22. The Merchant and the Mercenary

  Gocelin had a mostly Catholic city, adorned in the flags of the Pagans, he had captured 7 ships and outfitted them with some 400 men, he sent them back to Bari requesting supplies and catapults.

  “If I’m too stupid, the Eastern Romans will seize the towns that are lightly defended, and they’ll have my head,” he growled, “Thorphinius, what’s your call?”

  “Hmmm, hard to know, your proclamations are good on land reform, but unlike Monopoli which is closer and has catapults and ballistae and bolt shooters, this city has nothing, we leave they’ll probably put a Norman garrison, or invite Eastern Rome.”

  “I’ll make a speech,” Gocelin said.

  Gocelin approached a morning crowd, confused by the change of government, and the Pagan adorned symbols draped on the city walls and governor’s palace.

  “I have taken this city in the name of the Roman Western Republic, as a result of his leniency, import taxes are only 5%, and personal taxes and land taxes abolished, he believes in production and trade not abusing the peasantry. He is a Pagan it is true, but he will not abuse the rights of the disbelievers and will allow people religious freedom!”

  Gocelin was good enough to impress the locals, less taxes, and land reform was popular enough, albeit the church authorities made predictable counters.

  “When the holy see hears about this, he will have your head! Not even the Greeks treated us like this!”

  “What are you talking about, you are a Latin clergyman, you stole your land from the Greeks!” Gocelin said, to a roaring laughter from the locals.

  Still he was distrusted, a Norman himself, people stared at his blonde hair and ambitious gaze with suspicion.

  “I am a Norman in the service of Adaneus! He does not discriminate on race, go to Bari and you will see what I mean. He is most magnanimous!” Gocelin continued.

  “A man of true honour, the regime of Bari is a just one!” Thorphinius chimed in.

  It did not sway that many, but his words did not hurt either, a Norman who served Adaneus, the cynical would say ‘he paid you, and the Normans love coin.’ And they would be not incorrect.

  Adaneus meanwhile received his 2000 mercenaries, selling 1567 litrai of Indigo dye and Saffron powder, some 30,000 solidi worth of gold, upping his treasury to 98,000 solidi, but unfortunately for him he would not be able to sell Indigo for a while now, nor saffron, still it was impressive enough to impress him. The 2000 mercenaries would have to go somewhere, and Adaneus was wise enough to have heard of the Norman cavalry charge, but his wife warned him about it with a stern face.

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  “The Normans are well known for their cavalry, you may have chased them from your walls, but in the open field, you should be careful, likewise your mercenary subordinate, he may be overwhelmed if you are unlucky,” Demetra said, “I would be cautious.”

  “Her caution is merited,” Kwame said, “the Norman charge is practically Catholic military doctrine, used from Al Andalus to here.”

  “March the soldiers on the coastal road, they can be given a lift by ship, or at least protected by ships if something happens, I’m sure Gocelin will send ships, so re-direct them to shadow the land army.”

  “Good,” Demetra and Butros said at the same time, both then staring at each other.

  “Where is the commander of the force?” Adaneus asked.

  “I would recommend a person from Bari,” Demetra advised.

  Butros smiled at the solid advice, tapping Adaneus’s shoulder to let him know it was the right call.

  “A kentarches, can command the 2000, and lead them to Monopoli, what they do from there, is up to Gocelin as the field and ocean commander.”

  With 4700 men he had options as a commander, sail further south and strain his resources or simply consolidate his already impressive gains.

  The Normans need time, and will probably want to take the city of Bari, if I take the heel I can maybe break them in a pitched battle… maybe, but it’s risky, I would really put this bolt shooter doctrine to the test. I have 60 bolt shooters, plus maybe an additional 60, while useful to make the enemy bleed, it’s not enough to be a dominant force on the battlefield, I need those bolt shooters.

  February 8th, Adaneus sold cloves earning 3500 solidi. Other things were in preparation, some 101,500 solidi, he immediately splurged 1500 solidi on bolt shooters. Receiving Gocelin’s 7 ships from Brindisium, stunning him and his companions.

  “He’s in Brindisium?” Adaneus said stunned.

  “He is considering subduing the entire heel,” one of the sailors said.

  “Are you sure this man can be trusted?” Demetra said.

  A sailor heard Demetra’s words, and protested:

  “He is raising your flag over the walls, and has raised 1000 new mercenaries with loot, he requests bolt shooters to move with ultimate efficiency, and to be battle ready on an open field!”

  “Bolt shooters?” Butros repeated, flabbergasted by the news.

  “And catapults and ballistae, to reinforce the towns he captures, he is considering taking Otranto, or simply cutting off the heel by taking Taranto.”

  “That would require a land march,” Butros protested.

  “He knows that, hence the need for bolt shooters to be able to move safely!” The Sailor protested.

  “Spend 10,000 on buying the loyalty of the peasantry!” Adaneus said, “I want to make sure the peasants know I am on their side, cattle, ploughs, chickens, spare nothing to buy goods.”

  90,000 solidi was left in the state’s coffers, buying the loyalty of the locals with style, while hauling 700 bolt shooters into the ships that were sent to Gocelin. 11 ships hauling bolt shooters and to catch up to the marching army and ferry them if possible. Adaneus did not know the consequences of his actions, but the spies were frothing at the mouth.

  Holy See, the situation is even more critical, Adaneus is hiring even more mercenaries, solidifying his position in the south taking towns that are supposed to be Norman. If he is not stopped he will control the heel soon enough. Send a letter to the Holy Roman Emperor explaining that this Western Roman Republic threatens and insults him likewise for he usurps the title of Rome for his vanity project.

  He was hardly the only spy, but he wrote his letter, and left having bought a minuscule amount of cloves, proof of the regime in Bari’s sorcerery.