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

traveled from the city. Perhaps he would be more cheerful after he had rested from the journey.
    They were now riding past the high walls of the estate next to Zeno’s. Looking down the coast road, John could see the edge of an extensive olive grove and beyond that the beginning of the road leading up to Zeno’s villa. On the seaward side the land sloped down to the beach, gently in some places, more abruptly in others. Farther in the distance a few smudges of smoke rose lazily into the sky, evidence of a village hidden by the hilly terrain.
    Peter was staring glumly out to sea across a headland that dropped abruptly toward the water. A craggy island was visible through the departing mist. No doubt it was the goat island about which the servant had muttered darkly when he learned of their trip, John thought. His servant’s reaction had not surprised him, however, since Peter, good Christian though he might be, was also highly—and frequently—superstitious.
    “I must say that I didn’t expect to be enjoying Zeno’s hospitality again quite so soon, Felix!” John observed.
    “At least it’s a chance to get away from court for a while,” the other replied, “although from what you’ve told me, it’s obvious the mime accidentally killed the child and then departed as hastily as his miserable short legs could carry him. After all, we all know that the children were only political playing pieces for the imperial couple and worth much more to them than a mere mime—even if Barnabas is Theodora’s favorite—so can you blame him for fleeing? I would have done the same if I were in his boots.”
    “If I may say so, master,” Peter put in, “the little boy should have been abed, not wandering about the estate at that time of night.”
    “The nursemaid certainly seems to have been somewhat negligent with her charges,” John agreed thoughtfully. “I intend to question her more closely about that when we arrive.”
    “Yes, and—” Felix began to reply before Peter interrupted him.
    “Master! Look!” he quavered. “Out there beyond the island!”
    The party reined their horses and stared as the last shreds of mist steamed into nothingness above the swells of the sea. The water roiled as a huge shape broke the surface. Squinting against the sun, John glimpsed an enormous head and a broad, glistening back. Outlined against the bright sea, the whale moved majestically out of sight around the curve of the island, as silently as an apparition.
    Peter could scarcely contain his excitement. “It is a great fish such as the one that swallowed Jonah. That I should see it!”
    John glanced over at Felix, who seemed no less transfixed at the sight. It was nothing but a simple sea beast, John reminded himself, yet he had to admit that there was something awe inspiring about the creature, even when viewed from a distance.
    “That must be the famous Porphyrio,” he told Peter. “It will certainly be something to tell Hypatia when we get home.”
    His servant looked horrified. “Oh, but I would not dream of mentioning it to her, master. She would be terribly frightened. Indeed, I wish now that I hadn’t seen it. Such a creature, although it was man-made, killed an innocent child. Now seeing this other whale as you journey to seek out the culprit—” the old man hastily sketched the sign of his religion—“how could it be anything but an ill omen?”
    ***
    “The villagers believe that seeing Porphyrio brings good fortune,” Zeno remarked as he watched Hero hammer out a sheet of metal red hot from the forge.
    “So I have heard.” Hero quickly discarded his hammer and, dexterously retrieving the tongs held ready under the stump of his arm, grabbed the metal plate and dowsed its glow in a bucket of water. Steam hissed and spat, emphasizing his words. “However, I fear that they may now decide otherwise, given the recent events.”
    “Yes, yes, a terrible business, to be sure.” Zeno shook his head sadly, his