Mary Reed: Ten for Dying

There was a scuffling noise, like a rat in the walls, from the other side of the planks, then a tight, high-pitched voice. “Please. I’m not prepared. You’ll have to come back later.”

“I have to speak to you now! Shall I see if I can kick this door down?”

“No. No. Please! Give me a little time…”

Felix waited, trying not to choke on the stench in the hallway. There was silence for a long while. Somewhere below a baby howled as if it were being tortured. Finally he heard a faint ringing, as of small bells, then bolts sliding, locks clicking, chains rattling. The door sagged open with a groan.

He had hardly stepped inside before Julian slammed the door behind him and, muttering to himself, immediately refastened an array of security devices that resembled a display in a locksmith’s shop.

It occurred to Felix he could use a few of the devices on his bedroom door to keep Nikomachos out when it was necessary to do so.

There was a rattling and chinking as the man known as the Jingler finished his task and turned toward his unexpected and unwelcome visitor. Julian’s narrow, lined face bore its usual expression of extreme anxiety. His plain garments were virtually concealed beneath amulets and talismans dangling from short golden chains sewn to the cloth.

“You hardly gave me time to recite the imprecations, Felix. For all I know there could be a devil under your cloak.”

“I’m sure I’d feel its claws biting into my shoulder.”

“You weren’t followed?”

“No?”

“You’re certain?”

“Yes. I’m positive.”

The Jingler shuddered and his protective decorations rattled faintly. The room was stifling. The shutters were all closed and numerous lamps produced more smoke than light.

“They’re sly, you know,” the Jingler said. “They can conceal themselves in a wisp of shadow, or cling to the belly of a cat. If anything did get in, it could hide anywhere.” He gestured vaguely toward the jumble filling the room. Crates and sacks were stacked between and on top of expensive furniture. Vases, amphorae sat in corners. Painted icon panels leaned against the walls where there was space. Felix had never decided whether these were goods destined for sale or the Jingler’s own possessions.

The Jingler walked around Felix, keeping his distance. He was jingling loudly today. That meant he was worried and wearing extra charms. Felix didn’t like what he was hearing and he hadn’t even questioned the man.

He noticed two or three new amulets, including a tunic roundel depicting a mounted soldier spearing a monstrous creature, and a small bronze disc incised with what were no doubt protective incantations. A green gemstone carved in the shape of a scarab hung from one shoulder.

“Felix, I do not think it wise for you to visit me here.” The Jingler’s tone verged on panic.

“I learned about a disturbing matter today connected with our business. It would have been even more unwise to commit it to parchment and a messenger.”

“You are right. Continue.”

Felix rapidly outlined the events of the morning. He couldn’t tell whether his story was affecting the Jingler since the man looked uniformly terrified all the time. “You advised me to be on the alert for an important shipment. Assure me it isn’t this shroud of the Virgin that’s been stolen.”

The Jingler made a dismissive gesture, causing talismans on his arm to clash together. “I know nothing about that. I’m only one link in the enterprise, and a small one. I receive wrapped packages and instructions and pass them on to you, with payment. I know nothing further. I don’t even know what the packages contain. Nor do I wish to.”

“So you claim. How do I know you’re taking orders from anyone? Who is this person?”

“Even if I knew I wouldn’t dare tell you.” Julian’s expression resembled that of a frightened rabbit.

“I should think mere human beings would hold no terrors for a man who spends his days stalked by demons.”

The Jingler shook his arms clamorously. “I can protect myself from devils, not from sharp swords.”

“That armor of charms looks as if it would stop a lance. Think, will you? We’re not talking about some old saint’s tooth that spent life chewing the cud. A relic like this is far too dangerous. The emperor and Patriarch will both want it back.”

“I’m afraid I don’t know any more than you do.”

“I believe you when you say you’re afraid. At least tell me when I can expect this new delivery, whatever it is?”

“Soon, as I told you already.”

Felix could almost feel the man trembling. In fact, his own hand started to shake, as if in sympathy.”Try to calm down. I need your help and you need mine. Give me some hint of assistance. Where do you receive the goods you send me? Here? Some other place where I might happen to linger, just by chance you understand? No one needs to know you told me anything.”

“They’d kill us both. I can’t-” The Jingler gave an agonized cry and shot a shaking forefinger toward a corner of the room. “Something moved! Didn’t you see it?”

Felix shook his head. “Probably just a shadow from the lamps.”

“They love shadows!”

“I assure you, I saw nothing.”

“You might have missed it!”

“I’ve spent nights at the empire’s border watching for Persians crossing moonless deserts. If there was anything in this room besides the two of us I’d know it.”

“Other people can’t see the devils the way I do!”

“Yes, you’re probably right.”

The Jingler waved both arms in a frantic fashion. “Leave now! I am going to have to perform rituals expelling fiendish creatures for the rest of the day, thanks to your intrusion.”

Felix had to stop himself from pulling out his sword. John had told him often enough that it was a good habit for a soldier on campaign but a dangerous one in the vicinity of the palace. “What about this delivery?”

“What about it? Do your job and don’t ask any more questions. That’s what’s best for both of us.” The Jingler’s voice rose into a strangled shriek. With his wild expression, flailing arms, and maddening jingling, he resembled a demon himself.

Felix shuddered.

“Very well. I’ll leave. If you manage to calm yourself and change your mind about what you can tell me, let me know.”

As he hurried downstairs Felix was shivering. He hoped Anastasia was still lounging in the bedroom.

Nibbling a sweetmeat, Anastasia sank back into a nest of couch cushions and studied the garden beyond the window painted on one wall. There was a yellow bird caught in the jaws of a lion almost concealed in a thicket. She licked her sticky fingers and wondered whether Felix would be back from his mission yet and how he had fared.

The heat lying honey-like over the city did not penetrate into the reception room of the mansion owned by Antonina and her husband General Belisarius. Here, the air was heavy with the fragrance of lilies and roses spilling from enormous floor vases.

Anastasia looked away from the fresco and toward that of the late Empress Theodora and her attendants, which took up the entire back wall. Surely Theodora would have known exactly how to coax forth any information she wanted without rousing suspicion. However, this afternoon she was not offering advice. The dead empress’ dark eyes stared fixedly into the room.

“Antonina, a question.” Anastasia patted the knee of the woman perched at the end of the couch.

“Yes, my dear?” Antonina’s garment was the same shade of yellow as the poor painted bird. It complemented her shockingly blue eyes. Her hair was the color of the moon, her chin strong. To an onlooker she would appear to be Anastasia’s age, but in fact she was much older.