positions provide the means by which I will succeed in rewarding the men who guard the Emperor, when they allow the man I have chosen to assume his mantle.’
Flavius had to fight hard not to suck in an audible breath then: what was this Amantius saying – that he was going to decide who would be emperor when Anastasius passed away?
‘No man will deserve it more than whosoever you have chosen, for no one within these walls can surpass you in your wisdom.’
Again it was hard not to react to those words from Petrus, so silky and to the ears of one who knew him well, utterly insincere.
‘The rewards must be in place before the Emperor dies but cannot be distributed until the very moment our loss is announced.’
‘It would be to our advantage if that could be precipitated, Petrus.’
‘Too risky. Anyone trying would perish in the attempt.’
‘Justinus,’ Amantius hissed, as if the name referred to some kind of plague.
‘What would you have him do? My uncle will serve you and your man faithfully once he is enthroned for he has pledged himself to protect the imperial person. But you must accept he will do likewise for Anastasius while he still breathes. Consider this, that a man who would betray one emperor, would do like to another.’
‘Is he so much the paragon?’
It was Flavius who answered. ‘He is, sir.’
That brought a look of doubt to the cadaver-like countenance. ‘What if your paragon orders you to stand aside?’
‘Amantius,’ Petrus purred, ‘leave my uncle to me.’
‘He may commit himself to another.’
‘He will never commit himself to anyone until they are wearing the diadem. To do otherwise would mean intriguing and that he avoids, which is why the way is open for the proposed elevation of your chosen successor. The younger officers of the Excubitors will ensure that the route to the imperial apartments are sealed off and their men will have orders to use force to ensure that you have a clear field. It will take a brave fellow to challenge them.’
‘And if they have their reward, Petrus, what of you?’
‘You know what I wish, that my uncle shall either hold his present office or, with your grace and if you so desire, that he be elevated to another higher appointment. My task is to be in his service but perhaps, in time, when matters are settled and all is secure, I will seek something for myself.’
‘And this young man?’
‘He too will be patient.’
The eyes fixed on Flavius again. ‘I am about to entrust you with a great deal.’
‘Not just Flavius, but me too. How can we repay such trust with anything other than blind loyalty?’
‘Where will you store the treasure?’
It was as well Amantius was not looking at Flavius when he asked that question: the word ‘treasure’ had the eyebrows shooting up and they stayed there as Petrus responded.
‘It must be within the palace for it cannot be brought here when thetime is ripe. The only secure place is within the working apartments of my uncle, who will never know of its presence.’
‘And they are hard by the imperial chambers. That, God rest his soul, is where Anastasius will expire, given he is now too weak to move from his bed.’
Amantius was nodding with vigour as he spoke. Lit by the candles his eyes seemed to gleam and that conveyed a sense of suppressed excitement, quickly masked as Petrus spoke again.
‘I have chosen Flavius as the officer to take on the task of organisation because he has access to those apartments, being much feted by Justinus, indeed treated as the general would treat a son. The officer in charge of the detachment set to guard the imperial suite will go to their general first with the news of the Emperor’s demise, which is his duty. You, of course, will know what has occurred at the same moment.’
A nod accompanied by a more thoughtful look was the response, as if he was seeking ways such a thing could go wrong.
‘I will be made aware, too, because it has been arranged,
Flavius had to fight hard not to suck in an audible breath then: what was this Amantius saying – that he was going to decide who would be emperor when Anastasius passed away?
‘No man will deserve it more than whosoever you have chosen, for no one within these walls can surpass you in your wisdom.’
Again it was hard not to react to those words from Petrus, so silky and to the ears of one who knew him well, utterly insincere.
‘The rewards must be in place before the Emperor dies but cannot be distributed until the very moment our loss is announced.’
‘It would be to our advantage if that could be precipitated, Petrus.’
‘Too risky. Anyone trying would perish in the attempt.’
‘Justinus,’ Amantius hissed, as if the name referred to some kind of plague.
‘What would you have him do? My uncle will serve you and your man faithfully once he is enthroned for he has pledged himself to protect the imperial person. But you must accept he will do likewise for Anastasius while he still breathes. Consider this, that a man who would betray one emperor, would do like to another.’
‘Is he so much the paragon?’
It was Flavius who answered. ‘He is, sir.’
That brought a look of doubt to the cadaver-like countenance. ‘What if your paragon orders you to stand aside?’
‘Amantius,’ Petrus purred, ‘leave my uncle to me.’
‘He may commit himself to another.’
‘He will never commit himself to anyone until they are wearing the diadem. To do otherwise would mean intriguing and that he avoids, which is why the way is open for the proposed elevation of your chosen successor. The younger officers of the Excubitors will ensure that the route to the imperial apartments are sealed off and their men will have orders to use force to ensure that you have a clear field. It will take a brave fellow to challenge them.’
‘And if they have their reward, Petrus, what of you?’
‘You know what I wish, that my uncle shall either hold his present office or, with your grace and if you so desire, that he be elevated to another higher appointment. My task is to be in his service but perhaps, in time, when matters are settled and all is secure, I will seek something for myself.’
‘And this young man?’
‘He too will be patient.’
The eyes fixed on Flavius again. ‘I am about to entrust you with a great deal.’
‘Not just Flavius, but me too. How can we repay such trust with anything other than blind loyalty?’
‘Where will you store the treasure?’
It was as well Amantius was not looking at Flavius when he asked that question: the word ‘treasure’ had the eyebrows shooting up and they stayed there as Petrus responded.
‘It must be within the palace for it cannot be brought here when thetime is ripe. The only secure place is within the working apartments of my uncle, who will never know of its presence.’
‘And they are hard by the imperial chambers. That, God rest his soul, is where Anastasius will expire, given he is now too weak to move from his bed.’
Amantius was nodding with vigour as he spoke. Lit by the candles his eyes seemed to gleam and that conveyed a sense of suppressed excitement, quickly masked as Petrus spoke again.
‘I have chosen Flavius as the officer to take on the task of organisation because he has access to those apartments, being much feted by Justinus, indeed treated as the general would treat a son. The officer in charge of the detachment set to guard the imperial suite will go to their general first with the news of the Emperor’s demise, which is his duty. You, of course, will know what has occurred at the same moment.’
A nod accompanied by a more thoughtful look was the response, as if he was seeking ways such a thing could go wrong.
‘I will be made aware, too, because it has been arranged,
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