The beast in the labyrin.., p.38
The Beast in the Labyrinth, page 38
Before long, I had attracted a noisy following of small, olive-skinned boys, who ran after my horse, imploring me to show them my captain’s sword. The only thing that differentiated it from any other army sword was its silver pommel. But the boys were fascinated, nonetheless. Whatever other treasures lay hidden within their homes, family armour and weapons were probably not among them: without citizenship, their fathers would have been excluded from military service. I eventually brought the horse to a halt and tried to buy the boys off by holding out a bronze coin to the largest, a lad of maybe eight or nine years. He thanked me politely, but declined, and then produced two bronze coins of his own, which he cheekily promised to give me if I would let him hold the weapon. I laughed, but I felt uncomfortable. For some reason, I couldn’t bring myself to show them the blade. Instead, I put my heels to the horse’s flanks and cantered off with a wave, feeling like a coward abandoning the field and leaving the boys staring forlornly after me.
Leander proved difficult to track down, as he was moving about the district himself, conscientiously checking on his men. I eventually found him at the Achradina wall, by an ancient gate tower that gave access to the charred remains of Upper Tyche.
“Anything to report, Lieutenant?” I asked, without dismounting.
“Nothing really so far, sir. Half a dozen drunks from Neapolis were already wandering around the streets when we arrived, shouting abuse at everyone and looking for a fight, but one of the locals told me that’s nothing unusual. We chased them away, and there’s been no trouble since. But the people seem pretty grateful we’re here, sir. They keep sending their slaves out with funny little cakes for the men. Rather tasty, actually.”
I nodded grimly.
“That’s good. You’ve done well, Leander. But I’m afraid I have new orders for you. Keep the men here tonight, then return to the palace. You’re to withdraw everyone from North Achradina at dawn.”
He looked at me uncertainly.
“But sir, are you sure? Just because there hasn’t been any trouble yet…”
“Shut up, Lieutenant, and do as you’re told. I’ll see you back at the palace tomorrow. Understood?”
“Yes, sir,” he said, and instinctively snapped out a salute. He tried to keep his expression blank, but he couldn’t stop his face turning white. The rebuke had stung him, coming on top of the disappointment of losing his first command within just a few hours of receiving it.
I had no sympathy for him; he needed to grow up. The whole kingdom seemed to be swirling around the lip of the whirlpool, and I was in no mood to worry about his bruised feelings.
Several of my men were standing nearby. I beckoned Leander to come closer and leant down in the saddle to whisper to him.
“Find their priest, Lieutenant. He’s called Tabnit. Tell him I sent you. Warn him there’s going to be trouble tomorrow. His people need to keep their children indoors, and their doors bolted. But he didn’t hear it from you. Tell him to say he had a vision or something.”
“Yes sir,” he replied. He looked up at me and seemed about to ask a question, then sensibly changed his mind.
I nodded curtly to him and turned the horse around. As I headed back towards the palace, I told myself that I had done what I could. But I still felt like a coward.
*
When I got back to my rooms, I found Agbal waiting for me alone. He helped me out of my armour, and then I sent him over to the treasury, to ask if they could prepare me a summary of the North Achradina census. The treasury occupied an entire range of the great courtyard and seemed to be run primarily for the convenience of those who worked within it. I gave Agbal my ring to ensure that he wasn’t ignored. When he had gone, I settled myself down at the large table in the sitting room, and started drawing up a plan for the deportation of the Carthaginians.
I had not been at my miserable task for more than a few minutes when Alpha and Omega returned, laden with shopping and the gossip of the streets. They could barely stop gabbling in their excitement, but nothing they had to say lightened my mood. The people were apparently lapping up the slop that Aristo and his wife had fed them on my mother’s behalf. Whoever was behind the attempt on her life, had only succeeded in elevating her from a minor phenomenon into an object of near veneration. In the fish market, Alpha happily told me, they were already calling her the People’s Priestess. If the king had been mildly irritated by my mother in the past, she probably felt like a boil on his neck now. She certainly felt like a boil on mine.
I made an effort to put her out of my mind. I would find out soon enough what Hieron intended to do with her.
Agbal eventually returned, to tell me someone at the treasury had promised him that the census information would be ready to collect by the end of the following day.
*
About an hour after dawn, I presented myself at the audience chamber. Two men of the Royal Watch, whom I had come to recognise, but whose names I didn’t know, admitted me into the gloomy room. I was the first to arrive. A pair of stools had been placed directly in front of the dais, facing Hieron’s throne.
I had been kicking my heels for about five minutes when the doors were opened again and my mother walked in. With appropriate if insincere modesty, she had dressed in black from head to foot and wore a veil. Two large men in black-plumed helmets of about my age accompanied her into the room.
“Ah, Dion, there you are,” she said, without any obvious enthusiasm. She lifted her veil to embrace me. “Let me introduce you to my new bodyguards. This one is Medon and this is Phidias. Boys, this is my son, Dion.”
The two men saluted me and I nodded in acknowledgement. I could see at once they were hard, experienced men.
“Aren’t they strapping fellows?” my mother continued. “I cannot tell you, Dion, what a relief it is to have them around. I don’t think I’ve ever felt safer in my life.”
She turned and beamed at them.
“What a credit you both are to your parents. Your mothers must be so proud of you.”
The one called Medon smiled nervously and Phidias began to blush.
“Dion, Medon’s parents live in one of our houses in Temenites. Apparently the roof leaks. Tell your lawyer to sort it out, would you? I’ll have my secretary send him the address. And seeing how their son is risking his life to protect me, I really think you should waive the rent.”
“Lady Korinna,” Medon stammered, “you promised you wouldn’t say anything…”
“Oh, don’t be so silly,” my mother gushed. “It’s the least we can do.”
“I’m sorry, sir,” Medon said, turning to me, “but please understand I couldn’t accept anything like that. It wouldn’t look right. Not that I’m ungrateful to the Lady Korinna for asking you.”
He looked at her sheepishly.
“I understand,” I said.
“Oh well,” my mother said with a warm smile, “perhaps we can find some other way to show our appreciation to you both. I’m sure I’ll think of something.”
I was sure she would. Medon and Phidias exchanged an embarrassed glance. Hard and experienced they may have been, but they were no match for my mother.
“Sir,” said Phidias, nodding towards the dais. I turned and saw that the door behind Hieron’s chair had been opened by a slave.
“Come on, Mother,” I said.
She lowered her veil again and followed me to the two stools. We stood silently in front of them waiting for the king to appear. I was certainly nervous, but if my mother shared my apprehensions, nothing in her manner betrayed the fact. I hoped she wasn’t trusting in her kinship to Hieron to win him over. Her own mother, Archimedes’ sister, had been one of the king’s many cousins. It was at best a remote connection, and all the more tenuous for depending on an entirely female line.
The king finally shuffled in on the arms of two other guards, who helped him slowly into his throne. We respectfully bowed.
Hieron gazed down at us with his usual blank expression.
“Sit,” he said finally. “Now, leave us, everyone, and close the doors behind you.”
*
When the three of us were alone, the king leant his elbows on the arms of his chair, pressed his fingertips together and smiled thinly.
“It’s been many years, Korinna,” he said. “I’m delighted to see you escaped your recent ordeal unharmed. I don’t know what the city would do without you.”
“I am touched by your concern, Your Majesty,” my mother replied.
“Tell me, would you mind lifting your veil, please? Ah yes… Thank you. It is indeed you. Forgive me, but from what I hear, one can’t be too careful… If I may say so, my dear, you’ve barely aged a day. Dion is clearly neglecting his responsibilities. Surely he could have found you a suitable new husband by now? You’d still make a splendid catch for some lucky fellow, you know.”
“You are too kind, my King. But if Your Majesty has summoned us here to express an interest in marriage, I think you really must address yourself to my son.”
Hieron raised his eyebrows, and then he grinned.
“Well, that’s certainly an idea. What a pair we’d make, eh?”
My mother bowed her head.
“So, shall we get down to business?” Hieron said.
“I am at your disposal, Your Majesty.”
“Yes. Indeed you are, Korinna… Now, I have asked you here because I wish to consult you about the will of the goddess. I gather that this is a subject on which you are remarkably well informed.”
“I serve the goddess as best I can, my King,” she replied.
“I am sure you do. So tell me, Korinna, do you believe that Athena approves of my alliance with Rome?”
“Your Majesty, you have ruled here for over fifty years, and have brought the kingdom peace and prosperity. What could be more proof of the goddess’s favour?”
“So you believe that my policies reflect the will of Athena?”
“I am sure of it, Your Majesty. You have always been most respectful of the temple. The goddess knows you serve her, and so I imagine whatever policies you pursue must serve her too.”
“And tell me, Korinna, do you believe that it is also the goddess’s wish that Gelon should succeed to the throne when I am dead?”
“Undoubtedly, my King. Indeed, I myself was recently blessed by a visit from the goddess in a dream, when she as much as told me so… And I pray that she will bless our next High Priestess with visions of equal clarity.”
“I see. But even if the goddess favours my house today, how can I be certain that she will not change her mind tomorrow?”
My mother smiled.
“Athena is steadfast in her love, my King. She is not fickle like some other Olympians. That is why I have devoted myself to her service. Steadfastness is the virtue I prize above all others. Once I have given my word, I never break it. Ask anyone who knows me.”
“And I believe you, my dear. Indeed I do. You are famous for your many remarkable qualities. In fact, I was rather hoping you might succeed poor Delia yourself. It would make the people so very happy, and I do like to see my people happy. I gather they’re even calling you ‘the People’s Priestess’ these days… I wonder who coined that phrase… It’s such a pity you have decided to rule yourself out of consideration. I don’t suppose there’s any way I might persuade you to change your mind?”
“If it is Your Majesty’s wish that I allow my name to go forward, then of course, I must put my duty to you and the people above my own comfort.”
She inclined her head again, but I noticed she could not resist a little smirk of triumph. And it seemed all her victory had cost her was a worthless undertaking not to cause the king any headaches.
“That is terribly noble of you, Korinna. I am so pleased.”
The king smiled down at her. And then his eyelids flickered, and he licked his lip, and I felt something inside my stomach turn.
“Unfortunately, my dear,” he continued, “I am afraid there is just one small problem.”
“Is there, Your Majesty?” my mother replied cautiously.
“Yes, I am afraid so. I am rather worried that your past may prove to be something of an embarrassment to you.”
“How so, Your Majesty?”
“Well, though I blush to admit it, it appears that the secretary of my agricultural inspectorate was corrupt. Of course, every little farmer in the kingdom probably bribes his local inspector: I doubt anyone really pays the full tithes. But you can imagine my disappointment to discover that the man I had trusted to oversee the entire system was taking bribes himself. Although in his case, it would appear that the only people from whom he took them was your family… But then, I suppose few other families own – what is it? – seven estates, I believe? How very sensible to strike a deal directly with the man at the top, instead of trying to negotiate with seven local officials separately. I’m surprised none of the other nobles thought of it… In any event, it seems that this secretary of mine bought a tenement block from you early last year, at a fraction of its true value. I have to say, that sounds like an awful lot of neglected tithes to me, Korinna. And this occurred while, as we all know, you were running your family’s business affairs yourself.”
My mother looked at Hieron warily, but she didn’t seem to be thrown.
“Your Majesty, I am shocked, but I am afraid I have no knowledge of this at all. We employed a steward to manage our affairs. It is true that he often asked my advice, but he certainly didn’t consult me about everything. I am merely a woman, after all. He always struck me as an honest man, but I suppose it is possible I was deceived. Maybe our steward had some arrangement of his own with this secretary? I only wish we could ask him for an explanation. Unfortunately, he recently died.”
“And alas, Korinna, by a strange coincidence, the secretary of my agricultural inspectorate recently died too.”
“That is most unfortunate, Your Majesty. So perhaps we will never know the truth of this?”
“Perhaps not. But I suppose at least my man got the punishment he deserved. Some ruffians knifed him to death in the street. A slave girl by an open window overheard his attackers talking. She says they spoke a language that she didn’t recognise. I wonder if it might have been Galatian… Of course, were you to become High Priestess, you would in any event be inviolate. No court could touch you.”
“And being quite innocent of any wrongdoing, Your Majesty, I am sure no court would condemn me anyway. It seems I may have made the mistake of trusting a dishonest man, but did Your Majesty not make the same mistake himself, in trusting your secretary? Of course, if our family steward was guilty of any impropriety, it goes without saying that the House of Dionysius would wish to compensate the Royal Treasury for whatever tithes may have been lost. I imagine my son would regard it as a matter of family honour. Perhaps Your Majesty could arrange for an estimate of the amount to be sent to Dion’s lawyer?”
The king nodded.
“Your integrity is a credit to your family, Korinna. I shall be sure to do that. But perhaps I have not explained our little problem quite as clearly as I should have. You see, there must have been a deed transferring the ownership of that building to my official. And that deed must have had a seal on it. And as you obviously do not have a seal of your own, I fear we must assume it was Dion’s.”
I turned to stare at my mother. She bit her lip.
“You do see the problem, don’t you, Korinna?” Hieron said sadly.
My mother stayed silent.
“Of course,” Hieron continued, “were you to become High Priestess, it would be a huge relief to me to know that you would always be protected from any unjust accusations by your office. But Dion wouldn’t be, would he? And he has so many enemies. I would hate to think what might happen, if that deed ever fell into the hands of a man like Zoippos, for instance. You may not be aware of this, Korinna, but the penalty for the corruption of a public official is the forfeiture of all one’s personal property. Every house, every ship, every slave. Down to the very last gold plate. I have to say, it does sound quite excessive, but that, alas, is the law. As you know, I have come to hold Dion in the highest regard. It would break my heart if such a calamity were ever to be visited on his head, as a consequence of the past or future misjudgements of others.”
My mother glared at him. She was thinking hard.
“My King,” I said, “I don’t understand. I had no part in any of this. What on earth am I guilty of?”
“My dear boy,” he replied benevolently, “in the eyes of the gods, you are guilty of absolutely nothing. Apart, perhaps, from having been neglectful of your duties as head of your family. Unfortunately, in the eyes of the law, if your seal is on that document, then you are responsible for it. But maybe on this occasion, it would be best if you let your mother do the talking?”
“Your Majesty,” she said carefully after a moment, “you say you ‘assume’ the seal was Dion’s. Do I take it that this document, if it even exists, cannot be produced?”
“There you are, you see, Dion, your mother has asked exactly the right question… And to answer it, Korinna, apparently all records of the sale went missing from the public notary’s office some time ago. An administrative error of some sort, I imagine. No one seems to know what happened to them. I doubt they will ever turn up again, so perhaps we have nothing to worry about. What do you think?”
I noticed my mother’s hands were trembling slightly. She looked down at them and clasped them together.
“Your Majesty,” she said quietly, “my son is devoted to you. He has just saved the city from being burnt to the ground. Surely you would seek to protect him…?”
