Selene of Alexandria

by Justice, Faith L.

  "And yet she performed successful surgery, saving the baby's life."

  "At the expense of the mother's. There was no need for such drastic measures. Had I been in attendance, I would have repositioned the fetus in utero, allowing the child to be born naturally. My examination of the body revealed significant blood loss. I believe Honoria was still alive when Selene cut her open to retrieve the child. The shock of the wound and loss of blood killed her."

  "Were you present at the moment of Honoria's death?"

  "No. I draw my conclusions from the condition of the body and profuse amount of blood on the bed." The physician curled his upper lip into a sneer and glanced at Selene. She met his gaze, eyes steady, but gut knotted. "A wound made after death does not bleed as a wound made in life. The bed was soaked in blood from the incision Selene inflicted on Lady Honoria, causing her death."

  "Thank you for your learned opinion. Be seated. I will hear from Antonius now."

  Antonius approached the table. "What would you know of me?" He bowed to Orestes.

  "You've heard the accusations made against you. State your side of the tale."

  "I do not dispute most of the facts as laid out by Ision. I did agree to the match reluctantly, but Honoria was a good woman and I did my duty as a husband, forsaking all others. When she became pregnant, I was happy, and honored her before God as the mother of my children. I never conspired with Nicaeus to abandon my wife or persuade Selene to run away with me."

  Antonius took a deep breath. "The night Honoria went into labor, she sent a servant to fetch me. Lady Arete did, indeed, try to keep me away, but I honored my wife's wishes. Honoria asked for Selene. She wished her friend to be present and trusted Selene's medical skills as well. I opposed the idea."

  "You opposed Lady Selene attending your wife?" Orestes looked startled. "Why?"

  "Selene and I have been friends since childhood. At one time I believed I was in love with her and proposed marriage. She refused me, and I felt the rejection deeply." Antonius lifted his chin. "My love for her passed, but the sight of her pricks my pride and reminds me of my failure. That night, Honoria insisted on Selene's presence. I finally acquiesced, leaving the room before she arrived."

  A lump of unshed tears choked Selene's throat. Antonius' lies protected her, but they made it impossible to ever be together.

  "The next evening, a slave came to me in frantic haste, saying I was to attend my wife immediately. When I arrived, Honoria was hemorrhaging. Blood soaked the bed. I held her hand as she breathed her last. After Melania closed my dead wife's eyes, Selene proposed saving the child. I agreed to let her try. The baby was delivered blue and still. Selene acted quickly and revived it. Afterwards, we comforted each other, but not in secret, behind closed doors as guilty lovers or conspirators. Selene was devastated by the loss of her friend. I mourned my wife. We openly showed our grief in the company of Honoria's family. I escorted Selene home and, in our mutual sorrow, we did embrace one final time. I kissed her on the cheek, as I would a sister, and went home to my son.

  "Prefect, I swear to you before Almighty God that neither I nor Selene had any malice toward Honoria. Her death is a tragedy for us all. Out of that tragedy, Selene saved my son. I will be eternally grateful to her. Her courage and action should be the subject of praise, not condemnation."

  Ision muttered to the monk and Arete hissed. Orestes directed sharp glances at them then returned to Antonius. "A pretty speech, my lad, but, as Ision pointed out, you have much to gain by my believing your story. What proof do you offer?"

  "No more than Ision. My word should be as good as the testimony of slaves in my father-in-law's service," Antonius stated bitterly. "As he has accused me of greed, so could he be accused. By asking for my son, he gains back the considerable sum he bestowed on his daughter for her dowry."

  Ision stood and ground out, in low tones, "I'm only protecting the sole male heir of my family from his treacherous father!"

  "Sir, be seated!" Orestes snapped. Ision glared at the Prefect as he sat. Orestes turned back to Antonius. "Have you anything to add?" Antonius shook his head. "Then I believe Lady Selene is the only one who hasn't had an opportunity to speak. Please come forward."

  Selene gathered her robes and approached the table, avoiding Antonius' gaze as he passed her. "I have little to add, sir. I did indeed attend Honoria, as did midwife Melania. We were unable to save her although, through the grace of God, I was able to safely deliver her son."

  Orestes nodded. "The main point of disagreement is when Honoria actually died. Physician Urbib says that the profusion of blood could only have come from the wound of a living body. Antonius claims his wife died before your surgery."

  "Urbib is correct; the dead do not bleed in the same way as the living." Selene took a deep breath. "I discovered after delivering the baby, the afterbirth partially blocked the birth canal. The birth process caused excessive bleeding. Honoria experienced a massive hemorrhage just before she died. The blood on the bed was from that, not the incision I made to deliver the baby."

  "Why did you try to save the child?"

  "As I held Honoria's body in my arms, I felt the baby move. I had no choice." Selene clasped her hands and lowered her head. "I had seen enough death."

  "Lady Arete claims you refused to pray for Honoria, and used an unholy ritual to force the baby's soul back into its body."

  Selene's head snapped up. "It's true I did not join the ladies in the chapel, but I prayed to God every minute to spare my friend and allow her child to be born healthy. The 'unholy ritual' referred to is a simple technique I learned in my apprenticeship. I have assisted in many births. In some few the babies are stillborn. The medica I study with has saved a handful by blowing into their mouths. It doesn't always work."

  "What of you and young Antonius conspiring to wed after Honoria's death?"

  "Antonius is a dear childhood friend. He has been like an older brother to me. Had my father proposed the match three years ago, I would have accepted. But I have chosen a different path, with my father's blessing." Selene lifted her chin. "I will never marry."

  Orestes tapped his teeth with a fingernail. "I admit I'm in a bit of a quandary. Both stories have merit and no one here is without motive."

  "There was one other person present at Honoria's death – Melania, the midwife," Selene offered. "She can attest to the truth in this matter. She is a penitent in the church and has nothing to gain in either material wealth or reputation."

  "Why was she not included on the list of witnesses?" Orestes glared at Ision.

  "I believed the word of a physician to carry more weight than that of a mere midwife," Ision said. "Urbib has nothing to gain in this matter."

  "Is that so?" The merchant returned the Prefect's stern look, blandly. Orestes turned to Demetrius. "Summon the midwife."

  The monk stood up. "Prefect, Penitent Melania has been sent to a cloister of holy women in the desert to serve God. She is not available to attest to these facts."

  "Hierex, what interest does the Patriarch have in this case?" Orestes asked.

  Selene started. What possible connection could the teacher she had heard so much about have with this matter?

  "Why, none, sir." Hierex held his hands palm up in a gesture of openness and trust. "I am here as friend and spiritual counselor to Ision and his family. I just happened to know the whereabouts of Melania and volunteered the information."

  "That seems rather convenient."

  Hierex shrugged.

  "In the absence of any concrete proof of wrongdoing, I allow both Antonius and Selene to return to their families; however, Selene will refrain from practicing her profession. The child, Honorius Posthumous, will remain with Ision and his family until final disposition of this case. I ask that neither of the accused parties leave Alexandria. Their fathers will hold surety for their presence." Orestes rose from his desk. "You will be summoned when I have obtained the person of, or a sworn statement from, midwife Melania. Until such t
ime, this inquiry remains open."

  Demetrius went to the door and opened it. The families filed out in carefully spaced clumps. Selene, supporting her father, left last. She glanced over her shoulder to see Orestes frowning over his notes.

  Selene could not count on her family's relationship with the Prefect. Her fate rested on the word of one woman.

  Orestes looked up when Demetrius returned. "That hearing turned into a viper's nest. Who do you believe?"

  "They all have motives." Demetrius shrugged. "The curial class has been hit hard by the local cycle of draughts. The grain taxes do not abate because of poor crops. The two young people could have conspired to gain control of Honoria's dowry. On the other hand, Ision is tight with his money and might bring a specious charge to get the dowry back."

  "I agree. This case has too many opinions and too little evidence. Discounting slaves and servants, there were only three witnesses to the death, and two of those are under suspicion. Urbib's testimony was most damning, but he examined the body after the surgery."

  "The man is a prominent physician, but well known for his political astuteness. He personally approached the Patriarch and begged to be converted from Judaism to Christianity immediately after the riots," Demetrius quietly observed. "And it is well known Urbib has taken a personal dislike to Selene since he declared her father as good as dead, and she nursed him back to health. Calistus' very presence is a rebuke to his professional competence. Selene saved the child and again put doubts in people's minds as to his value. His testimony is not without its own taint."

  "Yes." Orestes stroked his chin. "If it were anyone other than Selene, I might rule in Ision's favor. The circumstances are most suspicious." He shook his head. "I can't imagine Selene at the center of such a cold-hearted plan. I know her family and I know her. She's bold and impulsive, but a murderer? No."

  Again Demetrius shrugged. "Who knows the heart of a young woman? Many crimes have been committed in the name of passion. Maybe it wasn't planned. Perhaps she saw an opportunity to rid herself of a rival and took it."

  Orestes stood, leaving the notes for Demetrius to order and put away. "I don't believe that, either. There is opportunism at work here, but it is not Selene's. We must talk to the midwife Melania." He paused, leaning on the table. "Another question: Why was Hierex here? I confess I see no advantage to Cyril with either outcome."

  "That is a cunning puzzle. Perhaps we look too deeply. Possibly Hierex is only a friend of the family and spiritual advisor."

  "It is too much a coincidence that Melania is affiliated with the church and conveniently out of the way for this hearing." Orestes snorted. "There is some deeper game here. I intend to find out what. I need someone I can trust to find Midwife Melania." He looked directly at his slave. "Will you undertake the commission, Demetrius?"

  "Of course, Master." Demetrius bowed and began tidying the room.

  Orestes started for the door then turned back. "Take an escort and leave first thing in the morning."

  Chapter 33

  It had been many years since Demetrius ventured outside the city walls and many more since he rode a horse. His duties and inclinations kept him firmly in government buildings. Regular exercise kept him trim, but riding strained muscles rarely used and chafed areas he didn't know could be chafed.

  Within an hour, his thighs burned and cramped. He suffered the rough humor of the two guards who served as his escort as he squirmed in his saddle and tried to ride one leg then the other crossed in front. When they reached the solid walls of the Convent of Isaiah rising out of the rocky desert, Demetrius sent a prayer heavenward for his deliverance. The stone walls were blank, except for one high arch indicating the position of a small door – the only entrance he could discern. He dismounted and collapsed against his horse. The blasted animal skittered away as the guards grinned at his discomfort.

  Demetrius limped to the door and pulled a rope hanging nearby. A sweet bell chimed in a small parapet above the entrance. A head sporting an excessive beard and bald pate poked out of the parapet window then disappeared. Demetrius heard the unmistakable sounds of the gate being unbarred, and the door swung open.

  The gatekeeper looked with pity as Demetrius limped inside. "Good sir, did you come to commission healing prayers for your affliction?"

  Demetrius' mouth pursed as if sucking a lemon. "No, I've come seeking a penitent woman, one Melania, most recently a midwife in Alexandria. I was told she came to this convent. It is most urgent that I speak with her."

  The gatekeeper sucked his teeth and shook his head. "I will see what I can do. Please come to our guesthouse for some refreshment."

  Demetrius motioned to the two guards, who dismounted with practiced ease and led the horses inside to a low shed containing feed and water. On the way to the guesthouse, Demetrius noted with surprise that men and women worked an olive press, baked bread at a communal oven and tended palm trees and gardens. In addition to the expected churches, refectory and sleeping cells, Demetrius spied a granary and a mill. The monks and sisters likely produced other necessities such as cloth and paper. A drawbridge from the parapet on the wall led to a keep; a final retreat if enemies attacked. When he thought about it, it made sense that the inhabitants should do as much for themselves as possible. The next town was hours away and the villagers surely could not support the growing population of the monasteries.

  At the guesthouse, the gatekeeper settled them in a cool, comfortable room, provided them with water, left and soon returned with a middle-aged woman in black robes. "This is Helaine. She is in charge of the sisters." The lady's face was saved from plainness by striking blue eyes that sparkled with kindness and good humor.

  The gatekeeper returned to his duties.

  "Mistress Helaine, I am Demetrius, a personal agent of the Augustal Prefect. I've come to find and question the midwife Melania about a matter most grave. Can you assist me in my mission?"

  "I'm afraid I have bad news for you, good sir. Mistress Melania left here after only a few days. She said Patriarch Cyril had asked her to visit the desert convents and attend to the health of the cloistered sisters. She traveled on when all who required her services had been tended."

  Demetrius tried to keep disappointment from his face. This mission was becoming more than a simple interview. "Dear Lady, have you any notion of Melania's destination?"

  Helaine shrugged. "The next monastery is but a few hours' ride. You can reach it by nightfall." A series of bells sounded outside the guesthouse. She glanced out the door, then back to Demetrius. "You and your escort are welcome to join us for noon meal. It is simple fare, naught but water, bread and onions preceded, of course, by the nourishing words of God."

  Demetrius saw grimaces crossing the faces of his escort and briefly entertained the notion of staying. Instead, he rose to take his leave. The movement sent a shooting pain from his buttocks down the back of his legs. He drew a sharp breath and grabbed the back of his chair.

  One of the guards caught his elbow to steady him and said in a kinder voice than Demetrius expected, "Perhaps we should stay and let you recover from your journey."

  "No. Being still stiffens me. I'll recover once we're moving." Demetrius turned to Helaine. "Thank you for your offer of hospitality, but the sooner we move, the sooner we find Melania and complete our mission."

  They both bowed. Demetrius and his escort headed for the gate. They gnawed hard journey bread on the way to the next monastery, and arrived shortly before sunset.

  Melania was not there.

  Orestes arrived at Hypatia's public lecture just in time to hear an angry man protest, "God created the earth and set the sun and moon orbiting about it in the sky. Who is this pagan Aristarchos who says differently?"

  "A learned Alexandrine mathematician and astronomer who lived over 600 years ago," Hypatia replied. "The Bible tells us only that God created the heavens and earth. It doesn't tell us in what configuration He arranged them. God could have just as easily set the earth
to spin around the sun."

  Angry mutters broke out in the crowd. Orestes admitted sympathy with the dissenters. It comforted him to think the sun, moon and stars revolved around the earth – that God set the heavens in motion and kept them firmly in place.

  "My father Theon came across Aristarchos' work and made confirming observations. The calculations are quite compelling. I think the prevailing belief has more to do with politics than science. The vain human desire to believe ourselves the center of the universe clouds the truth." Hypatia concluded, "I will entertain discussion on this topic at my home Tuesday next."

  Men clustered, arguing vigorously about the merits of the hypothesis. Those with more mathematical training shouted to Hypatia for sources as she left the lectern.

  "If you wish to see the original treatise, it is in the Library. My father Theon also published commentaries on the mathematics."

  Thinking about the earth spinning through a vast empty space around the sun, Orestes experienced a sense of vertigo. He looked at his feet. The ground felt unmoving.

  Orestes shook himself free of the reverie and moved through the crowd. Men bowed and gave way. He acknowledged several city officials and councilors as he approached Hypatia. "Lady, I need your advice on a less celestial matter."

  "My pleasure." She bowed gravely to Orestes then dismissed the others crowding about her. Hypatia linked arms with him. "Shall we retire to my rooms or stroll the gardens?"

  "Fresh air suits my needs admirably." He smiled. "Do you actually believe the earth and other planets race around the sun?"