by Albert Noyer
“Rioting could spread to other Delta communities,” Abinnaeus warned. “You know that Alexandrians are always ready to take to the streets. Consider the murder of Hypatia two decades ago, the destruction of synagogues in the Judeans’ quarter, their property seized and Hebrews expelled…” He looked toward Getorius for support. “Surgeon, as a Latin you should be impartial. How is such a situation handled at Ravenna?”
“Closing of pagan temples? Bishop Chrysologos allows a small Isis complex to remain open, which is hardly a threat to civic order. A much greater danger is the warriors flooding in from Germania.”
“Barbarians are bought off here.” The governor pushed aside his untouched plate of food. “Very well, Bishop. Tomorrow I will order the temple barred and the crocodile enclosure destroyed. Pray that this may this be carried out in a peaceful manner.”
“Deus vult,” Eusebios assured him. “God wills it.”
Just outside the dining room, two men were heard arguing.
Paulos vainly attempted to hold Nepheros back by his cloak, but the secretary shook him off and burst into the room. “Holiness! Prefect! Shandi, the Kushite woman’s brother, just told me that Nestorios will attempt to escape from exile at Hebet. He intends to rally his followers at Hormos and insist that Patriarch Cyril call another council at Alexandria to discuss his ‘heresy’!”
Eusebios threw down the spoon. “Such councils are always contentious! Prelates are threatened, riots erupt in the streets. How much more dissension can our Holy Church endure?”
CHAPTER XIII
Each man fell silent, attempting to fathom these dire consequences of the secretary’s announcement. Despite three banishments, Nestorios kept arising anew like the legendary phoenix. His teachings attracted increasing numbers of followers, especially in Mesopotamia. His challenge to orthodoxy could finally split the Egyptian Church from a Constantinople politically weakened by the palace intrigues of Chrysaphios, who virtually controlled Theodosius. Field armies in the provinces would choose sides: more than once in the past, legionaries had elected their own commanders as emperors.
Getorius broke the stunned silence. “Shandi is still here? He said he was returning to Hormos.”
Abinnaeus also roused himself. “When we delayed him at Pennuta’s apartment, the coach left for Clysma before he could board. Nepheros, where did he go?”
“Excellency, to see Papnouthios at the hospital. Shandi brings him medicines and plants from India.”
Eusebios said, “Nepheros, sit at the table. Why did Shandi come to you with this information about the heretic?”
“Holiness, he came to ask for additional information about his sister’s death.”
Abinnaeus questioned the Kushite youth’s concern. “Pennuta didn’t like him because he had sold her into slavery, so why this sudden interest in her death?”
Nepheros replied quietly, “Shandi told me that…that Pennuta was pregnant.”
“What?” Shaken by a real possibility, the governor demanded, “When did he learn about this?”
“From his sister before she…she was murdered.”
“Wait.” Getorius recalled, “Shandi told us that he had not gone to see her.”
Abinnaeus smacked a fist against his palm. “Of course! I see what happened! I asked him to return my cape, so he had to have gone to Pennuta’s lodgings. He intends to have me blamed for her murder and must have insisted on seeing where we…we―”
“About the temple closing,” Nepheros interrupted, to cover the prefect’s awkward hesitation in mentioning the secret room. “Shall I draw up written orders?”
“Yes…yes, do that, please. I…I forget the name of the tribune temporarily commanding the garrison.”
“Orestes, an Alexandrian.”
“Have Orestes act before dawn tomorrow. He’s to post a guard company throughout the day and alert a cohort.” Abinnaeus turned to Eusebios. “Will that satisfy you, Bishop?”
The clergyman fingered his pectoral cross and scowled. “Prefect, I also insist that your physician’s satanic ‘hospital’ be closed.”
“Satanic? I thought you and Papnouthios had an agreement.”
“I…I did allow him dissection in cases where the results would advance medical knowledge, but these…these persistent rumors of experiments on live victims are upsetting.”
Abinnaeus asked, “Surgeon, you went there. Did you witness anything at the hospital that would be against a physician’s Oath of Hippocrates?”
“To abstain from doing what is harmful to patients?” How much can I admit and not alienate Papnouthios? “Sir, I…I did see procedures I would not condone for myself.”
“Very well, Bishop, we’ll inspect the hospital in the morning, and then I’ll decide.”
Nepheros brought up the latest problem. “His Holiness is rightly concerned about the escape of Nestorios, and, of course, proving the falsity of the Kashat papyrus.”
“True,” Eusebios confirmed. “In two days I should receive instructions or even a person whom Patriarch Cyril sends here to examine the document.”
Nepheros stood up. “Bishop, Excellency, I should go back to the pretorium.”
“Yes, write up those orders. I’ll come sign them after I speak with the bishop a bit more.”
Getorius pushed back his chair. “I should return with Nepheros and see how my wife is feeling.”
“Of course.” Eusebios arose and murmured a prayer, signifying the end of the meal. “May health be with her, Surgeon.”
Outside, the two men walked in silence until Getorius ventured, “Nepheros, may I confide to you my personal concerns with the Kashat papyrus?”
He clasped his shoulder. “Of course, Surgeon. I…I would be flattered.”
“I was called away by my wife’s illness and didn’t have time to examine the document very closely. Do you recall I mentioned that at Ravenna we exposed a forged papyrus, one purporting to be a last will and testament of Christ?”
“Indeed. What did you do to expose the forgery?”
“The palace librarian…Theokritos…conducted tests of the papyrus material itself…burning a section and comparing the ashes with those of a manuscript of the time. He also soaked pieces in various vitriol solutions to see their effect on the fibers.”
Nepheros commented, “Interesting, and the letter style should have been similar to that of the Kashat papyrus. Any competent scribe could have copied an original writing by, say, Catullus or Seneca.”
“Theokritos did exactly that by comparing the scripts.”
Nepheros smiled appreciation. “Perhaps we should send for this clever librarian.”
“Unfortunately, Theokritos was murdered by the forger.”
“Indeed a tragedy. Now, Surgeon, what are these concerns you wished to discuss?”
Eager to compare the secretary’s opinion with his, Getorius explained, “Several inconsistencies. For example, I noticed that when the cord was cut the papyrus sheet sprang open. Would a deteriorated, four-hundred-year-old manuscript have done so?”
“Then you believe the papyrus sheet was relatively new?”
“It would seem so.”
“What else, Surgeon?”
“The writing is in Latin and Greek. I recall from my tutor that Egypt was then an imperial province of Augustus Caesar, a direct possession. Greek had been the language of the country for three centuries, so would Latin have been spoken by a Kushite prince?”
“You’re suggesting someone wanted the papyrus read in our time?”
“Yes, to be read now. Tiberius was emperor when the prince died, yet the Augustan coins with AEGVPTO CAPTA as an inscription could have been homage to the founding emperor. They are not conclusive evidence.”
“Nor, as the bishop pointed out, is the mummy’s female gender.”
“And destroyed as it is, her mummy can offer no further clues. We’ll have to await that papyrology expert from Alexandria to evaluate authenticity.”
Nepheros stopped in m
id-step to look at Getorius and laugh. “Surgeon, no one will be sent. The Patriarch will order Bishop Eusebios to destroy the Kashat papyrus.”
“But…but that would be dishonest.”
“Indeed,” he smirked. “Surgeon, I must go to write out orders for that tribune.”
* * *
Getorius found Arcadia feeling better and was grateful that the physician-and-man-hating Agathe was not there attending to his wife.
As he bent to kiss her, she grasped his sleeve. “Husband, I think I’m resigned to never being completely well again.”
He squeezed her hand in sympathy. “Cara, the artemisia should abate the worst of your fever, but I’ll see if I can get the writings of Cornelius Celsus on medicine. He could have advice about a treatment.”
“The pretorium library might have his works. We could ask Nepheros.”
“Yes, and I spoke with him about some of my concerns with the Kashat papyrus.”
“And while you were away, I’ve had time to think about Pennuta’s murder.”
“Arcadia, the latest is that Shandi told Papnouthios his sister was pregnant, then informed Nepheros of the fact.”
“Pregnant? That certainly doesn’t help the governor’s defense.”
“I agree, after a magistrate eventually is told the circumstances of her death.”
Arcadia said, “I’m bothered by Dorothea’s dead kitten and the way the poor creature was killed.”
“Strangled and hung on her door handle does make it seem like an act of vengeance by Pennuta.”
“If the governor slept in his office as he claims, and Pennuta was able to kill the kitten ahead of time, it’s impossible that she could have entered by that panel door, made her way down the corridor to Dorothea’s room, hung Miu on the handle, then returned to the office and back down to that secret room―”
“You mean without the help of Abinnaeus.”
“Yes, yet it’s certain he would not kill Pennuta and then leave his cape over her body.”
“Shandi lied about visiting his sister and only finding out she was pregnant after he talked to her. This could be a Kushite honor killing on his part for disgracing the family.”
“Retribution?” Arcadia thought about the implication. “If so, that also could place Abinnaeus in danger for dishonoring Pennuta and her family by impregnating her.”
“Shandi knew full well she was the governor’s concubine, he’s the governor’s business partner. If Pennuta’s brother didn’t murder her, then the death would involve someone inside the pretorium.”
“That could be everyone we’ve met here…” Arcadia slipped out of bed and went to select a tunic from the wardrobe. “While I dress, tell me about the Kashat papyrus.”
“The main thing that bothers me is the Latin, which I don’t think would have been used in a Kushite record of that era. Whoever forged the papyrus wanted it to be read at the present time, when the main beneficiaries would be Nestorios and his followers.”
“Of course, in a plot to restore him to power and discredit orthodox teaching!”
“Arcadia, that’s the other unbelievable news. Shandi also told Papnouthios that he knew of a plan to help Nestorios escape exile and rally his followers at Myos Hormos.”
“Why would he tell the physician and not the bishop?”
“Exactly, and…and isn’t it a ‘coincidence’ that the papyrus came to light just as the deposed Patriarch of Constantinople is confined here in Egypt and not at the capital? If Nestorios does escape the monastery, he has accomplices and some of them may be at Pelusium.”
“Shandi came three days ago,” Arcadia recalled, “yet he knew about a plan to free Nestorios. Could he be a member of a Nestorian community at the port?”
“If so, this heresy has spread like…like a pestilence that physicians are unable to control.”
* * *
Sergius Abinnaeus came into his office, kicked off his boots, and slumped onto the couch.
Dorothea heard him and came into the chilly room, tightening a shawl around her shoulders while she asked in voice cold as the room, “Prefect, is that woman’s body still in that room?”
He replied without looking at her. “I…I would give Penn…Pennuta…a Kushite burial, if I knew how their priests conduct one.”
“You haven’t contacted a magistrate about the Serqet’s death, have you?”
He bolted upright. “I didn’t kill her, and for God’s sake don’t call her that name now or ever again!”
Dorothea ignored his angry outburst. “Nor did you inform a magistrate seven years ago, when our twin infant sons died.”
Abinnaeus slumped back and covered his eyes with a hand. “Don’t bring that up once again. Besides, they…they were left in Catilla’s care.”
“She was unwell that night, Prefect. I had asked you to look after them.”
“It is not a man’s―”
“They were not breathing when I returned,” she interrupted, red with renewed fury. “Papnouthios was there, doing the-saints-know-what with their small bodies. I disliked the man before that and have loathed him ever since.” When her husband remained silent, Dorothea accused him. “You were with the Kushite woman that night weren’t you? Your new slave. All of sixteen was she, Prefect?”
Abinnaeus put his hand down and glared at her. “And you, Dorothea, where were you? You’ve never adequately explained your absence that evening.”
She admitted in a chillingly calm voice, “I was with your secretary.”
“Nepheros?” Abinnaeus’s face flushed to a persimmon tint as he sprang up from the couch. “I…I’ll exile that bastard to…to our remotest penal colony in Libya Interior.”
“Exile? Prefect, what is the Church’s penalty for fornication?”
“I’ve confessed to Eusebios. He absolved my…my sin.”
“How convenient.”
Abinnaeus’s hand went to his belt knife. “I’ll find Nepheros and make him a eunuch!”
“Sergius, you’ll do no such thing.” Dorothea pulled a black leather book from beneath her shawl and held it up. “Sit down.”
He stared at the volume. “That’s my…my ledger! You took it from my desk.”
“Sit down,” she repeated, her hazel eyes threatening an unspoken warning. After he complied, Dorothea flipped through the vellum pages. “What interesting reading I found here. Smuggling priceless agaru bark in barrels of stone ballast. Pearls concealed in nutmeg seed casings…lavish payments to silence port officials.” She feigned surprise, “Oh, look, I see names of several magistrates here in Pelusium. No wonder, Sergius, that you want to meet your galleys as soon as they arrive.”
Abinnaeus leaned forward, his hands in fists, knuckles white, yet he controlled himself. “What do you want, Dorothea?”
“Want?” she snarled. “To leave this aptly named ‘mud-hole,’ where crocodiles are worshipped. I want to return to Alexandria where at least a semblance of our vaunted Roman civilization still exists.”
“I…I’m forced to dismiss Nepheros now.”
“Dismiss him, then!”
“I’ll have to resign as Prefect.”
“Resign.”
“Terminate my business dealings with Shandi.”
Dorothea gestured indifference with the wave of a hand. “Then terminate.”
“Fine…” Abinnaeus stood up, relaxed his fists, and held out a hand. “Carita, I’ll need my ledger.”
Dorothea’s set smile reflected her determination. “Caro, I am your new business partner and thus in charge of these records. I haven’t read them all, yet with the Kushite as your partner I’m sure illicit slave-trading is involved. Tell me what you need to know and I shall happily consult with you.” She tucked the ledger in her tunic sleeve and came around the desk to smile and take her husband’s arm. “Shall we have supper? I am quite famished.”
He stalled, “There…there’s Pennuta’s funeral to arrange and I must sign an order closing the Sobek temple. In the morning I�
�m inspecting Papnouthios’s hospital. Bishop Eusebios wants it closed.”
An annoyed scowl replaced Dorothea’s set smile. “Sergius, I think it is time that you paid more attention to your new partner. You may start by finding me another gray kitten.”
CHAPTER XIV
Tribune Orestes’s men, a winter garrison of reluctant, poorly trained peasant conscripts from local Delta villages, barred the temple doors in a November darkness that enabled them to carry out the governor’s order. No one in the vicinity interfered, since the men’s torchlight attracted only a few vagrants and drunken late-night tavern-goers. Orestes himself remained at the fort and sent a resentful centurion to carry out the prefect’s orders. He would inspect the temple closure after a leisurely morning repast.
Abinnaeus sulked through his breakfast, half-listening to Dorothea chatter on about the various breeds of cats that she might want to replace Miu. Arcadia, pale but with only a slight third-day fever, came into the triclinium with Getorius holding her arm. On seeing her, the prefect’s tired expression brightened and he stood up.
“Domina, I’m pleased that you feel well enough to take food.” He used his knife to indicate plates of dates, olives, boiled eggs, cheeses, and breads. “Please, serve your-self. I’ll have Karitina bring more mulled wine.”
Dorothea’s reprimand was swift and sharp, “Sergius, do sit down. Women order kitchen slaves about, not Prefects.”
Getorius held up his purse to temper the mood. “Governor, Domina, I…we…feel that we’ve imposed on your kindness far too long. May I offer you gold solidi to pay for our lodging?”
“Surgeon, you may not,” Dorothea refused in a more pleasant voice. “You’ve helped the bishop with this Kashat business and speaking with your wife has given me a measure of relief from this dreary rain season.”
“That’s very generous―”
“Nonsense!” Abinnaeus swept a hand over the table. “Have your breakfast, Surgeon, then we’ll meet the bishop and inspect my physician’s hospital.”
Arcadia said, “Sir, I would like to go with you.”
He shook his head. “Impossible, Domina. Your husband reported things going on there that women should not see.”