The onlookers nodded and murmured to each other at this revelation.
Porphyrius had the arms of a dock laborer. His receding hairline made him look older than his fifty odd years. He had a broad, flattened nose, perhaps the result of a racetrack accident. His square-cut unbleached tunic would have been more suitable for a slave than a man of wealth and fame.
“A good looking animal,” John remarked. “One of your funales.”
Porphyrius’ gaze located the speaker. “You know something about racing then. You can tell an outside horse from an inside one.” The charioteer’s half mocking smile indicated that he wasn’t impressed. A few of the young charioteers chuckled appreciatively.
“It’s easy enough to see he is bred for speed more than strength,” John said.
Porphyrius ran his hand over the horse’s back. “Zephyrius has served me well for many years.” He directed his words toward his admirers as well as John. “I’ve lost track of the palms he’s won. He’s an African, as I am. We both plan to retire to some place where the sun is hot all year, if our opponents ever convince us it is time to retire.”
“Never!” shouted several of the charioteers.
“I must speak to you in private,” John said.
Porphyrius gave his insolent visitor an appraising look. “Half the population of the empire wants to speak with me. I can probably see you later in the week, if the Hippodrome hasn’t burned to the ground by then.”
John handed him his orders. Porphyrius glanced at the scroll bearing an imperial seal. “So it’s the emperor wishes my assistance,” he said loudly. “That’s different.”
The charioteers buzzed excitedly as Porphyrius led John away, along a corridor and then up a wide ramp. They emerged into sunlight at the far end of the deserted race track.
“We won’t be overheard here. There are many ears but only stone and metal ones.” Porphyrius nodded toward the statuary lining the spina, a motley collection including ancient gods and goddesses, emperors and heroes, animals real and imagined.
“You have a large following,” John remarked.
“It makes it difficult to work sometimes. Wherever I go, someone passes the word. The great Porphyrius walks among us. He is visiting the stables. He is inspecting the starting gates. He is using the latrine. Then they swarm and I am knocking people over with my elbows just to relieve myself. A man arrives home and orders his wife never to clean his boots again for the famous Porphyrius has pissed on them.”
“You are both admired and influential. The crowds pay attention to your every word and even to the colors painted on your palms.”
“I hope Justinian appreciates that my intended message at the Hippodrome was one of reconciliation between the factions. Since I have raced for both, they both respect me.”
“But they have united to oppose the emperor.”
“An unfortunate event and totally unexpected. Usually it is the clashes between the more unruly faction members which develop into riots. That is what I sought to prevent. This constant animosity between the supporters of our teams is burdensome to those of us who only wish to race.”
“The Blues and the Greens seem to be bred to hate one another.”
“It is because there are really only two teams these days. When the Reds and the Whites were equally prominent all four teams competed against each other. It wasn’t simply the same rivalry, endlessly repeated, every race, year after year. One didn’t see rioters at the Circus Maximus in Rome.”
Porphyrius began walking down the sandy track and John followed.
“I race for the Blues, the emperor’s favorites,” Porphyrius said. “He can’t suspect me of trying to undermine him.”
“You used to represent the Greens.”
“When Anastasius ruled. In fact, I may have headed the Green team when our empress was born to a bear keeper who belonged to the Greens. Anastasius actually preferred the Reds.”
“Who were allied with the Greens and have now joined them, as everyone knows. However, it seems now that all the factions want the family of Anastasius returned to the throne. It’s well remembered how you helped rally the people against Vitalian when he staged his revolt against Anastasius. They may be looking to you for leadership, to aid the family again.”
“That was an eternity ago.”
“Seventeen years. Have Christian or heretical beliefs changed since then? Vitalian was a defender of orthodoxy, like Justinian. You were a supporter of a monophysite emperor then. Am I supposed to believe you truly support an orthodox emperor now?”
The cries of gulls echoed around the stadium. Its tiers of wooden seats were empty except for gulls searching for scraps that had been left behind.
“I am a Blue,” Porphyrius said.
“Do you change religious beliefs as easily as racing colors?”
“Matters are hardly that simple. Remember that one of the old emperor’s nephews-Pompeius, I believe-shares Justinian’s faith. And the populace would happily elevate him if Hypatius wasn’t willing. Or so I’ve heard. You don’t think this unrest is due to religious differences do you?”
“I am just wondering how you are connected with it, Porphyrius.”
“As I explained, I was hoping to stave off the usual bloodletting between the factions. I thought it might help if I suggested impartiality.”
“Not unlike the emperor’s decision to execute an equal number of Blue and Green troublemakers earlier this week. Did you know any of the condemned men?”
“I don’t mingle with common criminals.”
“My understanding is these were faction members who went on a rampage. Racing supporters.”
Porphyrius came to a halt. He scanned the empty seats reflectively then looked upwards. Over the rim of the Hippodrome smoke rose in ghostly columns. “We’re preparing to race. Some say we should be preparing for the end of the world. What do you think?”
“If the world is going to end then preparations will come to nothing. However, like you, I intend to pursue my work. It usually happens that the world doesn’t end after all.”
“A good answer. I’ll ask if anyone can tell me the name of the condemned men. More than likely they are the sort who only hang around the fringes but like to call themselves Blues or Greens when it suits them. Which is mostly when they’re looking for a fight.”
“Justinian will appreciate your cooperation. I am told, by the way, that you were visited recently by a man from Syria. An estate owner named Haik.”
If the question surprised Porphyrius his expression didn’t show it.“That’s so. Normally I would tell you it was a private matter, but since the emperor has ordered you to speak to me I will reveal that Haik wanted assistance in some business ventures. To be specific, he asked me to put in a good word with several petty officials who have been blocking his acquisition of a bit of prime orchard land. As you mentioned, I am a man of some influence, even in places where I haven’t raced for years.”
John wondered whether the request might have been accompanied by gold then reminded himself that a couple of local officials could no doubt be bribed far more cheaply than a famous charioteer. “Did you discuss anything else?”
“Do you suspect this Haik of wrongdoing?”
“Not in the least. He’s a friend of mine. He mentioned in passing that he’d spoken to you. He told me you were interrupted by a visitor. Do you remember who?”
“It’s rare that I don’t have a visitor. Let’s see. Hippolytus, I believe. Yes. Hippolytus. A wealthy young fellow. A Green. I am telling you because I know very well that you will find out anyway and then you will become suspicious of me, as if you aren’t already.”