“Justinian must learn to feel the pain of sudden loss.” Marus adjusted his long stride to be more in step with his shorter friend.

“What?” Peter fell in step and felt the natural rhythm of walking with his old friend.

They passed through the gate in the walls of Constantine into the more sparsely inhabited area. Farmers grew crops here and kept pigs and chickens to sell at market. There were no others who might hear their conversation.

Marus continued. “The pain of loss that I have felt losing Sophia grows daily. Justinian caused it. Justinian must learn the consequences of his actions.”

“What? I do not understand.” Peter was beginning to feel uncomfortable.

“Theodora must die.”

“Um… “ Peter stopped in his tracks. Marus continued to walk, not noticing Peter’s action.

“And die in a way that is outside Justinian’s control. He must feel pain.”

Peter caught up with Marus. “This is not like you, Marus.”

“Sophia’s death changed me. I see things differently. I have begun to understand the emotions of war, of revenge, of avenging an action. I now understand why there is need for generals like Belisarius. Why there is war.”

“This is dangerous talk, Marus.”

“You are correct. That is why I must be sure I can succeed before I execute a plan. I have had several opportunities, have tried several things, but had not yet succeeded. No one suspects. I wish to keep it that way.”

“You are safe with me, my friend. I will reveal nothing. I only wish you caution for your own safety.”

“Thank you.” Marus strode through the field heading for an area that had reliably grown some wild oregano in the past.

Peter quickened his pace to keep up. “Now I am intrigued. You have attempted a plan?”

“Sometimes opportunity creates one. Sometimes it foils one. I have had both occur.”

“Pray, tell.”

“Once, soon after that horrible day, I was in the palace to assist in the preparation of a meal that would include Justinian, Theodora, Belisarius, Antonia and a few other highly placed officials.”

“Impressive! I did not realize you moved freely around the palace.”

“Normally, I do not. However, pleasing many different palates requires some finesse and a knowledge of the likes of each individual.”

“I see.”

“Justinian is difficult to please. He eats little and what he eats is basic – some fruits, nuts, a plainly prepared turnip or lentils. He eschews meat. He is reluctant to have many spices, for fear of poisons, I assume.”

Peter laughed. “A well placed fear.”

“Theodora, on the other hand, is an adventurous eater. She likes to try new things and welcomes spices that tickle the tongue. Antonia is of a similar mind. I enjoy trying out new methods of cooking that I learn in my travels with Belisarius. Antonia is often on these travels and lets me know what she prefers.”

“Antonia is with Belisarius when he goes to battle?”

“Yes, often. But at a safe distance. Her influence may be the reason for his calm demeanor and confidence in battle. He is happier with her around.”

“She is considered beautiful. As is Theodora. The two women have used their beauty well.”

“Indeed. And both know how to wield power. Theodora is careful about who is around her. She has body guards. And tasters who make sure nothing untoward passes her lips. So I was very surprised one day to find myself alone with her.”

Peter raised his eyebrows and looked expectantly at Marus.

“It was in a passageway between the cooking area and a room in the palace where Antonia was visiting Theodora. I was going up to inquire as to when the two would like to partake of a dish that was being prepared. Not by me, this time. I was helping one of the palace cooks. There is a particular passageway where there are steps to the next level, and there is no handhold, no protection from falling.”

Marus paused for emphasis. “I was on my way up, Theodora was on her way down. We both stopped when we saw the other.”

“Oh my.”

Several oregano plants attracted Marus’ attention. He inspected the tiny leaves and the many branches on the knee-high plant. “This one looks like it is full of flavor,” he commented as he pulled his herb-cutting knife from the folds of his clothing. He carefully bent a branch and deftly cut it. He repeated the action two more times until he was satisfied he had enough.

Peter watched. “Why do you not just take the entire plant and grow it in the kitchen garden?”

“I could. And sometimes, I do. But the plants that grow in the wild are stronger. They have found their best spot to grow and do so with energy. Plants in the kitchen garden require care and are often neglected and sometimes die as a result. They lose their vigor and flavor. Besides, I enjoy walking out here to harvest them. It gives me time to think.”

“So tell me what happened with Theodora on the steps.”

“Yes. We were both surprised. For a brief moment we just stared at each other. Then she regained her composure and smiled. At that time, we had not actually spoken but she had seen me and knew who I was. When she spoke it was in an almost friendly manner. ’Marus, is it?’ she said. I replied ‘Yes,’ astonished that she actually knew my name. I had served her several times when visiting Antonia, but my name had never passed her lips. I was strangely affected. Almost aroused. I felt her sensuality and was repulsed.”

“Repulsed?”

“Yes. I did not want to come under her spell as so many others had.”

 “Oh.”

“She had nothing else to say to me, nor I to her and she took a step down. That action broke the spell and I remembered my intent. I was on the inside of the steps, next to the wall. She was more near the center with an open area on the other side of the staircase where one could fall quite a distance. The staircase was not wide and it would be easy to push her off. Such a fall would inflict damage, but would it kill her? Maybe if she fell on her head, but I could not be sure that would happen.”

“You were that close to her?”

“Oh, yes. I could smell her perfume, which I am sure was not meant for the pleasure of a servant. I was sure I could push her over the side, but since we were so close, she might even grasp my clothing and take me with her. That would not suit my purpose. I hesitated. And with that hesitation, she took another step down. She was only a couple of steps away at this point. I decided that this was not the time. I turned my body to the side and lowered my head in deference. She acknowledged my movement with a nod of her head and continued past me down the stairs.”

Marus paused in his storytelling and looked at Peter, who was paying rapt attention. His nose was assaulted with the pungent aroma of oregano and he looked down to see that he had clenched his fist and was crushing the herbs in his hand. He laughed. “You see, the event still affects me. Part of me feels anger that I did not follow through when I had the chance. I might have succeeded and could now feel some relief.”

Peter also laughed. “Well, now the herbs are ready for the pot.”

“Actually, no. Once crushed, they will dry out before I can return and use them.” Marus threw the offending herbs on the ground and proceeded to cut fresh branches. A breeze ruffled through the grasses and plants and something caught Marus’ eye. He mumbled “Oh my” as he headed for a plant a few feet away along the tree line.

Peter, taken aback by the abrupt change in conversation, followed. “What is it?”

Marus stopped by a dark leafy green plant, almost waist high with a few fading purple flowers and shiny black berries. He was bending over to get a closer look when Peter joined him.

“So, Marus, have you discovered another plant to make a tempting dish?”

“Indeed, I have.”

Peter reached out to pluck a berry from the plant. Marus pushed his hand away. “No. Do not touch it. This plant bites.”

“Bites? From what? Thorns? I do not see any.”

“Not thorns. These berries are the Devil’s cherries. They will make you sick if you eat them. The entire plant is dangerous. Just touching a leaf or stem can bring about redness and suffering to the skin.”

“Oh.”

“Indeed, when this plant is available before battle, I often made a potion for the archers to dip the points. It assures a kill if an arrow finds its mark. Or even on lance tips. Even the leaves and branches are quite potent, but the berries are strongest.” Marus walked to a nearby tree and picked several leaves, each the size of a man’s hand and came back to the plant. He held a leaf in his fingers and began to pluck the berries so that his skin never touched them. He placed the plucked berries in another leaf and when he had several, he folded the leaf around the berries and put them in his herb pouch.

He looked at Peter. “So, now we can return.”

They started walking back to the city and toward the protective wall. Peter brought the conversation back to the previous topic. “So, what happened at this dinner at the palace? The one where you met Theodora on the staircase.”

“Oh, yes. Nothing much. Everyone in attendance had a delicious meal. There was no further danger to Theodora. I often wonder if she felt my intent on the stairs.”

“Did she seem wary of you after that?”

“We did not meet again for a while. That story is for another time. Let us return and share a bottle of wine before I must return to my duties.”

“Perhaps danger to her has returned?”

“Perhaps.” Marus smiled.

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