Nobilissima (57 page)

The ceremony began a week of meetings and banquets for the dignitaries who had come to Rome from all the provinces of the Empire. Each evening, I stayed up late to read about the visitors and to make notes on potential alliances and partnerships. Aurelia sat with me and helped me with my notes, while Sylvia laid out gowns, sorted jewelry and sandals, and prepared perfumes for us both. She chattered about the servants who came with the nobles and always had some gossip to share.

Valentinian was excused from the meetings. He found them tedious and preferred to stay in his rooms, playing games with Claudia, while Honoria complained loudly that no one took any notice of her.

On the last morning of the audiences, the chamber was as crowded as ever. Aurelia gave some documents to me.

“A particularly exciting collection today,” she whispered. Only the most junior or insignificant visitors remained on the schedule.

“We will welcome them, nonetheless, and make them feel important,” I said.

Aurelia nodded. “Of course,” she agreed, and gestured to the chamberlain to bring in the first visitor.

The doors to the chamber opened and four guards accompanied a tall, fair-haired man into the room. He was wearing the uniform of a general and his bearing was remarkably erect and graceful. His features were even and handsome, his eyes dark, and he wore a good-humored smile, like that of a youth who knows that he will be made welcome by a group of admiring maidens.

Prevented from approaching too closely by my bodyguards, he bowed deeply in front of me. A hum of voices filled the room and with a jolt of shock, I recognized him. It was Aetius. His name had not been on my visitor list.

“Aetius,” I said, after a long pause in which the crowd fell silent. “ I am surprised to see you here today.”

Someone shouted ‘traitor’ and everyone began talking at once.

I raised my hand. “Silence,” I said. “Aetius has shown either great courage or excessive imprudence in coming here. We should listen to what he has to say.”

Aetius moved closer to the table where I sat with several senior senators, and saluted us all. His movements were precise yet fluid, as though choreographed, and I found myself mesmerized by him. It appeared that the rest of the court was as well. The room had become so still and quiet that it seemed no one was even drawing breath.

“I’ve come to explain my part in the recent events involving Johannes, if you will allow me to.”

“Explain?” I asked with ice in my voice. “I hardly imagine we need much explanation for something so obvious.”

He bowed his head slightly but his eyes still flashed when he raised his face to mine again.

“To explain and also to apologize,” he said. He paused and I nodded for him to continue.

He turned to face the dignitaries who sat on benches facing him. He had a handsome profile, and I noticed how his blonde hair curled against his neck.

“I’ll be brief and I appreciate your patience.”

He turned back to face me.

“Your Imperial Highness, it’s been many years since we first met, as hostages of the Goths,” he said. “Since that time, our paths have diverged greatly. After King Ataulf freed me, I worked for a while in the court in Ravenna, in the offices of Johannes, who was then the chief notary. However, the work did not suit me and I went back into military service. Shortly afterwards, I was captured by the Huns.”

“Yes, yes, we know all this,” shouted one senator. “But how does that explain your despicable behavior in bringing the Huns against the Roman army?”

Aetius nodded politely in the direction of the senator. “Sir, I was in Rome tending to my sick father when I heard about the departure of her Imperial Highness for Constantinople. I’d hoped one day to cross paths with her again. When the Emperor Honorius died shortly afterwards, and there was no sign of an obvious successor, I had an idea. It was a selfish one, I admit freely, but it had merit too. I’d raise the next Emperor to the throne, earn his gratitude and be in a position to give the Huns the titles and lands they demanded as a reward for not attacking Italia– something that they constantly threaten to do.”

The room erupted in shouts. I gestured for Aetius to continue. Soon everyone fell silent, enthralled by the story and the sound of his voice.

“I met up with Johannes again. We talked about likely contenders for the throne, in the absence of her Imperial Highness. He thought perhaps I would put my name forward but I convinced him that his would be the better claim.”

“The rest, you know.” he said bowing his head. “When Johannes heard of the counter claim from Constantinople in favor of Valentinian, he was furious and determined to fight. I offered him the assistance of the Huns and brought them to defend him against the forces of Aspar and Felix.

“What can I say? The Huns were fighting just for the money that Johannes paid them. The other side was fighting for the Augusta and her son and they fought bravely and they won. I’m deeply sorry for my actions. I haven’t slept since that time, grappling with my conscience and my regrets. I couldn’t rest until I could make my sincerest apologies and beg for forgiveness.”

No one moved or spoke. I took a deep breath and thought quickly. I could condemn Aetius to exile or to death for his actions. In an instant, I knew what I would do, but I would make him wait. He deserved to suffer for a while.

“I congratulate you, Aetius,” I said. “Your boldness in coming here has served you well. Your story has been heard by all and you’ve apologized most handsomely. But now you must await my decision on what is to become of you.”

The crowd groaned, impatient for a resolution. I held up my hand. “For now, we must attend to our other visitors and we’re late in meeting them. Tribune, please have Aetius escorted to safe quarters.”

Aetius executed another perfect salute and marched from the room with his head held high. The restless crowd shuffled and fidgeted through the meetings with the remaining unfortunate delegates who had no idea of the act they were following. Finally, the meeting closed and the courtiers swarmed out of the room, undoubtedly anxious to compare their views on Aetius and his surprising reappearance.

I leaned back in my throne, fanning myself as the room emptied. Aurelia and Marcus stayed behind.

“Well, what did you think of that charade?” I asked them.

“He’s very handsome,” said Aurelia.

Marcus raised an eyebrow at her and turned back to me. “What did you think?”

“I am inclined to forgive him. He could be very helpful to us, with his military skill and his control over the Huns. He’s popular enough, goodness knows, and some of the senators still seem to like him. We’ll have to keep a close eye on him but, now that Castinus is dead, we could make him Magister.”

“I think it’s a good idea,” agreed Marcus. “He’s built a reputation as a talented commander and the Huns will fight on behalf of the Empire for as long as he leads them.”

“He has to promise to keep his Huns in the north though. There is absolutely no possibility of their ever stepping on Imperial soil again. If he doesn’t agree, then there’s no deal.”

“I can convince him of that. I’ll talk to him and then you can hold a formal audience with him to discuss his title and remunerations.”

“Good. Thank you. Now both of you should rest and relax. Enjoy Rome. We’ve a great deal to accomplish but nothing that can’t wait for a day or two.”

Aurelia linked her arm through her husband’s. “That’s the invitation I’ve been waiting for,” she said. “I’m going to eat and sleep and enjoy the gardens.”

Marcus stood slowly, massaging his leg. “You’ve made an excellent start, Placidia.”

“Thank you, Marcus.”

I watched them leave the room and then I took the diadem from my head and looked at it. Its sparkling prettiness belied its weight. It was heavy in my hands and I felt the burden of it suddenly, the burden of protecting the Empire from the Huns and from all the other northern tribes who would try to tear it down.

But there would be time enough to worry about those things. I ran my finger over the blue sapphires and white pearls. Their colors reminded me of the fresco in the palace in Constantinople, of two white doves drinking from a blue bowl; the doves of hope and peace that would accompany me on my journey as Empress.

THE END

Visit my website: www.carriebedford.com for more background on Placidia and the Late Empire period.

For James, Madeleine and Charlotte

w
ith love

With special thanks to Shelley Singer, Mike Jacobs, Maryvonne Fent, Camille Cira, Annemarie Kramer, Michela Pasquali, Terry Jones,

and friends and family who provided critiques, suggestions, and infinite moral support.

Cover art by Madeleine Bairey