A Flame in Byzantium

embraces.

With Theodora dead, there is nothing more I can do on your behalf with Justinian. He has refused to receive either me or those officers—notably Drosos and Chrysanthos—who have continued to support you, and in fact it appears that their constancy has fed his suspicions that you are gathering men around you for the purpose of overthrowing him and assuming the throne yourself.

If you have any such plan, my husband, this is the time to act, for I would be astonished if you were permitted to remain in Italy until the end of Spring, given the Emperor's current state of mind. While you have never confided such ambitions to me, I would certainly support you in any advancement or endeavor you wish to undertake, and doubtless you have as worthy a claim to leadership as has Justinian. You have always been loyal, and I do not mean to impugn your loyalty, but there have been those in the past who have professed themselves loyal to the Empire and not to the Emperor. If this is truly the case with you, you are now at that time when action is necessary or you will lose the day and the chance you seek, should you seek it at all.

I am gratified, naturally, that you depend on my affection for your strength, and your avowal of love and continuing passion is most flattering to a woman of my age, but for the moment, let us turn our attention to more pressing matters. There will be time enough later for tenderness and kisses. Now we must take care to minimize the damage that has been done so that you do not lose all credibility at court and thereby endanger yourself even more than is currently the case.

You would do well to send word to all your officers, current and former, that you are devoted to the Emperor and his vision of a New Roma. That is essential if you are not to be implicated in treason before the year is over. When you have done that, I suggest that you do your utmost to expand the area you control in Italy and show your zeal when you do. This may not do much in the long run, and it could strain your supplies and men again, but you must believe me: Justinian demands a victory or he will hold you personally responsible. Once that happens your time in his good graces is over entirely.

Let me tell you now that you are being foolish to plan to live quietly until the worst of this is past. You must not entertain such thoughts even for a moment. Without success and a great display of military prowess, all the lies that have been told of you will be accepted as true and you will be powerless indeed. If Justinian orders you back to Konstantinoupolis, you may be sure that it is to keep watch over you and to undermine any base of power you may have established.

Yes, you may be confident that my care and affection continues unabated no matter what is thought of you. I would be a poor wife if I allowed anything else to color my conduct. If you are exiled, then it is fitting that I accept exile with you, or enter the Church, which I do not intend to do. I know that you will always be a good husband to me, and will never disgrace our union in any way.

That, however, is not sufficient after all you have done for the Empire and the ungrateful Emperor who has chosen to assuage his grief for his beloved wife through measures even more stringent than ones he has taken previously. It is not wise to observe this, perhaps, but there is a severity in Justinian's nature that without Theodora's presence might prove to be a trial to us all. He is a demanding man and what he requires of his people is more extensive than most of them realize. Without any influence with the Emperor, you are the one he is going to vent his feelings upon, and it is time to prepare, one way or another, for that day.

You have an opportunity granted to few. It is for you to act or to fail now, not in some later time when the issues are clearer, for then you will not have access to the men and supplies that are around you now. Do not reject my suggestions out of hand, my husband. They are made for love of you and the Empire.

By my own hand

Antonina

1

It was a contrived meeting, one that Simones had taken great pains to make appear both accidental and fortuitous. The fish market was so busy that everyone elbowed and shouted and shoved in an effort to reach the stalls where the various fishermen had set up slabs to show their catch. In such a setting, two important household slaves might expect to find each other trying to purchase the same sole.

'You are the majordomo to the Roman widow, aren't you?' asked Simones, feigning doubt.

'Yes; Niklos Aulirios,' he said with a gesture that indicated he was willing to permit Simones to purchase the fish.

'Oh, that's right. You're Greek. I think the reason I didn't place you at first was that I can't remember that you aren't as Roman as your mistress.' He handed over the coins to the fisherman without haggling and told the man where the sole was to be delivered. 'See that you send it at once; my mistress wishes to serve it this evening and it must be properly prepared.'

'You're part of Belisarius' household, aren't you?' asked Niklos as he moved away from the front of the booth. He shaded his eyes against the spring sun and watched as the eunuch made his way to his side.

'Yes. It is not so great an honor as it once was, but what slave is free to choose his master?' The philosophical tone was belied by the discontented set of his mouth.

'Or what bondsman, if it comes to that?' retorted Niklos as he indicated a booth where chilled wine mixed with honey and fruit juice was being sold. 'I have a few pieces of copper. Join me.'

'You're being generous to a stranger,' said Simones, hardly able to believe that their meeting was going so well.

'I am the stranger here. And I am curious about your mistress. Olivia Clemens has not had the pleasure of entertaining your mistress recently, and I was curious why.' He found a bench and sat down so that the shadow of the nearest wall fell across him.

'My mistress has not gone out much since… recent events.' Simones sighed. 'Even her good friend Eugenia has not been in the great lady's presence of late.'

'Has the General returned yet?' asked Niklos politely, although he knew that Belisarius had come back to Konstantinoupolis more than a week ago.

'Yes; at the Emperor's insistence, there was no official welcome.' Simones ran his tongue over his lips, then wiped his brow with the cuff of his sleeve.

'From the rumors, welcome would not be the word for it,' Niklos suggested, raising his hand to signal one of the serving slaves of the wine merchant.

'Sadly there is a rift between the General and the Emperor,' said Simones at his most neutral. 'The Emperor fears that the General has become too used to command and wishes to expand his conquests.' He watched Niklos carefully. 'Those who are Belisarius' friends are of interest to the Emperor, of course.'

'Why of course?' asked Niklos innocently, although he knew the answer before he asked his question.

'Because the Emperor wishes to know that he is secure,' said Simones, doing his best to control his impatience.

'Bring us two of your nectars,' said Niklos to the slave who approached them. 'And if there are any of those little cakes, one or two of them would be welcome, wouldn't they?' This last was to Simones.

'They are tasty,' he said curtly, wanting to guide Niklos back to the matter at hand. 'It is good of you to offer.'

'Nonsense. It is good to find someone who is so cordial.'

In a Konstantinoupolitan Simones would have suspected that so gracious a remark hid sarcasm, but coming from Olivia's bondsman, he was confident that there was no ulterior message in the few words. 'I would be your friend, Niklos, if you would allow it. There are real advantages in my friendship.'

'Are there?' He took the two cups the serving slave brought and handed the youth three copper coins. 'For the drink and for your trouble.'

'You Romans are always very free with money for slaves,' Simones observed critically.

'It is a Roman custom, and my mistress keeps to Roman ways.' He gave the larger cup to Simones. 'Long life and favor to the Emperor and our mistresses,' toasted Niklos, though he only tasted the nectar before he set the cup down.

'Of course,' Simones seconded, taking a deep draught of his drink. He wanted to resume control of their conversation without appearing too obvious. 'About your mistress. She knew Belisarius in Roma, didn't she?'

'Yes. She gave him the use of her villa when she left and she received much assistance from your mistress for