Jack Ludlow: Honour

‘No man will deserve it more than whosoever you have chosen, for no one within these walls can surpass you in your wisdom.’

Again it was hard not to react to those words from Petrus, so silky and to the ears of one who knew him well, utterly insincere.

‘The rewards must be in place before the Emperor dies but cannot be distributed until the very moment our loss is announced.’

‘It would be to our advantage if that could be precipitated, Petrus.’

‘Too risky. Anyone trying would perish in the attempt.’

‘Justinus,’ Amantius hissed, as if the name referred to some kind of plague.

‘What would you have him do? My uncle will serve you and your man faithfully once he is enthroned for he has pledged himself to protect the imperial person. But you must accept he will do likewise for Anastasius while he still breathes. Consider this, that a man who would betray one emperor, would do like to another.’

‘Is he so much the paragon?’

It was Flavius who answered. ‘He is, sir.’

That brought a look of doubt to the cadaver-like countenance. ‘What if your paragon orders you to stand aside?’

‘Amantius,’ Petrus purred, ‘leave my uncle to me.’

‘He may commit himself to another.’

‘He will never commit himself to anyone until they are wearing the diadem. To do otherwise would mean intriguing and that he avoids, which is why the way is open for the proposed elevation of your chosen successor. The younger officers of the Excubitors will ensure that the route to the imperial apartments are sealed off and their men will have orders to use force to ensure that you have a clear field. It will take a brave fellow to challenge them.’

‘And if they have their reward, Petrus, what of you?’

‘You know what I wish, that my uncle shall either hold his present office or, with your grace and if you so desire, that he be elevated to another higher appointment. My task is to be in his service but perhaps, in time, when matters are settled and all is secure, I will seek something for myself.’

‘And this young man?’

‘He too will be patient.’

The eyes fixed on Flavius again. ‘I am about to entrust you with a great deal.’

‘Not just Flavius, but me too. How can we repay such trust with anything other than blind loyalty?’

‘Where will you store the treasure?’

It was as well Amantius was not looking at Flavius when he asked that question: the word ‘treasure’ had the eyebrows shooting up and they stayed there as Petrus responded.

‘It must be within the palace for it cannot be brought here when the time is ripe. The only secure place is within the working apartments of my uncle, who will never know of its presence.’

‘And they are hard by the imperial chambers. That, God rest his soul, is where Anastasius will expire, given he is now too weak to move from his bed.’

Amantius was nodding with vigour as he spoke. Lit by the candles his eyes seemed to gleam and that conveyed a sense of suppressed excitement, quickly masked as Petrus spoke again.

‘I have chosen Flavius as the officer to take on the task of organisation because he has access to those apartments, being much feted by Justinus, indeed treated as the general would treat a son. The officer in charge of the detachment set to guard the imperial suite will go to their general first with the news of the Emperor’s demise, which is his duty. You, of course, will know what has occurred at the same moment.’

A nod accompanied by a more thoughtful look was the response, as if he was seeking ways such a thing could go wrong.

‘I will be made aware, too, because it has been arranged, alert to the point at which you will need to get your candidate through to the imperial chambers, while I send Flavius to ready his fellow officers, those to whom I have imparted what is to take place. They’ll then take up the stations and only those you designate will be permitted to pass through them.’

The croak that got hinted at real dread. ‘You have not used my name to these people?’

‘All they know is that a high and deserving person aspires to the diadem and it is one considered to be well suited to rule our empire, also that he sees the need to reward loyalty as have emperors in times past to those who have aided him. They do not know any names and will not until they are called upon, when I fetch you to them, to acclaim your candidate. At that point your chests of gold, brought out by Flavius, will be opened and distributed.’

‘If we fail, if this is discovered, Petrus? Loose tongues.’

‘There are only two tongues about which you have to worry and they’re both in your presence. No one else knows your name and since you have been guarded, even I do not know who you propose to make emperor.’

‘Who else is plotting? Who has a plan that will thwart ours?’

‘The imperial nephews are seeking support and finding none, while those with ambition meet only like minds. No one senator will stand aside for the other so they waste their words on plans that will never mature. None has seen the need to befriend the Excubitors, believe me I would know if they had, for I meet with them constantly. Only you will have a clear path.’

Amantius stepped forward to clutch at Petrus’s arm. ‘If you are true to me and mine, you will not regret it.’

‘My uncle?’

‘Will have much to thank you for.’ The sunken eyes turned towards Flavius. ‘And you too, young fellow.’

‘Do show some gratitude, Flavius,’ Petrus purred when he did not respond. The result was a croak as hoarse as the voice of the man at whom it was aimed, this with Petrus still talking. ‘Flavius will come to your villa tonight and fetch away the funds we need. We dare not delay.’

‘It is sinful to wish death upon another, but I swear I will not sleep till Anastasius has breathed his last.’

‘It is true we cannot pray for such, but if God is merciful it is not impious to wish a body in pain and a soul in fear of damnation to be released into peace. We will leave now, Amantius. I trust you will be wise enough to wait awhile before doing likewise.’

Flavius had his arm taken and again he was ushered back out to the corridor, his face now with a thunderous look aimed at Petrus and a stride that obliged the intriguer to walk fast to keep pace.

‘Your anger does not shock me, Flavius. Conspiracy is not to your liking, I suspect.’

‘It is not and especially one of this magnitude.’

‘All I ask is that you go to the villa of Amantius tonight and fetch his gold.’

‘You go.’

Petrus sighed. ‘Which would be like waving a red lantern. Why do you think we met today in such a place? Would you have me do it openly in this palace, where, for every two courtiers who meet there are three conspiracies and a dozen pairs of eyes and ears? I have not been near his home and nor will I ever be, for his ambitions are not the secret he hopes them to be, for all his seeming wiles he struggles to dissimulate. The only one of those still extant is that I have undertaken to aid him, which would no longer remain if I was seen in his company.’

‘Is the man he has in mind worthy of that which you wish to gift him?’

That received a snort. ‘Who is that? That old skinflint expiring as we speak, who only got the imperial title through his handsome face and the bedchamber of an empress who outlived her husband. Zeno before him, who left things in such a pass as to allow his widow to choose his successor? Flavius, it is not about worthy, it is about opportunity and the taking of it. Amantius does not possess a great mind but he has massive wealth and is manipulative.’

‘Why does he not seek it for himself, then?’

‘Why do you ask?’ Petrus demanded, just before enlightenment dawned. ‘You have no idea of who Amantius is?’