Six for Gold

Chapter Forty-three

“I told Senator Symacchus I had a lot of experience when it came to relics,” Thomas grumbled, “and didn’t I end up with Nehushtan almost in my grasp? If only the senator had believed me-”

“There are safer ways to make a living than chasing after such things,” Europa interrupted. She gave her husband’s arm an affectionate squeeze.

She and Thomas were seated in John’s study in Constantinople, along with John, Anatolius, and Cornelia. The clang of pots accompanied by a hymn drifted down the hallway. Peter was reclaiming his kitchen.

They had talked for a long time, trying to piece together what they had learned separately.

“So really you were pursuing an investigation for the emperor, John.” Anatolius’ tone betrayed his irritation. “At least you returned from Mehenopolis more rapidly than you arrived there. I was afraid that before you got back Crispin would summon me to a meeting, and then what would I say?”

“I’m certain you’d have invented a reasonable story,” John said.

“Luckily I didn’t have to! Now, let’s see if we agree on what happened. Bishop Crispin learned of the existence of the relic in the maze from Senator Symacchus, who’d been trying to convert him to orthodoxy. Symacchus, who came to sympathize with the monophysites, had been told about it by his Egyptian guest, Melios.”

“I’ll ask Peter to show you the pilgrim flask Hapymen presented to him before we left,” John said. “It’s identical to one you described in the senator’s collection. According to Hapymen, the wavy line you thought was a river was intended to represent Mehen. No doubt the senator’s matching flask was given to him by Melios when he visited Constantinople.”

“So the monophysites, having learned of the relic, realized bringing the brazen serpent of Moses to Constantinople would demonstrate clearly to everyone that the Christian god was on their side of the theological dispute.”

Thomas guffawed. “Which, since they already had Theodora as their champion, would’ve forced Justinian to change his beliefs!”

“Almost certainly,” Anatolius agreed. “And then who would have held the real power in the empire? Fortunately for Justinian, Crispin and whatever other clerics were involved were good at plotting, but reluctant to set events in motion. That changed when Hektor arrived on the scene. He isn’t one to hesitate.”

John nodded. “I’d guess that Hektor originally got in touch with Senator Symacchus because he’d briefly been his reader and Hektor was attempting to establish himself as a pious Christian for his own purposes. When he realized the opportunity he’d stumbled over he must have been jubilant!”

“Doubtless they intended to use Apollo’s services to smuggle the relic out of Egypt?” Europa asked.

“I believe so. Melios admitted Apollo had performed similar services for him. I believe that Zebulon also had a hand in the same trade. He probably still has contacts in the religious community in Antioch. More importantly, the relic is not much taller than a man. It would fit into a large enough hive or could be cut in half and placed in two.”

Thomas gave a snort. “I would’ve just put it in a crate and shipped it.”

“Caution and secrecy are always the best policies when plotting against the emperor,” John said. “Even Hektor was cautious, in his own way. He had to remove Symacchus and his servant Achilles, to make certain their indiscreet chatter didn’t cause further trouble. He also arranged that the meddlesome adventurer who’d appeared on the scene was to be found in circumstances where he would be held responsible for the senator’s murder. That he turned out to be Thomas, with myself on his heels, was just a stroke of unexpected good fortune.”

Anatolius frowned. “I suppose Hektor and his accomplices came to the senator’s house that evening in order to take Achilles and dispose of him. I’ve given it some thought. It wasn’t just the matter of what he revealed at Isis’ house that condemned him. Remember, Achilles was sent to alert Felix because Achilles was expendable, and furthermore wouldn’t be recognized as a known associate of Hektor’s.”

Thomas leaned over to John’s desk and plucked up the small enameled artifact which had been the cause of so much misery. “So it turned out this is not a broken cross as we all supposed, but a copy of Nehushtan with the snake removed?”

“Indeed. The original would be a particularly impressive relic to bring into the city with the plague still raging,” John observed. “Consider. It cured the sick centuries ago and is still believed to be as powerful now as it was then.”

Thomas laughed. “You’re thinking about the crippled beggar, the one Peter kept telling me had been healed after going into the maze? It seems more likely Dedi arranged for one of the villagers to pretend to be lame, so he could point to him as an example of a so-called miraculous cure.”

“That might be so,” John admitted.

Cornelia looked away from gazing out the window. “What do you mean, John? You’re not suggesting the relic is anything but a forgery, are you? Remember, the beggar wasn’t in the maze for very long, yet it took you hours to find your way to the center and out again. The people carrying him should have stayed inside an hour or two at least. That speedy cure was a bad slip on Dedi’s part, I’d say.”

John agreed it was so. “Still, you have not seen Nehushtan as Peter and I did.”

Cornelia smiled. “You sound so solemn, I could almost suspect you believe in the power of this relic!”

“I’m not certain what I think about it. Religion defies proof, unlike murder. I’ve already explained why I believe Scrofa was sent out to kill me.”

Anatolius looked puzzled. “I don’t understand. If it was Porphyrios who tried-“

“He obviously didn’t know how to use the weapon very well. He must have taken the cord from Scrofa’s body after he killed him. Maybe he thought he’d hide his tracks by using it. I’m convinced the plotters ordered Scrofa to kill Symacchus and Achilles as well. They were killed the same way.”

“That makes sense. But if Porphyrios murdered Scrofa, why didn’t you bring him back in chains?”

“He was gone by the time I got out of the maze. Not only had he admitted to at least one murder, but he’d also tried to kill a Lord Chamberlain. Then there’s the question of his employers’ money. He hadn’t been able to get it, but I have no doubt that once they hear he’s run off, they’ll be convinced he absconded with it. He’ll spend the rest of his life looking over his shoulder until someone catches up to him.”

“So everything has been neatly solved,” said Thomas.

“Except for the most important matter,” John pointed out. “There remains the real reason I went to Egypt. The plotters have not been exposed. For that, I will need your assistance, Anatolius.”

Anatolius looked at John in surprise. “What do you mean?”

“You mentioned you’ve gained Crispin’s confidence?”

“Temporarily at least. He’s half-convinced I know something about this relic, which is probably the only reason I’m still alive.”

“Then you must arrange matters with him. He wanted to present Nehushtan to the emperor, and so he shall.”