The proconsul-if indeed he was the proconsul-hesitated; I could see him calculating his next response. "Why did you not tell me the governor was a friend of yours in the first place?"
"A friend, as I say, of my father's," I corrected. "Would that have made a difference?"
"I will put your name forward," he said, taking up his long reed pen once more; he dipped it in the ink pot and scratched something on the vellum. "Perhaps the exarch will see you."
"All the better if that could be arranged," I said, laying a third coin on the table. "There have been rumours that the governor is ill, you know. I am certain Honorius's friends in Trebizond will welcome reassurances of his health."
He stopped writing and tapped his teeth with the pen. "These rumours-what are they saying?"
"Oh, one thing and another," I replied casually. "They think it strange that he should remain so long in Sebastea when he has such a splendid residence in Trebizond."
Casius made up his mind at once. Pushing back his chair, he rose. "Wait here." With that, he stepped to the guarded door, opened it, and disappeared into the room beyond-returning a few moments later. "This business," he said, "I believe you told me it concerns your betrothed also?"
"Yes," I lied, "so it does."
"Fetch her," the proconsul said. "Return with the woman, and the governor will see you."
I knew I had gained a prize. "Very well," I said, "I will do as you suggest." Thanking the man, I told him to expect us shortly, then departed before he could change his mind.
In the street once more, I hurried from the house, motioning Faysal to follow. "The governor is there," I told him as he fell into step beside me. I explained how I had convinced them to let me see him, and said, "I thought Kazimain might assist us."
"Undoubtedly," he agreed, "but will they allow you to speak to him alone?"
"That remains to be seen," I said, "but I have a plan."
We made quick work of returning to camp, apprising Kazimain of the difficulties, and proceeding once more to the city. We approached to within a hundred paces of the palace, where I paused and turned to Kazimain. "Are you ready?" I asked. "Once we have entered, we are committed. If you have any doubts, speak now. It is not too late to abandon the scheme."
"You need have no fear for me," she said. "I am well able to do my part."
"Good," I said, drawing a deep breath. "We begin."
Raising the hood of her mantle, Kazimain covered her head in the manner of Christian women, and offered me her arm; taking it, I pulled her close, and together we walked to the governor's house.
As before, I was met by a man at a table-a different man, this time, but as listless and bored as the first. I told him that Proconsul Casius had arranged for me to speak with the governor. The man looked at me, and then at Kazimain, and said, interest quickening his heavy features, "Yes, I believe he mentioned it. But he failed to tell me precisely why you wanted to see the exarch."
"It is a matter of some delicacy, as I have already explained," I replied. The fellow stared at me with insolent indifference, so I added, "But I suppose it would do no harm to tell you that it involves the property of my betrothed." I indicated Kazimain beside me. "Her brother refuses to relinquish her share."
"Why," asked the man, apathy seeping back into his face, "should this concern the exarch?"
"In light of my family's long friendship, and the particular injustice involved, it has been suggested that Honorius might be persuaded to at least give us the benefit of his counsel."
"You know Exarch Honorius?"
"Oh, yes," I replied, with conviction, "very well. He is an old friend of my father's. I have been many times in his house in Trebizond." That last was true at least.
Again, this produced the desired result. The fellow pushed himself up from his chair and said, "I will see what can be done."
As Casius before him, he stepped to the door and disappeared into the room beyond. The guards, after eyeing Kazimain from head to heel, turned their flagging attention once more to the study of the painted wall opposite, and we to a lengthy wait.
After a while, the inner door opened and I stood, thinking that we would be summoned. But a short, plump old woman emerged, carrying a bundle of clothing. The bundle was unwieldy and, as she reached the door to the street, she lost her grip and the load slipped from her hands. "My laundry!" she cried, scrabbling after it.
"Allow me, mother," I said, stooping quickly to gather it for her. Taking the clothes, the washerwoman sniffed at me, and proceeded on her way.
I sat down to wait once more, and had begun thinking that the man was not coming back, when the door opened and the proconsul addressed us. "The exarch will see you now."
We stepped to the door, and the man put his hand to my arm, stopping me. Fearing I had somehow been discovered, my heart lurched inside my chest. But the man merely said, "Exarch Honorius has not been feeling well of late. He requires rest. You must be brief and to the point."
"I understand."
"Also," the man tightened his grip on my arm, "I would say nothing regarding the rumours in Trebizond if I were you. It is a highly sensitive issue just now and I feel it would complicate your position unnecessarily."
"Very well," I allowed reluctantly, "if that is what you advise."
"It is."
"Then I will say nothing," I agreed, and the official opened the door and allowed us into the room.
Governor Honorius was a big man with a full head of white hair. His shoulders and hands were broad, and his features generous. But he sat slumped in his chair as if he lacked the will ever to rise again, and his eyes were dark-circled and sunken; his flesh had the unhealthy pallor I had learned to associate with captivity. He was sitting in a large chair, behind which stood two more guards with spears and short swords. Casius was present, standing at his right hand; the other official stepped behind us to close the door and remained there.
"Thank you for seeing us, governor," I said quickly, anxious to speak first. "I bring greetings from my father, Nicephorus."
At this name Honorius's eyes quickened with interest, much as I had hoped. He searched my face, but without recognition. "I fear you have the better of me."
"Forgive me, governor," I said. "I was but a small boy when last we met. It has been many years. I should not have presumed upon your memory."
He looked at me hopefully. "Of course, I do remember you now."
Before I could reply, the first official, Casius, spoke up. "I believe that you said it was a matter involving property," he announced. "I have already explained that it is not a matter for the exarch's involvement. Is that not so?"
"That is so," replied Honorius, his voice going strangely dead.
"So you see-" offered the second official hurriedly, "I fear you have-"
"A moment more, please," I said firmly. "The property in question is the inheritance rightfully due my bride, to be passed to her upon her betrothal and to be used as her dowry."
"Yes, yes," said the governor in a distracted way. "These matters can be very-"
"Her brother," I said-turning to Kazimain, I put my hand on her shoulder and gave it a firm squeeze-"refuses to relinquish her share, and our wedding is needlessly-"
All at once Kazimain began to weep. She buried her face in her hands and wailed. The official closest to the door advanced threateningly. "Why is she crying?" he demanded.