8. Republic of the West

  January 17th Adaneus had sold another batch of cloves gaining 2000 solidi from various enthralled merchants, as well 200 solidi worth of saffron. Adaneus proclaimed a Republic, and his disinterest in ruling directly. This shocked many, while Christians proclaimed god to anoint rulers, Adaneus who had practically taken over the city, was now saying he didn’t wish to be the ruler, just the economic patron, of course this gave him a large bit of power, and he had already made some popular decrees; the tax abolition was welcome, as was the trade, and the Republic signalled an open leadership and not an autocracy. 4600 solidi was an impressive amount for a city technically under siege, and Adaneus only had more plans for spices and cash crops to sell to neighbouring merchants. He knew that to deter invaders he needed to increase the number of ballistae and catapults, and he also thought of ways to hire mercenaries.

  “Mercenaries are dangerous,” Butros said, “their commander could have their own ideas, and worse well if they're defeated the city is in peril.”

  “This is why I say we should fortify with artillery,” Adaneus said, “they will be pummelled no matter how many. We should unleash a barrage on their camp tonight, I’m not sure they are entirely aware how much we have aimed at them.”

  Kwame laughed with a white smile, rubbing his black skin in a wry grin. Roughly 800 solidi had been spent on balls and oil, and stone. The Norman siege lines were something of a festive affair, 3000 troops readied themselves to take the beleaguered city, or so they believed.

  Hours later, technically January the 18th, the garrison artillery crews began a blistering attack that the annals would never forget, it had been seven days since the fleet had been sent scurrying, now flaming boulders came arcing across the sky for the land troops. The ballistae likewise had flaming shots firing into the Norman Camp. Men were screaming, and tents were on fire, and soon enough, the flaming shots hit the grain supplies that the Norman army had. The artillery were unceasing, but nonetheless Adaneus did not know it, but Guiscard was adept at rescuing most of his troops, but the arcing artillery fire had him curse his enemy, and his army’s cohesion totally sapped.

  “These impish fiends, make sure to skin them alive!” Guiscard hissed, “we will!”

  He rode his horse in the middle of the night, his men likewise scrambling to escape the arcing meteorites as they hit the camp. For the Normans it was a disaster, for Adaneus it proved his strategy was correct, he had destroyed the navy and now had the army scurrying back.

  Truthfully as day broke, the Norman army simply stood further back. Guiscard was furious, his troops likewise were indignant.

  “The city is Pagan, and they have declared themselves a Republic,” a spy reported.

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  “So this is no longer the city of the Romans?” Guiscard whispered.

  “They declare themselves the Romans of the west,” the spy declared.

  “Romans of the west?” Guiscard shouted, “what mockery is this! I come to the last bastion of the Eastern Romans in Italy, and the city declares independence and Pagan and Romans of the west? How are they not starving?”

  “Devilish sorcery,” the spy reported, “among other things.”

  “Devilish sorcery?” Guiscard shouted, “what the fuck does that mean? By the angels this has got to be a joke. A sick joke.”

  Adaneus observed his city growth. He sold 100kg of saffron powder, spending 200 solidi on a further 200 workers. Manufactories were handling his spices, tending to his myrrh and frankincense and generally trying to improve his economic situation. Bread, wine, and fish were beginning to be freely distributed into the city, his state coffers were 3600 solidi, he had broken a blockade, and his green banners with golden lightning bolts were flying over the towers in an imposing way. His workers sold 700 litrai of saffron and 1400 litrai of black pepper, this was 3000 and 900 solidi respectively. His coffers practically doubling in one merchant visit. There was another element that had merchants running to Bari, no import taxes. Since Adaneus relied on exporting his precious spices, it made sense to not charge import taxes to attract the maximum number of merchants to buy his goods. Now with 7700 solidi he had to make tough decisions.

  “A navy or an army…” Adaneus mused, “we might need some bolt shooters on the walls too, make these bastards pay for even considering to attack our city.”

  Adaneus had expanded the cult to be 75% of the population of the city, with Andreas quartered near the emptying husk of a cathedral, some people preached about Magec/Helios while the Christian quarter had many people quietly agreeing that Adaneus was right. With a mere 600 solidi he had the resources to build 10 more catapults and 10 more ballistae, now with 40 and 30 respectively; he thought of adding bolt shooters to the mix as well, but there would probably be clutter on the wall from so many artillery.

  “Butros you said this thing about pike and shot,” Adaneus said in an inquisitive manner, “but I want our shot to be artillery.”

  “Yes Adi,” Butros said, making Adaneus squint at him, “wait artillery?”

  “Right, it’s probably not the best for us at the moment,” Adaneus said, “we probably need a navy. A merchant navy as well as a proper one. Also-”

  Butros clasped his eyelids, and got a map out, and quickly interrupted Adaneus.

  “It would probably make sense to export to the northern Italian markets, as well as the southern French ones,” Butros mused.

  He probably has Vandal heritage by the looks of things. Still he would be something like Vithimir, and not Butros. Adaneus thought, thinking of the man’s heritage, and how a blonde blue eyed man became a native of north africa.

  “Or Roman,” Butros replied, Adaneus realising he must have spoken aloud, “but yes it’s true.”

  “Pike and shot is a solid idea,” Adaneus admitted, “but like all things with our state, it will be economy first, military second.”

  “I don’t think artillery is economy first,” Butros said.

  “That’s why it’s second, there would be no artillery without massive investment.”

  “So what does the Republic of the West wish to do?” Butros asked.

  “Well in many ways I suppose we are a lot like Carthage now aren’t we?” Adaneus mused, “and like Carthage we will be destroyed if we don’t take the proper steps.”

  “What’s that then?” Kwame interrupted.

  “10 more catapults and 10 more ballistae.”

  “I’m not sure we can fit them all,” Butros and Kwame said in tandem.

  “The sheer intimidation will be enough to make sure Bari is never touched by anyone,” Adaneus said, “and that’s an investment.”

  So for the entirety of the 18th even more catapults and ballistae were being made and slowly hoisted up onto the battlements, with ammunition likewise being made and bought.