One for Sorrow

Chapter Forty-three

John was deep in thought as, having handed over his dagger to the doorkeeper, he made his way through one guarded doorway after another on his way into the heart of Justinian’s private quarters. Passing near the emperor’s residence on his way home from Felix’s house he had impulsively decided to try to persuade Justinian to allow him to continue his investigation of Leukos’ death. He knew Justinian worked in solitary late into the night and under such circumstances was often more agreeable to suggestions. A familiar visitor at all hours, his demand to speak to the emperor on urgent business admitted him.

As he walked, he kept turning the episode at Felix’s house over, as if his memory of the vague, dark shape of the intruder might on yet reveal a detail he had missed.

Could it have been Gregorius? The man mentioned racing and playing micatio. However, Felix had surely gambled at micatio with any number of others. John could not say whether the voice was familiar. He had only spoken to Gregorius briefly and in the atrium the words had a sepulchral ring.

A door opened, sending a wave of heat and musky perfume into the brightly lit hallway and revealing a purple-hung room beyond.

A petite woman dressed in layers of silk stepped between the excubitors flanking its entrance.

“Lord Chamberlain.”

“Highness,” John responded, a dark curse at his ill fortune in meeting her tonight of all nights trembling on his lips as he knelt before the woman as protocol demanded.

“You are late seeking your master tonight,” Theodora observed, extending her shoe to be kissed as she always demanded. No, John saw, she was barefoot. Her toenails were painted gold. “But then imperial affairs brook no delays. What is your business?”

“I wish to consult him on the matter of the Keeper of the Plate, Highness,” John replied. It was dangerous enough to speak the truth to Theodora, let alone lie to her.

She gestured him to stand. “You have been instructed to end that investigation.” Her words had an knife-like edge. “Do you intend to refuse a direct order from the emperor? I advise you to think carefully before proceeding on a course you will come to regret.”

John remained silent. He did intend to continue his investigation even if he couldn’t persuade Justinian to allow it.

The empress’ eyes with their unnaturally large pupils might have been drawing the thoughts from his mind. “You don’t believe that wretched soothsayer committed the murder?”

“I do not.”

“Despite the evidence?”

“The distinctive daggers he was carrying? I do not see it as certain proof that he thrust one into Leukos.”

“Do you suppose the old man was not capable? He was. Oh, he certainly was.” Theodora smiled. “He told my fortune privately, using a chicken. Oh, yes. He knew how to use those blades of his.”

“A man isn’t a domestic fowl, Highness.”

“To an empress they are.” Theodora giggled. “The soothsayer must have come straight to my banquet with Leukos’ blood still on his hands. How delicious to contemplate.”

John felt a chill run down his back, even as his face prickled with the heat issuing from the doorway, heat that was no doubt the result of several braziers yet seemed to radiate from the empress herself. Through the doorway he could see a haze of incense.

“Can we be certain the soothsayer is the murderer when the torturers never had a chance to question him?”

Theodora’s kohl-outlined eyes narrowed. “There is that. I do regret he was able to escape into the sea. I would have had him tell my fortune with his own entrails.”

John noticed the men flanking the doorway stood frozen like statuary, while their gaze flickered to the empress’ bare feet and over her voluminous but near transparent silks. Their faces had turned pale, but yet they could not draw their gaze away.

John offered a silent prayer to Mithra.

Did Theodora’s scarlet lips quirk into a fleeting smile? Had she sensed his entreaty to a pagan god?

“Highness, consider this. The soothsayer could well have had an accomplice who will go unpunished if the investigation ends.”

“No wonder the emperor finds you persuasive, Lord Chamberlain. Much too persuasive in my opinion. Yet if you find the supposed accomplice will you fillet him yourself, for my pleasure?”

Her musk was suddenly choking. “Highness.” He forced out a rasping reply. “I am not skilled enough to offer you the pleasure the torturers can.”

“I disagree. You and the torturers together might offer me exquisite entertainment one day. Particularly if you flaunt your emperor’s commands.”

If John continued his efforts to avenge Leukos he would be risking not only death but a terrible death once word of his efforts reached Justinian, as they surely would sooner or later. John was, nevertheless, determined to persevere so, he realized, those efforts had better be successful.

Theodora leaned forward, as if to speak confidentially. “You may be willing to risk your own life, Lord Chamberlain, knowing that the emperor is a merciful man and may not see fit to have your ears and tongue removed. However, I am told you no longer live alone. If you suffer, you will not suffer alone.”

John’s stomach lurched. He could have broken her delicate white neck with its golden chains in an instant, before the guards could react. It would almost have been worth his own death. But then, others would die as well.

He struggled to keep his face impassive, seeing from the amusement that played over Theodora’s features that he was not entirely successful. “I shall keep your advice in mind when I speak to the emperor.”

“You will not be speaking to the emperor. He is not in his study. It is not theology with which he is wrestling tonight, Lord Chamberlain.”

She smiled at him, stepped back into the hot, smoky room, and shut the door.