Date: Wed, 27 Feb 2013 21:20:01 -0700
From: dnrock@rock.com
Subject: Arden's Saga 40

Arden's Saga
by:  dnrock(dnrock@rock.com)

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40:  Weapons, Spies and Diplomacy

1319, 4th month, 18th day:

The General, Vitale, Raffaele and Odo's mother arrived the other day, along
with our French connection and several other former sanctuary men.  I was
quite surprised to see the General is not only in excellent health but in
no great need of the temple waters.  He did desire them but did not need.
This poor health business was an elaborate ruse.  The General will be
joining the university as professor of military history.

Raffaele will become a student studying military history, Odo's mother will
continue to be the General's house keeper and Vitale will fade into
obscurity, in readiness for his next assignment.  I think Hesiodos has
enlightened Iason on this but if so he is keeping it secret from even me.
Raffaele will continue to live in the General's home, he has joined the Phi
Alpha fraternity.  I assume the General will write to Florence, saying the
climate of Parga is beneficial to his failing health and he will remain
here as an academic for the remainder of his life.

I know Odo is happy that his mother is not only well and being well cared
for but also close to him.  He was much disappointed in her when he came to
us but that has been long forgiven.  I think he realized she had little or
no choice at the time.

The captured pirate ships sailed for Taranto today and will be sold.  The
Prince Polydeukus escorted them and will return with our officers.  The
former slaves proved to be a very interesting lot.  Most had some place or
another they wish to attend.  A hand full asked to return to Parga as they
had no home or other country.  Very few desired to continue in anyone's
navy.  I think I can understand that.  Those that wish to return to Parga
will be welcomed.

It is still unclear what will happen to the pirates.  Apparently the local
sultan in Bejaia, is not very interested in having them returned, claiming
they are not his concern or vassals.  This presents a bit of a problem for
us.  We do not want or need them here.  We have no employment for pirates
or mercenaries.  I do not trust them either.  One can see the difference
between the Florentines and these pirates.  The Florentines were
professionals and honourable.  These pirates are professional after a
fashion but I do not feel honourable; as I understand honourable, they have
some different views of both professionalism and honour.  The scholar
advisors tell us that these North African pirates are a little of both,
self financing thieves and extensions of sultanate's foreign policy.  Many
sultans receive a share of the plunder for the privilege of sailing from
his port and from the sale or ransom for any captured.

As to the notion of honour and lawfulness, I think the basis is just
different.  The scholars tell me that by the standards of North African
societies they are no more or less honourable then anyone else.  By those
standards what they do is lawful and according to their custom.  The
problem then must lay in the basis of laws and customs between our two
societies.  They are theocratic and we are secular.  We in Parga are not
bound to some external theocracies, our neighbours are theocratic.  It is
just that we have more in common with our neighbours then with the North
Africans.  We share a common heritage and language, even if that be
moderated by state religions.  The customs and standards of their society
is just different from ours.

These North Africans are Islamic but they have a singularly different view
of Islam then those of that faith among us.  I think it is more cultural
than theology.  As to their culture I am less then impressed.  They view
us, as our ancestors and the Romans viewed barbarians.  I just keep asking
myself who are the barbarians.  To us, me anyway, they are barbarians.  I
see little art, music or even poetry being developed in these places.  The
art is sterile and devoid of humanity.  It does have complex and
interesting patterns and rich colour.  Little exists in these regions,
perhaps they never had any.  (TN: Arden is obviously not aware of the rich
artistic traditions of Moorish Spain.  The Spanish Moors were pushed back
to North Africa but fairly recently to Arden's time.)  I see the Persians
and Egyptians continuing with some music, poetry and writing.  The great
Alexander would be much saddened to see what has become of these once great
societies.  He was a builder and purveyor of Greek ideals and valued
knowledge, he was not a destroyer as these theocrats are.

We princes feel pressure needs be brought upon this sultan to admit these
pirates are his vassals.  He needs be made to pay the price for allowing
them to attack the ships of Parga.  Some say we should just ignore them,
others say try and appease them.  We say nonsense to both.  The only thing
they understand or respect is raw and blunt power or force.

Between us we have formulated a plan that I believe will make the point so
forcefully, this sultan will pay the price we demand and instruct his
vassals not to interfere with any ship flying the ensign of Parga.  Should
that point fail we will simply destroy his pirates and lay his land open
for others to plunder.  The price of attacking Parga will be so great only
a fool would do so again.  I think the point will also be made to other
pirate ports on that coast.  Bejaia is the largest and has the reputation
of being the most fearsome.  Since the Venation's and Genoese trade with
these places they are unwilling to take direct action.  Uncle Iason told us
not to even inform them of our intentions.

By the winter soloists we will have eight Prince Class Ships commissioned
and armed with 20 to 24 Kannons.  Combined with 240 marines on each and our
other armaments, every ship in that port will be sunk and destroyed.  To
implement this plan we will place spies on the Venetian and Genoese
merchants that call on Bejaia regularly.  The Sicilians have assured us of
their full support in what ever venture we choose.  Kastor and Father do
not trust the Sicilians all that much, but feel if we present them with a
good opportunity they would follow up on it.  We have not told them what
our plan is as yet and will not until the last possible moment.  This will
take much preparation and readiness.

Kastor will spend much effort to evaluate the potential for spies among us.
Identify who they are, who they work for and how we can turn that to
advantage.  The Venation's are fully aware of our Kannons as we buy them
from Venice.  They buy war ships from us.  To date we have not sold any
Prince Class ships to anyone.  No other navy we know of, uses Kannons of
this size and to the extent we do either.  We are a small, locally
powerful, reliable ally.  It is in Venice's best interest to keep us that
way, since most of the trade moving along the East side of the Adriatic
pass us and they control its bulk.  It is not in their interest to see us
extend our power beyond our local waters.  The same can be said for most
other states in the Mediterranean.

I hope for some kind of political solution but if that proves impossible
then military action will be required.  The Sicilians have told us the 7
lost ships will mostly be replaced by early next year.  The lost officers
and trained crews are another matter.  We have asked the Spanish and
Sicilians to take some advantage of these losses, by pressuring the pirates
that operate from other ports to hinder the rebuilding process.  It is said
Bejaia had as many as 25 pirate vessels operating from it.

Polydeukus has suggested we use the stories of the magic prince and his
magical ships to spread fear to the pirates in general and Bejaia
specifically.  I think that a good idea but did not want it limited to me.
I suggested Odo and Thoren conspire to tell the captured pirates and
visiting seamen the wildest and most outrageous tails of our magical powers
and those of our Prince Class ships.

If these people are superstitious, as they seem to be, let us make
advantage of it.  It is our way to give respect to the beliefs of others.
Since these men give none to us or anyone else, I think it only fair to use
what we can against them.  Those among them who are educated, beyond the
narrow constrains of their religious writings, will not be fooled.
Fortunately most of these pirates are not.  Among the tails being told are:
Pargaian arrows are dipped the the blood of swine, much of our leather is
their skin, some of our weapons are fuelled by the fat of these animals,
our ships need no wind to sail and of course have no oars.  Our princes
have the power to summon great storms and render plagues and pestilence
upon them at will and cause their women to be barren.  These are a few
examples.  The stories of battles, captures and sinking need be little more
then factual, the minds of the listeners will do the rest.

Several weeks ago the logs of the two captured ships and letters from the
captured officers were sent, via a Venetian merchant, to Bejaia.  King
Iason wrote a long letter which was translated into Arabic, line by line.
In it he expressed his surprise and disappointment that our ships had been
attacked on two occasions.  On both occasions without provocation and in
waters well removed from Bejaia.  Having lost 7 ships and many men in these
ill-fated adventures, he hoped the Bejalanese had learned a valuable lesson
and that in the future, ships flying our ensign would be treated with
respect.  Nothing short of a seriously enforced decree, forbidding any
vessel using Bejaia as a port or based there, from attaching us would be
acceptable.  Bejaia will immediately arrange transportation for the
prisoners to their home port.  In addition, Bejaia is expected to endow a
chair in Arabic language studies at our university, which will cost 100
florins/ year for the next ten years.  They have the privilege of
nominating the qualified scholar that will fill that chair.  The university
would provide living quarters for the scholar and his family.

These terms are not negotiable and this offer will expire in 60 days.
Letters from the senior officers and the officials at the mosque were also
included.  Somehow Hesiodos had placed spies among the captured.  He told
us the letters were sealed by the writers and placed by them in the box,
with the logs and King Iason letter and that was sealed by the captain of
the merchantman taking it.  We do not know exactly what anyone except King
Iason wrote.  This came as quite a surprise to them.  From the spies we
know the mosque people assured the sultan that King Iason was two things,
honourable and fair minded but not known to let deadlines slip or tolerate
mischief (TN: he probably means double dealing) of any kind.  The prisoners
pleaded to be brought home immediately.  They were being treated well, much
better then they expected but feared that should the sultan fail to secure
their release they would be turned over to the Sicilians or some other
unfriendly power.

None of us believe King Iason's terms will be accepted, not even the
writer.  These pirates are fond of holding hostages for ransom.  They
somehow feel others should pay them tribute.  They do not believe they
should ever pay.  They seem to believe the only rules they are to follow
are the ones they make and no one else's.

This time they will play by our rules or they will be crushed.  Since we
have no trade with them and our few merchant vessels almost never venture
into their waters, it is us, not them, who require appeasement.  I am not
all that fond of the Sicilians either but they are at least realistic and
seem a bit flexible.  We do have common cause with them as relates to these
pirates, even if our objective are somewhat different.


1319, 4th month, 19th day:

Our boys presented us with a most entertaining and pleasurable evening.
Six of them Joulous, Justus, Nikias, Kalkrates, Solon, Hilarus all danced
while others played, Dios on his bagpipes and others on the drums.  The six
boys began dancing in a line.  It was a relatively slow and sensuous dance
and after 2 bars the melody repeated but the tempo increased, as did the
dancing.  On the third increase the six boys formed three pairs.  Each pair
proceeded to touch, fondle, and seduce, when the rhythm increased again the
three pairs reformed into two triads.  Now the dancing became more
suggestive to the point of lewdness.  The tempo slowed again and the two
triads began having sex for real.  This ran through two bars and the tempo
slowed for another two.  All the while the triads rearranged themselves so
that each member had an equal time in the middle with one behind and one in
front.

The melody was a very simple three note progression in two steps and
repeated but descending and so on.  When this was finished, Agapios and
William came with two other pages and the boy singers and sang one of Odo's
most erotic songs with the three pairs acting out the courtship and
consummation of two lonely boys who find each other.  This was followed by
us twelve men being overwhelmed by boys.  Each was ministered to by two and
some three boys all seeking to share pleasure with us.  It was quite clear
that the under 12's in attendance would not be returning to their mothers
this evening, several were proudly riding on our erections.  Alfred and
Dios had overwhelmed Iason and Nikias and Helladios, myself.  I think Iason
put up little resistance, I know I gave none.


1319, 4th month, 20th day:

Now that the General's health has returned and he is Professor of Military
History, Raffaele has resigned his commission to become one of the
General's students.  He will still live in the General's home as his part
time aid.  Odo visits his mother as often as he is able.  I think that is
good for him, there is no doubt in my mind that he is a man who loves men,
he still shows not the slightest sexual interest in women.

Vitale is preparing for a new assignment.  He seems to find the business of
being a spy most interesting.  He will begin work as a junior officer
apprentice on a Venetian trader that will call on a number of North African
ports, in the next several weeks.  He has been spending much time with
Gergoio both in and out of bed.  Vitale has a talent for easily picking up
accents and mannerisms of other cultures and will be able to pass himself
off as a Venetian; temporarily sent away from his Venetian colony home by
his father, for some indecision or another.  That will explain why he was
dropped off by one trader and is being picked up by another.

We have been working out a new code with him, his music is not sufficient
to allow this.  Instead he will be armed with two books of the Torah that
have been translated into Latin, Leviticus and Numbers.  By using the
chapter and verse numbering as identifiers, a simple letter identification
code can be defined.  This code changes with each new reference.  By
stating the reference differently, say combining two or three the letters
of the words to use are identified. (TN: This is a substation code.)  The
communications will be short letters to a mythical scholar which discuss
various philosophical points.  If the reference is to Leviticus it mean
letters, words, ideas and so on.  It it is to Numbers it means numerical
things and letter identifiers what the numbers represent.

Vitale will depart in the morning.  I know, but no one else does, that
three other sanctuary men are already at work on this information gathering
project.  They do not know about each other, two use this code method and
one the musical code.  Letters will be routed through Syracuse.


1319, 4th month, 25th day:

It has now been 23 days since the letters were sent.  No reply has shown
yet.  We expect them to come at the very last, if at all.

Our new postal service is operating well and people seem satisfied with
what 1 chalcus will accomplish.  (TN: This coinage business is very complex
and was different in every place.  Arden has not said anything about it.
Parga as a free city state issued its own coins.  We know they were gold,
silver and bronze from other comments Arden has made.  This is the first
time Arden has named one of them which was probably bronze, 1/8 of an obol,
which was 1/6 of a drachma.  We know they accepted foreign coins, he tells
us that.  What he has not said was how foreign money got changed.  Since he
does not mention banks or money changers it appears this was done by the
state as in Ptolemaic Egypt.  That would fall into Arden's recently
assigned portfolio, we assume.)

Edward has written several letters as have Abrith, Abernath and Ajax.
Edward tells me how much he likes Koalhurst and my family.  My parents have
made him feel wanted and comfortable.  Abernath and Ajax write that Edward
shows great promise with every task they assign him.  He learns very
quickly and is very exacting in performance.  He does miss his brothers and
I know they miss him as well.  Perhaps I should plan a visit and take them
and some of the other boys along.  I will ask Kleitos if he and Squire
Miltiades would like to accompany us.


1319, 5th month, 3rd day:

Our sojourn to Koalhurst was most successful and held no adventure.  We did
enjoy ourselves and the company of our friends.  Since the first group of
Koalhurst boys has now graduated they joined us for a community wide
festival.  The mayor did express some concern that so many young people
were leaving for the city and my school that he would soon have a
population shortage.  I reminded him that many of them would be returning
to the community in their new capacities.

Edward indicated that he was most interested in growing things and he
wished to experiment to improve crops by selectively breading them, like we
bread animals.  I gave him much encouragement and told him to spend the
remainder of the year here and we would revisit his future at that time.
If he still desires to work with plants I have a place for him in the
castle gardens.  Perhaps he will be my Kleitos of plants.  Abrith and
Abernath have agreed to give him a small garden plot to do some
experiments.

Information is starting to be returned about our pirate advisories.  Other
powers are putting pressure on all the pirate states along the African
coast.  Since Parga, such a small power, can so easily defeat them, others
with larger navies have been embolden.  It would appear our need to attack
and destroy them in Bejaia will not come about.  The Sultan is attempting
to put a large fleet against us.  He is gaining support from every pirate
port, from Algiers east to Alexandria.  They will send this armada from
Tripoli north, in the hopes of avoiding opposition.

We met with the Venetian Ambassador yesterday.  He was informed and has
sent a message to Venice.  The Venetians have a very large and powerful
navy and consider the Adriatic as their sea.  So too the Sicilians in
regard to the Ionian.  Me thinks Parga is the bate in a very large trap.
Once we have a clear picture of the pirate strength, the Venetians and
Sicilians will each match it.  Admiral Pantaleon claims any one of our
Prince Class vessels is equal to three pirates, if that be the case then
our 7 ready equal 21 of them.

Karyakos sent a message to all the ports south of us, on both the east and
west coasts alerting them to this impending battle.  He explained that
subsequent to our sinking and capturing of four Bejaia pirates the Sultan
was raising a large armada in Tripoli, to sail against us.  He did not ask
for any help, claiming the pirate armada will be destroyed once they enter
our historic zone of protection.  He thought they should be alerted to the
possibility that some may escape.  We would not chase them south of Levkas'
latitude.


1319, 5th month, 5th day:

Today after our council meeting I ran and ran, for several hours.  Only
Nikias on his horse could keep up with me.  Everyone else was forced to
drop out.  I am stronger now then before I was wounded.  Not just
physically but in my mind as well.  My once perfect body now has a scar.  A
reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of making the most of
each day we live.  It all started at the council meeting in the morning.

It was attended by an ancient knight, Sir. Metrophanes.  He has almost 80
years and we had never met him before.  He was carried into the hall by
four knights.  The man is a legend to say the least.  He was a page in
Iason the 2nd's court.  He had been the primary Admiral that chased the
pirates our of our waters during Iason the 4th's time.  He was advisor to
Iason the 5th and 6th.

All of the knights gathered around him.  It was clear to everyone he was
held in a reverence even greater than the King.  Uncle seemed his most
humble supporter.  Each of the princes including Lysandros was presented to
him.  To each of us he had something special and personal to say.
Lysandros was the last. "Lysandros you look exactly like your great, great,
great grandfather Iason the 3rd.  I know because he and I were boyhood
friends.  Few know, I was his uncle and Iason the 2nd's half brother.  It
is like being 8 yeas old again myself, to have you sitting next to me."  He
patted the stool and Lysandros sat.

Few of you know also that my sire was Iason the 1st.  I never knew him.  My
mother told me she was just a young woman of 13, when she was sent to
assist the old king in his last few weeks of life.  She told me, to the
very end he was both kind and in control of everything and everyone.  She
said, `I thought my virginity was safe but you Met', she always called me
that, even when I became a knight, `prove he was a true warrior to the
last.'"  He looked at Uncle, "See Iason I still know things you don't and
still have something to teach the young ones.

Iason the 3rd and I were the wildest pages in my brother's court.  My other
nephews were no match for us but I must say they made a good try.  Many of
the traditions you boys have today were begun by us.  I don't remember any
of us climbing down ropes into the dining hall, Helladios.  I do remember
your name sake, Iason the 3rd's third son was by far the most efficient at
producing children.  He never married but as I recall he always had a bed
chamber full of women and not a few boys as well."  Helladios turned bright
red and everyone laughed.

"I did not come here just to tell stories about your long dead forbears.  I
came here because I wanted to meet the fabled princes of Parga for myself.
I thought we were, in my day, about as good as it would ever get in this
business, I was wrong.  You young men and boys have far surpassed us and
your grandfathers and great-grandfathers.  I wanted to tell you this myself
for I know I have not much time remaining.

After talking to Pantaleon I am sure you will have even less difficulty
defeating these pirates then I did.  I am only envious of one thing, that I
am far to old to command one of these magnificent vessels.  I have one
thing to ask of you princes.  In the coming battle stay on the shore, your
presence on the water will be more hindrance than advantage.  If you are
present all will devote to protecting their prince not overwhelming the
enemy.  Your sword and bow are truly of little added value with so many
fighters.  It is your leadership here in this chamber that can not easily
be replaced.

One of your grandfathers, I won't tell you which, was so determined to sail
into battle that the council of his day had to forbid it.  I know that same
sprit lives within all of you.  The result was many years of division and
friction between King and council.  Parga did not need that then and it
does not need anything like that now."

Sir. Metrophanes is correct of course.  We all recognized the wisdom of his
words.  That did not mean I would easily stand by and watch the Prince
Arden sail into battle without me.  We see this as duty.  Others see our
duty in a different light.  Neither is wrong but neither is completely
correct.

Iason and I sought out one of the senior scholars to ask if
Sir. Metrophanes had made this kind of speech in the council before?  His
answer was yes, 3 times.  Did the princes of the day head his advice, we
asked?  The old man smiled and answered, "all the princes I have ever
worked for have been men such as yourselves, reasonable."

We are still left to wonder who invited him.  We strongly suspect he did
not invite himself.  This is something Father would do or put one of the
councillors up to it, I am sure.  Another lesson for the princes of Parga.
I sought out a portrait of Iason the 3rd.  Lysandros did favour him in
facial features.  He would appear to have been a very large man.  Judging
from Lysandros present size he to will be anything but small.


1319, 5th month, 6th day:

We spent the morning with the ingegneres who have developed some new
weapons.  These weapons are not new to the world, just new to us.  We have
learned the Chinese used a "fire arrow," an arrow carrying a flammable
substance is also called a rocket.  About 100 years ago, the Chinese Sung
Dynasty, under pressure from Mongolians, found itself forced to rely more
and more on technology to counter the threat.  Chinese ordnance experts
introduced and perfected many types of projectiles, including explosive
grenades and Kannon.  We have now perfected these rockets and Kannons and
developed our own explosive grenades.  When combined with our Greek Fire,
this will give us a devastating advantage.

Our scholars tell us rocket fire-arrows were used to repel Mongol invaders
at the battle of Kai-fung-fu in 1232 A.D.  The rockets were huge and
apparently quite powerful.  According to a report: "When the rocket was
lit, it made a noise that resembled thunder that could be heard for five
leagues.  When it fell to Earth, the point of impact was devastated for 2
stedia in all directions."  Apparently these large military rockets carried
incendiary material and iron pellets.  Our sources describe the design as
incorporating an "iron pot" to contain and direct the force (TN: thrust) of
the gunpowder propellant.  Our ingegneres showed us many different designs
but all much smaller than that just described.

1241 A.D. accounts from Eastern Empire sources, describe rocket-like
weapons being used by the Mongols against Magyar forces at the battle of
Sejo, which preceded their capture of Buda Dec. 25, 1241.  Rockets appear
in Arab literature in 1258 A.D., describing Mongol invaders' use of them on
February 15 to capture the city of Baghdad.  Quick to learn, the Arabs
adopted the rocket into their own arms inventory and, during the Seventh
Crusade, used them against the French Army of King Louis IX in 1268.  They
did not seem to employ them all that much after that and it was not until
1316 that we learned much about how they worked and what could be done with
them.  As I understand, our scholars were exchanging mathematical and
astronomical ideas and information with Ottoman scholars in Alexandria,
when they were told about these rockets.

It is now 1319, rockets are incorporated into our arsenal.  We have them
for both land and navel offence and defence.  On the land side they tend to
be small and designed to be used mostly in defence.  We can fire them, at
ships like the catapults did but with much longer range.  These are larger
then the ones used against troops or calvary.  The Castle will also be
defended by special rockets designed to destroy segue machines and troop
protection, as well as men.  On our ships they will be used in three ways.
They will be fired from tubs that are shaped like Kannons but are much
lighter and can be aimed and loaded by only a couple of marines.  They can
be shoot also from tubs upward into a arch which drop onto a ship or onto
the shore.

We have also developed a rocked like "machine" that skims over the water
and crashed into a boat or ship causing an explosion and fire.  These
Skimmers (TN: torpedoes in our terminology) can cary both Greek Fire and
explosive gunpowder.  They need relatively calm water and have a limited
range.  The ingegneres are planning to use them in the Bejaia harbour, if
we needed to go there.  We could also launch them from the shore in our own
harbour, should any ships ever get that far or from the little salt islands
should the enemy come to close.  If waters are calm and our ships are being
attacked by galleys, they can be used to defend.

The ship launched rockets will explode on impact and some will also cary
Greek Fire.

They have also developed an easily controlled source of light and fire for
the ships and the land.  It is a mixture of Lime and Koal, that when water
is added produces heat and a gas which burns.  It was discovered by
accident in the lime kilns.  Since we do not have sufficient forests to cut
down for fuel, the lime kilns use Koal.  Apparently, some thought to be
finished lime, was mixed with Ajax's special Koal but the kiln was still
active and the Koal and lime mixed to form this gray rock.  Someone put
water on it to cool it and it began to bubble.  The Alchemists experimented
and found this new combustible vapour.  This means the flame used to light
the fuses of the cannons and rockets or grandees can be portable and easily
contained or controlled.  On wooden ships with explosive material around, a
good thing.  I am told the light from this gas is also bright and is now
used in the signalling devices at night or if the sun is covered.  It will
soon be used for lamps in the Castle, other buildings and on ships.  (TN:
This stuff would be calcium carbide and the gas acetylene.)

I have written this up in great detail in the special journal I began
keeping about two years ago.  It contains the science and engineering
details from some of my university classes.  (TN: We were not able to
locate this journal in the archive.  We suspect Arden kept it in some other
place, perhaps where it could be easily accessed by others.)

Iason is planning a strategy meeting with the military for tomorrow.  He
has asked the General and one of our history scholars to speak.  I expect
most of the talking will be done by the Admiral and his staff.


1319, 5th month, 7th day:

The General and Tertius spoke first, they were more philosophical than
specific.  Some of the points they made were: Speed is the essence of war.
Do the unexpected.  Surprise is everything.  Attack the enemy's strategy.
Victory is essential, prolonged operations not.  A military operation
involves deception.  Irritate and goad to imprudent action if possible and
so on.

"I have been told of military writings by a Chinese General named Sun Tzu.
He said many things like we have this morning, most quite similar.  He also
advised what I have always done and what I know Pantaleon and others here
do: "Treat your men as though they are your sons and they will follow you
into the deepest valley."

Pantaleon outlined his approach to this whole affair.  I have quoted him as
best I could but fear much has been left out.

Given that galley style ships require a head on ram (TN: bow on) and
boarding, due to the oars, they are almost forced to use the line abreast
tactic.  The Kannons of others, which are still few and far between, are
small and can only be used when close in contact, as they can only be fired
once, due to long reload times.  A problem we have solved.

Most other armaments are of limited range, since contact is so important.
We started to change those rules during the Florentine war.  Since they row
during battle they need strike sails in most situations.  We relied on our
sails and had eliminated oars for all except maneuvering in port or gaining
a bit of extra speed, if the wind was low.

That is why we were able to strike them in the side as we had great speed.
We fired our Kannons and rained arrow on them before contact.  Our
catapults were highly effective as were and are our large cross bows which
we launch from the side.  Our range is twice others and our oars did not
get in the way as they were ported.  Unlike the Byzantines, our Greek Fire
is flung by catapults and crossbows not short range syphons.  Our
objectives were to sink them if possible or render them unable to fight and
board them only if necessary.

Now that we are completely sail ships, we can attack them from any side.
We no longer have rams attached.  Our kannons can be reloaded quickly and
are not just anti personnel but capable of sinking them.  The catapults and
cross bows are still in service but used to deliver incendiary and now
explosive devices.  The new rockets and exploding Kannon shot, which can be
delivered at twice the distance as before, now means we never need get
close enough to the enemy to take their limited range shot, arrows or the
like.

We know that they will try and keep a line abreast as that is what they
know and how they must operate, give their oars.  We no longer use that
approach and at no time are we intending to expose ourselves to their rams.
In the two recent battles we demonstrated that our superior number of long
bows can devastate a boarding party long before they are even in range to
answer.  The large armaments and light catapults can devastate, set alight
and sink with only a few direct hits.  We have two new innovations, the
bowes and sterns of the Prince Class ships are four times thicker then
normal and also plated with Iron.  Our sides can be protected by Iron
chains held out further than the longest ram.  These out riggers can be
deployed when needed and retracted when not or cut loose should that be
necessary.  This added weight just reduces the need for ballast.  Given
that our ships are twice to three times the size of these pirate galleys,
that means two to three times the weight.  Should we need ram them, they
will be crushed like an egg.  Due to their design they can not board us if
they ram ours in the side.  This they will try and avoid.  We have
developed new and interesting ways of boarding them, as demonstrated in the
most recent battle with these pirates.

If they can be denied land fall to rest and regroup they will be at great
disadvantage.  As long as the wind blows even moderately we can out run
them.  Even with the assistance of their sails they can not maintain battle
speed for more than a few hours.  They are greatly limited in time on the
water due to lack of space for supplies.  Our Prince Class ships have none
of these problems.

We will not attack them unless we have tactical advantage.  If the wind is
not at our backs we will run.  Forcing them to chase.  If the wind is, we
will come down upon them line astern or in some variation of line astern.
Given our flexibility we can then attack in any formation desired.

The winds at this time of the year are from the north east, gentle to
moderate in the morning picking up to good or better in the afternoon.  The
major currents on the east side of the Ionian run southward along the
coast.  In the area of Parga they become confused.

We will hold north of Parga until we get the signal to advance.  The
Venetian will hold still a little north of us and will follow our advance.
The Sicilians will be coming in from the south of west and since the land
is on the east, the enemy will be in a two pronged trap.  If they try and
run south the Epirus and Kafalianians will be waiting for them and the
Venetian and Sicilians will give chase.

As we can now fire our Kannons at two minuet intervals we can start with
our new rockets at 4 stadia and bow guns at 2 stadia.  Our approach will be
to sail between two, discharging our side Kannons into their sides and
letting our archers, rockets, catapults and crossbows shoot freely until
past.  If they have a second line abreast behind the first we will just
continue moving through them.  If they are scattered we will need pick
targets as best we can.  Should they be to close together we can force them
apart as they must protect their propulsion.  Our rudder and new sail
configurations allow us to turn much more quickly and sharply then ever
before.  They will not be expecting this.  All they know about our
capabilities are the rummers and the report from the one that was to slow
last summer.  They will be expecting catapults and Crossbows as well as
archers.  We will open with rockets and Kannons.

If we can come from the stern the advantage is ours.  They will think we
intend to ram the stern.  When they see us coming they will turn as quickly
as possible to meat us head on, unless they can be surprised.  When they
turn space will be opened and we can take advantage of it.  In any event
these new rockets should completely surprise them and devastate them at the
same time.  If they run, all advantage is ours.  If they prove faster then
us we will hold position and devastate them as they try to attack.

These pirates are not accustomed to working in a highly coordinated way,
with a large armada.  Never having faced our kind of attack before, they
will not have prepared for it.  When combined with the high level of
mystery and fear, created by the fables being circulated, many may
completely break ranks.  Should they do that all will be lost for them.  As
demonstrated in the second battle, once alone they are totally open to us.

Parga has just changed navel warfare for ever.  The rockets being shot from
special tubes can be aimed like an arrow.  The tubes can be reloaded in two
minutes.  They are in pairs but each tube is independent.  The tubes can be
elevated and the rocket shot like an arching arrow.  We also have
calculating machines attached to the range finder on each.  Our large
Kannons can also be elevated but not as much as the rocket tubes.

We expect between 25 and 30 pirate galleys.  Venice is sending 50 galleys
and the Sicilians 27.  Other states will guard their coasts with naval
ships and land armies to prevent them land fall or at least make those
landfalls short and difficult.  They think we are weak and out
numbered. They do not realize we know they are coming.  Good, let them
think that, let them believe that.  If we can catch them at night all the
better.  We have new ways of fighting night battles.  We are out numbered
in ships but our seven cary three times the number of marines all 30 of
theirs will. They do not have anything like our armaments or innovations.
They now fear Prince Arden is a sorcerer or magician.  When this is over
those that survive will believe just that.

The Venetian will hold at Kerkiri and the Sicilians at Syracuse.  We have
stationed two very special fishing boats at Malta.  Each day they sail out
crossing the path the pirates must take.  At the first sign of them they
will head for Sarycuse and Parga.  These boats look like simple deep water
fishing boats but they are very special.  We have several more of them in
port now.  They have 4 times the sail area per foot of length than any
other boats we know of.  They use a very large fin for stability and are
very light.  The mast is twice that normally on a boat of this size.  The
best the enemy can do is make it here in three day, with favourable winds.
Sailing from Malta our ships should be able to report to Syracuse in less
then one day to us in about 1 day.  leaving 1 full day to properly position
ourselves and the others.  If we need leave them to sail the ocean looking
for a fight that is fine with us.  Our lookouts will spot the Sicilians
long before they do.  Perhaps we can entice them to come close to our
shores as the shore defences are also armed with rockets and much larger
ones I should add.

He had much more to say and many other inventions and innovations which may
or may not be employed or needed.  This is only a brief summary.

After hearing this I was saddened that we were not permitted to venture out
with the fleet.  I am sure this battle will be won but I am not sure this
will solve our problems with these pirates.  I still believe my plan to
destroy his ships in his own harbour is the only message that the sultan
will understand.

I now realize that for us to mount such an adventure would be very costly.
It would leave us open for that period of time and would expose these
wonderful weapons to others hastening their dissemination.  It is best to
keep as much a secret as possible.  I suspect Pantaleon is quite correct,
we do not need the Venetian or the Sicilians.  That is knowledge neither of
them need have.  The Venetian still view us as useful allies and as long as
we are never powerful enough to challenge them especially in the Adriatic,
they will be content.  The Sicialians view the Ionian as their area of
marine influence.  Again if we demonstrate to great a strength they will
become worried and jealous.  I do not trust them.

Pantaleon will try and draw the pirates close to the shore.  At least close
enough to be observed.  We can then signal the Sicilians and Venetian as to
position and needs with simple codes.  They have all seen our ships but do
not know the capabilities.  The Admiral would have our fleet sweep through
this armada and continue out to sea.  He will inflict maximum damage
possible on this single pass.  That will mean sufficient pirates should
remain to for the others to engage.  They will feel they made a major
contribution and praise themselves.  We will praise them as well.

Kastor believes we must make sure all 7 of our ships return to port and to
do so when our allies can see it so.  He feels if we appear to weak one or
both will try to take advantage.  We must not forget Epirus.  They will not
try anything while the others are here but once their fleets leave our
waters I am sure we can expect a visit and probably a fresh supply of
spies.

Hesiodos assures me they have several here now but they have been cooped
into our service.  The Sicilians do not seem to play this game and the
Venice has no need.  I know the General made a great show of recovery after
taking the baths at Apollo's temple.  I assume Florence has one or two
still in place.  Once the pirates are defeated the Ottomans will surly take
notice.

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