Doctor Who_ Byzantium! - Keith Topping [41]
'I have travelled far and wide through many distant lands,'
Ian said, truthfully.
`What did you do there?'
Ì survived.'
This brought a broad smile to the librarian's face. 'Then, my friend, you will find Byzantium a challenge. But I have a feeling that you will rise to the tests that are to come.'
Chapter Fourteen
He Not Busy Being Born Is Busy Dying
If any man have ears to hear; let him hear.
Mark 4:23
It did not take Ian long to find another ally within the massive household. Fabulous introduced the school teacher to Gemellus later that day when the advisor came to the library to do some research for the praefectus.
Ian could tell, instantly, that here was another man whom he could trust.
Gemellus smiled genially and asked Ian a few cursory questions about Britannia, seemingly to satisfy himself, as others had before him, that Ian was not a spy of some kind.
Òne can never be too careful in these times, my friend,'
Gemellus said, almost apologetically, as Ian successfully passed the authenticity test by rattling off a few half-remembered facts about the invasions of Julius and Claudius, and a couple of timeless stories about London. He didn't mention sky chariots and was thankful that Fabulous didn't either.
'I feel a little out of my depth in Byzantine society,' Ian admitted, acknowledging that he could trust his new friends with such a statement. ‘Even within these four walls, I'm ignorant of so much. And I haven't even met my gracious host yet.'
There was something to be said, clearly, for showing but not telling.
Gemellus sympathised. 'It is as well to know the whys and wherefores of every man, and woman, and slave hereabouts,' he offered. 'Starting with the praefectus.'
`This is undoubtedly true,' Fabulous added. 'For on such knowledge can a man's need for alliances depend.'
Ian understood. 'So,’ he said, `tell me about the boss.'
`Thalius Maximus,' began Gemellus. ‘P raefectus of Byzantium, executive to his most awesome and imperial majesty, this-that-and-the-other, the Emperor Lucius Nero Caesar.' He paused. 'You have heard of him, I take it?'
Ian gave Gemellus a keenly sarcastic stare. Ì'm an outsider, not a numbskull,' he said.
`Your point is well made,' noted Gemellus.
`The master is a politician,' continued Fabulous. À good one.'
'Though often a bored one,' added Gemellus. 'And I speak as a friend of the man, as well as his counsellor. He is hugely mistrusted by the military, which some may regard as a sign of his considerable worth.' Gemellus paused and asked the librarian if he thought this was a fair summation of Thalius.
Ì should say so,' Fabulous agreed. 'Of course, you did leave out the damsel in this tale of woe.'
Ian's eyebrows raised. 'Ah, the distaff side?' he asked. ‘I should have guessed there'd be a Judy in there somewhere.
Do tell.’
‘Antonia Vinicius,’ Gemellus almost spat the name out.
`Thalius's former wife, now married to a usually absent and ambitious senator called Germanicus. Be very careful of her.'
As he said it, he cast a nervous glance behind to assure himself that this observation had not been overheard.
Fabulous instantly poured oil on troubled waters. ‘A woman for whom the purpose of life is the pleasure which can be gained from that portion of her body beneath her navel and above her knees,' he said, bitterly.
Chesterton got the message. 'I know the type,' he said.
Òh, but I do not think you do, young Briton,' Gemellus countered, still clearly angry to be talking about a woman such as this. `You have had the dubious pleasure of meeting the praefectus's new wife, the vivacious lady Jocelyn, yes?'
Ian shuddered and nodded his head.
Ànd, you will also, no doubt, have encountered the deliciously flirtatious Felicia who can produce a momentary awakening even in these tired and bent old bones.'
Fabulous winked broadly at Ian in agreement.
Ì have been made aware of her, yes,' Ian admitted.
The whole of the barracks and half of the city besides are aware of Felicia and Jocelyn,' Gemellus said. 'Now, put the