Five for Silver: A John, the Lord Chamberlain Mystery (24 page)

Epilogue

John stood in his atrium and gazed out into the brightly illuminated garden.

He imagined its green expanse as a pool of brightness set amid largely darkened city streets beneath a sky veiled by acrid smoke. At this hour lamplight would be spilling from the windows of the Great Church to join with the lurid glow of burning vessels, silhouetting the roofs of dwellings under which no living person lay. Few were abroad now except carters transporting the departed to their final earthly destinations or the faithful attending church services, adding their pleas to those praying for the plague to pass.

There was a matter that would not wait for the plague to leave, if indeed it intended to depart at all.

Singing tunelessly to himself, Peter bustled past bearing a large platter of fruit. Hypatia followed, carrying an enormous silver wine jug. Rarely used, it was engraved with bunches of grapes and vine tendrils, appropriate decorations for the forthcoming celebration.

John could not smell smoke tonight. Rather he was aware of the sweet scents from garlands of flowers decorating the atrium, mixed with the odor of rich sauces wafting down from the kitchen.

Anatolius arrived, wringing his hands.

No, John realized as they exchanged greetings, not wringing his hands, but rather absently rubbing badly swollen knuckles. He gave him a questioning look.

“I’ve had a disagreement with Crinagoras,” Anatolius spat out angrily. “I don’t expect to see him again. He came around this evening and started to recite an ode to Lucretia. He claimed it was what I needed to comfort me, not to mention it would keep her memory alive at court. Needless to say, I knocked him down immediately and kicked him out of my house. Then I gathered up all my poems and fed them to the kitchen brazier. My servants must have thought I’d lost my senses. Lucretia…Lucretia I will mourn in private. There are no words…the world is very empty now.”

“I understand. I had to tell Europa her mother was gone, yet tonight how can I not be happy? My daughter is to be married in less than an hour.”

“Of course. We must try not to let our sorrows mar the joys of others, it’s just that…well…”

“Yes, indeed.”

They strolled out into the garden.

There they found Thomas fidgeting beside the pool. He barely acknowledged their arrival.

“Have you solved the knotty problem of the form of the ceremony, John?” Anatolius asked. “I gather the Patriarch was otherwise engaged tonight.”

John smiled. “Don’t worry about that. Peter was bold enough to observe to me earlier this evening that while this would not be a traditional wedding in any sense of the word, what mattered was it was being entered into with sincere intent and that being so, surely heaven would bless it.”

Thomas nodded solemnly. “A wise man, that servant of yours.” He took a few nervous steps away and back again and then glanced at the sky. “Mithra, it’s worse than waiting to go into battle.”

“Hours drag like chains while we wait and fly away like eagles when we wish them to stay,” Anatolius agreed. “However, few go into combat dressed in such fine garments. Silk, I see.”

“Borrowed,” Thomas muttered, looking uncomfortable. “In honor of the occasion.”

“Don’t worry, you’ll soon be back in that barbaric clothing you prefer, and I see you kept your own boots,” Anatolius observed.

Thomas turned to John. “About Nereus’ bull, John, the one you told me about. I’ve obtained a loan from Isis and purchased it as a wedding gift for Europa. She doesn’t know yet.”

“What strange notions barbarians harbor about suitable gifts,” Anatolius commented with a grin. “Though I suspect you could scarcely have chosen a better one.”

Thomas looked gratified.

“It appears Anatolius’ metaphorical chains have begun to change into birds,” John observed, glancing over his shoulder.

Europa, crowned with a chaplet of spring flowers and dressed in a simple, white tunic, had just emerged from the house and was now making her way down the neatly graveled path toward them, accompanied by Hypatia and Peter.

The small group took up their places beside the pool.

Thomas and Europa stepped forward to stand in front of John.

John looked down at his daughter’s sunburnt face. How much she resembled her mother, he thought.

A mosaic of memories passed rapidly through his mind’s eye. The torchlit garden fell away as he recalled the bright and open skies of Crete and Egypt, Cornelia’s saucy smile and sharp-tongued response the day he, then still a young mercenary, had first dared to ask for her companionship, the clay cup broken one amorous night, the cup whose twin he had ordered made and from which he had habitually drunk the raw Egyptian wine he favored until he had deliberately destroyed it, the years of slavery and then regaining his freedom, the even longer period he had spent living in the palace, rising to his present high office…

All those years had disappeared as swiftly as water passing along an aqueduct, babbling swiftly past never to return, flowing ceaselessly along the channel of time, bearing with it all who lived.

And those who had died.

Cornelia, if you can, be here tonight, he silently prayed.

Holding Thomas and Europa’s clasped hands between his, he addressed the couple. His voice was low, but clearly audible in the strangely quiet night air.

“Europa and Thomas, you have stated your intentions to me in private. You will now declare them openly before those assembled here. Europa, do you freely confirm it is your desire to be wife to this man, Thomas?”

“It is,” Europa responded in a determined tone that drew smiles from those present.

“Thomas, do you freely confirm it is your desire to be husband to this woman, Europa?”

“That is what I wish,” Thomas replied.

“Very well. Thomas, do you swear by Lord Mithra and all you hold sacred that you will treat Europa honorably and be true to her always?” John continued.

“I swear by Lord Mithra and by the Sacred Bull it will be so!” Thomas stated firmly, smiling at Europa.

Europa made the same affirmation, making her oath by the Mother Goddess and all that she held holy.

“Then I formally ask Lord Mithra and the Mother Goddess for their blessings upon this marriage,” John concluded, “for by freely confirming your intent and giving oaths below heaven and before witnesses you have taken each other as man and wife. Thus I declare you to be so joined.”

Thomas turned to Europa and kissed her.

As the women hugged each other and Peter, Anatolius offered awkward congratulations to Thomas. “And you had better treat her well, Thomas,” he added, “because if I should hear anything different…”

“Oh, she’ll keep me in line, don’t you worry about that,” Thomas remarked as Peter bustled forward to announce the wedding feast was waiting.

“And what culinary delights have you concocted for us, Peter?” Anatolius asked the elderly servant.

“The master felt it would be inappropriate to offer anything too lavish given the circumstances, but since he agreed a small repast would be suitable to mark this joyous occasion, Hypatia and I have baked honey cakes and there is also roast fowl with a special sauce I invented this very day, and fruit, not to mention plenty of the master’s best wine, and I don’t mean the Egyptian vintage either,” Peter replied in a rush of words.

“Excellent!” Thomas grinned. “Shall we go and sample this excellent wine, Anatolius?”

The party made its way back indoors and went noisily upstairs.

Last to cross the atrium, Peter and John had just arrived at the foot of the stairway when there came a loud rap at the house door.

Peter opened it warily and stepped quickly back, away from a shape swathed in a dark cloak.

“It’s the demon I saw in the alleyway just before I fell ill!” he cried in panic. “Don’t allow it in the house, master, it’ll bring the pestilence!”

The shape let out a croaking laugh. “Not so! I merely saved you from a thief and your own hallucinations, Peter.”

It was Ahaseurus, the holy fool, still dressed in rags yet now festooned with gold necklaces and sporting gem-encrusted rings on every finger.

“What sort of greeting is this, Lord Chamberlain?” the nocturnal visitor went on severely. “No matter. I am here because you saved my life and I always pay my debt. However, while there are rich pickings to be had in every alley in the city right now and I’ve certainly gathered my share, to settle this particular debt I had to travel a very long way, so I’m arriving somewhat later than I’d anticipated.”

Before John could reply, a brief gust of wind swirled into the atrium. Torches guttered, sending dark shapes spinning around its walls.

When the shadows stopped dancing, the fool was gone.

Another figure had appeared from the blackness beyond the doorstep.

A woman holding a pomegranate.

“Cornelia!” John’s voice cracked.

She must be a hallucination, he thought, a sign he had been stricken with the plague.

Strangely, the thought made him thankful.

Or might she be a shade?

Without hesitation she stepped forward into the torchlight, into his embrace.

Glossary

All dates are CE unless otherwise noted.

AESCHINES (c 390–3l4 BC)
Athenian orator, said to have been a sausage-maker’s son. His perfume business failed. A bitter rival of DEMOSTHENES, Aeschines was fined after losing a law suit he brought against him, and subsequently retired to Asia Minor.

AESCHYLUS (c 525–456 BC)
Athenian playwright regarded as the father of Greek tragedy. He wrote dozens of plays, of which only a handful are extant. Of these,
Agamemnon
(458 BC) is considered by many to be the greatest surviving Greek drama. Aeschylus is said to have been killed when an eagle dropped a tortoise on his head.

ALCIBIADES (c 450–404 BC)
Athenian statesman and general, reportedly extremely handsome. Condemned to death for sacrilege, he escaped to Sparta, whose leaders he subsequently advised in their war against Athens. Eventually he returned to duty, leading the Athenians to several victories over the Spartans. This resulted in personal popularity and the quashing of his sentence. However, Alcibiades’ political fortunes declined and he was again banished. A year or so later he was assassinated in Phrygia at Spartan instigation.

ANASTASIUS I (c 430–518; r 491–518)
Minor functionary who became emperor upon the death of Zeno (d 491, r 474–491) whose widow, Ariadne, Anastasius married after his elevation to the purple. Zeno was an ISAURIAN and his brother expected to rule after him. His loss of the throne led to an ISAURIAN rebellion. Anastasius I and Ariadne were buried in the CHURCH OF THE HOLY APOSTLES.

ARGUS-EYED
Watchful. According to Greek mythology, Argus possessed a hundred eyes. The “eyes” in the pattern on a peacock’s tail are said to be his, having been placed there by the goddess Hera after his death.

ATRIUM
Central area of a Roman house. It held the household’s IMPLUVIUM.

AUGUSTAION
Square between the GREAT PALACE and the GREAT CHURCH.

BACCHUS
Roman god of wine. His Greek equivalent was Dionysus.

BATHS OF ZEUXIPPOS
Public baths in Constantinople, named after ZEUXIPPOS. Erected by order of Septimius Severus (146–211, r 193–211), the baths were a casualty of the Nika riots (532). They were rebuilt by JUSTINIAN I. Situated near the HIPPODROME, they were generally considered the most luxurious of the city’s baths and were famous for their statues of mythological figures and Greek and Roman notables.

BLUES
Followers of the Blue chariot racing faction. Great rivalry existed between the Blues and the GREENS and each had their own seating sections in the HIPPODROME. Brawls between the two sets of supporters were not uncommon and occasionally escalated into city-wide riots.

CALLIOPE
One of the nine Muses, Zeus’ daughters by Mnemosyne (Memory). Calliope is the muse of eloquence and epic poetry.

CAPITOLIUM
Little is known about this building, reportedly constructed by order of Constantine I (c 288–337, r 306–337). Three sides of the Capitolium featured exedras, a number of monuments made of porphyry stood before it, and the building itself displayed a cross.

CERATE
Thick ointment made from wax, lard, and medicinal components, applied to the skin or to dressings and bandages.

CHARON
In Greek mythology Charon ferried the souls of the departed across the River Styx to the underworld. His payment was the coin placed under the tongues of the dead.

CHRIST THE PHYSICIAN
See ROMANOS MELODOS.

CHURCH OF THE HOLY APOSTLES
Constructed by Constantine I (c 288–337, r 306–337) as his place of burial. In addition to its portion of the COLUMN OF FLAGELLATION, the church owned relics of SS Andrew, LUKE, Timothy, JOHN CHRYSOSTOM, and a number of other saints and martyrs.

CITY PREFECT
High-ranking urban official whose principal duty was to maintain public order.

COLUMN OF FLAGELLATION
Pillar to which Christ was bound for scourging before crucifixion. Made of marble with green, white, and black veining, a tapering portion measuring approximately two feet long is presently displayed in St Praxedis Church in Rome. See CHURCH OF THE HOLY APOSTLES.

COMPLUVIUM
Oblong or square opening in the roof of an ATRIUM. It permitted rain to fall into the IMPLUVIUM.

CONCRETE
Roman concrete, consisting of wet lime, volcanic ash, and pieces of rock, was used in a wide range of structures from cisterns to the Pantheon in Rome, which has survived for nearly 2,000 years without the steel reinforcing rods commonly used in modern concrete buildings. One of the oldest Roman concrete buildings still standing is the Temple of Vesta at Tivoli, Italy, built during the first century BC.

CROCUSES TO CILICIA
Equivalent to carrying coals to Newcastle, Cilicia being famous for its saffron.

DEMOSTHENES (384–322 BC)
Considered by many to be the foremost Greek orator. Having spoken out against the growing danger posed by the Macedonians, after the triumph of their general Antipater (398–319 BC) he committed suicide rather than fall into enemy hands.

DERBE
Lycaonian town through which St Paul passed during his missionary journeys.

DIOGENES (c 412–323 BC)
Ascetic philosopher born in Sinope. He taught the virtue of a simple life. Said to have given away all his possessions and thereafter taken up residence in a tub. He reputedly once carried a lantern during a daylight search for an honest man.

DODONA
Shrine in northwestern Greece. Its oracular pronouncements were interpreted from sounds made by leather thongs slapping against a brass plate hanging on the sanctuary’s sacred tree or alternatively from the rustling of its leaves.

EPIGRAMMIST
Author of pithy poems dealing pointedly with a single subject and written in the manner of a memorial inscription. In Greek literature, the term includes a wide variety of short verse, sometimes of a satiric nature.

ERINNA OF RHODES (fl 600)
Greek poetess. She died at a young age and little of her work has survived.

EUNUCH
Eunuchs played an important role in the military, ecclesiastical, and civil administrations of the Byzantine Empire. Many high offices in the GREAT PALACE were typically held by eunuchs.

EXCUBITORS
GREAT PALACE guard.

FLAVIAN (d 449)
PATRIARCH of Constantinople who was falsely condemned, deposed, and banished. He died in exile as the result of a savage beating.

GORGONIUS (d 304)
Although he held high office in the imperial household, Gorgonius was martyred in 304 during the persecution of Christians ordered by Diocletian (245–313, r 284–305).

GREAT BULL
See MITHRA.

GREAT CHURCH
Colloquial name for the Church of the Holy Wisdom (Hagia Sophia). One of the world’s great architectural achievements, the Hagia Sophia was completed in 537, replacing the church burnt down during the Nika riots (532).

GREAT PALACE
Situated in the southeastern part of Constantinople, it was not one building but rather many, set amidst trees and gardens. Its grounds included barracks for the EXCUBITORS, ceremonial rooms, meeting halls, the imperial family’s living quarters, churches, and housing provided for court officials, ambassadors, and various other dignitaries.

GREENS
Followers of the Green chariot racing faction. Great rivalry existed between the BLUES and the Greens and each had their own seating sections in the HIPPODROME. Brawls between the two sets of supporters were not uncommon and occasionally escalated into city-wide riots.

HERODOTUS (c 484–425 BC)
Greek author of
The Histories
, a lively and informative narrative of the wars between Greece and Persia covering the histories of both countries as well as those of Egypt and Babylon. Herodotus traveled extensively and his work is largely based on personal observation and contains comments on archaeology, architecture, geography, unusual customs, and beliefs, among other things. Now known as the Father of History, in antiquity he was dubbed the Father of Lies because of the incredible and extremely unlikely stories he included in his work.

HIPPODROME
U-shaped race track near the GREAT PALACE. The Hippodrome had tiered seating accommodating up to a hundred thousand spectators. It was also used for public celebrations and other civic events.

HOLY FOOL
Holy Fools engaged in extremely unconventional and sometimes obscene behavior as a method of demonstrating spiritual lessons, as well as pointing up onlookers’ sinful ways. Their antics included dancing with prostitutes, relieving themselves in the street, over-eating during periods of fasting, disrupting church services, going about naked, and so on.

INSTITUTES
Part of the definitive codification of Roman law ordered by JUSTINIAN I. The Corpus Juris Civilis (Body of the Law) as it is now known was issued between 529 and 535 and consisted of The Institutes, a basic introduction to the law; the Digest, which included selections from classical jurists; and the Codex, dealing with legislation dating from the reign of Hadrian (76–138, r 117–138) onward. The Novels, a collection of legislation issued by JUSTINIAN I, was added between 535 and 565. This codification served as the foundation for present day civil law in most European countries and those whose legal systems are based thereon.

IMPLUVIUM
Shallow pool in the center of an ATRIUM. Situated under the COMPLUVIUM, it caught rain for household use and also served a decorative purpose.

ISAURIA
Province in Asia Minor, occupied by a notoriously rebellious people. ANASTASIUS I quelled a revolt, but although the Isaurians were soundly defeated at the battle of Cotyaeum (491) it took several years to finally subdue them. JUSTIN I, adoptive father of JUSTINIAN I, was a commander in the army during this campaign.

ISOCRATES (436–338 BC)
Attic orator and teacher. His slaves famously included a number of skilled flute-makers. He is said to have committed suicide upon hearing of the defeat of the Athenians at Chaeroneia by Philip II of Macedonia (382–336 BC, r 359–336 BC). However, given Isocrates’ advanced age at the time, his death may well have been due to natural causes. His tomb was distinguished by a tall pillar topped by a statue of a siren.

JOHN CHRYSOSTOM (c 347–407)
Born in Antioch, St John Chrysostom (Golden Mouthed, a tribute to his eloquent preaching and writings) became PATRIARCH of Constantinople in 398. His piety, condemnation of the immorality of those in positions of power, and numerous charitable works made him well loved by the populace. Enemies in the imperial court, civil administration, and the church itself brought false accusations against him and he was exiled. After severe riots in Constantinople he was recalled to the city, but was soon again banished. Eventually ordered moved to an even more isolated location, he died during the journey. In 438 his remains were brought to Constantinople and buried in the CHURCH OF THE HOLY APOSTLES.

JUSTIN I (c 450–527, r 518–527)
Born in present day Macedonia, Justin and two friends journeyed to Constantinople to seek their fortunes. All three joined the EXCUBITORS and Justin eventually rose to hold the rank of commander. He was declared emperor upon the death of ANASTASIUS I. Justin’s nephew JUSTINIAN I was crowned co-emperor in April 527, four months before Justin died.

JUSTINIAN I (483–565, r 527–565)
Adopted nephew of JUSTIN I. His ambition was to restore the Roman Empire to its former glory and he succeeded in regaining North Africa, Italy and southeastern Spain. His accomplishments included codifying Roman law (see INSTITUTES) and an extensive building program in Constantinople. He was married to THEODORA.

KALAMOS
Reed pen.

KOLLYBA
Small cakes made of boiled wheat, nuts, and dried fruit, eaten when prayers for a departed person were made at the gravesite at set intervals during the month after the death, and again a year later. In today’s Greek Orthodox Church similar cakes are distributed at memorial services.

LEANDER’S TOWER
According to Greek mythology, Leander was a young man who lived on the Asian side of the Hellespont. He fell in love with Hero, a priestess of Aphrodite who lived on the European shore. Every night Leander swam across the Hellespont to visit her, guided by a torch placed on a tower by his beloved. One night, however, he was drowned in a sudden storm. When his body washed ashore, Hero committed suicide by throwing herself from the tower into the sea. Subsequent versions of the legend occasionally mistakenly placed Leander’s nightly swim in waters other than those of the Hellespont.

LEX FALCIDIA
Law guaranteeing heirs would receive a certain portion of the estate.

LORD CHAMBERLAIN
Typically a EUNUCH, the Lord (or Grand) Chamberlain was the chief attendant to the emperor and supervised most of those serving at the GREAT PALACE. He also took a leading role in court ceremonial, but his real power arose from his close working relationship with the emperor, which allowed him to wield great influence.

LUKE
Accompanied St Paul on some of his missionary journeys. Luke, a physician by profession, is the patron saint of doctors and surgeons. Certain of Luke’s relics were owned by the CHURCH OF THE HOLY APOSTLES.

MARCUS AURELIUS (121–180; r 161–180)
Adopted by his uncle by marriage, Antoninus Pius (86–161, r 138–161), and succeeding him, Marcus Aurelius sought to improve conditions for slaves, criminals, and the poorer classes. However, he also persecuted Christians, viewing them as a threat to the empire. His MEDITATIONS (167) expound upon his Stoic philosophy and sense of moral duty.

MASTER OF THE OFFICES
Official who oversaw the civil side of imperial administration within the GREAT PALACE.

MEDITATIONS
See MARCUS AURELIUS.

MESE
Main thoroughfare of Constantinople. Its entire length was rich with columns, arches, and statuary depicting secular, military, imperial, and religious subjects as well as fountains, churches, workshops, monuments, public baths, and private dwellings, making it a perfect mirror of the heavily populated and densely built city it traversed.