CHAPTER VI
HELIODORE
That night there was feasting at the palace, and I, Olaf, now known asMichael, as a convert was one of the chief guests, so that for me therewas no escape. I sat very silent, so silent that the Augusta frowned,though she was too far off to speak to me. The banquet came to an end atlast and before midnight I was free to go, still without word from theEmpress, who withdrew herself, as I thought in an ill-humour.
I sought my bed, but in it knew little of sleep. I had found her forwhom during all the long years I had been searching, though I did notunderstand that I was searching. After the ages I had found her and shehad found me. Her eyes said it, and, unless I dreamed, her sweet voicesaid it also.
Who was she? Doubtless that Heliodore, daughter of Magas, the prince ofwhom the Bishop Barnabas had spoken to me. Oh! now I understood whathe meant when he spoke of another necklace like to that I wore, and yetwould explain nothing. It lay upon the breast of Heliodore, Heliodorewho was such a one as he wished that I might wed. Well, certainly Iwished it too; but, alas! how could I wed, who was in Irene's power,a toy for her to play with or to break? And how would it fare with anywoman whom it was known that I wished to wed? I must be secret until shewas gone from Constantinople, and in this way or in that I couldfollow her. I, who had ever been open-minded, must learn to keep my owncounsel.
Now, too, I remembered how Barnabas had said the Augusta commanded thatthis Prince Magas and his daughter should come to the palace as herguests. Well, the place was vast, a town in itself, and likely enoughI should not see them there. Yet I longed to see one of them as neverI had longed for anything before. I was sure, also, that no fears couldkeep us apart, even though I knew the road before me to be full ofdangers and of trials, knew that I went with my life in my hand, thelife of which I had been quite careless, but that now had become so dearto me. For did not the world hold another to whom it belonged?
The night passed away. I rose and went about my morning duties. Scarcelywere these finished when a messenger summoned me to the presence of theAugusta. I followed him with a sinking heart, certain that those woeswhich I had foreseen were about to begin. Also, now there was no womanin the whole world whom I less wished to see than Irene, Empress of theEarth.
I was led to the small audience chamber, whereof I have already spoken,that on the floor of which was the mosaic of the goddess Venus makingpretence to kill her lover. There I found the Augusta seated in a chairof State, the minister Stauracius, my god-father, who glowered at meas I entered, some secretaries, and Martina, my god-mother, who was thelady in attendance.
I saluted the Empress, who bowed graciously and said:
"General Olaf--nay, I forgot, General Michael, your god-fatherStauracius has something to say which I trust will please you as much asit does him and me. Speak, Stauracius."
"Beloved god-son," began Stauracius, in a voice of sullen rage, "it haspleased the Augusta to appoint you----"
"On the prayer and advice of me, Stauracius," interrupted the Empress.
"----On the prayer and advice of me, Stauracius," repeated the eunuchlike a talking bird, "to be one of her chamberlains and Master of thePalace, at a salary of" (I forget the sum, but it was a great one) "withall the power and perquisites to that office pertaining, in reward ofthe services which you have rendered to her and the Empire. Thank theEmpress for her gracious favour."
"Nay," interrupted Irene again, "thank your beloved god-fatherStauracius, who has given me no peace until I offered you thispreferment which has suddenly become vacant, Stauracius alone knowswhy, for I do not. Oh! you were wise, Olaf--I mean Michael--to chooseStauracius for a god-father, though I warn him," she added archly, "thatin his natural love he must not push you forward too fast lest othersshould begin to show that jealousy which is a stranger to his noblenature. Come hither, Michael, and kiss my hand upon your appointment."
So I advanced and, kneeling, kissed the Augusta's hand, according tocustom on such occasions, noting, as doubtless Stauracius did also, thatshe pressed it hard enough against my lips. Then I rose and said:
"I thank the Augusta----"
"And my god-father Stauracius," she interrupted.
"----And my god-father Stauracius," I echoed, "for her and his goodnesstowards me. Yet with humility I venture to say that I am a soldier whoknows nothing whatsoever of the duties of a chamberlain and of a Masterof the Palace, and, therefore, I beg that someone else more competentmay be chosen to fill these high offices."
On hearing these words Stauracius stared at me with his round andowl-like eyes. Never before had he known an officer in Constantinoplewho wished to decline power and more pay. Scarcely, indeed, could hebelieve his ears. But the Augusta only laughed.
"Baptism has not changed you, Olaf," she said, "who ever were simple,as I believe your duties will be. At any rate, your god-father andgod-mother will instruct you in them--especially your god-mother. So nomore of such foolish talk. Stauracius, you may be gone to attend to theaffairs of which we have been speaking, as I see you burn to do, andtake those secretaries with you, for the scratching of their pens setsmy teeth on edge. Bide here a moment, General, for as Master of thePalace it will be your duty to receive certain guests to-day of whom Iwish to speak with you. Bide you also, Martina, that you may remember mywords in case this unpractised officer should forget them."
Stauracius and his secretaries bowed themselves out, leaving the threeof us alone.
"Now, Olaf, or Michael--which do you wish to be called?"
"It is more easy for a man to alter his nature than his name," Ianswered.
"Have you altered your nature? If so, your manners remain much what theywere. Well, then, be Olaf in private and Michael in public, for often analias is convenient enough. Hark! I would read you a lesson. As the wiseKing Solomon said, 'Everything has its place and time.' It is good torepent you of your sins and to think about your soul, but I pray you doso no more at my feasts, especially when they are given in your honour.Last night you sat at the board like a mummy at an Egyptian banquet. Hadyour skull stood on it, filled with wine, it could scarce have lookedgrimmer than did your face. Be more cheerful, I pray you, or I will haveyou tonsured and promoted to be a bishop, like that old heretic Barnabasof whom you are so fond. Ah! you smile at last, and I am glad to see it.Now hearken again. This afternoon there comes to the palace a certainold Egyptian named Magas, whom I place in your especial charge, and withhim his wife--at least, I think she is his wife."
"Nay, Mistress, his daughter," interrupted Martina.
"Oh! his daughter," said the Augusta suspiciously. "I did not know shewas his daughter. What is she like, Martina?"
"I have not seen her, Empress, but someone said that she is ablack-looking woman, such as the Nile breeds."
"Is it so? Then I charge you, Olaf, keep her far from me, for I love notthese ugly black women, whose woolly hair always smells of grease. Yes,I give you leave to court her, if you will, since thereby you may learnsome secrets," and she laughed merrily.
I bowed, saying that I would obey the Augusta's orders to the best of mypower, and she went on:
"Olaf, I would discover the truth concerning this Magas and his schemes,which as a soldier you are well fitted to find out. It seems he has aplan for the recovery of Egypt out of the hands of the followers of thataccursed false prophet whose soul dwells with Satan. Now, I would winback Egypt, if I may, and thereby add glory to my name and the Empire.Hear all that he proposes, study it well, and make report to me.Afterwards I will see him alone, who for the present will send him aletter by the hand of Martina here bidding him open all his heart toyou. For a week or more I shall have no time to spend upon this Magas,who must give myself to business upon which hangs my power and perchancemy life."
These words she spoke heavily, then fell into a fit of brooding. Rousingherself, she went on:
"Did you note yesterday, Olaf, if you had any mind left for the thingsof earth, that as I drove in state through the streets many met m
e withsullen silence, while others cursed me openly and shouted, 'Where is theAugustus?' 'Give us Constantine. We will have no woman's rule.'"
"I saw and heard something of these things, Augusta; also that certainof the soldiers on guard in the city had a mutinous air."
"Aye, but what you did not see and hear was that a plot had been laidto murder me in the cathedral. I got wind of it in time and if youwere still governor of yonder prison you'd know where the murderers areto-day. Yet they're but tools; it is their captains whom I want. Well,torture may make them speak; Stauracius has gone to see to it. Oh! thestrife is fierce and doubtful. I walk blindfold along a precipice. Aboveare Fortune's heights, and beneath black ruin. Perhaps you'd be wiseto get you to Constantine, Olaf, and become his man, as many are doing,since he'd be glad of you. No need to shake your head, for that's notyour way; you are no hound to bite the hand that feeds you, like thesestreet-bred dogs. Would that I could keep you nearer to me, where hourby hour you might help me with your counsel and your quiet strength.But it may not be--as yet. I raise you as high as I dare, but it must bedone step by step, for even now some grow jealous. Take heed to what youeat, Olaf. See that your guards are Northmen, and beneath your doubletwear mail, especially at night. Moreover, unless I send for you, do notcome near me too often, and, when we meet, be my humble servant, likeothers; aye, learn to crawl and kiss the ground. Above all, keep secretas the grave.
"Now," she went on after a pause, during which I stood silent, "what isthere more? Oh! with your new offices, you'll retain that of captainof my guard, for I would be well watched during these next few weeks.Follow up the matter of the Egyptian; you may find advancement in it.Perchance one day you will be the general I send against the Moslems--ifI can spare you. On all this matter be secret also, for once rumourbuzzes over it that peach rots. The Egyptian and his swarthy girl cometo the palace to-day, when he will receive my letter. Meet him and seethem well housed, though not too near me; Martina will help you. Now begone and leave me to my battles."
So I went, and she watched me to the door with eyes that were full oftenderness.