Siege

by Jack Hight

  Constantine gestured for her to be silent. 'Your involvement has already led to this!' he roared, holding up the pope's decree. 'I promised my mother on her death-bed that I would enact union, but how can I now? Tell me: how can I!' Then, recovering himself, he continued in an even tone. 'You were sent to Italy to be seen, not heard, Sofia. I had hoped that Leontarsis would find you a husband who could offer us military support, but even that hope is gone.'

  How could he reprimand her after all that she had done in Italy? Sofia bit back her anger. 'I did my best to serve you faithfully, My Lord.'

  'You serve me best, Sofia, by playing the role of a princess, not a politician. You are lucky that Megadux Notaras is still willing to marry you. I have spoken to him about a date this summer. Until that time, you will do as I say. You are a lady, Sofia. You must behave like one. There will be no more swordplay and no more politicking. If you wish to study, then learn something pleasing: how to sing or play an instrument.'

  'Yes, My Lord,' she said in a dead voice.

  Constantine frowned. 'I understand that you expressed a wish to visit Father Neophytus, the empress-mother's confessor.' Sofia nodded. 'You have my permission to visit him at the Haghia Sofia. I will send an escort of guardsmen to take you.'

  'Thank you, My Lord,' Sofia said. The words tasted bitter in her mouth. She curtsied once more and departed. She was to be married after all. With Helena gone, there was no one left to prevent it. Sofia went to visit Neophytus at the Haghia Sofia on a wet, dreary spring morning that matched the sad spectacle of the once great church, the sight of which always saddened her. It was magnificent even now, but its glory had faded. Although the western facade had been kept in decent repair, the statuary on the side walls was crumbling, and many of the windows that lined the walls of the nave and encircled the building's grand domes were broken. Inside the narthex, the decay was even more obvious. Huge chandeliers bare of candles hovered overhead, suspended from a distant ceiling that was lost in the gloom. Candles were a luxury that had been spared for some time now. The rush torches that had replaced them stood in brackets on the walls, guttering in the draughts from the broken windows above and adding their sooty smoke to the general gloom. The only sound other than the crackling of the torches was the loud drip of water from the high ceiling. The church seemed deserted.

  One of the guardsmen who had escorted her to the church stepped forward and rang a small brass bell that hung on the far wall. The loud clanging reverberated off the narrow walls before being swallowed up again by the heavy silence. Sofia heard the sound of approaching footsteps — sandals slapping against smooth stone. At the distant southern end of the narthex a door opened, and a pinpoint of light appeared amidst the gloom. The light came closer, resolving itself into a candle held by a tonsured acolyte in monk's robes.

  The acolyte, who looked no older than thirteen, bowed when he saw Sofia. 'My Lady,' he said in a cracking voice. 'How may I help you?'

  'I am the Princess Sofia. I have come to see Father Neophytus.'

  'Princess Sofia!' the boy squeaked, and then continued in a lower voice. 'Father Neophytus is not expecting you. He is…'

  'I apologize for not requesting a formal meeting, but I do not expect a special reception,' Sofia said. 'I merely wish to speak to Father Neophytus regarding the empress-mother. Take me to him.'

  'Y-yes, of course,' the boy stuttered. 'Follow me.' Sofia wondered why he seemed so nervous. He was probably unused to women and awed by royalty. He led her through one of the doors and into the nave, with its grand, domed ceiling more than one hundred and fifty feet above the floor — the mightiest structure in all of Constantinople. They crossed the nave and entered the maze of hallways leading to the priests' quarters, finally coming to a stop at a simple wooden door. The boy knocked and called out, 'Father Neophytus, there is a…'

  'Halias? Is that you?' Neophytus's voice came from the other side of the door. 'Come in.' Halias opened the door and stepped in, followed by Sofia. Neophytus's cell was small and sparsely appointed. The stone floor and walls were bare of decoration. A low bed covered with a single, coarse linen sheet sat against the wall to the right and a simple oak desk to the left. A small chest in the corner was the only other piece of furniture. Neophytus was at the far wall with his back to them. He was tending the fireplace and looked to be burning something. Sofia caught a glimpse of parchment curling in the flame.

  'I have a letter for you to deliver,' Neophytus began as he turned to face Halias, then stopped short when he saw Sofia. He recovered after only a moment's pause. 'Ah, Princess Sofia, what an unexpected pleasure,' he said with a forced smile. 'Perhaps we could speak somewhere where you would be more comfortable.' He gestured towards the door. 'My cell is all that I need, but it is not furnished for a princess.'

  'No, you do not need to stand on ceremony,' Sofia insisted. 'I only wish to talk, and this room will serve that purpose.'

  'Very well,' Neophytus said, wringing his hands. 'Halias, you may wait outside. Princess, please take a seat.' He pulled his one chair out from the desk. He sat on the bed. 'How can I help you, Princess?'

  'It is the empress-mother,' Sofia began. 'You were with her a great deal towards the end. I would like to know if she spoke of me, or if she perhaps left anything for me.'

  'I am sorry, but she did not leave anything,' he said. His eyes left her briefly, flicking over to the desk. Sofia glanced that way as he continued talking, but saw nothing unusual: an inkwell, a small vial, a pair of gloves, a hunk of bread and a cup. 'But she did speak of you often. She said — and I hope that I do not offend you — she said that she wished you had been born a man.'

  Sofia nodded. That sounded like Helena, but it was not what Sofia wanted to hear. 'Did she say anything else? Did she mention my marriage?'

  'I am sorry, Princess, but I do not recall that she said anything about your marriage,' Neophytus said. Sofia frowned. 'Wait, now I remember.' Neophytus paused. 'She wished you great happiness. Just before she died, she said that she wished she could have lived to see you married.' Sofia saw his eyes nervously flick to the side. He was not, she noticed, a very good liar. What was he so nervous about?

  Then, she saw it. The cup on the table was not just any cup. The small, solid gold cup with scenes from the Passion engraved on the outside had belonged to Helena. She had used it for her private communion. What was Neophytus doing with it? Had he stolen it? That would explain why he was so nervous, but why, then, had he not already sold it? Why steal the cup and then keep it? There was some mystery here.

  'Thank you for your kind words,' Sofia told Neophytus as she rose. 'I see that you have the empress-mother's communion cup.' She took it from the desk, and Neophytus put out a hand as if to stop her. 'It was one of her favourite possessions, a gift from her father,' Sofia continued. 'Did the empress-mother ask you to keep it for me?'

  'The empress…' Neophytus began, haltingly. 'That is she… After she died she…'

  'No matter,' Sofia said. 'I am glad to find it here. It will be a precious keepsake for me. Had you not protected it, it would no doubt have been melted down for the imperial coffers by now. Thank you.' Sofia headed for the door, taking the cup with her. Neophytus jumped up and followed her. He looked ready to wrest the cup from her hand. 'And thank you for all of your kindness, to myself and to Helena. I will leave you in peace now.'

  'But you cannot, the cup is…' Neophytus began, and then stopped. 'That is, I hope the cup brings you some comfort, Princess.'

  'God keep you, Neophytus.'

  'And you, Princess,' Neophytus replied, making the sign of the cross. 'Halias will show you out.'

  The acolyte was waiting for her in the hallway. 'Halias,' Sofia enquired as they walked side by side back to the narthex, 'do you often deliver letters for Father Neophytus?'

  'Yes.' The boy nodded.

  'Might I ask to whom?' Halias hesitated. 'I am simply curious,' Sofia said, stepping close as she put her hand on the boy's arm.

  Halias flu
shed red. 'M-many people,' he managed. 'The empress-mother, Patriarch Mammas, Father Gennadius.'

  Gennadius. Sofia had not known that Neophytus was connected to the monk. 'Thank you, Halias,' Sofia said, releasing the boy's arm.

  As she rode back to the palace in her carriage, Sofia raised Helena's cup to her nose. It smelled of almonds. Odd, she thought. She ran a finger along the bottom of the cup and placed it in her mouth, but she tasted nothing unusual, only the faint bittersweet tang of wine residue. That evening Sofia grew nauseous and then vomited repeatedly late into the night, long after her stomach had emptied out all its contents. Finally, exhausted, she lapsed into a fevered sleep. She dreamed of Helena's golden communion cup, its rim blazing red. In the dream, she took the cup and drank from it, only to find that it was filled with blood. Neophytus appeared and told her to drink her fill. The dream ended as she drained the cup, blood spilling down her cheeks. When she awoke, the cup sat on her bedside table, where she had left it. She fumbled for the cup, knocking it over. To her relief, it was empty. Sofia shuddered and turned away, but the dream stayed with her.

  The next morning she awoke with a thundering headache, her limbs heavy and tired. She felt certain that her dream had been a message and that she knew its meaning: the cup was poisoned. That was the explanation for her illness and for Helena's untimely death. And if Helena had been poisoned, then there could be only one man responsible. Not Neophytus: he had nothing to gain from Helena's death. No, it had to have been Gennadius.

  Confirming her suspicions would not be easy. She would have to blackmail Neophytus to get to Gennadius, and she could not do that on her own. There was only one person to whom she could turn: Lucas Notaras, her husband-to-be. Constantine had decreed that they would marry in September, and as her fiance, Notaras was the only man other than her confessor that Sofia was allowed to receive. She wrote a quick message, requesting that he present himself at her quarters the following morning. Involving Notaras was risky, she knew. He was a proud opponent of union and an ally of Gennadius. Still, he was her only hope if she were to avenge Helena's death.

  The next day Notaras arrived punctually at her chambers. 'Princess Sofia, I am pleasantly surprised by your invitation,' he said with a bow. 'To what do I owe this honour?'

  'I must speak with you about matters of some importance,' she told him. 'We must speak in private.'

  'In private, Princess?' Notaras asked with a rakish smile.

  'Yes, we will speak in the garden.' Notaras nodded and followed her to a small rose garden in the palace courtyard. There they could talk in private under the watchful eyes of Sofia's maid. They began to walk the gravel path around the garden, and when Sofia was certain that no one was within earshot, she spoke in a low voice. 'I need your help.'

  'By all means, Princess.'

  'I know that you are supporting Gennadius's bid to replace Mammas as patriarch,' Sofia said. 'You must cut whatever ties you have with him. Gennadius is dangerous.'

  'What do you mean, dangerous?'

  Sofia stopped. 'What I tell you now, you must swear to tell no one,' she said. Notaras hesitated. 'I promise that it will not compromise your honour.'

  'Very well then, I swear it.'

  'Good,' Sofia said. 'I believe that I have discovered the cause of the empress-mother's death.'

  'The empress-mother? She was sick for months. She died of old age.'

  'No, she was poisoned,' Sofia said and continued walking.

  'Who told you that?' Notaras demanded as he caught up to her. He did not express surprise.

  'No one told me.' Sophia took the golden communion cup from a small bag that she was carrying and handed it to him. 'This was Helena's communion cup. I believe that her confessor, Father Neophytus, used it to poison her.'

  Notaras was wary. 'What makes you think that?'

  'Smell it.'

  'It smells of almonds.'

  'Why would a cup that has held only wine smell of almonds?' she asked. 'I merely tasted the residue left in the bottom of the cup and became violently ill.'

  'But why would Neophytus want Helena dead?'

  'He would not, but Gennadius would,' Sofia said. 'Neophytus is in contact with him, and Gennadius would do anything to stop the Union, even kill.'

  'I see,' Notaras murmured as he examined the cup. 'What would you have me do?'

  'Tomorrow, we will confront Neophytus together,' Sofia replied. 'You will do whatever is necessary — threaten, bribe or torture — to persuade him to turn on Gennadius. When he does so, we will go to Constantine. You will turn Gennadius over and tell Constantine that you no longer oppose the Union.' Notaras began to protest, but she cut him off. 'I do not ask you to accept the pope's decree, but at the very least work for compromise. You have given your oath to Constantine. If you truly believe in honour, then keep your oath. Rally the nobles behind your emperor.'

  'And if I refuse?'

  Sofia stopped and met Notaras's gaze. 'Your friendship with Gennadius is widely known. If you support the practices of those who fight the Union, then you will share in their punishments as well.'

  'Is that a threat, Princess?'

  'Yes, Megadux, it is.'

  Notaras paused for some time, staring silently at the cup. 'I will do as you ask, Princess,' he said at last. 'And if what you say is true, then I will turn Gennadius over to Constantine and give my support to the Union. But know that I do so only because I believe it to be best for Constantinople. I do not take kindly to threats.'

  'So long as you help me, your reasons are your own concern,' Sofia said. 'Until tomorrow, then. Good-day, Notaras.' She turned and walked away, leaving him holding the cup. Sofia and Notaras left for the Haghia Sofia early the next morning, accompanied by Sofia's maid. Notaras did not wait for someone to greet them in the narthex. He headed straight into the great hall of the church, and Sofia followed, her maid trailing. They crossed the nave and emerged into a dining hall, where Notaras grabbed a young acolyte and ordered him to guide them to Neophytus's chamber.

  When they arrived, Notaras tried the door but found it locked. He pounded on the door and called out in a loud voice, 'Father Neophytus? It is the megadux, Lucas Notaras!' There was no response. Notaras called again, then turned to the acolyte. 'Are you sure that Father Neophytus is in there?'

  'Yes, My Lord,' the acolyte said. 'He has not left his cell since the visit of Father Gennadius, last night.'

  Notaras reared back and kicked the door hard. The wood around the lock splintered, and the door swung open. The cell, dimly lit by one guttering lamp, appeared to be empty. 'Father Neophytus,' Notaras called out. 'Are you here?' Again, there was no response. Sofia stepped into the chamber and, peering into the dimness, she saw Neophytus.

  'There,' she said and pointed to where Neophytus sat with his head on his desk, unmoving. He appeared to be sleeping.

  'Father Neophytus,' Notaras called loudly, but the priest did not move. While Sofia tended to the lamp, Notaras went to the priest and shook him. Neophytus slumped and then fell from his chair, landing with his face towards Sofia. As the room brightened, she saw that his lips were black and his eyes were rolled back into his head. Sofia's maid gasped. Neophytus was clearly dead.

  Notaras bent down to inspect him. 'The body is still warm.' He shook his head. 'Why would he kill himself?'

  'Perhaps he didn't,' Sofia replied. 'Look, he is holding something in his hand.'

  Notaras prised Neophytus's hand open and held up a small, empty vial. He held it to his nose. 'Almonds. I think you are right, Princess. Helena was poisoned. I have seen this vial before in Gennadius's study.'

  'If Gennadius knew enough to dispose of Neophytus, then he will also know that I took Helena's cup,' Sofia speculated.

  'Then you are in great danger, Princess,' Notaras warned. 'You have seen what Gennadius is capable of.'

  'But without Neophytus, we cannot accuse Gennadius.'

  'There are other ways,' Notaras said, touching his sword.

  'No.'
Sofia shook her head. 'I do not wish to make a martyr of him. That would only strengthen his cause.'

  'Then I will have my men watch the church of Saint Pantocrator,' Notaras said. 'If Gennadius attempts some treachery, then I will know of it.'

  'Thank you.'

  'It is the least that I can do for my betrothed.'

  Sofia frowned at the word. She looked Notaras in the eye. 'You know that I did not choose to become your wife, Notaras,' she began. 'And I have made no secret of the fact that I do not look forward to our marriage. Perhaps I was wrong to judge you so harshly.'

  'I did not choose to be your husband either, Princess,' Notaras replied. 'The emperor offered you to me in marriage. It is an honour that I could not refuse, but it was never my desire to marry you against your will. Believe me, if I had my choice, I would not have chosen a woman with such a sharp tongue.' He smiled. 'Nevertheless, we will be married, whether we like it or not. I would like to have your consent, if not your love. I am willing to wait until I have it.'

  'Help to make union a reality, and you will have earned my consent,' Sofia told him. 'Perhaps then, you can win my love as well.'

  'I ask for nothing more,' Notaras said and bowed low. 'Until union is complete, then, no more talk of marriage. Agreed?'

  'Agreed.' Constantine stood at the window of his audience chamber and looked out on the evening sky while folding and unfolding the letter that he had received earlier in the day from Lucas Notaras. After weeks of worry and unanswered prayer, Notaras's letter had finally eased his mind. The megadux had written that he would support union, so long as it was achieved in accordance with certain compromises. With the backing of Notaras, Constantine could accept the Union without worrying about facing down a rebellion the next day. It was the miracle that he had been hoping for. He could keep his promise to Helena, and more importantly, keep the support of the Latins. Constantine wondered what had made Notaras change his mind. Perhaps, Constantine reflected, his prayers had not gone unanswered after all.