Legionary

Chapter 48

Constantinople baked as the sun dipped towards the west. The land walls caught the best of the late afternoon heat. The stone bulwark, running across the peninsula neck, raised a stony palm to all and sundry that approached the city along the magnificent Via Egnatia, the highway that snaked all the way from distant Illyricum to this, the magnificent Saturninus Gate. Lavishly corniced in gold, studded with gemstones, and watched over by gilded statues of emperors and the old gods, this portal into the city was truly ‘The Golden Gate’ as they had taken to calling it. And this was just the first of the titanic markers of empire the city presented, giving this Nova Roma her might and beauty.

Bishop Evagrius strolled out of the stairwell and onto the battlements, basking in the warmth as he surveyed the countryside. Trading posts and inns dotted the sides of the highway as travellers stopped to lighten their purses and slake their thirst. Further back from the road, farming settlements poked from the wheat fields, with slaves swarming through the crops, toiling to finish their quotas before the dusk arrived. All this splendour, he mused, all that lay over every horizon was in the hands of only one man, a man who no longer played the dice of politics. The Imperator, as he called himself, an echo from the days of the pagan weakness, when they could not rule by democracy, and eventually proved they could not rule by despotism. Added to this, Evagrius gritted his teeth, the fool chose to defy the church and lean to the Arian preachings. So sad, he shook his head, so much shared wealth could have been had if the emperor had just towed the line like some of his predecessors. Evagrius rested his hands on the battlements to gaze over a group of farmers driving their carts towards the gate below. These people could be ruled with the power of faith. Fear of God and fear of the afterlife would control them. More importantly, he grinned, faith in God’s sole representative…no, not faith, but complete obedience, would bring these sheep to their knees.

He spotted the solitary figure of the wall guard captain and wiped the grin from his face as he strolled over to him. The minions of the wretched army still clung to Jupiter, Mars and damned Mithras, but the fearful citizen inside these soldiers feared the new God as much as anyone else.

The captain shot a furtive glance at the bishop as he approached, but pulled his eyes front again quickly. Evagrius stopped behind him and sighed. The captain turned, his face creased with panic.

‘Your Eminence,’ he mumbled.

Evagrius smiled. The presence of the bishop or even more lowly members of the Holy See struck fear into most citizens.

‘Can you feel the warmth in the air?’ He asked gently. The captain looked puzzled.

‘Your Eminence, it certainly is a fine evening.’

‘Yes, the sun is warm, but it’s more than that you know,’ Evagrius mused.

The captain nodded, but a tell-tale wrinkle on his brow betrayed his continuing unease.

‘It’s the favour of God that sheds such a warm light on this city. You and your men are guardians of the city of God.’

The captain smiled. ‘And we’re honoured to be in such a position, sir…I beg your pardon, Your Eminence.’

Evagrius laughed heartily. ‘It doesn’t matter what you call me, Captain, just as long as I know you are with me, with God, when called upon. And as God’s representative here in his good city, you should feel free to talk with me.’

‘Absolutely, Your Eminence. And equally, anything we can do to be of service to you or to please God, we will be delighted to do so.’

Evagrius smiled. ‘Simply by protecting his city you and your men provide an invaluable service to God. I would appreciate it greatly if you could continue to do so.’

‘Certainly, Your Eminence. Consider it our highest priority.’

‘And if you could spread the word amongst the wall’s guard centuries, and to the docks also. I will know of your good work, captain — you must believe that.’ The captain looked worried again. ‘So I would be most pleased if you could distribute this amongst your men.’ Evagrius produced a bulging canvas purse from his robe.

‘Your Eminence?’ The captain frowned.

‘Obviously, you would do your duty in any case. But should the situation arise,’ Evagrius’ eyes narrowed as he dropped the purse into the captain’s hand — the gold coins inside clinking on impact, ‘I trust I can count on your support when called upon?’

A bead of sweat escaped the captain’s brow and he licked his lips, feeling the weight of the bribe. ‘Your Eminence, I…’ his eyes darted around the battlements.

‘Fear not, captain, you are doing the right thing.’ Evagrius rested a hand on the captain’s shoulder. ‘How can it be wrong to serve God?’

‘Consider it done, Your Eminence,’ he gulped, tucking the purse into his belt.

Evagrius smiled and turned away towards the stairwell. The time would come, and soon, where the city would be at his mercy. An army of God was forming beyond the empire’s borders, and he alone controlled them.