voice.

‘I’ve a message for Princess Anna. From Her Majesty the Basílissa. It’s urgent.’ This last to the guard, and pointedly.

‘Well, come on – let the girl through,’ said the emperor. ‘What is it? Is the empress all right?’

‘Erm. . . no, Majesty. The physician said she is in much pain. He fears the worst. For the child, I think he means. She is asking for the princess.’

‘I must go to her,’ said Anna, squeezing her father’s hand.

‘Of course, at once,’ said Leo, his face paling. ‘Tell her my prayers are with her. And with the child.’

Anna kissed him on the cheek. ‘Will you come too, Lilla?’

‘I don’t wish to crowd the empress—’

‘She won’t mind that.’

‘And I hoped to see the fleet return safe to harbour.’

Anna clasped her hand earnestly. ‘It would mean a lot to her, I know. And me. . .’

Lilla frowned. She was reluctant to leave her lookout even though she knew she could not hope to know Erlan’s fate for some hours yet.

‘Please.’

‘Very well,’ she sighed. ‘Gerutha will come too. Her healing lore is vast. She may be able to help.’

Anna gave a little yelp of joy then kissed her father again and hurried to the stairs. Yana followed and behind her Gerutha, leaving Lilla to cast a last look out to sea.

‘Go with them,’ Leo ordered the guard. ‘See they reach there safely.’