Read Online Three for a Letter by Mary Reed, Eric Mayer - Free Book Online

and, so it seemed, she with him, despite their often clashing views of religious and political matters. Those at court often whispered that the emperor gave her too much freedom, that she was allowed to say or do anything she pleased, even to engage in machinations entirely contrary to official policy. John knew this was not entirely the case. The empress hated him and if Justinian were so malleable, Theodora would have been granted John’s death long ago.
    “Well, John?” Justinian prompted him.
    “I would strongly advise against this particular diplomatic solution,” John replied. “It seems to me that Witigis might prove too strong to be a reliable ally in the future.”
    “Possibly. However, time to find a solution is short. The Persians are threatening to break our truce in the east and I may well have need of Belisarius and his troops there.”
    “Still, excellency, it seems to me that there is nothing to be gained by dealing with Witigis. Ravenna cannot withstand Belisarius’ siege. It must fall, and that very soon.”
    Whatever Justinian’s ruddy features might have revealed of his reaction was concealed as he wiped his face again with the purple silk cloth. John knew, however, that he would consider the advice. Justinian was a reasonable man, so far as an all-powerful emperor could be reasonable. He valued his advisors for their personal qualities rather than their backgrounds and John respected him for that. He also admired the fact that despite the pomp required by court ceremony, the emperor remained, in many of his private ways, an abstemious man.
    Justinian stood abruptly and John followed him along the path around the playing field, their armed escort a few paces behind. They were accompanied by the muffled thud of hooves, the exclamations of the players rising and receding as the game approached them and then veered away. Even the waves breaking at the base of the sea wall seemed to be more sluggish and quieter than usual in the hot air.
    At length, Justinian spoke. “The empress left several of her most trusted guards to watch over Sunilda. However, you will immediately accompany Captain Felix and an attachment of excubitors to Zeno’s estate where you and the captain will take personal responsibility for the girl’s safety until her brother’s murderer has been caught. In addition, as instructed by the empress, you will continue your investigations into the matter of the mime.”
    John felt fortunate that he had had enough time to put a number of eyes and ears around Constantinople on watch. He had hoped for a different assignment. The task of acting as a glorified bodyguard for an eight-year-old girl while simultaneously attempting to find the missing Barnabas was not one he relished. “As you direct, Caesar,” he replied formally.
    “Sunilda is extremely important to the empire, in fact just as important as defeating the armies of the Goths. To think how many glorious victories on the battlefield have been undone by events transpiring quietly within the walls of estates and palaces,” Justinian mused. “And, besides, Theodora is most distressed by this affair. Barnabas was her favorite performer, you know.”
    The emperor directed his gaze into the distance, toward the far reaches of the polo field and the buildings of the Great Palace beyond, their stolid forms softened by the heat haze. “I would not set you a task that was unimportant, John,” he finally went on. “From the very first, from that service that commended you to my attention, I have trusted you only with the most sensitive and vital assignments.”
    “I was a slave at the time, Caesar,” John reminded him. “You needed someone expendable, did you not?”
    Justinian laughed softly. “You are always compelled to tell the truth, aren’t you? Yet you are still alive. And there are those who do not believe there is a God!”
    The polo players clattered by again. John noted one of the girls standing on the edge of the