bury the conspiracy deep. I only hope it is not too late already.”
“What are you talking about?” asked Antonina.
Belisarius looked at her. “One thing I remember now, from my vision, is that the Malwa Empire has the most extensive and developed espionage service in the world. An enormous apparatus, and highly skilled.” His eyes lost their focus for a moment. “It was one of the deadly blows they inflicted on us, I remember. By the time we finally awoke to the full scope of the danger, the Roman Empire was riddled with Indian spies and intriguers.”
He focused on Cassian. “Do you think-”
The bishop waved his hand. “I do not think we need concern ourselves, Belisarius. I am quite certain Michael was not seen coming here. And I am a frequent guest, so my presence will not be noteworthy. We will have to be careful when Michael leaves, of course, but that is not difficult.”
The bishop stroked his beard vigorously. “In the future, however, the problem will quickly become severe. But let us come back to that problem. For the moment-I can provide us with a place to establish our initial base. Where we can create an arms foundry-a ’weapons project,’ as you called it. And, if we can uncover the secret of the Malwa weapons, begin to forge an army to wield them. Recently, as it happens, a wealthy widow bequeathed her entire inheritance to the Church, with the specific stipulation that I was to have control of its disposition. She died three months ago. Among her many possessions was a large estate not far from Daras. Near the Persian border.
“The villa at the estate is quite large, with more than enough buildings to serve our purpose. And the peasants who till the land are borderers. Syrians and Monophysites, down to the newborn babes.”
Belisarius nodded. “I know the breed well, Anthony. Yes, that would be splendid. If we can gain their trust and confidence, they will be impossible to infiltrate.” He frowned pensively. “And might very well make-let me think on that.”
“All right,” said Antonina. “But what will we tell these peasants? And John of Rhodes? And we will need to engage the services of a number of artisans. And then, if we meet with any success, we will need to recruit men who can learn to use the new weapons. If we do not tell these people about the jewel, how will we explain to them the source of the knowledge we give them?”
“I think the solution to the problem is obvious,” said Cassian. The bishop shrugged. “We simply tell them nothing. Everyone knows Belisarius-and Sittas-are among Justinian’s favorite generals. And you, Antonina, are known to be a close friend of the Empress. If we simply act mysterious, but emphasize the imperative necessity of maintaining complete secrecy, then John of Rhodes and all the others will assume they are involved in a project which has the highest imperial authority.” He smiled. “And my own frequent presence will assure them that the work has the blessing of the Church, as well.”
Michael spoke up. “I will also speak to the peasants. I have some small authority among them.”
Cassian laughed gaily. “ Small authority? That’s a bit like Moses saying he had some tentative suggestions to make.”
Michael glared at him, but the bishop was not abashed. “That will do wonders, actually. In truth, Michael’s word will carry greater weight with Syrian common folk than anyone else’s. If he gives the work his blessing, and bids them maintain silence, be assured they will do so.”
“That still does not solve the problem of keeping our work secret from the world at large,” said Antonina. “Even if all who are engaged in the work at the estate keep silent, it will be noticed by others that there is a constant traffic of outsiders coming to and fro. We cannot do this work in isolation, Cassian. Not for long.”
Cassian glanced at Belisarius. The general’s thoughts seemed far away. The bishop spoke:
“No, but it will help. As for the rest-”
“It is the simplest thing in the world,” said Belisarius. His voice seemed cold, cold.
The general rose to his feet and walked about, accompanying his words with stiff little gestures.
“It will work as follows. Michael will quietly rally the common folk to our side. Cassian, you will serve as our intriguer within the church. Sittas, once he is brought into our conspiracy, will serve as our intriguer within the imperial court and the nobility. Unlike me, he is of the most impeccable aristocratic lineage. I will, as I must in any event, maintain my military responsibilities.”
He stopped, gazed down at Antonina.
“And Antonina will be the center of it all. She will set up residence at this villa near Daras and stay there. She will no longer accompany me with the army. She will assemble and oversee the weapons work. She will, when the time comes, take charge of training a new army.”
He waved down her developing protest. “I will help, I will help. But you are more than capable of all this, Antonina. You are at least as intelligent as any man I ever met. And these weapons are new to all of us. The methods of using them, as well. I will help, but I will not be surprised if your untrained intelligence does a better job of devising new forces and methods than my well-trained experience does. You will not have your eyes blinkered by old habits.”
He took a deep breath. “Finally, you are the perfect conduit through which all of our disparate efforts may be kept aligned and coordinated. Through you, we can all communicate, with no one suspecting our true purpose.”
Antonina’s intelligence was every bit as high as her husband proclaimed it to be. Her back grew rigid as a board, her face as stiff as a sheet of iron.
“Because everyone’s suspicion will have another target,” she said bitterly.
“Yes.” The general’s voice was calm; calm but utterly unyielding.
The bishop’s eyes widened slightly. He looked from husband to wife, and back again. Then looked away, stroking his beard.
“Yes, that would work,” he murmured. “Work perfectly, in fact. But-” He gazed up at the general. “Do you understand-”
“ Leave us, Anthony,” said Belisarius. Calmly, but unyieldingly. “If you please. And you also, Michael.”
Michael and Cassian arose and made their way to the door. There, the bishop turned back.
“If you are still determined on this course, Belisarius, after discussing it with Antonina, there is a perfect way to implement it quickly.”
Antonina stared straight ahead. Her dusky face was almost pale. Her eyes glittered with unshed tears. Belisarius tore his gaze away and looked at the bishop.
“Yes?”
“A man approached me, recently, seeking my help in gaining employment. Newly arrived in Aleppo, from Caesaria. I know his reputation. He is a well-trained secretary, very capable by all accounts, and quite an accomplished writer. A historian. Such, at least, is his ambition. You have no secretary, and have reached the point in your career where you need one.”
“His name?”
“Procopius. Procopius of Caesaria. In addition to serving as your secretary, I am quite certain he will broadcast your talents to the world at large and be of assistance to your career.”
“He is a flatterer, then?”
“An utterly shameless one. But quite talented at it, so his flattering remarks are generally believed, by the world at large if not by his employer.”
“And?”
The bishop looked unhappy. “Well-”
“Speak plainly, Anthony!”
Cassian’s lips pursed. “He is one of the vilest creatures I have ever had the misfortune of meeting. A flatterer, yes, but also a spiteful and envious man, who complements his public flattery with the most vicious private rumor-mongering. A snake, pure and simple.”
“He will do marvelously. Send him to me. I will hire him at once. And then I will give him all he needs, both for public flattery and private gossip.”
After Cassian and Michael left, Belisarius sat by his wife and took her hand.
His voice was still calm, and still unyielding, but very gentle.
“I am sorry, love. But it is the only course I can see which will be safe. I know how much pain it will cause, to have people say such things about you, but-”
Antonina’s laugh was as harsh as a crow’s.
“Me? Do you think I care what people say about me?”
