Selene of Alexandria (43 page)

Demetrius rang the bell at the Convent of Macarius, a community established by a fellow Alexandrine. From outside, it was little different from the seven others he had visited. Some had men only, others women only, some mixed communities swore celibacy, but all practiced a form of asceticism designed to prove the superiority of the spirit over the flesh. Many holy ones refused to bathe or comb their hair.

The thought reminded Demetrius how desperately he wanted a bath. His own stench combined with his physical discomfort sparked a flash of bitter resentment. He toyed with idea of escaping to freedom, living out what remained of his life on a small plot of date trees. The vision of a comely wife and a flock of children at his knee faded as someone unbarred the gate. Demetrius shook his head to rid himself of the last vestiges of impossible visions. He had duties to perform.

A tall woman with the sun-brown complexion of native Egypt swung the gate wide and asked his business. Demetrius stated his mission in well-rehearsed words and braced for rejection. The woman smiled, showing many gaps in her teeth. "Midwife Melania has been with us a few days. We had some illness and she graciously stayed to help nurse the unfortunate ones."

"Could I see her?" Demetrius leaned forward in his eagerness to enter the compound and complete his mission.

The woman stepped back. "This way. I'll let Melania know you're here." She escorted the small contingent to the guesthouse and set out water and dates. "We haven't much. With the sickness and all, we've not ground grain, much less baked bread in days."

"Perhaps we could repay your hospitality by doing some work in the compound. We would gladly be of service."

The Egyptian woman eyed them speculatively. "We'll see."

In the guesthouse, Demetrius unpacked paper, ink and reed pens, grateful at last to be doing his job. The guards squatted in a corner and began dicing. Their money had changed hands many times on the journey. Demetrius considered lecturing them on the evils of gaming in holy places, but after the first day they had been pleasant if crude company. They had given him some salve to ease his pains and make the journey bearable.

It was the better part of two hours before the dark woman returned with a sister wearing the short hair and rough robes of a penitent. The new woman was in her middle years, with lines deepening around dark eyes and a generous mouth.

Demetrius bowed. "Are you the midwife Melania?"

She looked him over with some curiosity. "Yes."

"I am Demetrius, personal agent to the Augustal Prefect. I've come to take a sworn statement from you concerning the events surrounding the death of one Honoria, wife to Antonius, daughter to Ision."

She looked troubled. "Am I under some suspicion of wrong doing? Does the Patriarch know of this interview?"

"This is an inquest. No charges are levied against you. We want nothing more than your honest recollections of the events. The Patriarch was informed of my mission. If you wish to have another present, that is permissible. Otherwise, my escort will serve as sworn witnesses."

Melania slipped her hands up the voluminous sleeves of her robe and gripped her elbows. "It is not necessary to bother the other sisters. Childbirth is a chancy thing, and even the best midwives lose patients, but Honoria's death was unexpected and particularly horrifying. I will gladly answer your questions."

"Will you have a seat?" He ushered her to a chair and placed his portable lap desk on his knees. "Let's start with your assessment of Honoria's condition when you first were called to her bedside."

Chapter 34

Selene tried not to fidget as the families reconvened in the Prefect's private chambers. Weeks of confinement, following the first inquest, left her edgy and depressed. She worried about Mother Nut. Rebecca had found her hut empty and no one knew where she went. Selene submerged her anxieties in exhausting physical labor. The house had not been so clean since her mother's death.

Everyone settled on the benches. Hierex and Urbib flanked Ision and his wife. Honoria's sisters sat in a knot behind them. Lysis, Antonius, his two brothers and a family retainer versed in the law occupied most of the remaining places.

Lacking family, friends and clients, save for Calistus' comforting presence, Selene felt vulnerable. She missed her brothers. Maintaining a brave face for her frail father taxed her reserves.

If only Phillip were here, with his ready smile and strong arms, or even Nicaeus with an outrageous story to occupy her mind. But Nicaeus would only now be receiving her letter somewhere on the border and they had received word yesterday that Phillip was ill with fever and could not travel. Fear for her brother's health upset Selene's fragile balance.

She searched Orestes' face for some sign of her fate. He did not look at her, but maintained a neutral mask. Selene tried to still her racing heart. She clutched her father's hand. Orestes looked up from a sheet of paper and cleared his throat.

The room quieted.

"My apologies to all parties for the lengthy wait between inquests. Midwife Melania proved more difficult to locate than anticipated." Orestes nodded toward his secretary, several shades darker and considerably thinner. "I have a sworn statement from Melania describing the events as she saw them before and after Lady Honoria's death."

Orestes' eyes tracked the writing on the paper.

Selene held her breath.

"Among other details, Melania claims Lady Honoria died of excessive bleeding due to a misplaced placenta and no external or internal manipulation of the fetus could have saved the mother's life. She further states Lady Selene delivered the child after the mother's death using a known surgical procedure. She further testifies that Selene revived the child using a technique unknown to her. Midwife Melania believes Lady Honoria's death to be an act of God, not the deliberate mischief of man or woman."

Selene let out her breath in an explosive puff, her knotted stomach unclenching. Calistus' hand trembled in hers.

Orestes continued. "Based on this sworn testimony by a neutral witness corroborating the statements made by Lady Selene, I see no purposeful wrongdoing or accidental misadventure in the death of Honoria, wife of Antonius. The Prefect's office declines to bring any charges against Antonius, son of Lysis, or Selene, daughter of Calistus. In addition, the child known as Honorius Posthumous shall be given over to his father Antonius, who will make all decisions concerning his upbringing, education and inheritance."

Selene felt as if a smothering blanket had been removed from her head. She wanted to laugh hysterically in relief, but suppressed the urge.

Arete sobbed. Ision stood, fists clenched, face turning purple. "You can't give my only grandson to that man!"

"It is not for this office to come between a man and his offspring. Children belong to their fathers." Orestes' gaze sharpened. "You, sir, will hand over the child to his father by the end of the day or face the displeasure of this office."

Hierex stood. His nasal tones cut through the initial hubbub. "Prefect, I understand your office is relinquishing jurisdiction in this matter?"

"No. We have found no grounds for prosecution. If additional evidence comes to light, we will entertain it at a later time."

"New evidence of a very serious nature has come to light. The Patriarch asked me to take Lady Selene into custody to be examined by the Church in connection with witchcraft. She used an unholy method to return the child's soul to its body."

Selene collapsed against Calistus. His arms circled her protectively. Witchcraft! She glanced quickly at Antonius, who sat in stunned silence, blood draining from his face.

Orestes flushed, a vein throbbing visibly in his temple as he rose to his full commanding height.

"By what right does Patriarch Cyril interfere in this matter?"

Hierex bowed slightly to the Prefect then pulled his lips into a sly smile. "You are quite aware that Emperor Theodosius chartered each of his Bishops with the spiritual health of his people. That includes investigating charges of heresy, witchcraft and sorcery, and the disposition of people found guilty of such crimes. Whether or not you decided to prosecute, the Patriarch would be obligated to look into this matter."

"What evidence do you have of such conduct by my daughter?" Calistus' voice quavered.

Hierex turned to Calistus. "All in good time, sir. We need a private interview with Lady Selene. Will you kindly deliver your daughter to the Patriarch's offices after the noon meal?"

Calistus moved between the Patriarch's minion and his daughter. "I will do no such thing unless I am assured of Selene's safety and good health."

"Her immortal soul is in perilous danger. Only the Church can save her from the influence of malignant people or demonic spirits." Hierex' eyes hardened. "I strongly recommend you have her there at the appointed time." He turned back to Orestes. "Good day to you, Prefect."

Hierex made his way to the closed door of the chambers. A servant let him out. Ision gathered his entourage and followed the monk, pausing briefly to send a triumphant look toward Calistus.

Orestes left the protection of his table and approached the two remaining families. He extended his hand and Calistus clasped his forearm. "I'm sorry, councilor. This did not turn out as I wished." He bowed to Selene. "There is nothing I can officially do in this matter. Cyril has full jurisdiction."

"Why is the Patriarch doing this," Selene asked. "I attend services regularly; do good deeds among the poor. What harm have I caused?" She trembled as much with anger as with fear.

"I have some theories about why." Orestes' face hardened. "I believe you are not the target of Cyril's interest, Selene." He took her right hand in both of his. "I will be present at this inquiry. I may not be able to do anything officially, but you will have my full support." He smiled, and the cares of his years and office seemed to drop from his face. "And my personal resources are considerable."

Selene smiled back, struck as she had been three years ago by the cool power of his emerald eyes. His tenure as Prefect had added lines to his face, and gray threaded the auburn hair of his temples, but he still carried his height with the grace of an athlete. His bureaucratic duties had not added an ounce of fat to his lean frame, or bowed his soldiers' stance. He radiated confidence.

Selene murmured thanks.

She looked up in time to catch the despair, rage and guilt that flashed across Antonius' face. He approached and ushered her to a quiet corner while Orestes consulted with her father and Lysis. "I feel so helpless, Selene. This is my fault. If I hadn't agreed to marry Honoria, if I had followed my heart instead…"

She put a finger to his lips. "You made the best choice you could at the time. What's done is done."

Antonius lightly kissed her fingertips. She jerked them away, looking about to see if any had observed his rash action. He recaptured her hand and asked, in a low voice, "Did you mean what you said at the inquest?"

Looking into his bruised eyes, Selene's feelings crystallized. She had told the truth. She loved Antonius, but as a friend and brother. That would never be enough for him. He was obsessed with her, but blind to her needs and feelings. He wanted sympathy and absolution when she needed strength and assurance.

"Yes. I meant what I said at the hearing." She withdrew her hand. "Our chance at happiness together is past. Lavish your love on your child. Your love for me can only do harm."

Antonius' spoke through clenched teeth. "It's Orestes, isn't it? I saw how he looked at you."

"Orestes is a good friend to our family." Anger suddenly blazed through her. "Had you told the truth at the hearing and trusted Orestes to be fair, you could be more help to me now. Instead you lied, and any action you take on my behalf will be interpreted as proof of that lie."

Antonius' face blanched, leaving a greenish tinge to his dusky complexion. He dropped his head. "Of course. I handled this whole matter badly. I hope you can find it in yourself to forgive me, Selene."

Before Selene could take back her angry words, he turned away, collected his father and brothers, and left the room. What passion she had felt for him blew to ashes in the cold wind of her pity. He still thought only of himself.

Selene and Calistus left shortly after. She leaned heavily on her father's arm and was, for once, grateful for the stuffy litter, which took her home. Calistus remained quiet while she gazed between the curtains. She felt like a piece of laundry battered on rocks, prodded with wooden poles and finally twisted tight to remove the water.

Selene put her hand to her forehead and closed her eyes. She dampened her anger and tried desperately to stifle the fear that crept out of the dark places in her soul. Her eyes snapped wide, the whites showing around the deep brown irises. The litter seemed to close in around her. She wanted to leap into the crowd and run, as she had never run before. Her body tensed for flight just as her father spoke.

"Selene, my child, I will let nothing harm you." Calistus gathered her in his arms and stroked her hair. "No doubt this is all a mistake. I will speak to Cyril. If he does not listen to reason, I will marshal the council."

Selene trembled in the illusory safety of her father's arms, willing herself to believe he could put the pieces of her shattered life back together.

Hierex escorted Selene into the Patriarch's presence. Her father and Rebecca remained in a sitting room, separated from her by two beefy parabolans guarding the door with cudgels.