No, the good news was that they were obviously alive and well.
The second letter, written by his wife’s well-known, careful writing, had only briefly reported what had happened, apparently under the strict editorship of those who had abducted her. They all lived, were well-cared for, were uninjured, but trapped in an unknown place.
And they would, as their kidnapper had told her, continue to remain in good health, and even be brought back to the Prefect’s villa, if the latter only behaved as Maximus Magnus wanted. And this well-being, Modestus could read, had something to do with the way in which preparations for the Saarbrücken’s visit to Constantinople went.
Modestus read the two letters again and again. He probably didn’t want to believe what was written there. He looked for a way out in those words, but the door remained closed.
He stared out the window, unable to think for a few minutes. Of course, he felt torn between his patriotic duties and the love and care for his family. Then he wondered what was the most important thing for him at his age, the priority in a life whose autumn had already passed and whose winter had already begun for quite some time. How long would the Lord leave him in his place? Another year or two? And what was he going to do? What was of importance? His honor as Prefect and servant of the Empire, or the life of his daughter and his wife, who had been loyal to him for so many decades?
Domitius Modestus stared out the window for a long time. The two letters had long since fallen from his tired hand and lay on the ground as he sighed and lifted them again.
He had made his decision. With that, he felt better.
48
Diderius peered into the cloudy shimmer of the lamp. The Lord was in support of his cause, there was no doubt. It was pitch-dark, and the torches and lamps, as numerous as they were, barely illuminated the streets and alleys of the settlement of the time-wanderers. He knew it very well now, knew about various hidden approaches, had learned where the guards were doing their patrols. He was well prepared, very excellently so, and therefore full of courage.
He had spent another night of love with the naive and not-hard-to-please Flavia. Then, when she had fallen asleep with a smile, he had left his house, the key of the ugly woman in the pocket. Flavia had told him where the fresh supplies had been landed, and he was ready to prepare for the great day when Maximus’s troops stood before Ravenna. Then he would have to act. Diderius was a clever man. He placed great emphasis on detailed preparations and reluctantly left anything to chance.
So he did an exercise. He would not pass the poison tonight. But every movement, every step should be perfect. He would soon no longer need Flavia. Her fate didn’t trouble him. If all was done, he would leave Ravenna quickly. Everything was prepared for this too.
Diderius was a thorough man.
He entered the dark backyard of the canteen where Flavia was working, and listened. Nothing stirred. A couple of stray cats scuttled past the trash, but no human soul could be seen. The watchmen came here, too, but not more than twice a night, and they didn’t spend too long here either. The first tour was already over. Diderius had time.
He felt secure as he moved. He had been very observant about the environment, in the daylight, every time he had picked up a happy and joyful Flavia after her shift.
Diderius was a thorough man.
His right foot stepped on something soft. There was a squeaky sound as the sandal fell into something sticky. Food remnants, no doubt. Diderius didn’t want to think about what he had touched. The uncomfortably moist feeling between the sole and the foot excited almost as much nausea in him as the sight of the naked, voluptuous Flavia. So everything fit together. But it didn’t matter. Diderius had some spare sandals in the little bag he wore around his shoulder. He was ready.
He was a very thorough man indeed.
He had arrived at the back door, secured with a mighty lock. He took the key he had stolen from Flavia and tried to use it. A perfect fit. Carefully, he turned the heavy key; it clicked and the lock was open. If he wanted, he could open the door now and have access to the kitchen and the storage room.
Soon, he exhorted himself. Not tonight, but soon.
He turned the key again, this time in the other direction. It clicked. The lock was closed. He pulled the key out. Enough for the night.
He turned and breathed deeply. That was perfect. Everything was ready.
Then he saw a light approaching. A small oil lamp only, a weak glimmer.
He narrowed his eyes, tried to recognize something. A mighty figure appeared indistinctly. Heavy, safe steps. No caution, no hesitation.
“Hello Didi!”
Flavia’s voice!
Diderius flinched, involuntarily taking a step back.
“But … but … dearest …”
“Ah. Yes. I forgot.”
A fast movement. A sharp, brutal pain. He looked down at himself, saw a heavy, big meat knife in his belly, led by a heavy, reddish hand.
“Do not worry, Didi,” he heard Flavia’s voice. “I’m a professional!”
Then she opened his guts with the strength and efficiency of a butcher. When the man’s body sank to the ground, his eyes gazing gloomily into the skies, she let the knife lie beside him. She bent down, tore the purse from his side, and put it to the other belongings she had plundered from her former lover’s dwelling.
Of course, a year ago, when she’d taken the place as a kitchen aid, her hope had been to spy on some rich officers to be able to lay hands on their valuables. Or time-wanderers, with their magical equipment. There was a market for this.
But now the ground was too hot for her. Maximus came. War was not good for business. It was time to leave, despite all the painstaking preparations. For now, what she could plunder from Diderius had to suffice. After all, it was enough to provide her with proper supplies for several months.
Flavia laughed and pushed a strand of hair from her full face. Men were fools.
This one had at least tried hard in bed. A nice toy that considered himself a great conspirator.
He had not been thorough enough.
And now she had even done the time-wanderers, yes, the Empire a favor. In her pouch, besides the gold of Didi, she found the package with the poison.
They had always treated her decently, despite her lowly status. It didn’t hurt to leave a present before departure. On the other hand …
Who knows, Flavia thought, when she turned away to disappear into the night.
Who knows, perhaps she still had use for this special parcel.
To the bleeding corpse behind her, she gave no more thought.
She had to hold on to herself in order not to whistle happily.
Register of persons
Aurelius Africanus: Roman Trierarch
Ambrosius of Milan: Roman Bishop
Andragathius: Roman General
Aurelia: a slave
Peter Behrens: Infantry NCO
Gebre Berhan: Governor of Adulis
Bertius: Roman legionary
Claudia: slave of Julia
Martinus Caius: Son of a Roman businessman
Johann Dahms: Chief engineer of the Saarbrücken
Diderius: a conspirator
Erminius: King of the Quadians
Josef Feldmann: Medic
Flavia: a cook
Godegisel: gothic nobleman
Dietrich Joergensen: First officer of the Saarbrücken
Julia: daughter of the Marcus Gaius Michellus
Harald Köhler: NCO of the Saarbrücken
Klaus Langenhagen: Officer of the Saarbrücken
Levantus Roman: centurion
Magnus Maximus: Governor of Britain
Malobaudes: Roman General
Marcus Gaius Michellus: Roman senator
Mehadeyis: Emperor of Aksum
Dr. Hans Neumann: Physician of the Saarbrücken
Ouazebas: designated heir to the throne of Aksum
Petronius: a priest
Pina:
friend of Godegisel
Marcus Flovius Renna: Roman military prefect
Jan Rheinberg: Captain and Magister Militium
Richomer : Roman officer
Septimus Secundus: Roman NCO
Markus Tennberg: Ensign on the Saarbrücken and deserter
Flavius Theodosius: Emperor of Rome
Thomas Volkert: Roman Decurion
Klaus von Geeren: Infantry officer and company commander
Johann Freiherr von Klasewitz: former First officer of the Saarbrücken and deserter
The Emperor's Men 4: Uprising Page 27
