‘Sir?’
‘The first is that if your intent is to farm silk and sell it on the open market, pray be disabused of that notion. Justinian will never allow an industry of such wealth to remain free. He will of a surety seize it for himself and create a state monopoly.’
‘Ah. Then-’
‘You will be compensated, no doubt. But the greater difficulty is in the getting of the seeds. As I understand it, silk comes from Sinae or Serica as some would call it, the land of the Seres people. This is at an unknowable distance beyond even the Persian frontier. Cloud-piercing mountains have been mentioned, I believe. To reach it, therefore, your expedition cannot but enter upon the lands and territory of King Khosroe of the Sassanid Persians with whom, let me remind you, we are currently bound with a fifty-year treaty of perpetual amity.
‘He will naturally resist any Roman attempt to break his hold over the silk trade and if your party is armed, as it must assuredly be, then it will mean war. The Emperor is sorely distracted by the loss of Rome and would never contemplate another Persian war, no matter what the advantages. I cannot readily see how you will overcome this, gentlemen.’
‘We’ll go around them.’
‘March a small expedition into the very lair of the Goths? I rather think not.’
Nicander replied hastily, ‘Then we go in disguise! Just we two, honest merchants about our business.’
‘And be instantly taken up as Roman spies? Your Persian is an epicure in the arts of torture – the very least you might expect is to be impaled through the anus and raised on high as a caution to us all.’
John the Cappadocian smiled serenely. ‘However, I like the conceit of disguise, on reflection it merely needs refinement. I can well see how it might be handled.’ He steepled his hands.
‘Please go on, sir,’ Nicander said.
‘Then it is this. A brace of devout and intrepid gentlemen of god, of whatever species they may be, might without excessive hindrance pass through the lands of Zoroaster about their holy mission.’
‘Be buggered to that! I’ll not prat about like a poxy monk for any man!’ Marius burst out.
‘Did I say you must? You asked me for advice, I’m laying out the alternatives, wherever they might lead…’
‘Yes, yes, please continue, sir!’ Nicander spluttered, glaring at Marius.
‘So, you do not propose to go in the nature of a military expedition. This will greatly reduce expenses and will be looked upon favourably.’
Nicander brightened.
‘Yet the sum needed will remain substantial.’
‘For our travel needs?’
‘Not so. You will be begging your way in the usual fashion and, of course, living frugally. No, I was more thinking about far kingdoms and strange peoples. I would find it singular, indeed, should your way be not greatly eased by the judicious laying out of inducements.’
‘Bribe our way out of situations.’
‘That is not the customary term, but it will serve. And naturally when in the fabled land of the Seres, will not your persuasion to loosen their grip on a trifle of seeds be in the nature of things golden?’
For the first time it was all looking possible. ‘It does appear we have a basis for moving ahead on the project,’ Nicander replied. ‘What do you think are our chances – with Emperor Justinian, that is?’
John the Cappadocian eased into an oily smile. ‘Why, I would have thought quite positive. The idea will, without a doubt, attract his interest and a few hundred thousands to him is neither here nor there. With my considerable help you will gain his attention in this.
‘You will, of course, be presenting a costed estimate based on a comprehensive plan with distances, timing and good evidence of your knowledge of the impediments to be encountered. Whether he will consider you yourselves as suitable for the expedition will depend on your credibility, otherwise you will be thanked with a pittance for your suggestion and others will be appointed.’
‘I understand, sir. We’ll begin work on it immediately! There is the question of gaining audience with His Imperial Majesty. How…?’
‘The usual sanction is to petition for a hearing, but this requires you state your business first with the referendary regulating such access. I do not recommend this course if you desire discretion in the matter of your idea.’
His flabby brow furrowed. ‘The Master of the Offices is the untouchable Peter the Patrician, who would never countenance private access, still less the wooden-headed Marcellus, Count of Excubitors and not a man to cross.’
He reflected for a moment. ‘I fear our greatest obstacle, however, will be the cunning and entirely corrupt Peter Barsymes, whose reptilian hide is as slimy as his manner. You will know him as the Count of the Sacred Largesse – Emperor Justinian’s privy treasurer.’
The ‘our’ triggered a sudden thrill in Nicander.
‘No! Leave this to me. The matter is too delicate for precipitate action. Do prepare your plan, return with it and we shall discuss it together. I will ensure it reaches the ear of the Emperor, do not doubt it.’
Heaving himself upright he leant across, holding their eyes. ‘Meanwhile – trust no one! Speak not to a soul, distrust the very walls. The palace is an evil place, where behind a genial manner every man’s hand is set against his brother, where a father sells his daughter for power and gain, and worse that I cannot speak of it. Go now, we’ll meet again when your plans are ready…’
CHAPTER SEVEN
Nicander fought down his exhilaration. From utter despair to the situation now – when anything seemed possible!
‘I really do believe we’re on to something. I reckon at the very least Justinian will reward us handsomely.’
Marius merely grunted in reply.
Nicander allowed his thoughts to roam. Their spoils would probably be vast: this was no less than the saving of a king’s ransom in gold at a time when the Byzantines needed all the wealth they could find to preserve the country’s borders against the tidal surge of barbarians.
It seemed so unreaclass="underline" this wretched squalor and the talk of gold and empires in which he was a central player.
He glanced at Marius, who now had a brooding expression.
‘I do think that notion of going as monks makes a lot of sense, don’t you? On the way back we can even hide the seeds in a holy relic or some such.’
There was another ill-natured grunt.
Nicander sighed; he was not going to let Marius’s mood spoil the moment.
‘So. A plan. It’s got to be a good one, credible and appealing to an emperor. How do we start?’
Marius sat unblinking, a scowl now darkening his face.
‘We’ve first got to work out a route that takes us past the Goths and other foul heathens. And to make us sound credible we have to know in detail what we’re talking about. This will, as well, tell us what’s ahead so we can plan for it, put it in the costings. Where do we get such information? It has to be from impeccable sources and as comprehensive as we can manage. Of course! The library, right here in the city! All the knowledge of Serica and the East… it must have everything.’
There was still no response from Marius and Nicander was beginning to be irritated by his sullen attitude. Did he not see the scale of the task?
‘Be in classical Greek or legal Latin, naturally,’ he went on, ‘Shouldn’t be too much of a problem. Only thing is, so much to get through.’
Suddenly Marius got to his feet with a venomous glare and stormed out.
The next morning Nicander was vexed to see Marius’s mood was still there but he decided to let whatever was riding the man pass in its own time.
He took up his satchel. ‘I’ve had a few thoughts about topics to investigate. I don’t have to tell you that I have to be disciplined in this or I’ll not cover the ground in time. So I’ll be off, then. Don’t know how long I’ll be.’
But just before he reached the door Marius thrust himself across it, barring his way. ‘You don’t fucking need me now, do you!’
Nicander stopped in his tracks, taken aback by the outburst.