"The one who helped trap the quaestor, yes," Justin answered. "My friend said Nikos met with them twice-the last time was on the day they left. That is all I could discover." He looked around quickly. "I must go. I will try to learn more if I can."
The chief guard called again. The other soldiers were already moving off. "Trust no one, Aidan," said Justin, stepping quickly away from me. "Beware Nikos-he has very powerful friends. He is dangerous. Stay far away from him."
I made to thank him and bid him farewell, but he was already running along the narrow street to join the other soldiers. I turned and made my way back to where Didimus and the Danes were waiting. I pushed through the crowd, thinking: They are alive! My friends are alive! At least most of them are alive, and they reached Constantinople after all.
"That was the warrior from the gate," Gunnar said as I joined them. "The one you were looking for?"
"Yes, that was the one."
"And he told you what you wanted to know?"
"Yes," I said tersely. I did not care to discuss it further-certainly not with Sea Wolves who were the cause of the ruined pilgrimage, and all the other troubles in my life. Instead, I turned and strode along the street. "Come," I said, "we must hurry if we want to be at the quay when the bread arrives."
"Heya!" agreed Gunnar. "The sooner we collect the winnings, the happier I will be."
"Didimus," I called, "lead us back to the ships. Quickly, now! We do not wish to miss Constantius."
"Most fortunate of men are you," cried the little boatman cheerfully, "for you are in the company of one who anticipates your every whim. I have already thought of this, and I have devised a special route to take you. No boat this time, yet, never fear, we will reach the harbour before the sun sets."
True to his word, Didimus brought us to the harbour just as the sun sank below the western hills. "You see!" he said. "There is your ship, here are you, and the sun is only setting. And now I must go home to my supper. I bid you fare well, my friends. I will be leaving you now. If I have been of service to you, I am happy. I need nothing more." Smiling in anticipation of his reward, he added, "Naturally, if people wish to show their appreciation…"
"You have done us good service, Didimus," I told him. "For that we are grateful."
Turning to Gunnar, I explained that we must pay the boatman for his help, reminding him that without Didimus, we would not have been able to win the wager.
"Say no more," replied Gunnar expansively, "I am feeling generous." Opening his leather bag, he produced a handful of nomismi and began counting them out.
Didimus's face fell when he saw the coins. Nudging Gunnar, I said, "Truly, he has been a very great help."
From among the coins Gunnar selected a silver denarius, and held it out to Didimus. The boatman's smile instantly returned. "May God Himself bless you richly, my friends!" he gasped, snatching the coin and tucking it quickly out of sight. Seizing my hand, he raised it to his lips and kissed it. Then he kissed Gunnar's hand as well, and departed, saying, "Next time you need a guide, call on Didimus, and you will have the best guide in all Byzantium, never fear!"
"Farewell," I called. Didimus quickly disappeared among the workers and boatmen making their way to the city, and we hurried to the place where the longship was still moored to the quayside.
We had just reached the ship and were about to go aboard when we heard Hnefi call out, "Ho! It is no use hiding. We have seen you."
"Heya," replied Gunnar affably. "And I see you have found your way back to the ship. That is a triumph for you, Hnefi. You must be very pleased."
"If I am pleased," said Hnefi, strolling up as if he owned the harbour, "it is because I see you standing there empty-handed. You should have stayed with us." Some of the other Sea Wolves arrived, staggering slightly, and looking dazzled by the day's experience.
"I see that you have found a drinking hall," Gunnar observed. "No doubt the ol has helped ease the sting of your defeat."
"Wine!" cried Hnefi. "We have been drinking wine-and that in celebration of our victory! I will take my silver now."
Some of the Danes aboard ship gathered at the rail to observe this exchange. They called to their shipmates below and were told of the wager between Gunnar and Hnefi over the bread.
"I wonder at you, Hnefi," Gunnar replied, shaking his head sadly. "It must be that you have forgotten the most important part of the wager. I am looking, but I do not see the bread."
"Are you blind, man?" replied Hnefi. "Open your eyes."
So saying, he turned and called a signal to the remaining five Sea Wolves of his party just then straggling up. I saw that they were bearing large cloth bags on their backs. At their leader's signal, they came to where we were standing, and slung their bags to the quay. "Behold!" cried Hnefi, opening the nearest bag. Thrusting his hand inside, he produced a small brown loaf. "I give you bread."
