“And what does it mean for us, John? Will the natives see us in a different light?”
“At least they won’t try to burn our house down or stone us in the streets.”
“We will need new tenants unless Philip plans to stay in his father’s house.”
John’s expression hardened. “I have told Philip to go. He cannot remain in my employment. I can’t trust him. He concealed his father’s illegal activities from me.”
Peter appeared in the doorway bearing honey cakes and wine. He hesitated as John looked up at him sharply.
“I asked Peter to bring us something to eat,” Cornelia explained.
“I’m glad you’re here, Peter,” John told him. “Please find Hypatia and bring her here.”
When Peter departed John pulled a scrap of parchment from the pouch at his belt and handed it to Cornelia. “This is the account of the treasure of Corinth that Theophilus stole from the monastery. Take a close look. You can see it is a palimpsest. Whoever wrote about the matter used an old bit of parchment from which the previous writing had been erased. But not eradicated completely. In a good light you can make out a legal term or two and in the corner, part of Justinian’s name. This sheet was probably from a copy of the emperor’s Institutes. Just a few years old, in other words. The document is not contemporary with Alaric’s sack of Corinth. It’s nothing more than a fraud, a prank. It has already killed two people.”
Cornelia held the document up to her eyes. “I can make out some of the words underneath, as you say. How were the others deceived?”
“Alexis is half-blind and Stephen, my stepfather, and Diocles were blinded by greed.”
Peter returned with Hypatia.
John stood up and addressed them. “I wanted to speak to both of you at the same time. As you well know, much has changed and sometimes in the face of change it is impossible to maintain our lives as they were. Therefore, as of today, you are no longer in my employment.”
Peter stared at John in disbelief.
Cornelia jumped to her feet. “John! I know this business with your friends has upset you but-”
“There is nothing to discuss. I have already chosen two of the estate employees as replacements.”
Peter finally managed to speak, sounding as if he had a noose around his neck. “I know I have caused problems, master-”
“I am no longer your master, Peter. You and Hypatia were not banished from Constantinople. You chose to come here. You are free to return if you wish. If, as I hope, you would prefer to stay, you may have Petrus’ house or Lucian’s, whichever would suit you best. I consider your long years of loyal service a fair price for either.”
Peter blinked in confusion. “But, but…master…”
Hypatia said nothing. For an instant she locked grateful tear-filled eyes with John’s, then pulled Peter firmly out of the room.
The rain was coming down harder now. Hand in hand, John and Cornelia watched it refresh the earth.