Eight for Eternity

Chapter Sixteen

From a distance the four figures gathered in the latticed pavilion in the middle of the dark palace gardens suggested conspirators meeting to plot harm to the empire. On the contrary, the meeting had been arranged by Justinian in a location where the discussion could not be overheard except by the chubby, gilded Eros perched on the edge of the pavilion roof.

Felix considered it an unnecessary precaution. Weren’t the private meeting rooms and reception areas deep within the Daphne Palace secure enough? Justinian had been unnerved by the growing anarchy outside the palace walls. He was starting to sense enemies lurking around every corner and he was a man given to whims.

This particular whim was chilling Felix to the bone. He stood in the arched doorway to the summer retreat and shivered. Captain Gallio had spotted him as soon as he and John had reached the safety of the Chalke after their flight from the burning Praetorium.

“You’ve been out in the streets,” Gallio said. “Good. The emperor wants a report on conditions.”

Felix wondered why Gallio hadn’t sent patrols out. Perhaps the patrols had been sent but had not returned.

He was still sweating as he described the chaos to the emperor. He supposed he smelled of smoke but by now there was no place in the city that didn’t smell of it. Justinian made no comment. Nor did he order Felix to return to his post at John’s house. So Felix waited. The sweat had long since dried. Now he was cold and uncomfortably aware of the Eros squatting just above his head and glittering in the torchlight.

Justinian paced back and forth across the circular space, staring at the pavilion’s tessellated flooring, while Narses and Belisarius looked on. The three men made an odd picture, the common-looking man who was nevertheless emperor, the handsome Belisarius, the dwarfish Narses.

Felix switched his gaze back and forth between the emperor and the general. Of the two he was more interested in Belisarius. How young he was for a general! Despite his youth he seemed unperturbed by the crisis. His sharp, patrician features betrayed no anxiety. Felix wondered if he should trim his own unruly beard. The closely clipped black beard Belisarius wore gave him a more disciplined look. More suited to a military man. The great general had offered a curt nod in his direction after Felix concluded reporting. Felix took the gesture as a compliment but pleasure died when he saw the dark expression that briefly flowered on Narses’ face.

Had he said something he should not? The thought was cut short when Justinian turned on his heel and addressed Belisarius. “What do you know about the situation in the city?”

“The city is passing beyond mere restlessness. It is much as the excubitor said. The Blues and Greens have been torching buildings together.”

“Anger may cause disputants to move in the same direction when they are in a mob,” Justinian remarked.

“Very true, Caesar. Yet early this morning, before the races, a more telling incident occurred. A Green tried to rob a senator in front of the Church of the Holy Apostles. Four men passing by-laborers for the most part-set about the Green. He would have been beaten to death had not four Blues suddenly appeared and rescued him. They also stabbed the senator, but he will live.”

Justinian’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. “Blues coming to the aid of the Greens. Shall we now see fiery stars falling through the air and hear of unnatural births? How do you interpret these strange events?”

“Considering the chants in the Hippodrome it appears that the factions have truly joined together.”

“And not with any good intentions,” the emperor muttered.

Narses coughed in a meaningful fashion and Justinian glanced at him.

The treasurer took it as permission to speak. “If that is the case and the hordes cooperated in storming the palace, Hypatius or Pompeius might find themselves wearing the purple. They are after all the nephews of Emperor Anastasius. I am told there are those who still whisper in dark corners of their desire to place one or the other on the throne. There is always ingratitude.”

Justinian smiled ruefully. “Whoever is not in power always has supporters who consider him a better wager. The weak and traitorous can be easily persuaded they have the right to rule. I would not be surprised if the brothers worked to that end.”

“And perhaps, being in an excellent position to do so, they are engaged in spying as well?” Narses suggested.

“He’s right,” Belisarius put in. “As long as they remain within the palace as your guests they are better able to see what unfolds. Even though you have wisely put the pair under guard, we all know that servants, and even guards and courtiers, hear more than they should, and most have loose tongues.”

“And it is not unlikely they have contacts within the palace,” added Narses. “People who are working for them. Reporting to them.”

“But if they were not inside the palace they might be inciting the malcontents,” Justinian said. “Besides, we cannot risk an accident to Anastasius’ relatives. That is why they and the girl have been invited to live on the grounds for the present.”

“I should think an accident would not be the worst event that could befall the empire,” Narses told him.

Felix heard Justinian’s voice grow uncharacteristically sharp. “Do you then believe it would be wisest to execute Hypatius and Pompeius immediately, thus ensuring neither of them will wear the purple? I will not hear of such a thing. I have promised them my protection.”

“I only meant that if the Lord saw fit to intervene in his own mysterious fashion, we could not complain,” Narses said quickly, his reedy voice rising a pitch.

“Caesar, if I may…?” Belisarius interrupted.

“Speak.”

“From a soldier’s point of view and as a matter of strategy the pair mentioned may well prove useful at some point. If the factions unite to attempt to put one or the other on the throne, given they are already in your power, showing mercy toward them may curb the mob’s temper.”

“Excellent advice,” Justinian replied after a lengthy pause.

“We all agree, then,” Narses said. “But if I might sound a note of caution…I am uneasy about their reluctant host.” He glanced at Felix as if to make certain he was listening.

“Do you not trust my chamberlain John?”

“Are you sure you can count on the loyalty of the Greek eunuch? While I do not endorse the calumny that paints all such as treacherous creatures, for I have served faithfully and-”

Justinian raised his hand, ordering Narses to be silent. “You are telling me that while I can trust the eunuch I know, the eunuch I don’t know is a different matter? However, I believe I know John well enough to trust him.”

Felix noted that Belisarius could not suppress the flicker of a smile. Nor could he miss the look of fury directed by Narses at the young general.

A flutter of purple glimpsed through the lattice work caught his attention a heartbeat before the three other men turned their heads.

“You are dismissed,” Justinian said as Theodora appeared.

The empress addressed Belisarius. “A word with you.”

Felix and Narses bowed and retreated. Narses pushed past Felix and headed off into the gardens at a rapid pace. Felix took a last glimpse back in the direction of Belisarius. When he heard what Theodora was saying he suddenly forgot he was cold. His face flushed.

“General, I have arranged a private supper in my apartments this evening. Do not fail to present yourself. Our friend Antonina wishes to meet you.”