29. Taranto

  On the 21st of February, the full implications of the defeat of Bari were clear. Eastern Roman merchants emptied the markets of cloves, leaving the Arabs to buy all the indigo, 47,000 solidi entered the coffers, 182,000 solidi in total. 2000 solidi going to the fledgling intelligence service. In some instances enemy spies were allowed to convey information for they were useful conduits of information. Bari was bustling, with 500 immigrants coming to the new quarter, some houses were built taller, and in some cases the city grew outwards, taking the flatlands. The ministers looked at a map of Italy, with some soldiers present.

  “Guiscard might have lost, but Taranto is still in Norman hands, the patch work of feuding Normans has actually been solidified by your presence, but the garrisons on the heel are continuing your work, although more bribery would continue their good function, improving their harbours and the like,” Butros said.

  “It’s too early, I want Taranto captured at least before I do something like that, I have plans for economic development to be sure, but it requires at least Taranto, the heel must be secure, there is also the problem with other things,” Adaneus said.

  “What exactly?” Kwame asked.

  “The religion of the newly captured towns is firmly Christian, with only a smattering of Helios worship and even then it is mostly political,” Adaneus admitted, “that is what the sailors hauling artillery in these new places all admit.”

  “Even merchants from enemy nations, covet our wealth,” Butros said, “where else can we hire mercenaries from?”

  “It is a question mark,” Adaneus admitted once again.

  “Zethos has another purpose, to check Gocelin’s power,” Demetra said.

  Kwame and Butros’s eyes grew with loud emotions.

  “If they did not cooperate with each other and hindered each other in battle, we could have been talking about a defeat,” Butros said.

  “Zethos is a professional, he wouldn’t have done that,” Demetra said defensively, “and he didn’t.”

  “I said aim over there!” Gocelin said.

  “Since when do Normans order around my artillery!” Zethos said, looking up at the Norman commander.

  “I dutifully protected your artillery and suffered because of it!” Gocelin shouted back.

  “Fine, fine, aim it where you want, but don’t be silly about it.”

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  The bolt shooters aimed at the garrison, making suppressive fire that allowed the infantry to move closer with ladders blasting defenders away, as spearmen ran up the ladders.

  “There!” Zethos said, pointing at reinforcements of the enemy.

  They were shot at, his glaive-men and mace-men climbing up and securing the gatehouse, hoisting a flag of the Western Roman Republic on the battlements. The garrison surrendered, throwing down their arms and armour and putting away whatever Christian regalia. Zethos and Gocelin entered Taranto, and Guiscard and Bohemond scurried away, the banners of the Western Roman Republic fluttered over the city, and an eery calm descended on the city.

  “The city is now property of the Republic, and the Republic gives full rights to its citizens,” Zethos said.

  “Religious liberties are a given,” Gocelin said.

  “But the church property will be divided up and given to the peasantry.”

  “Adaneus wishes for a prosperous future, praise be to Helios!”

  Zethos had the church looted and likewise the governor’s palace had most of its valuables sold, the city now a seat of power the two generals agreed on a 50/50 custody. Roughly 30,000 solidi went into both general’s pockets, with the central government going to cover the cost of administration.

  “Under the Republican rules trade duties are for the armies that captured the territory,” Gocelin said, “Adaneus’s army must have provisions.”

  “Yes Demetra affirmed the same thing, she said it would make most sense for the armies to keep trade duties in other towns,” Zethos said.

  “Does Demetra control the Republic or does Adaneus?" Gocelin said.

  “The council controls the Republic, and Demetra and Adaneus are both on the council,” Zethos replied.

  “Then we wait for the official Republican policy,” Gocelin said, “I will offer you Casalnuovo as well entirely if what you say is true, as a token of gratitude for coming when you did.”

  “Maybe Normans aren’t so bad,” Zethos said half joking.

  The blonde Norman laughed a little, and pressed the hand of Zethos, looking him dead in the eyes before speaking.

  “I will take the rest of the villages and towns in the heel, I will reunite with my fleet at some point, you gather fine men and make the Kratos Wrath force truly intimidate our foes.”

  “As you say Gocelin I will do as much,” Zethos said, “then do not be upset if I use the resources of the city.”

  “I will not be,” Gocelin said.

  Gocelin rested his 5000 troops, keeping 500 in Casalnuovo but transferring their loyalty to Zethos, he would begin his march on the 22nd, resting and eating the food before beginning his journey.

  The 22nd began with a march for Gocelin and a mustering by Zethos, he hired 500 glaive-men adding his total to roughly 1450, elite warriors who would intimidate any rebellious locals while he made proclamations and helped stabilise the city.

  Gocelin meanwhile marched from village to village proclaiming the right of peasants to the land, and that the Republic had just captured Taranto and that therefore the old authorities were now powerless.

  “We captured a sun priest, a devil worshipper!” One peasant said holding a man who had cuts on his hands and welts on his back.

  “Release him at once!” Gocelin said, “Helios has won us a victory, all he wanted for you was a better life. If you wish to worship Christ do so, but don’t oppress the man.”

  The peasants looked at Gocelin with a mixture of emotions, but they relented, the local Christian clergyman looking terrified at what his fate was to be.

  “The Republic is not going to hurt Christian clergyman,” Thorphinius interrupted, “so you don’t have to worry about that.”

  Village after village learnt the news, and Gocelin declared the policies of the Republic with grace and lack of a heavy hand. In many ways he had to restrain his previous Christian tendencies.

  It wasn’t like this when I ran Molfetta I must admit.