was good quality but simple and the slight embroidery was similar to what most other freemen wore.
'And I; it is an honor to be called to aid the Emperor in these times.' Simones made a reverence as he spoke, to show his devotion to Justinian.
'Your master has caused the Emperor some concern,' said Panaigios. 'We must discuss it.' He indicated a smaller room, and added, 'We ought to be more private.'
'Yes,' agreed Simones as he followed Panaigios into the antechamber. He took the chair offered to him and sat very straight while Panaigios adjusted his cushions. 'Hag-ios Vasilos,' he swore, pulling at his leather slipper. 'There is a pebble under my heel and it has nearly driven me mad. If you do not object…' He loosened the leather bindings and drew the shoe off his foot. A tiny stone fell to the floor. 'To think that so little a thing could do so much hurt.'
'It is often the little things that do,' said Simones, pleased at the opening he had been provided. 'A word here or there, a ring filled with less powder than would cover a thumbnail, and yet they are more deadly than a run-away horse.'
'Sadly, you are right,' said Panaigios. 'Which is what has given this office so much to do.'
'And why you wanted to speak to me,' Simones pressed.
'And wished that it were not necessary,' said Panaigios. 'It saddens me to think that so fine and honorable a man as your master should have fallen in with those who plot against the Emperor.'
Simones did not have to pretend to be shocked. Of all the things he had anticipated, this was the least likely. 'My master?' he repeated. He had assumed that Antonina had been using her position of friendship with the Empress Theodora to gain advantages for her friends, and that the Court Censor wanted it stopped. To learn now that it was Belisarius who had attracted the attention and concern of the Censor astonished him.
'You see how insidious it is; you, his slave, have suspected nothing.' Now that he had finished brushing the sole of his foot, Panaigios was once again donning his shoe.
'True. I believe there is nothing to suspect.' It was daring to contradict a Court Censor, but Simones was willing to risk it—to be too quickly convinced would give rise to many questions that might not be easily or pleasantly answered—in the hope that he might discover what the Censor believed.
'That is certainly what the appearances would have you think but from what has been revealed, this is deception. There are men who have shown us that this outward loyalty and honor are nothing more than a mask worn to suit the occasion.' Panaigios adjusted the drape of his pallium and settled himself more properly in the chair.
'I have never thought that my master was less than wholly devoted to the Emperor and his work,' said Simones with more honesty than he usually permitted himself to show.
'That is the opinion of many, and if it were not for the devotion of others, it is what everyone would think. But certain loyal men have devoted themselves to discover what lies behind these protestations of dedication, and have discovered that there are plots to take power. No one is more active in this infamy than your master, and this is surely the most secret deception ever to be revealed. In all outward aspects this Belisarius would appear to be the most worthy of Generals, the most laudable of men. His success in this deception is astonishing.' Panaigios had taken one of the folds of his pallium in his hands and was running his fingers over the embroidery.
'What has convinced you?' Simones asked, doing his best to seem uncertain.
'Many things. First has been his lack of triumphs in Italy. True, he has consistently claimed that the lack of men and supplies has hindered him, and there may be a degree of truth in this. But he has taken an inconvenience and claimed that it was a major impediment so that he could strengthen his position with the army and with the Emperor. This insistence that he must have more men and more supplies covers his determination to use the Emperor's-goodwill to become above any suspicion so that he could then strike and do so with complete impunity.'
There was a sudden crash and a tumult of voices from the courtyard beyond the little room. This gave Simones a little time to compose his thoughts and to decide how to proceed. 'I am aghast to think this could be true,' he said when the workmen had stopped shouting, 'but I cannot convince myself that it is true. It seems so unlike the virtue I have seen in the General that I am overcome.'
Panaigios gave him a superior, pitying smile. 'Yes. I realize that many another might be deceived, has been deceived by this. And it is appropriate that you are firm in your loyalty to your master. It is dreadful when slaves so much forget themselves and turn against their masters on a whim.'
'It is,' Simones agreed, his mind working furiously under his innocent frown. 'But if what you say is true, then there are others who have put their trust in this man and their trust is being abused. It is wrong, very wrong.'
'True enough,' Panaigios stated. 'How difficult it was for me to accept what was revealed. I, too, had faith in this man and I, too, wanted to find another explanation. But these good servants of the Emperor convinced me, and now it is my duty to pursue the malefactors with all the power at my disposal.' He sat a little straighter in his chair. 'But with so splendid a figure as Belisarius, it will not be easy to produce enough evidence to discredit him. Which is why I wanted to speak to you, Simones.'
So that was it, thought Simones. He concealed the smile that plucked at his mouth. 'For what reason, Panaigios?'
Panaigios cleared his throat. 'You are in an enviable position, being well-placed within Belisarius' household and being trusted for your long service.'
'It is too much,' said Simones with a humility he did not feel. 'I have done what the world and God require of me.'
'And now you must do what your Emperor requires of you,' said Panaigios. 'It is fitting that you accept this commission and work to bring justice to this Empire. That transcends any personal loyalty you may feel to your master. The Emperor is far more worthy of loyalty than your master is, for you and he are both servants of the Emperor, or should be.'
In the courtyard there was another hurried scuffle and then the sound of planking hitting the ground. Two men bellowed contradictory orders.
'It is not a decision that I desire to make,' confessed Simones. 'I am a slave, and if it should be determined that I am acting against the orders and good of my master, I would be lucky to escape with a life in chains. Slaves who betray their owners are not treated kindly.' The degree of transgression determined the punishment, the least of which was public flogging.
'That need not concern you; I will provide you with certain guarantees from the Censor that will protect you if it appears that you may be questioned or are discovered working for us.' Panaigios looked Simones directly in the eye, which only served to cause Simones to doubt him more.
'I am not certain that it would be possible for such a thing to save me.' He hesitated, then said, 'I am willing to undertake this because I do not wish to see any harm come to the Emperor, and if that harm were to come through my master, it would give me more shame than I could ever endure.' With a gesture of resignation, he said, 'I do not want to be part of this, but if you are correct and this plot exists and my master has become part of it, then I have to do all that I may to keep the Emperor and the Empire from harm.'
'Admirable,' said Panaigios.
'But I hope that I will discover that my master has been used by others, and that he continues to be dedicated to Justinian as his vows and station in life demand.' Again he paused. 'I fervently pray that this is all the plotting of evil men who are seeking to ruin my master. If I discover that he has fallen in faith and in purpose, then I will do all that I must' to keep him from committing even greater wrongs.' As he touched his collar, he said, 'If it is true that Belisarius has turned traitor, then this collar does not bind me.'
'Very good,' said Panaigios. 'For a man in a difficult position, you show you have good sense.' He studied Simones narrowly. 'You are either a very devoted or a very subtle man, Simones, and either way, your purposes march with mine. I will require regular reports from you, and if you fail to produce them, then you will find that once my protection is withdrawn that your master will know more about you than you would wish.' His voice had not changed, but there was a threat in it that was more daunting for its mild tone.
'It is an honor to serve you, Panaigios, and the office of the Censor as well. You will have your reports, though there may be little of interest or of use to you.' There was no change in his manner, as if the threat had made no impression. 'If Belisarius is found to be a traitor, then the shame of his act will touch all his household. I do not wish to be brought down by his acts.'
'You are prudent. Good.' He indicated the courtyard beyond the room. 'I will arrange for you to be admitted
