the empire. 'Although the cross of the Byzantines is slightly different from the cross of the Celts, and that of the Romans is different again, yet they all honour the self-same sacrifice made by the Lord Christ for all men.'
'So much gold,' remarked Gunnar. Tolar nodded sagely.
Didimus led us to the left side of the nave where a free-standing panel had been erected to hold a number of large images painted on flat wooden boards. These icons bore the images of Christ, and various apostles and saints, which the people of Byzantium especially venerated. Before the panel, which Didimus called the iconostasis, rose a series of boards in stepped ranks which held the candles placed there by the worshippers. Taking his candles, Didimus lit one from those already burning, and placed it in one of the few empty holes in the plank. He stood for a moment rocking slightly back and forth, before taking a bit of the incense and sprinkling it over the flame. The incense struck the flame with a puff of fragrant smoke.
'There,' he said, turning to us, 'I have sent a prayer through Elijah that Holy Jesu will give me your shrewdness, and I have sent one through Barnabas that God will give me your barbarian friend's strength.'
I conveyed these words to Gunnar, who appeared much impressed with this procedure. He held out his hand to Didimus for one of the candles. While Tolar and I watched in amazement, Gunnar lit the candle and performed the little rocking motion in imitation of the boatman. I wondered what had moved him to pray-and what he said-but thought it uncouth to ask.
Both Gunnar and Tolar were dazed by the grandeur of the church-especially the extravagant use of gold and silver throughout, which continually amazed them. It is no exaggeration to say that the gleam and glitter of these rare metals everywhere meet the eye, especially as one approaches the sanctuary-to which Didimus led us next. Rising from the floor is a circular platform, the ambo, reached by two flights of wide, low stairs to the right and left. The ambo is surrounded by a series of pillars with gilded capitals which support a shelf bearing a multitude of lamps and crosses-some silver, some gold, and many adorned with pearls and gems.
'We can go no further,' Didimus explained once we had pushed our way to the edge of the platform. 'No one but churchmen and high officials are allowed beyond the ambo.'
'In Eire,' I said, 'anyone can come to the altar. It is God's table and all are welcome.'
The little boatman looked at me curiously, as if he had never heard of anything so peculiar. 'The choir stands there,' he continued. 'On high days there is always a choir.' Pointing beyond the ambo he indicated a sort of raised walkway. 'That is the solea,' he told me, 'it is used by the priests and emperor when approaching the altar. The chancel screen is solid silver-so they say.'
The chancel was enclosed on three sides by an open lattice-work screen of gleaming white, radiant in the light of all the lamps and candles. The chancel screen had a series of columns which supported a low parapet on which stood a number of priests and court officials, all dressed in the colours of their kind: priests in white robes, courtiers in red and black. The columns and parapet were faced in silver, and the light of candles and lamps hanging down allowed the eye to feast on the rich metalwork: images of the Christ, and the Virgin, prophets, saints, angels, seraphim, and imperial monograms.
The chancel with its screen and parapet formed an inner sanctuary for the altar standing just beyond. The worshippers were not allowed beyond the ambo and solea, but the parapet was fairly low, and the altar was raised, making it easy for the gathered congregation to view the ceremony taking place at the altar.
The altar was of rose-pink marble, surrounded by a sort of tent of gold. 'That is the ciborium,' Didimus said when I asked him. 'The stone comes from Damascus,' he said, paused, and added, 'or Athens.'
The fabric of the tent-like shelter was wefted with threads of gold, and sewn with jewels-ruby, emerald, topaz, and sapphire-arranged in patterns. The light of all the lamps and candles, and the sunlight streaming down from the windholes above, struck the ciborium and suffused the altar with a heavenly glow. The entire sanctuary seemed to radiate pure, golden light, bathing and engulfing not only the altar, but those attending it, too.
For, sitting in a golden throne to one side of the altar, was the basileus. He was holding a lighted candle in his hands, looking bored and perturbed. Flanking him on either side were two young men in long purple robes; beside them stood two more men in priestly white. Gunnar pointed out the emperor to Tolar, who seemed somewhat disappointed in the look of the jarl's new master. But he kept his observations to himself.
A priest wearing a long stole embroidered with crosses stood at the altar holding a censer which he swung back and forth on a chain. This task completed, he backed away, bowing before the altar. Then another priest-an older man with a small, flat hat upon his white head-approached the altar, bowed three times, raised his hands, and began speaking very quickly and very low. Still speaking, he began performing some service there. Everyone seemed most intent on the actions of this priest, but I could not make out what he was doing.
After a time, this priest also retreated and there came the peal of a bell. 'We should go now,' Didimus said abruptly, 'otherwise we will be caught in the crowd and we will not reach the ship in time.'
Taking one last lingering glance at the magnificent altar, I could see that the service was ended and those around the altar had commenced their procession along the solea. People around us were already streaming back through the nave. We hurried as best we could, but there were so many people that we were soon halted by the crush at the doors.
'There is another way,' said Didimus. 'Hurry!'
He led us across the nave to one of the great galleries, where we turned and began running down the long corridor, arriving at a long, switchback ramp. We joined the people making their way down this ramp and eventually tumbled out into a narrow street behind the church. A high wall lined with trees rose directly before us, and a double row of soldiers had formed a rank across the street which stretched away to the right and left; holding their bronze-topped rods lengthwise across their chests, they blocked the right-hand side of the street, to prevent the crowd from following the emperor and his courtiers who were walking in procession back to the Great Palace.
Most of the people strained for a look at the emperor; many called out to him, seeking impromptu audience. But it was not the emperor who caught my eye as the crowd surged forward. I took one look at the rank of soldiers and turned to Gunnar and Tolar. 'Stay here, both of you. Wait for me.' To Didimus, I said, 'I have found my friend. Wait here.'
Pushing through the crush, I elbowed my way to the forefront of the throng, enduring many knocks and curses along the way. Tight-pressed as I was, I managed to get one arm up and began waving and shouting: 'Justin! Here I am!'
Turning, he caught sight of me and beckoned me to him, pushing people out of the way with the butt of his spear. 'I have been looking for you,' I said upon reaching him.
Taking my arm he pulled me aside. 'We cannot talk now. Come to me tomorrow-the east gate. I will watch for you.'
'But I am leaving at dawn tomorrow,' I told him. 'I was afraid I would not see you again.'
He nodded and glanced around, as if he feared someone might be watching him. 'Pretend you are resisting me,' he whispered.
'What?' I did not understand. 'Why should I-'
'Act like you are trying to get by me,' he urged, raising his rod, and holding it with both hands across his body. 'Stand aside, you!' he shouted, pushing me backwards with the rod. 'Stand aside.'
I fell back a step or two, and Justin pursued me, pushing me back further. When he had shoved me five or six paces back, he said, 'Aidan, listen to me: I have word of your friends.'
My heart clenched in my chest. 'What? Tell me. What have you heard?'
'Keep quiet. We should not be seen together.' He glanced around quickly and said, 'They were here-'
'Here! In Constantinople!'
'Shh!' he hissed. 'Be quiet and listen. They were here-they were seen.'
'When?'
'Just after First Fruits, I think. They-'
'How many?'
'Eight or ten, perhaps-I cannot say for certain. They were led by a bishop, and were taken to the monastery of Christ Pantocrator upon arrival. They stayed with the monks there.'
'But what happened to them?'
'They left again.'
'Without seeing the emperor? I do not believe it.'
Justin shrugged. 'They were seen to depart.'
'Who saw them? How do you know this?' I could feel myself growing frantic.
