Four for a Boy

Chapter Twenty-Two

Anna stood in the garden behind her father’s house, munching a fig as she talked to Trenico.

“Epic poetry is generally much more to my taste than the romantic vapidities of certain of our current poets,” she said firmly.

Trenico frowned. “I am sorry indeed to hear that, Anna, since some of their writings are most beautiful. Often carnal in nature, I admit, but is not that part of romantic love?”

Anna looked at him keenly. “True enough, but whining about it won’t get you what you want, will it? Wouldn’t you prefer to win love rather than pity?”

“Perhaps we should go inside? It’s chilly out here this morning. Surely you’ve had more than enough fresh air by now?”

“Don’t you find it invigorating? Look how the ice shines on that poor Cupid on the fountain! Isn’t it beautiful?”

“Your manner toward me has been even icier, Anna, and frankly I do not find that beautiful at all.”

Anna looked around the garden. It was crammed with statuary and flagstone paths, with a tiny bath house fronted by two small columns half hidden behind a screen of pruned bushes. The garden was sizeable, especially considering the value of land in the crowded capital.

“The other morning I saw a stork standing in the fountain,” she mused. “Imagine, all those thousands of storks we saw flying along the Bosporos a few months ago, yet this one somehow lost its way. Or perhaps it just chose not to follow the others.”

Trenico fumbled inside his cloak. “If you insist on remaining out here, then please allow me to give you this small gift of affection before I leave. Perhaps you’ll feel warmer toward me.”

He held out a delicate golden chain from which hung a gold pendant.

Anna tossed the remains of her fig into a flowerbed filled with withered brown stalks and took the necklace.

“I see that the pendant is engraved with a rose. Interesting! That is Venus’ sacred flower as well as my own favorite bloom. Well, well, I’m surprised at you. Was this intended as a love charm by any chance?”

Trenico looked surprised. “How did you…?”

Anna handed back the necklace. “One of the servants has the same charm. It’s caused many heated arguments in the kitchen between her and her rival for the fellow’s affections.”

“One of your servants has an identical necklace?”

“It’s essentially the same except that the pendant is pottery and hangs on a leather thong rather than a gold chain.”

“But that’s impossible! Where did she get it from?”

“Apparently it was sold to her by one of the Gourd’s servants. As to what she paid for it, I didn’t ask the price. Why?”

Trenico’s voice shook with rage and mortification. “The Prefect assured me that he had commissioned this necklace especially for me. Given the speed with which it was created, he charged me extra!”

“I’m flattered you would go to such trouble,” Anna replied calmly.

“I must apologize, Anna,” Trenico said. “I don’t put much faith in magick, but he assured me…and you can see how, when you insist on rejecting my protestations…I was thinking just a gentle nudge in the direction we all wish to go and which even you, certainly-”

“As I said, I’m flattered, but I meant it when I told you I have no romantic interest in you, Trenico. I trust you will forgive my bluntness.”

Trenico was silent. His expression boded ill for his next discussion with the Gourd.

“It’s interesting that you should mention magick,” Anna said, breaking the ensuing awkward silence. “One way or another lately I’ve been hearing quite a lot about the Gourd’s expertise. I also hear rumors that his interest in the topic extends in directions beyond demonstrating magick or assisting the romantically frustrated.”

Trenico sullenly asked for details.

“According to the servant I mentioned, when she went to buy the necklace she was admitted into the Gourd’s study.”

“This is monstrous!” Trenico burst out. “I must inform him immediately that his servants are allowing strangers into his house!”

Anna smiled slightly, gazing dreamily toward the Cupid whose ice-glazed wings were beginning to drip as sunlight slanted into the garden, warming the air. “Your necklace closely resembles Harmonia’s! Yes, the Gourd’s servant got it out of a large, locked cupboard. Naturally he knew where the key was, and while its door was open, she saw a number of pots and flasks on the shelves. Some were glass, she said, so she could see they contained potions. Magick potions, no doubt. Some held different colored powders and unguents, that sort of thing. And beyond that, she says she’s heard that the Gourd can provide poisons.”

“A common slander,” Trenico broke in uncomfortably. “And if it comes to it, anyone can find someone selling poison if they’re really determined. So they say-I have no personal experience of it myself.”

“Fortuna has certainly smiled on you then, since you spend so much time at court. Luckily, there are usually antidotes if one acts swiftly enough. On the other hand, there’s no antidote to a well-placed sharp blade, is there?”

Trenico had grown visibly angrier during her comments and now threw caution to the winds. “Anna, it would be best if you were more cautious in your speech. Rumors swirl around the court like seagulls at the fish seller’s stall. I worry sometimes that someone will put a nasty word or two about your father into Justinian’s ear. You don’t want to inadvertently help bring official disfavor on him, or even official attention.”

“Nonsense, Trenico. My father has no grievance with Justinian.”

“Look upon it as good advice, Anna. And let me add that for his sake it might also be wise for you to become more, shall we say, inclined to consider my petitions.”

“If I wanted your advice, I would ask for it,” Anna snapped. “As to your last remark, kindly explain what you mean or leave. Blackmail is despicable, however you disguise it.”

“Anna, please. Consider what I have said of my affection for you.” He offered the necklace again. “I’m not influenced by your love charm, Trenico, but you need not take it as a personal affront. As I explained, I am one who will never marry. Perhaps

I’m like that stork I saw in the fountain, destined not to follow the flock.”

Trenico closed his fist over his spurned gift. “Destined to freeze to death alone, you mean.”