Chapter 32

 

Imperial Palace, April 443

 

“WHAT ARE YOUR WISHES, AUGUSTA?” Chrysaphius bowed to Athenais. The woman sat before a large silver mirror—as usual—a slave brushing her long golden hair. He thought the Augusta became vainer as she aged. Although he had to admit she looked much younger than her forty years. It was typical she demanded his presence during the middle of the morning when he was most busy. Athenais treated him as an ordinary servant rather than the right hand of the emperor, and he resented it. His face in the mirror didn’t betray his annoyance as he put up with her whims—for now. The wife was a small nuisance, next to the formidable obstacle of the sister, in the eunuch’s plans to dominate the emperor for his own gain.

“I want an intimate banquet in honor of the emperor’s thirty-five years on the throne on the ides of next month.” Athenais gave him an imperious look in the mirror.

“In addition to the week-long celebrations in the city?” Chrysaphius frowned. His staff had already planned the celebrations and arranged the Emperor’s presence at various churches, games, and gatherings. He could easily handle the Augusta’s wishes, but didn’t want her to know that.

“There will be free food, drink, and special races at the hippodrome for the people, but my husband should have a more appropriate celebration with his closest friends and advisors. I wish to honor him by having the city’s nobles and holy men as guests.”

“I will have a menu, guest list, and suggested entertainment prepared for you in three days.” He enjoyed these affairs. They gave him opportunity to include people who sought his favor. They met the emperor and, depending on their means, gave Chrysaphius a generous gift or owed him a big favor. The more intimate the gathering, the larger the gift.

“Three days?” Athenais frowned, marking her forehead with unattractive lines. “Why not this afternoon?”

“Most Noble Lady.” He bowed again. “I regret the delay, but my staff is busy with the emperor’s business. Three days is the earliest we could do.”

“That’s not good enough!” She glared into the mirror. “I require this done immediately.”

“Augusta, I humbly regret the inconvenience.” He pulled a sorrowful face. “You could make the request for my immediate services directly to the emperor, but…” He hesitated. “May I make suggestion?”

She waved her hand which he took for assent.

“Pulcheria Augusta has a full imperial staff. Is it not appropriate that you have one as well? Then you would have no need to call on me.”

“My husband has made it clear he feels I have no need of staff beyond those assigned to him. He and I are one in the sight of God…or so he thinks.” She mumbled the last bit.

“It seems wrong to me that the emperor’s sister enjoys such a privilege, but the emperor’s wife does not. You are equal in rank.” Chrysaphius enjoyed the myriad opportunities to sow discord between the sisters-in-law. If they fought each other, they wouldn’t notice him usurping their influence. Once he pushed the women out of his way, he would have complete control of that weak fool of an emperor. “I’m afraid the emperor does not appreciate your needs and slights your dignity. As he says, what you do reflects on him.”

“You are right, but my husband is stubborn on the matter. He refuses to give me staff in my own right and Pulcheria won’t share hers with me.”

“How unfortunate! I would not have thought the Augusta so selfish, given her modest needs.”

“That woman has ever usurped my place. No matter how hard I try, Theo always turns to her first. A wife should come before a sister!” Athenais scowled into the mirror.

That was the heart of the matter: the wife was jealous of the sister and the sister of the wife. For four years, he had fanned those embers of discord. His heart raced with eagerness and he took a calming breath. His plans were near to fruition; he had only to be patient.

“I agree, Augusta! The emperor should honor you above all others.” He cupped his chin, drawing down his brows in mock concentration. Athenais responded well to flattery, unlike the sharp Pulcheria. After a moment, his face brightened. “Sometimes a strength can be a weakness.”

“What do you mean?” Her brow furrowed again.

“Your husband has great regard for his sister. He wants her happiness above all else.”

“Yes,” she replied bitterly. “And she is happy ruling the empire.”

“I suspect she does not tell her brother that.” He offered a sly smile. “She likely tells him it is her duty to serve him. She would not openly usurp his role. What does she profess to love most…after her brother?”

“The Church.” Athenais looked puzzled. “How does that help me?”

He suppressed a sigh. Would he have to spell everything out? “If the emperor believes his sister serves only out of duty, that her real calling is the Church, he could order her to take holy orders out of love for her. In his eyes, he gives her a precious gift—possibly even one the Augustus would covet for himself—while ridding you of a rival for his affections.”

“What a clever idea!” Athenais clapped her hands together, then gave him a sharp look. “You have given this some prior thought. How does it benefit you?”

Maybe she wasn’t as naïve as he believed. He bowed again to give himself a moment’s reflection. “I have long thought you were poorly treated, Augusta, and the ways of the court too strict. Church hours and chastity are for monasteries, not a palace.” A telltale blush crept into her cheeks. “This is Pulcheria’s work, not your husband’s. With her gone, you will have a more moderating influence on the Augustus.”

“You still haven’t told me how this benefits you.” She raised an eyebrow in unconscious imitation of Pulcheria.

“Your sister-in-law is not my friend. She whispers against me as often as she whispers against you.” He grinned at the blatant lie. “And with her gone, you get her imperial staff and I have less work to do.”

“We make common cause?” Worry lines reappeared on her forehead. “This scheme to take Pulcheria off the playing board might not work.”

He shrugged. “If not this, something else will present itself. We need only be patient and work together for our mutual benefit.”

“I’ll give it some thought.” Athenais turned back to her mirror, dismissing Chrysaphius.

She didn’t see the triumphant look that crossed his face as he exited her rooms.

 

*****

 

THIRTY-FIVE YEARS I’VE BEEN EMPEROR! Theo reviewed the guest list for his banquet with his wife. It contained not only the most prominent families, but the most important bishops and holy men in and around the city, which might make it tolerable. In many ways, he still felt like that boy, more content with prayers than parties. He didn’t particularly want a banquet, but Athenais had put considerable planning into the affair and he wanted to make her happy. Since returning from Jerusalem, she was much more attentive to her prayers and the rituals of the church. Her behavior had gone a long way toward healing the rift between them.

“My sisters are not on the list.” Theo frowned.

“Because they are family and assumed to be present.” Athenais took the list back. “I’ll seat Pulcheria next to Bishop Proclus. They are great friends and will have much to discuss.”

“I leave the details to you and Chrysaphius.” The eunuch had proved most intelligent and capable. Theo relied more and more on his advice and action, freeing himself for contemplative activities—and the occasional ride outside the city. Pulcheria chided him for his laxness, but he found details of troop movements, grain storage, and petty land disputes…lacking. She of all people should understand his need for the soothing rituals of the church. Their shared love of God bonded them more deeply than any of his other relationships.

“Speaking of Chrysaphius, have you given any more thought to my request for a court of my own? Or perhaps you could reassign Pulcheria’s to me?” Athenais pursed her lips in a slight pout. “Given her preference for a simple life, she has no need for a chief eunuch, guards, and the trappings of a separate court at her own palace. I could put them to much better use. You would then have Chrysaphius to serve you alone.”

“Don’t trouble yourself over this.” Theo sighed. “Pulcheria governs beside me with wit and piety. She deserves her own court. I will not deprive her of it. You share in my dignity and have no need for your own court.”

“But…”

“I’ve spoken my last word on the subject.” Annoyance crept into his voice. This was an old complaint from his wife. He was tired of it.

“I understand, Husband. I will not trouble you with the issue again.” Athenais bowed in humility. “However…”

He looked at her with a weary smile. “Yes, my dear?”

“You make an interesting point. Pulcheria is a most pious woman. Many call her the modern Olympias, that most holy of all women who ministered with Bishop John Chrysostom of just a generation past.”

“There are many parallels.” Theo had only the highest esteem for his sister’s piety and wished he could attain the same regard from her and his people. He sometimes felt Pulcheria saw him as lacking—especially when it came to the finer points of religious doctrine. After that fiasco with Nestorius, she kept an iron grip on any decisions that touched on the Church.

“I met many holy women in Jerusalem and was struck with their resemblance to Pulcheria in their dedication to the Church. Melania the Younger, particularly, comes to mind. Both women have followers pledged to chastity, take meals with bishops, communion with the priests and, above all, command the love and respect of the people for their charity and compassion.”

His wife gazed at a flickering candle. A shadow briefly crossed her face. Envy? Regret? She twirled a curl by her cheek, deep in thought. “I think Pulcheria longs to fully commit herself to the Church and take holy orders, but does not, out of love and loyalty to you.”

“Do you really think so?” Theo paused. Pulcheria had frequently of late urged him to take on more than the ceremonial aspects of governing. Did she find the work wearying? Just yesterday, she mentioned, with a sense of longing, all the charity work their sisters Arcadia and Marina did in her name.

“How often has she told you she lives to serve you?” Athenais put a light hand on his arm. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. “It is obvious your sister yearns for a quiet life dedicated to Christ. She stays in the government only out of love for you. But you no longer need her counsel. Chrysaphius has proved more than capable in helping you govern. And Paulinus never fails to give you good advice. Do you keep her with you out of love? If so, you do her no service.”

“I had not thought of it that way.” Realization struck Theo like a bolt. He had been extremely selfish in keeping Pulcheria from her true calling. Chrysaphius had hinted at something similar just the other day. If his wife and trusted servant gave him the same advice, he should carefully consider it. As he aged, he found governing a burden. Surely his sister did, as well.

“Your love and respect for Pulcheria are as great as hers for you,” Athenais said. “You are not to blame for wanting your sister at your side, but it is selfish to keep her there, when her heart lies elsewhere. She has provided you with nearly thirty years of honorable service. Does she not deserve some reward, some life of her own choosing? She lives as a holy woman. Why not free her to take holy orders? Think how happy it would make her to become a deaconess.”

“You are right, Athenais.” Theo’s heart filled with love for his sister and his considerate wife. If he could give up this burden of ruling and take holy orders, he would. He longed to devote his life to Christ, but that was impossible. At least he could give this gift to his beloved sister. He took his wife’s hands in his, brought them to his lips for a chaste kiss. “Thank you, my dear. I will contact Bishop Proclus and make it so.”

Her brilliant smile lightened his world. “Thank you, Husband. I’m sure Pulcheria will be delighted with this decision. You are a truly loving brother.”

 

*****

 

Hebdomon Palace, April 443

 

SERVANTS HELPED PULCHERIA and her sisters put on their traveling cloaks before the trip into the city to attend Sunday services at the Great Church. She smiled at the thought of soothing prayers, contemplation, and the peace of holy communion to come. The trip through the city also afforded the people an opportunity to gather and honor the Virgin Princesses with their acclamations. It was one of her favorite activities of the week.

“Augusta, a messenger from the bishop,” her chamberlain announced.

Pulcheria pinned her dark robe with a gold fibula in the shape of the letters chi rho, the first two letters of Christ, then turned to the voice. A messenger in episcopal livery clutched a packet with a dusty hand. Most of the messengers from the bishop were little more than boys, employed in various mundane tasks before taking orders. Pulcheria recognized this man as an intimate of Proclus—someone to whom the bishop entrusted more delicate tasks.

“Basil, we are about to leave for Sunday services. What conversation cannot wait until we meet Bishop Proclus in person?” Pulcheria’s voice rang steady, despite her rising alarm.

“Your Serenity, please read this immediately.” The messenger held out the missive. “The bishop particularly charged me with finding you before you came into his presence.”

Pulcheria took the letter and broke the seal. Scanning, she first turned pale, then flushed with anger. “Do you know the contents?”

“I do, Augusta. Bishop Proclus strongly urges you to avoid his presence at all costs, while he works on your behalf to have this reversed. He promises to keep you apprised of the situation.”

“Thank you for your service. My chamberlain will see you well compensated.” As Basil left, she turned to her sisters. “We will not attend services today.”

“Sister, what is it?” Arcadia asked, frowning at this departure from routine.

“Bishop Proclus sends word that our brother intends me to take holy orders and become a deaconess. Theo has ordered Proclus to make this happen…” She took the letter and read: “…‘so as to provide the greatest happiness for my beloved sister.’ Proclus advises me to stay out of his presence, if I wish to retain my freedom and avoid a confrontation with Theo.”

“We already perform the duties. Why not take the next step in the sight of God, and confirm our devotion?” Marina asked. “Is our brother wrong? Would that not make you happy?”

Would it? Pulcheria hesitated. A life in the Church. Comforting ritual. Daily ministering in Christ’s name. The life that called to her soul.

“Yes, sister, it would make me happy.” She shook her head. “But I cannot take that step. I have ruled for and with Theo for almost thirty years—since I was fifteen! I know his mind, heart, and soul. He cannot see malice in any who are close, and they manipulate him for their own purposes. I hoped he would grow more aware but, if anything, this flaw has grown bigger. If I take holy orders, I come under the supervision of the bishop and owe him alone my obedience. I give up my freedom of thought and action. Proclus is a friend and would never abuse that privilege, but any who come after…? You remember Nestorius.” She shrugged. “I must remain free to help our brother and our empire.”

“Why do you think Theo did this? Does he want you gone from his government?” Arcadia asked.

“I don’t think so.” Pulcheria blinked away tears. “I suspect it is not his idea. When we look at who most benefits from my absence, it is clear: Athenais and the Hellenes.”

“What will you do, Ria?” Marina, ever the more tender one, offered a kerchief so she could blot her eyes.

“For now?” She looked at her sisters. “We withdraw to fight another day. I will dismiss the court Theo provides. We stay here in the suburbs in Hebdomon. We will avoid our brother and Bishop Proclus, until we can sort this out.” And I pray to God that will be soon.