Nobilissima (55 page)

“My lord, we took the city,” one of them cried when he saw Marcus. “Aspar is within the walls and there is some fighting, but most of Johannes’ men have surrendered. We came back along the causeway, which is now being held by Felix and his men. Aspar said you should come as quickly as possible.”

“Did all the men survive the journey across the marshes?” I asked.

“Yes,” he replied. “The angel showed us the way.”

“The angel?”

“The angel disguised as a shepherd. No mortal man could have known how to find the paths that he did. We didn’t even get our feet wet.”

While I pondered the meaning of his words, Marcus leapt into action.

“Is the causeway clear for the cavalry to ride to the city?” he asked.

The soldier answered in the affirmative and Marcus called for the tribune to come at once to receive instructions.

“You should wait here until it’s completely safe,” he told me, but I was already walking back into the tent to tell Aurelia to prepare to ride.

“Bring us horses,” I said to one of the guards, who saluted and hurried away.

“This isn’t a good idea, Placidia,” objected Marcus. “Just be patient for a few hours and I’ll send for you as soon as I’ve seen for myself what is happening in the city. We can arrange a carriage to bring you then.”

Seeing the look on my face, he threw his hands in the air and sighed. “Very well. You’ll ride behind the equites, and with guards at your back. Please be careful. I’ll see you there.”

Soldiers appeared with horses and held them still while Aurelia and I mounted.

“Just like old times,” commented Aurelia, as she arranged her gown so that it wouldn’t get in the way. “But the last time we did this we were running away, and this time we are going home.”

Chapter 51

My legs trembled and I took a deep breath to calm my excitement. My horse danced a few steps and I patted his neck soothingly. We waited for the cavalry riders to pass and fell in behind them, following them along a rough trail that led from the camp and along the edge of a vineyard. Ahead, I saw the reeds and flowering rush of the marshes and knew that the causeway would soon come into view.

The trail reached the cobbled road that ran towards the east and suddenly the air was full of the clatter of hooves on stone. The road took us to the entry to the causeway, marked by a checkpoint manned by soldiers from Felix’s unit. We passed through and began the ride towards the city along the wide stone road that rose several meters above the surrounding marshes. On either side, the water, glistening in the rising sun, was flecked with white lilies and scarlet lotus flowers. Here and there, mounds of mossy earth rose from the water, tiny islands rich with yellow and purple blooms and fringed with cord grass. The scene was pretty, but perilous to men weighed down with swords and shields, and I wondered again at how Aspar’s men had made their way through.

The causeway was long and we were almost at the midway point when the procession slowed and I saw the horses ahead breaking out of formation and weaving from one side of the road to another. I realized that they were avoiding the bodies of dead soldiers that littered the grey roadway, their white and gold and red uniforms as bright as the blossoms that dotted the water. Most of them were Johannes’ men, and they lay with their weapons useless at their sides.

I averted my eyes from the corpses and looked straight ahead to where the high walls of the city towered over the causeway. Already I could see that the gates were open and the area in front of them was swarming with Aspar’s troops. As if sensing that their destination was near, the horses trotted a little faster and soon we were passing through the gates. I glanced up at the carved archway, which bore an inscription praising Johannes Augustus. That would be erased very quickly if the day went according to plan.

Inside the gate, work had already begun to clear the entry courtyard and ramparts of the dead. Bodies were piled up against the walls and a mound of swords and shields rose eight feet into the air. Several buildings within view had been damaged during the battle and chunks of stone and marble were strewn across the ground. A black shroud of smoke hung over the streets and scratched at my throat.

Everyone came to a halt while the tribune conferred with some soldiers who were moving the dead. After a while, the equites began to move forward, dispersing along several streets that ran to the city center, and my bodyguards rode into place, forming a tight circle around us.

“What are we waiting for?” I asked their commander.

“Instructions from higher up, Augusta,” he answered. “General Aspar said we have to keep you safe until he’s sure the palace is cleared of all of the usurper’s men.”

“I have no intention of waiting here,” I replied. “Take me to the palace at once.”

The soldier opened his mouth to speak and then seemed to think better of it. At his command, the group advanced at a trot. We rode through deserted streets that were surprisingly tranquil. The citizens remained in the shelter of their houses, and there was little sign of fighting in the center of the city. Still, I felt my heart beating fast and my mouth was dry. To be home again under such circumstances was exhilarating and also terrifying. Any illusions I’d had that I was in control of my own fate had been shattered. I couldn’t have predicted Honorius’s early death or the sequence of events that had unfolded since then, bringing me to this moment.

I glimpsed movement in the shadows of the portico at the front of the palace and then saw Marcus walking out into the sunlight. He came towards me, using his stick to minimize his limp. When he reached me, he held out his hand to help me down from the horse.

“I might’ve known you wouldn’t wait,” he commented quietly.

“What’s happening?” I asked, running my hands down my gown to smooth it. My legs ached from the ride.

“Have we captured the palace? Johannes?”

He nodded. “We owe much to Ardabur for his part in this. He used his time as a prisoner well, and drew many of Johannes’ men to his side. Our troops were able to overcome the palace guard, and they have taken Johannes prisoner.”

“I want to see him,” I said.

Marcus nodded. “Come with me.”

Aurelia joined us and we walked through the heavy bronze doors of the palace. Inside, the hallways were thronging with soldiers, but there was little evidence of conflict. The statues that lined the great entry hall stood in place on their fluted marble pedestals, the mosaic floors gleamed under military boots, and the sun glinted on the gold-leaf trim around the frescos on the walls.

A familiar voice boomed over the cacophony of noise and Felix waved an arm to attract my attention. He pushed his way through the mob and reached me, making a deep bow and then winking as he straightened up.

I smiled. “It’s good to see you, Felix. Come with us. We’re going to see Johannes.”

“Good,” he replied. “I can’t wait to give the thieving wretch a piece of my mind.”

Marcus led the way and we soon left the crowded entry behind, moving at a brisk pace through long corridors. My heart fluttered in my chest when we passed the audience chamber and I remembered the joy and pain of sharing sovereignty with my brother. I wondered if he was looking down at me now with anger or envy. I doubted that he would feel any happiness in my return.

“We’re going to make one quick detour,” Marcus said. “General Ardabur would like to meet you.”

We entered a suite of rooms that I remembered being assigned to Johannes when he was Honorius’s chief notary. Guards announced us and the general came out to greet us. He was tall and broad-shouldered, and moved with the energy of a far younger man. His gray hair and the wrinkles around his eyes were misleading, I thought, and I wondered if Johannes realized how much he had underestimated his captive. Ardabur bowed and waited for me to speak first.

“I understand we have much to thank you for,” I said. “Marcus tells me that you persuaded many of Johannes’s troops to defect to our cause.”

“My objective was to remove Johannes from office,” he replied, “and when our ships foundered and many of my own troops were lost, I feared that I would fail in my mission. But Johannes, who seemed to think I no longer posed any threat to him, gave me a surprising amount of freedom. I used my privileges and time to recruit men who would fight on your behalf and there were many who were more than happy to do so.”

“You’ll be well rewarded,” I said. “I thank you again and wish you every happiness in reuniting with your brave son, Aspar. We’ll talk in the coming days before you depart again for Constantinople.”

Ardabur bowed again and Marcus led us away, further from the private apartments, along narrow halls and down staircases into an area of the palace where I’d never been before. I knew there were cells on a lower level used for holding anyone in the palace suspected of a crime or misdemeanor. I had sent several courtiers there myself. The offenders were usually transported to the city’s courthouse for trial, although a few had died down there in accidents or suicides before being moved.

We rounded a corner and Marcus banged on a short, thick door with a small grill. A face appeared and then disappeared and I heard bolts sliding back. We entered a small windowless room lit by torches. Lengths of iron chain, whips and ropes hung from hooks pounded into the stone walls, and four guards stood at attention near a table holding a few dice and cups.

“We want to see the prisoner,” Marcus said.

One of the soldiers pulled a key from his belt and went to an iron door set in the farthest wall. With a screech, the door swung inward on its hinges and the soldier stepped in with his sword drawn. We followed him inside.

Johannes sat at a rough table, perched and looking uncomfortable on a simple wooden stool. He didn’t stand when I entered and the soldier poked at him with the tip of his sword until he got to his feet. He was barely as tall as me, and gaunt, with a pointed nose, thin lips and a short beard that was threaded with gray.

In the chill of the stone room, he wore his scarlet cloak wrapped tightly around him. On his chest, a thick gold chain held a medallion emblazoned with his image and the words “Johannes Augustus.”

“We’ll sit,” said Marcus and the soldiers quickly brought three more stools and took up positions near the door. Felix remained standing, towering over the table, and Johannes glanced at him nervously.

“Johannes,” I said as soon as we were seated opposite him. “You know that your armies have been defeated and your commander Castinus killed. Aetius and his Huns have retreated towards the Alps. There’s no hope that you can remain as Emperor without an army to support you.”

“I was rightfully appointed and ratified by the Senate,” said Johannes, with surprising conviction. “You may have defeated my army in your illegal and unwarranted attack, but you can’t make me resign as Emperor.”

I felt my cheeks flush with warmth and was surprised by the anger I felt towards this man. Felix placed a large hand on his thin, scarlet-clad shoulder and Johannes seemed to slump under the weight of it, but when he spoke again, his voice was still strong.

“Nobilissima,” he said. “Your son’s claim to the throne is based on a tradition of hereditary succession which is no longer legal. Any challenge to my appointment is based on purely hypothetical arguments of family inheritance.”

“My son is not hypothetical,” I snapped. “His claim to the throne is as strong as yours and he will have a group of trained and knowledgeable advisors to support him. Your knowledge of the running of the Empire seems to me be rather more insubstantial.”

“The Emperor Honorius showed no great skill in ruling,” replied Johannes with an alarming disregard for his personal safety. Felix muttered and leaned heavily on his shoulder again.

I shrugged. “We agree on that point. However, the office brings great responsibilities and much can be achieved in the hands of one properly trained to exercise its powers.”

“The little boy has that training?” asked Johannes, his voice heavy with sarcasm.

I stood. “I’ve heard enough,” I said. “Your appointment to the crown is challenged and your dismissal will be approved by the Senate and the military tomorrow. You may agree to step down and retire with a pension and a promise of safety. If you persist in refusing, you must know that you’ll die.”

I heard Aurelia gasp and she darted a quick glance at me.

“The punishment should be exile,” she said in a shaky voice.

I felt cold. The room was icy, but this chill came from within. I wanted Johannes to die and the realization scared me. Many years ago, I had felt this way about my cousin and had signed her death warrant. I sent up a quick prayer, asking God for forgiveness.

“Drastic measures are often required to defend the Empire,” said Marcus, filling the silence. “But I’d prefer to see you live, Johannes.”

Johannes didn’t look at him. He fingered his gold medallion and stared past Marcus.

Marcus drew a breath before continuing.

“Whether or not your claim was valid in the first place, you have no way to keep the throne now that it’s been challenged and your army defeated. If you try to remain as Emperor, you’ll l never be safe. If not Placidia, then someone else will come forward and claim your crown when they see how weak your position is. Even Aetius could come back with his Huns and fight against you instead of for you next time.”