Free Constantinopolis by James Shipman Page B

the sea chain, nearly completed now, stretching out over the Horn. To the northeast, the Bosporus stretched across to Asia. To the South, the Sea of Marmara stretched out of sight on its long path to the Gallipoli Peninsula and out to the Aegean Sea.
    Constantine noticed to his surprise several masts on the extreme horizon to the south. He pointed them out excitedly to Zophia.
    “On no, could it be the Turks?” she asked.
    “Not coming from that direction dear. This could be what we are waiting for, a relief fleet from the Pope! We are saved!”
    They stood together counting the ships as they appeared on the horizon. Constantine’s hopes fell as he saw there were only three. Still, could this be an advance guard of a much larger fleet.
    They sat for hours together, laughing, hopeful, watching the ships move closer and closer to the city. Eventually the galleys moved past the point of the peninsula and tacked to the southwest into the horn until eventually arriving at the city harbor.
    Constantine and Zophia rode from the Acropolis along the sea walls and watched the ships dock. They held back for a few minutes to make sure the passengers were in fact friendly, then they dismounted and made their way to the pier.
    “Who is in charge here?” asked Constantine.
    A tall, middle-aged man with dark hair and a beard stepped off the ship. “I am.”
    “Who are you?”
    “I am Giovanni Gustianni Longo, who are you?”
    “He’s the Emperor,” answered Zophia.
    Giovanni was obviously surprised to meet the Emperor right at the dockside. He bowed low and ordered the men on the ships to do the same. He then stepped forward and shook hands with Constantine.
    “Where do you come from?” asked Constantine. “Did the Pope send you?”
    “The Pope? No. I am Genoese but I didn’t come from Genoa. I came of my own accord. I have late been of the island of Chios. I am a soldier and have fought in many battles. I have heard rumors of the danger to the city and I raised a company of men to come to the relief of the city.”
    Constantine was surprised. A private citizen had raised a force for the city without any requirement from a King or Prince? He was both pleased at the admirable effort of Giovanni and hopeful that if the threat to the city had moved this Giovanni to assist, additional help must be on the way from other individuals and leaders.
    “Your help is much appreciated! How many men have you brought with you?”
    “I have some 700 souls, ready for battle. I have also brought money I have collected from a variety of benefactors. Many wealthy people on Chios donated to the cause, even if they were unable to assist in the actual battle.”
    Constantine smiled, relief flooding over him. He kept his composure the best he could but he could not help showing his delight. 700 men plus money! He could resume work on the walls, and the 700 men would add substantially to his military force. He wasn’t sure exactly how many men he had yet for the defense of the city, but he had Sphrantzes working on a count and he hoped to have accurate numbers soon. Zophia smiled encouragement to him. He could feel her happiness too. She looked so beautiful when she was happy. He felt a tinge of guilt. It had been premature for him to send a messenger to the Georgians. Now that the aid was coming in, he hoped he could soon send a second message that he had reconsidered. Zophia never needed to know he had looked into the marriage issue.
    “Your help is greatly appreciated Giovanni. We need all the men we can find, particularly with battle experience. We may also be facing cannons, which, if they are effective, we have no defense for, even with our extensive land walls.”
    “My Lord, I have extensive siege experience, including with cannons. If you let me work with your engineers, I know many tricks for strengthening walls against cannon fire, and methods for quickly rebuilding breaches.”
    Giovanni’s arrival had to be a miracle from God