The Purple Shroud: A Novel of Empress Theodora (34 page)

‘I was,’ said Narses.

‘But I wasn’t.’

‘Apparently not.’

‘Even though the Emperor has publicly named me his consort?’

‘I imagine Belisarius assumed you would want to stay with the August,’ he said.

‘And what did this council of generals decide, in my absence?’

‘Mistress, there is a suggestion that you could, if you choose,’ Narses’ speech was slow now, becoming a question, ‘allow the generals to make decisions on the August’s behalf?’

And now Theodora did not look like the worried wife of a very sick man. She was wide awake and the heat in her face and stomach were very like, and nothing like, the fever her husband had been suffering.

‘A suggestion?’

‘Yes, Mistress.’

‘Have they held only one meeting?’

‘I believe so.’

‘And when do they convene again?’

‘Late this afternoon, I’ve been told.’

‘Good. Then I can interrupt their meeting and tell them to damn themselves?’

Narses smiled and rubbed his eyes. ‘You could, Mistress, or you could take a middle way and ask them to meet here in the Palace. I can have a messenger inform them you mean to attend?’

‘No,’ Theodora said. ‘I think I’ll just go along to their meeting. It’ll be useful for me to see what’s going on in the City, and good for the people to see I care enough to go among them.’

‘And it might also be useful for you to discover who Belisarius has called to him, rather than those who would come here simply because the Palace commands it?’

‘Yes, it might.’

Narses remembered, years ago, when he was a much younger man, his lover Menander coming home from training his dancers, ranting about the little dark one, the dead bear-keeper’s brat, Theodora. How infuriating, aggravating she was. How she might do so much, be so much, but time after time she allowed her passion to rule and instead of living up to her promise, became over-emotional, made mistakes, let herself down. And despite this, how all the other girls, even those prettier or more skilled, looked up to her. Menander always said Theodora was a leader, he had no idea what or where she would lead, and died long before she was even made patrician, but Narses knew his old lover was right. He too had always hoped Theodora would finally give in to it one day, give in to the constraints and the regime and the burden, as well as the glory, of true leadership. He smiled as he watched her realise that much as she wanted to stay by Justinian, much as she wanted to sleep, to collapse, now was the time to move.

‘In that case,’ Narses said, ‘I believe you have enough time to wash and dress before the generals’ meeting is scheduled.’

Theodora thought for a moment. ‘I’d have to be carried most of the way if I wear the full Imperial robes. Better to travel on foot, yes? If we walk quickly it won’t take long to get to Belisarius and Antonina’s home.’

‘We’ll be walking among those who may be ill, Mistress.’

‘Are you scared, Narses?’ she asked, no taint of judgement in her tone.

‘Not for myself, but if you are the only August able to rule right now, perhaps we ought to take more care of you.’

‘It’s too late,’ Theodora said. ‘We’ve both been this close to Justinian, all through his illness, and we’re well. What’s the point of the purple if not to take risks when necessary?’

‘The purple does not grant freedom from disease.’

‘No, but it insists I stand up to the demands of the role. And right now, the pressing need is to go out, see the City for myself, and find out what the hell Belisarius is up to.’

‘Mistress.’

Narses bowed and Theodora made for the door. It was opened by terrified slaves, promoted due to the death of too many others, neither of whom had ever seen the Augusta up close before. One slave bumped into the other and the door-opening became a fumble, not the seamless, quiet elegance it should have been.

They were both on the floor in apology within a moment and Theodora leaned down to whisper, ‘Nerves make us all screw up – the trick is to breathe deeply, and slowly, and to keep breathing, you understand?’

The slaves mumbled agreement into the tiled floor and she said, ‘Good, now try again.’

This time the doors were opened perfectly, as if by unseen hands, and Theodora – as Empress – swept out, without a glance to either of the slaves. Behaving exactly as the purple required.

Theodora walked beside Narses, through streets deserted by all but the hardiest stallholders, the most needy shoppers, those rushing from their homes or sickbeds to purchase, at vastly inflated prices, what little medicine or food was available. The Empress and the Chief of Staff stopped briefly on one side of the Forum of Constantine, watching as a dozen young men from both factions presented themselves to Blue and Green leaders, ready to make up numbers replacing sick or dead firemen, police, gravediggers.

‘A shame they can’t put aside their differences on a daily basis,’ Narses said.

‘It’s as much our doing as theirs. The Palace works the
factions, we always have. We like them against each other when useful, together when necessary.’

They walked on, and Theodora remembered it was Narses who had first forced her – trained in dance and whoring and little else – to become well-read in law, history and strategy, so that she could support her husband, equipping her now to face this meeting of her husband’s counsellors. Few noticed them, those who were on the streets were too concerned with their own matters to pay attention to the tall shaven-headed older man and the small middle-aged woman beside him, a handful of servants following.

As they turned into the broad avenue where Antonina and Belisarius’ new home had been built, a modest City house to complement the much larger villa where they had ambushed the Cappadocian, the clouds that had been threatening rain all day parted briefly, letting through a flash of sunlight, striking the Sea of Marmara beyond. Theodora stopped, calling the servants to her. One opened a cedarwood box and another carefully lifted out the Imperial chlamys, while a third smoothly unrolled a soft leather pouch to reveal a robe of deep purple silk, hemmed and picked out in gold stitching. With Narses’ help, Theodora was fastened first into the robe, then the chlamys was secured into place with pins of warm red gold. From another box came five strings of pearls, each one finer than the last, and a pair of black pearl earrings. Finally Theodora put out her feet, one after the other, and the dusty street sandals were replaced by the densely embroidered red slippers she always wore in the Palace.

Belisarius’ doorkeeper had spent all afternoon opening up to soldiers and generals, civil servants and high-ranking patricians, each one with his cloak pulled up to his eyes, his mouth covered, attended by as few servants as possible; many brought
none at all, feeling it safer to move through the dangerous streets as quickly as they could, with no entourage to hold them up. The doorkeeper greeted each new entrant carefully, maintaining his distance, for his own protection as much as to assuage the guests’ fears, and then led them through to the large open courtyard where Belisarius was holding his meeting, believing – as would any soldier – that fresh air was beneficial to all. The guests’ servants, left to fend for themselves, chose not to gather as they usually would, sharing a meal and gossiping about their masters, but sat each apart from the other in a lower courtyard, their silent division a clearer indication of the state of the City than any physician’s report.

Opening the door to the Empress and her retinue, the doorman, who believed all the guests were now accounted for, gasped at the sight that greeted him. Long a soldier and more recently working privately for Belisarius to supplement his pension, he immediately prostrated himself. He kissed the Empress’s foot, though without actually bringing his lips to her slipper, and then, maintaining a half-bow while walking backwards, he led her through the villa into the courtyard that now housed twenty or more chiefs of the military and government, deep in worried discussion. Far more worried when they looked up and saw Theodora.

The men bowed, as did Antonina, hurriedly summoned by the doorman, and Belisarius politely vacated his seat at the head of the table to make way for the Empress. She took his place and looked around the men, noting each one, noting the looks on their faces.

‘Go on gentleman, whatever you were discussing must surely be of interest to the August, yes?’

‘Mistress …’

Belisarius began to speak, but was cut off by Theodora, still smiling, still speaking calmly. ‘What I don’t understand is why you chose to hold your meeting here and not in the Palace. And I gather this is not your first meeting. I’d understand if a first meeting was held here, in haste, of course. But a second? Without notifying the Palace? When did you think you’d alert us to your plans?’

This time Germanus tried to answer: ‘Mistress, we felt it would be better—’

Theodora stopped him with a raised finger: ‘To stay away from the Palace until your coup was complete?’

At that there was general consternation. Half the men at the table stood up to protest, and then, seeing that the Empress remained seated, hurriedly sat down again, so as not to tower over her. Theodora waited until there was silence again.

‘Then what am I to think? You sneak into Belisarius’ little City home to chat cosily among yourselves when you have the whole Palace available? When the entire structure for the Empire is based in the Emperor’s offices? Or perhaps you are afraid to enter the Palace, so scared of contagion you’d prefer to make the big decisions here, in your …’ she looked at Antonina, ‘back yard? Are you that frightened? I had thought you more brave, soldiers.’

There was no reply, but Theodora knew her words had hit home; she suspected that as many would be terrified of catching the Emperor’s disease as might be plotting with Belisarius to take power from her.

‘We didn’t want to disturb you. Or the Emperor,’ Belisarius finally said, Antonina’s nudge encouraging him to add a mistimed ‘Mistress’ at the end of the sentence.

‘Of course, that must be it,’ Theodora said. ‘You didn’t want to disturb the August, which is why you sent your
messengers to ask how he was eight times a day in the past week. You’ll be pleased to know his fever has broken.’

At this everyone in the courtyard, from lowest slave to Belisarius, breathed prayers and blessings of relief, and although Theodora felt some of their prayers sounded more heartfelt than others, she chose not to dwell on that for now.

‘The August needs rest, and nourishment, and – with the Christ’s help – he will be healthy again. Until then, I’ll assume this show of action indicates your willingness to stay in the City, when I know many of you might prefer to return to your safe country villas. Very good of you to put the work of the Empire before your own health.’

She nodded at a couple of the older senators who she was sure had every intention of hurrying from the City the moment the meeting was over, no doubt leaving Belisarius in charge. Theodora scanned the courtyard, picking out individuals as she went. John, the son of Vitalian who had travelled to Italy to support Belisarius and his troops. Bouzes the Thracian who had often been Belisarius’ right-hand man in battle and was loyal enough to work for him in any capacity. Artebanes who had been under suspicion at the time of Sittas’ death and whom Theodora had distrusted ever since.

She made sure each man knew she had seen and noted him, and then went on, ‘So, it’s business as usual, in unusual times. You’ll all stay in the City – and I am August.’

Theodora looked around her, at the men whose fists were clenched in an effort not to exclaim their surprise or horror, and at the few who could look her straight in the eye, relieved and pleased at her words.

‘As the August’s named consort and the only one of us, along with Narses, able to visit and take his counsel, it’s my duty to stand for him. I’m ready to work as hard as my husband, and
I’m delighted the dedication that sees you all here, so far from the Palace, so careful not to disturb our Emperor, means you too intend to work hard. To work with us.’

She stood then, forcing the men to their knees. ‘Leaving your campaign must have been very difficult for a passionate soldier such as yourself, Belisarius.’ She smiled and asked, ‘Unless you had some other reason to bring these gentlemen together?’

‘Mistress, the sickness attacks Khusro’s men as brutally as it does ours. There is less danger to our border forces just now than there has been in some time.’

‘So you’ve come home to be useful?’

‘I have.’

Theodora frowned, she hadn’t finished with him. ‘Yet you didn’t come straight to the Palace? You chose to meet here, generals and senators together, almost in secret?’ She leaned down to stage-whisper to Belisarius, her words perfectly clear, ‘Were you planning to depose my husband before he even awoke, General?’

The courtyard was silent. A gull screamed in the distance. Slowly, Belisarius stood up, Theodora straightened with him. When he spoke his tone was no less careful, and no less threatening, than hers.

‘Mistress, now and always, I have only had Rome as my first thought.’

‘A careful answer,’ said Theodora.

‘An honest one,’ replied Belisarius, holding in his anger with difficulty. ‘It’s true some have been asking what might happen were the August not to return to full health.’

‘Are you considering taking his place?’

Belisarius shook his head. ‘No Mistress, that would be treason. We merely wanted, needed, to discuss how best we can support you through the August’s recovery.’

Theodora stared at Belisarius and the courtyard held its breath, waiting for her outburst, but it didn’t come. Instead she smiled and continued as if he had not spoken at all.

‘Gentlemen, bring your emergency council to the Palace this evening. I’m sure you all have much to teach me. And – as Augusta,’ the word was spoken lightly, softly, her stance and her face indicating the opposite, ‘I’m keen to learn from the best. I’m also keen to make sure Rome comes first – not the ambition of any one man.’

She looked directly at Belisarius, turned on her heel and walked away.