Six for Gold

Chapter Forty-four

The audience gathered in front of the ivory double throne occupied by Justinian and Theodora could not have been more unlike the crowd atop the Rock of the Snake, except that they had assembled for similar reasons.

Glancing around, John recognized senators, aristocrats, and assorted palace officials. Shielded by lesser clergy, the Patriarch-whether by design or accident-stood as far from Crispin as was possible. Hektor had, John noted, stationed himself mid way between the bishop and Theodora. Armed excubitors flanking the imperial couple and stationed around the walls outnumbered the distinguished guests. Felix stood beside the throne.

Work on the hall had been completed in John’s absence, and now that night had fallen, light from hundreds of lamps set on ornate silver stands or hanging by ceiling chains gilded the panes of the high windows. John glanced upward at the enormous cross that glittered through the mist of smoke. Although it was rendered in nothing more than gold and gems, he had the uneasy feeling it was on the verge of crashing down on the assembly.

He stepped toward the throne.

Justinian nodded almost imperceptibly, acknowledging John’s low bow, while Theodora gazed down at him with the fixed, incomprehensible stare of an ancient statue.

“My dear Lord Chamberlain,” the emperor began in thin tones John doubted were audible to most of the gathering. “We are pleased to extend our gracious thanks for your unceasing labors on our behalf. We were much relieved to hear the sheep which concerned us was not in fact suicidal, but merely the victim of a cruel trickster.”

He leaned forward and continued. “Furthermore, Lord Chamberlain, you have intrigued us with the information that this strange man concealed a far more important secret.”

“Yes, Caesar. The magician Dedi is the guardian of an astonishing relic.”

“We understand Bishop Crispin knows something of this?” Justinian turned his bland, bucolic countenance toward the bearded monophysite.

Crispin bowed. “That is so, excellency. It has pleased the Lord to deliver unto His followers a sacred artifact as irrefutable proof our understanding of His true nature is correct, and one which I venture to suggest will not disappoint your expectations. The man who brought it to the city awaits without.”

John glanced around. Theodora’s expression remained unchanged, while a smirk of satisfaction crossed Hektor’s ruined face.

“Very well,” Justinian replied. “Then it is our wish to observe and examine it.”

As the emperor uttered the words he cast a quick sidelong glance toward the impassive empress.

John signaled to the excubitors guarding the bronze doors at the other end of the hall, which immediately swung open to reveal the diminutive figure of Dedi.

The magician was dressed in plain white garments appropriate for the solemn task before him. He approached the throne slowly, almost hesitantly. An hour before he had appeared supremely unconcerned about attending an audience with Justinian, but, John supposed, coming face to face with the man who held the power of life and death over everyone in the empire was enough to give even a boastful Egyptian charlatan pause.

When Dedi reached the imperial couple he bowed clumsily.

“And this is the rogue who was responsible for the death of the sheep?” Justinian asked.

“Yes, Caesar. However, Dedi now brings two gifts and begs for the favor of performing for your imperial highnesses, possibly thereby earning your gracious pardon.”

Theodora gave a vicious smile. “Perhaps this little man believes he can mislead our beloved emperor and myself as easily and conveniently as he did ignorant peasants?”

Justinian waved his hand. “Indeed, indeed. The tale you have told intrigues me, Lord Chamberlain. We shall not rush to hasty judgement. Bishop Crispin, you assured me I would not be disappointed. We shall see. However, it seems this man has brought two gifts. What then is the second?”

Crispin looked startled, but quickly recovered his wits. “I believe Dedi wishes to present it personally.”

An excubitor appeared with a lidded basket which he placed at Dedi’s sandals.

Dedi drew himself up. “Here is a wonder to behold, most gracious one. A rare and fine example of a beast many have sought but few have found! That semi-mythical beast, the radish-colored cat.”

There were a few nervous laughs from the onlookers.

“There’s no such thing,” someone remarked too loudly.

“Pliny would surely be amazed,” another voice added.

Crispin directed a furious scowl toward Hektor.

Dedi waited for the murmuring to die down, then opened the basket and extracted a small kitten.

Theodora’s caw of laughter rang out. “You fool! It’s gray!”

Dedi bowed yet again. “But highness, do not radishes turn gray as they age and mould?”

Justinian chuckled as Theodora allowed herself an admiring smile at the magician’s impudence. “You may be lacking in stature, Dedi of Egypt, but you have a lion’s courage!”

Dedi handed the squirming feline to an excubitor.

“A clever gift, and one for which we extend our gracious thanks,” Justinian told Dedi. “And now, as regards the other matter…” His gaze flickered toward Bishop Crispin.

“That was my personal gift to you, excellency,” Dedi replied with another bow. He favored the royal couple with a crooked-toothed smile.

“Then now let us see this artifact of which we have heard so much,” Theodora said firmly. “We trust we will not be disappointed.”

“No true believer will be disappointed,” Dedi replied. “First, however, we must take precautions, for there are wonders that would blind if seen in the light.”

As he spoke attendants began dousing lamps until there remained lit only those suspended from the ceiling. In the smoky haze they glowed dimly, tiny suns glimpsed through fog.

The excubitors stationed near the emperor and empress moved closer, wary of the increased darkness. Felix peered around, alert for trouble.

Two servants hauled a crate to the foot of the throne.

Justinian gestured in Crispin’s direction. “Come forward now and tell us what we are about to witness.”

The bishop made his way with obvious reluctance to Dedi’s side. He looked down at the closed crate with an uncertain expression.

When he spoke his voice trembled, as if with some powerful emotion. “Caesar, my followers and I are blessed to present to you, heaven’s representative on earth, the brazen serpent Moses raised up in the wilderness. Nehushtan!”

With a flourish Dedi slid aside the top of the crate, reached inside, and pulled out a shadowy form.

Fitful light glimmered on loose coils and caught an eye in a withered human visage.

Gasps of awe and terror erupted from the audience.

They fell quickly silent as it became apparent that what the magician held was a stout stick around which coiled a somnolent snake fitted with a blatantly counterfeit human head.

Bishop Crispin turned pale as a few muffled oaths of a decidedly unecclesiastical nature were heard.

Dedi moved the stick back and forth, imparting a semblance of life to the comatose reptile. He grasped the snake under its false head and made it bow to the imperial couple.

Justinian roared with laughter before glancing at Theodora. “We haven’t seen anything so entertaining since that dwarf mime of yours disappeared!”

Theodora rose from her seat. “Who is responsible for this insult?” Her venomous gaze fell on Hektor.

The former court page turned toward Justinian. “Caesar, as you can see, the information I gave you was accurate. There was indeed a threat from Egypt, only it has come to nothing. This Nehushtan is of no use to anyone.”

Justinian, still seated, glanced briefly at Theodora. Then his gaze passed over Hektor as if he were not there and came to rest, instead, on Felix.

“Captain. Execute Hektor immediately.”