The Curse of Babylon

Author:Richard Blake [Richard Blake]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Historical
ISBN: 9781848947054
Google: 1x46AgAAQBAJ
Amazon: B00GU2THW4
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Published: 2013-08-01T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter 37

After the slightest pause, Shahin spoke. ‘My dearest Timothy,’ he called, ‘it is an absolute treat to see you again.’ He giggled, and there was the firm smack of a kiss I was rather glad I didn’t have to see.

‘Cousins?’ Eunapius asked. ‘How can you be cousins?’ I heard the scrape of a chair. Had Eunapius sat down in shock?

Timothy laughed. I heard the groan of a chair beneath his immense bulk. ‘My dear Eunapius,’ he said with pitying contempt, ‘that question disproves the whole claim you keep making that you are one of us. Beneath the squabbles of our rulers, the governing classes of both empires are really one big happy family. We’ve been marrying each other since time out of mind. You really aren’t one of us. Like our current Emperor, you’re a man from the provinces. If we have so far allowed you and your associate to speak for us, I am here to tell Shahin that our patience is worn out. From now on, I will deal with the Persians. You will take my orders.’ His voice brightened. ‘Be in no doubt, Shahin, that I speak for the old nobility. Whatever Eunapius has told you is probably wishful thinking.’

‘Would you care to elaborate on this?’ Shahin asked, a scowl in his voice.

‘Well,’ said Timothy, ‘I think we can rule out Nicetas as next Emperor. This little provincial here may have been telling you the same as he’d told us – that the Emperor’s cousin is in the plot. From what I saw of his behaviour this evening, he’s as ignorant of things as young Alaric was until yesterday. And Alaric, I have reason to believe, is a couple of days at most from rumbling us all. We never wanted Nicetas. We’ve now decided that we’ll not lift a finger to make him Emperor.

‘But it’s all arranged!’ Eunapius cried, horror in his voice. ‘You can’t go back on your word.’

Timothy cut straight in. ‘Do correct me if I’m wrong, dear boy, but I was under the impression that Nicetas was to lead the revolution. You never told me he’d have to be dragged squealing from behind a curtain, like Claudius after Caligula got it in the neck.’ He laughed. ‘Do try to see reason. When you change emperors, it’s a good idea to make a clean sweep. Now I mention Claudius, wasn’t his first act to round up and kill everyone who’d been in the plot against his nephew? Don’t suppose Nicetas will stay grateful longer than it takes to drape the Purple about his shoulders. Even if he doesn’t have the heads off our shoulders, the armies may not obey him. Also, he’d never dare get rid of Sergius as Patriarch, or purge Alaric’s men from the upper reaches of the Church.’ He laughed again. ‘These are general considerations, I know. But after tonight’s display of underlying concord between him and Alaric, we’re not having Nicetas.’

‘So, who is to be next Emperor?’ Shahin asked. ‘We’ll need someone to seal the peace agreement.

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