Legionary

Chapter 25

The back streets of Constantinople, just off the Atalos Gate, were dim at best at this hour, only a few ill-tended lanterns swung above doorways. The night chill drifted in like an icy breath and every corner and shadow swam with the unknown. A hooded figure shuffled across the pool of light in front of a sleepy brothel then slipped into the blackness of the alleyway by its side. All was silent for a moment until the clanking of armour announced the arrival of soldiers. Two urban guardsmen flanked Senator Tarquitius.

‘Wait,’ he raised his hand as he eyed the brothel. He stood stock still, shivering, his eyes darting uneasily. A piece of rubble clattered out in front of them from the blackness. Tarquitius started, while his two guards clasped the hilt of their swords. Tarquitius moved a hand over each of their scabbards.

‘At ease,’ he whispered to Fronto, eyeing the shadows by the alley.

Bishop Evagrius was enveloped in the darkness, dreamlike and ethereal. Tarquitius moved towards him, his heart pounding.

‘This surely isn’t a safe haunt for members of the Roman Senate?’ Evagrius spoke gently. ‘I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to startle you.’

Tarquitius frowned until a grey light shaped the bishop’s features. ‘Let’s make this quick. Where are the funds?’

Evagrius smiled, and only when Tarquitius frowned, he replied. ‘A church vessel laden with gold has been despatched. It will arrive on time, and it will serve its purpose.’

Tarquitius gritted his teeth.

‘And I should interrogate you on your progress?’ Evagrius suggested. ‘Oh, sorry, I forgot. You have no further part to play.’

Tarquitius’ eyes bulged and he seethed at the bishop’s coolness.

‘I’ve played my part, I’ve risked my name.’ He took a step forward. ‘Let us not forget; I could end this whole affair whenever I so desire.’ He paused as the bishop flicked his eyes up sharply and nodded. Confused, Tarquitius twisted to glance over his shoulder, but he saw only his two guards alone and alert, as expected. He turned back to the bishop. ‘All it would take would be a nasty mugging on the back streets of the emperor’s great city, for a church leader to be found dead tomorrow morning.’

He watched the bishop’s eyes with glee, anticipating the fear and the inevitable climb-down. Instead, his blood ran to ice; from behind him came a gurgling and then a crumpling thud, shortly followed by another. Turning slowly, his eyes fell to the two figures on the ground, one lay with an arrow piercing his chest, and another with two in his throat. Both were stone cold dead. Tarquitius felt his head spin as he turned back to face the patriarch of Christianity.

Bishop Evagrius wore a dreadfully inappropriate smile.

‘Let us not forget the power of the Church, dear senator,’ he whispered gently, before slipping backwards into the shadows. ‘And understand that a gentle political death can be far less painful than the real thing. Your services are no longer needed, Senator. Step back.’

Tarquitius’ eyes widened. Acutely aware of his surroundings, a shiver of terror raced over his skin as he imagined what he couldn’t see in the darkness. Time stood still, and his heart thundered. The bishop had vanished as quickly as he had appeared. The senator’s primal fears hit boiling point and his legs convulsed into a stagger that broke into a run.