One for Sorrow

Chapter Thirty-three

Anatolius gave no thought to Leukos’ murder or John’s investigation as he strolled with Europa.

He had gathered his courage and called on her at the Anubis. As soon as she agreed to accompany him on a tour of the city the unpleasant musings which had been competing for his attention the past few days were temporarily banished.

They had already visited the Church of the Holy Wisdom and the enormous bronze gate leading into the palace grounds, and now they had come to an obelisk at whose base sat a crone surrounded by birds in wicker cages.

She plucked boldly at Anatolius’ cloak. “Buy one of my pretties for your lady?”

Europa glanced at the bedraggled birds. Her mouth set firmly in a thin line. Anatolius noticed with a shock how she favored her father in mannerisms as well as in looks. He picked up a cage. “A partridge. Some keep them as house pets.”

“It’s a pity to see a free creature caged,” Europa said.

“Shall I buy one for you?”

“Only if you let it go!” came a voice from behind them. It was a large, redheaded man Anatolius did not recognize. “You must be the Lord Chamberlain’s friend Anatolius,” continued the stranger. “I’ve seen you at the palace. I am Thomas.”

Anatolius set the birdcage down. “Oh yes, the emissary from Bretania. John mentioned speaking with you.” He concealed his annoyance. “May I introduce you to Europa? She is one of the bull-leapers currently performing at the Hippodrome. I am showing her the sights of Constantinople.”

Thomas made a slight bow. “I am glad to make your acquaintance. I regret I cannot show you my native land, Europa. This poor uncivilized city suffers by comparison.”

Anatolius glowered at the interloper.

Thomas grinned and clapped a beefy hand on Anatolius’ shoulder. “You must take the humor of us barbarians with a grain of salt, lad.”

Anatolius shrugged away from the man’s hand. “Being a visitor, you may not realize that over familiarity is not encouraged here.”

Turning back to the bird seller, he dropped several coins into her dirty palm. “How many of your poor captives will this ransom?”

The old woman gazed at the coins in amazement. “These would free every partridge in Constantinople.”

“Be quick about it then.”

She began opening the doors of the cages. The dispirited birds seemed not to notice their chance for freedom, remaining perched or huddled where they were.

Europa brushed past Anatolius and removed one of the partridges. Cradling it in her hands she drew it up to her face. “Have you forgotten the sky?”

She tossed the bird high into the air. For an instant the poor creature seemed about to fall back to the ground, but its wings flapped weakly, then picked up a stronger beat. And suddenly it had cleared the top of the obelisk.

Its escape seemed to rouse its former companions. The air was alive, then only a few floating feathers remained as partridges scattered up into the sky above glittering domes and roofs.

“Shall we walk down the Mese, or perhaps you would like to see a collection of statues in a forum not far from here?”

“I’d much rather walk and see the sights and the people than look at a collection of old statues,” the girl replied, still looking toward the sky. She glanced at Thomas. “But since Anatolius is showing me around,” she said to him, “why don’t you accompany us?”

Her invitation struck Anatolius as much too eagerly offered. “John tells me you are on an important mission of state, Thomas. I’m sure you have no time for sightseeing.”

“There is always time for beauty,” the other replied.

Anatolius noted that Thomas’ gaze was not directed at the busy street. It was with a heavy heart that he led his two guests away, across the Forum of Constantine and on up the Mese toward the Forum Theodosius.

As they neared it, Europa stopped to stare raptly at a bronze pyramid. “What is this?”

Grateful for a chance to display his knowledge, Anatolius pointed out the various animals, plants, and birds decorating the monument. “The ornaments symbolize spring,” he lectured. “It was erected by the order of Theodosius, the second emperor of that name that is, and it seems some of the figures came from a pagan shrine.”

Thomas leaned back, hair cascading past the nape of his neck, and squinted up at the female figure pivoting back and forth atop the pyramid. “The wind’s moving the woman to and fro. Do the people here believe a woman is so fickle as to change direction with every breeze?”

“Not at all. The decorations represent spring, when all the world renews itself. The female, then, must be the Mother of All.”

“I see. Well, still, it is true that there are many women who are fickle. I remember one time when I was in Crete-”

“You know Crete?” Europa looked up at Thomas’ ruddy features with the exile’s hungering gaze. “You have been there recently?”

“Only a few months ago, after I left Cyrenaica and before I journeyed to Syria.”

Anatolius sensed the redheaded foreigner was bent upon passing him in the race for Europa’s interest, akin to a charioteer wielding his whip on the final circuit of the Hippodrome. “I hear Crete is a lovely island and has produced many things of great beauty. Let’s continue. There is something I think will particularly interest you, Europa.”

They had not gone far when three men embroiled in a noisy argument erupted from an alley. Two of the brawlers were squat men wearing the flour-bedaubed tunics of bakers. The third was dressed in the rough garments of a laborer.

Anatolius stopped short, preparing to call for assistance. The urban watch were never far off. Thomas’ beefy hand went to his sword hilt. Europa, however, simply skipped nimbly around the melee, hardly glancing at the three combatants.

It was apparent that the trio were a danger only to themselves, but, as he carefully sidestepped them, Anatolius felt renewed admiration for the self-possessed young woman. He shouldn’t have been surprised, he reminded himself. Someone who dealt with charging bulls would not likely be intimidated by an acrimonious public discussion.

“Europa,” he said. “We are almost there. If you will cover your eyes?”

The girl obliged, giving Anatolius an excuse to take her by the arm. Trailed by Thomas, he steered her under an arch and into the Forum Bovis, where he led her to the foot of an enormous bronze.

“Now you can look,” he instructed, hand lingering on her arm.

She opened her eyes. They widened. A broad smile settled on her face as her gaze wandered over the huge bull’s head which gave the forum its name.

“How beautiful! You must bring mother to see this too!”

“A beautiful beast,” said Thomas, in what sounded like sincere admiration.

Anatolius glanced at him with interest. When had Thomas seen him at the palace? Was this meeting a coincidence or could Thomas be following him for some reason? Surely not.

He turned his attention back to the young and attractive bull-leaper.