myself. What are you going to tell me? That I should pray? Do you think I haven't prayed all my life, you stupid..." Suddenly she turned her face away, tears wet on her blemished cheeks.
"I am considering what remedies there are, and which would be best," Anna said gently. Some form of intoxication would relieve the self-consciousness that prevented Eirene from allowing her passion or her anger to show and that had perhaps masked the laughter that could have made her less easy to read. It might even allow the sensuality that could have made her entertaining and just beyond Gregory's total reach. It would be a short-term answer, but what use was a long-term cure if she perished of misery now?
"I will give you an ointment to take away the heat," she said aloud.
"I don't care what it feels like, you fool!" Eirene shouted at her. "Can you see nothing, you-"
"And the redness," Anna finished calmly. Eirene needed her to understand, yet if she did, that would be intolerable also, another humiliation. "And an infusion to heal it from within, so it does not recur," she added. "For the suppuration you will just have to wait. I will wash them with a tincture I have prepared, and put on light bandages to keep them from rubbing."
Eirene looked taken aback, but she would not apologize. Physicians were like good servants; hardly equals. "Thank you," she said awkwardly.
Anna fetched clean water from one of the servants and dropped in a small measure of liquid from a little vial. The sharp aroma filled the air, but it was pleasant, invigorating. She began to wash each individual sore, working gently and slowly. She intended to be here as long as possible.
Since the last time she had been here, Demetrios's words had raced in her brain. It still seemed absurd, and she remembered his contempt with a heat of embarrassment. He had said the idea of usurping Michael was ridiculous. She knew that to succeed, one would have to overcome the Varangian Guard. Demetrios knew them, even had friends among them. It would not be possible. One would need to have the army with you. Antoninus was a soldier, he would know that. And the navy, and the merchants, which Justinian would know. His ever increasing business had been in such things.
One would need sound economic advice and access to the Treasury. Since then, Anna had learned that the lord of the Treasury was Eirene's cousin Theodorus Doukas, and they were close. Some people had suggested that at least part of his brilliance was actually Eirene's, her foresight, her genius with figures.
And what could the easy, charming Esaias Glabas do in such a plan? Was he cleverer than anyone supposed? And Helena? Was she a part of this plot or merely Bessarion's wife?
"They are not as deep as I had feared," Anna said, dabbing gently at one of the scars, cleaning away the suppuration. "I think it may heal over without leaving a mark. Last time I was here I spoke a little with Demetrios. He was most interesting."
"Really...," Eirene said with skepticism.
"I think so." Anna positioned the bandage, easing it smooth, and bound it lightly. "I'm told he has friends among the Varangian Guard." She bent to her work again.
"Yes," Eirene agreed, wincing as one of the worst sores was washed. "I think they are grateful that a man of Demetrios's rank should befriend them. Some noble families treat them less courteously. Not rudely so much as with indifference." She smiled bleakly. "Like a good servant."
"You mean Bessarion? Or Justinian Lascaris?"
"Justinian less so. Of course to Bessarion they were heathens, for the most part. Certainly those from the far north." She bit her lip, forcing herself not to pull away from the pain.
Anna affected not to notice. "Someone told me Esaias Glabas was talented. Is that true?"
"Good heavens, no!" Eirene said with contempt. "He could tell a story well, and he knew endless jokes, most of them unrepeatable in front of women. He could flatter, and keep his temper even when provoked."
Anna smiled. "You didn't like him." It was more an observation than a question.
"He is not dead," Eirene snapped. "At least not as far as I know. I think Demetrios would have mentioned it."
"They were friends?" Anna did not look up from her work.
"I suppose so. Esaias was really a companion of the emperor's son, Andronicus. They used to go riding together, and to the horse races. And of course drinking, gambling,