Read Online The Purple Shroud: A Novel of Empress Theodora by Stella Duffy - Free Book Online Page B

accommodate five hundred girls, or women, or whatever his mistress wanted to save next. Builders were engaged to renovate the house, then the first group of girls and a number of women, also ex-whores, were sent over several weeks later. Theodora named the old building Metanoia – Redemption. She was particularly pleased Narses had found a house across the water, Bithynia had always been a favourite area of hers as a working girl, dancing in Menander’s company for the pleasure of rich men.
    ‘Good, I love the journey there,’ she said to Armeneuswhen the girls were safely settled in the house, with religious in attendance. ‘Now I have a reason to visit.’
    ‘You’re free to travel across the water any time you like, Mistress.’
    ‘Yes, Armeneus,’ she answered, ‘I’m Augusta, but now that I can travel and do good at the same time, it looks better, don’t you think?’
    The next day, Theodora and an entourage of over a thousand crossed the Bosphorus in a shining flotilla of glittering boats and, as promised, the scene was truly impressive. The Persian delegation, seated on the raised patios of the Palace overlooking the water, also took note, as they were meant to. The same evening they sent home a messenger to say that perhaps the Empire’s finances were not suffering quite as badly as they had been led to believe.

Seven
    T he day after her return from Bithynia, Theodora rose early and called for Armeneus. By the time he arrived, his robe quickly pulled on, his face still creased from sleep, she was fully dressed, Mariam by her side.
    ‘Mistress?’
    ‘Surely I didn’t disturb you? I assume my husband had already called Narses from your bed?’
    It suited Theodora that Narses knew she could condemn him at any time for keeping Armeneus as his lover. Given Narses’ power in the Palace, anything that gave her a little sway was welcome.
    Armeneus sighed but answered his Mistress, taking care to keep his tone light. ‘Narses did not sleep, he’s been working all night on a letter to Khusro suggesting peace terms.’
    ‘Good idea, I should send one myself.’
    ‘A letter to the Persian king?’
    ‘Why not? They have wives in Persia, don’t they?’
    ‘I believe so.’
    ‘Good. We’ll do it tomorrow, we’re going out today.’
    ‘We?’
    ‘Apparently it’s too dangerous for the Empress to go intothe City alone, so I’ll take you and Mariam with me. A happy family. I’ll look less obvious with the pair of you alongside. You’ll need a warmer robe, and stronger sandals I think, not Palace clothes, nothing too fine. And get a move on, the markets will open soon. I always hated it when it was too crowded.’
    Now Armeneus noticed the simplicity of Theodora’s shift and saw she had the oldest of her cloaks over her arm.
    His heart sank and he shook his head. ‘It’s not safe, even in disguise. The factions…there’ve been fights, flashpoints all over the City for the past few nights.’
    ‘So I heard in Bithynia. And it’s exactly what I want to see for myself. If you know where they are, even better. The people rarely speak truth to the Palace: once inside these walls, everyone exaggerates their problems or, worse, they pretend nothing is wrong, obsequious before majesty. My women can tell people I’m bathing or sleeping or something, we can be in the City all day and no one need know.’
    ‘Mistress, I’m sorry, no.’
    Theodora moved closer to her friend and servant, emphasising her small stature. Knowing he felt uncomfortable leaning over her, she said, ‘And how will you stop me, Armeneus? Tie me up?’ She held out her hands, turning her wrists upward the better to suggest submission. He did not move. ‘No? Then will you physically hold back the Augusta? I know some say I’ve all sorts of tricks, from poisoning to witchcraft. What do you think?’
    ‘I think that a girl from the Hippodrome didn’t have much power of her own, so any she could conjure up through rumour was probably