Return to Me - By Morgan O'Neill Page 0,29
plain speech.”
She looked at the court magicians, astrologers, and mathematicians standing nearby, who seemed to wither beneath her stare. “I am older than any alive, older even than Rome, for I hearken back to ancient days when men wore skins and cut their meat with sharp stones. I am a conjurer of dreams and nightmares. By my spells, a blood moon arose last October. Did they not tell you?” She pointed to the royal advisors. “It portended great change for you and your realm.”
Honorius recalled the lunar eclipse of the past autumn, when the moon had indeed turned red. His astrologers had assured him it was not an evil omen, but now he remembered it came just a few weeks before the news that Magnus and Gigiperrin had been spotted leaving Ravenna via the southern gate.
“You are late in the telling of this,” Honorius said. “Why?”
“I was far away at the time,” Dipsas answered. “Long has been my journey, but I have reached you at last. There is more, my lord. The blood moon to come, the March moon, shall be my doing as well.” She began to chant, “They are close, yet far, close, yet far.”
Honorius’s heart pounded. It was obvious she referred to Magnus and Gigiperrin.
“Behold!”
Honorius started as the hag raised her arms and again cried out, “Behold, behold! See what has been unleashed on Rome!”
A contingent of soldiers, led by a tall centurion, strode into the throne room.
Honorius gaped. Titus Africanus? He swayed and almost fell from his chair.
Africanus halted before the throne, tapped his chest with his arm, and then thrust it out in the Roman salute.
Honorius saw the centurion’s gaze stray to Dipsas, but the man quickly regained his focus and bowed his head, in deference to his emperor.
“Africanus, what brings you here?” Honorius asked.
“A thousand pardons, Serenissimus — ”
“Come!” Dipsas interrupted, beckoning the other soldiers forward. “All of you, come! Show the emperor what you have found!”
Honorius felt his blood roil. Audacious bitch! They are not hers to command! She would die for this outrage, her powers be damned.
He stood and addressed Africanus, “What has happened? We had explicit instructions for you to pursue our enemies.”
“Your Majesty,” he replied, still keeping his gaze fixed on the floor. “General Constantius gave me direct orders to return here with the discoveries.”
A hot rush of excitement surged through Honorius’s veins. For the first time, he noticed the soldiers held bundles, wrapped in heavy cloth. “What have you found, Africanus?”
The centurion looked up. “Objects that belonged to Quintus Magnus and his wife, Gigiperrin.”
“Belonged?” Honorius felt crushing disappointment, for he had wanted to kill them himself. “Are you telling us they are already dead?”
“No, my lord. They are alive. When last I heard, they were still on the run. I have brought their things, that which was found on one of their horses. The beast went astray and we found it.”
Honorius stared at the centurion, considering. Why would Constantius bother him by sending Africanus back here with their things? There had to be some new threat …
“You must rid yourself of them once and for all, Great One,” Dipsas interjected. “You will need my help to do this.”
Honorius turned. The hag stood taller, her back straighter than before. At that moment, he swore he saw double flashes of light in her left eye, little gleams of triumph.
He sat on his throne chair. She was interesting, and he guessed her power was great. She might be a boon to his plans.
He would let her live.
• • •
Africanus knelt before his emperor. Weary from his long journey, yet excited to display his discoveries, he ignored the audacious old woman and began, “Venerabilis!” He hesitated, then carefully modulated his voice, “O most noble and praiseworthy Emperor Honorius, I humbly request that you empty this hall of all but your most trusted advisors, keeping only those with expertise in the scientific and magical arts.”
Honorius rubbed his chin, and then dismissed the entire assemblage, with the exception of four older men and the strange woman.
“You may rise,” Honorius said, once the room was cleared.
Africanus got to his feet and commanded his soldiers to place the wrapped objects on the floor directly before the throne. “As you have heard,” he said, “Quintus Magnus left Ravenna some two months past, dressed as a legatus.” With a sweep of his hand, he indicated the object closest to him. “Of course, we know that by your order he lost the rank and great honor of being a legatus