Siege

The next morning she awoke with a thundering headache, her limbs heavy and tired. She felt certain that her dream had been a message and that she knew its meaning: the cup was poisoned. That was the explanation for her illness and for Helena's untimely death. And if Helena had been poisoned, then there could be only one man responsible. Not Neophytus: he had nothing to gain from Helena's death. No, it had to have been Gennadius.

Confirming her suspicions would not be easy. She would have to blackmail Neophytus to get to Gennadius, and she could not do that on her own. There was only one person to whom she could turn: Lucas Notaras, her husband-to-be. Constantine had decreed that they would marry in September, and as her fiance, Notaras was the only man other than her confessor that Sofia was allowed to receive. She wrote a quick message, requesting that he present himself at her quarters the following morning. Involving Notaras was risky, she knew. He was a proud opponent of union and an ally of Gennadius. Still, he was her only hope if she were to avenge Helena's death.

The next day Notaras arrived punctually at her chambers. 'Princess Sofia, I am pleasantly surprised by your invitation,' he said with a bow. 'To what do I owe this honour?'

'I must speak with you about matters of some importance,' she told him. 'We must speak in private.'

'In private, Princess?' Notaras asked with a rakish smile.

'Yes, we will speak in the garden.' Notaras nodded and followed her to a small rose garden in the palace courtyard. There they could talk in private under the watchful eyes of Sofia's maid. They began to walk the gravel path around the garden, and when Sofia was certain that no one was within earshot, she spoke in a low voice. 'I need your help.'

'By all means, Princess.'

'I know that you are supporting Gennadius's bid to replace Mammas as patriarch,' Sofia said. 'You must cut whatever ties you have with him. Gennadius is dangerous.'

'What do you mean, dangerous?'

Sofia stopped. 'What I tell you now, you must swear to tell no one,' she said. Notaras hesitated. 'I promise that it will not compromise your honour.'

'Very well then, I swear it.'

'Good,' Sofia said. 'I believe that I have discovered the cause of the empress-mother's death.'

'The empress-mother? She was sick for months. She died of old age.'

'No, she was poisoned,' Sofia said and continued walking.

'Who told you that?' Notaras demanded as he caught up to her. He did not express surprise.

'No one told me.' Sophia took the golden communion cup from a small bag that she was carrying and handed it to him. 'This was Helena's communion cup. I believe that her confessor, Father Neophytus, used it to poison her.'

Notaras was wary. 'What makes you think that?'

'Smell it.'

'It smells of almonds.'

'Why would a cup that has held only wine smell of almonds?' she asked. 'I merely tasted the residue left in the bottom of the cup and became violently ill.'

'But why would Neophytus want Helena dead?'

'He would not, but Gennadius would,' Sofia said. 'Neophytus is in contact with him, and Gennadius would do anything to stop the Union, even kill.'

'I see,' Notaras murmured as he examined the cup. 'What would you have me do?'

'Tomorrow, we will confront Neophytus together,' Sofia replied. 'You will do whatever is necessary – threaten, bribe or torture – to persuade him to turn on Gennadius. When he does so, we will go to Constantine. You will turn Gennadius over and tell Constantine that you no longer oppose the Union.' Notaras began to protest, but she cut him off. 'I do not ask you to accept the pope's decree, but at the very least work for compromise. You have given your oath to Constantine. If you truly believe in honour, then keep your oath. Rally the nobles behind your emperor.'

'And if I refuse?'

Sofia stopped and met Notaras's gaze. 'Your friendship with Gennadius is widely known. If you support the practices of those who fight the Union, then you will share in their punishments as well.'

'Is that a threat, Princess?'

'Yes, Megadux, it is.'

Notaras paused for some time, staring silently at the cup. 'I will do as you ask, Princess,' he said at last. 'And if what you say is true, then I will turn Gennadius over to Constantine and give my support to the Union. But know that I do so only because I believe it to be best for Constantinople. I do not take kindly to threats.'

'So long as you help me, your reasons are your own concern,' Sofia said. 'Until tomorrow, then. Good-day, Notaras.' She turned and walked away, leaving him holding the cup. Sofia and Notaras left for the Haghia Sofia early the next morning, accompanied by Sofia's maid. Notaras did not wait for someone to greet them in the narthex. He headed straight into the great hall of the church, and Sofia followed, her maid trailing. They crossed the nave and emerged into a dining hall, where Notaras grabbed a young acolyte and ordered him to guide them to Neophytus's chamber.

When they arrived, Notaras tried the door but found it locked. He pounded on the door and called out in a loud voice, 'Father Neophytus? It is the megadux, Lucas Notaras!' There was no response. Notaras called again, then turned to the acolyte. 'Are you sure that Father Neophytus is in there?'

'Yes, My Lord,' the acolyte said. 'He has not left his cell since the visit of Father Gennadius, last night.'

Notaras reared back and kicked the door hard. The wood around the lock splintered, and the door swung open. The cell, dimly lit by one guttering lamp, appeared to be empty. 'Father Neophytus,' Notaras called out. 'Are you here?' Again, there was no response. Sofia stepped into the chamber and, peering into the dimness, she saw Neophytus.

'There,' she said and pointed to where Neophytus sat with his head on his desk, unmoving. He appeared to be sleeping.

'Father Neophytus,' Notaras called loudly, but the priest did not move. While Sofia tended to the lamp, Notaras went to the priest and shook him. Neophytus slumped and then fell from his chair, landing with his face towards Sofia. As the room brightened, she saw that his lips were black and his eyes were rolled back into his head. Sofia's maid gasped. Neophytus was clearly dead.

Notaras bent down to inspect him. 'The body is still warm.' He shook his head. 'Why would he kill himself?'

'Perhaps he didn't,' Sofia replied. 'Look, he is holding something in his hand.'

Notaras prised Neophytus's hand open and held up a small, empty vial. He held it to his nose. 'Almonds. I think you are right, Princess. Helena was poisoned. I have seen this vial before in Gennadius's study.'

'If Gennadius knew enough to dispose of Neophytus, then he will also know that I took Helena's cup,' Sofia speculated.

'Then you are in great danger, Princess,' Notaras warned. 'You have seen what Gennadius is capable of.'

'But without Neophytus, we cannot accuse Gennadius.'

'There are other ways,' Notaras said, touching his sword.

'No.' Sofia shook her head. 'I do not wish to make a martyr of him. That would only strengthen his cause.'

'Then I will have my men watch the church of Saint Pantocrator,' Notaras said. 'If Gennadius attempts some treachery, then I will know of it.'

'Thank you.'

'It is the least that I can do for my betrothed.'

Sofia frowned at the word. She looked Notaras in the eye. 'You know that I did not choose to become your wife, Notaras,' she began. 'And I have made no secret of the fact that I do not look forward to our marriage. Perhaps I was wrong to judge you so harshly.'

'I did not choose to be your husband either, Princess,' Notaras replied. 'The emperor offered you to me in marriage. It is an honour that I could not refuse, but it was never my desire to marry you against your will. Believe me, if I had my choice, I would not have chosen a woman with such a sharp tongue.' He smiled. 'Nevertheless, we will be married, whether we like it or not. I would like to have your consent, if not your love. I am willing to wait until I have it.'