Not

sunrise as

up early," she commented.
Irene grimaced. "No, I'm just up later than usual. I haven't slept."
She nodded toward the diminishing figure of Hermogenes, who was now passing through the gate. "He's quite a bright fellow, you know. He figured out much more than I would have expected, just from watching the people around him."
"Is that why he stayed at the table? I assumed it was because he had intentions toward you."
Irene shook her head, smiling. "Oh, no. His conduct was absolutely impeccable. Propriety incarnate. No, he wanted to join the conspiracy. Whatever it is. He doesn't care, really, as long as Belisarius is involved. A bad case of hero worship, he's got."
"What did you tell him?"
"Enough. Not too much. But enough to make him happy, and win his allegiance. I think quite highly of that young man, Antonina. He's everything Belisarius said, and more."
Antonina put her arm around her friend's waist and began to guide her back into the villa.
"Fill me in on the details later. You look absolutely exhausted, Irene. You need to get to bed."
Irene chuckled. "Back to bed, actually." Feeling Antonina's little start of surprise, Irene grinned wearily.
"I said I hadn't slept, Antonina. We didn't talk about conspiracies the whole damned night."
"But—"
Irene's grin widened. "I find handsome young men who are smart enough not to try to seduce me to be quite irresistible."

Chapter 21
GWALIOR
Autumn, 529 ad
"I believe I owe Venandakatra an apology," remarked Belisarius.
Garmat frowned. "Why in the world would you owe that swine an apology?" he demanded crossly.
"Oh, I have no intention of giving it to him. That's an obligation which wears very lightly on my shoulders. But I owe it to him nonetheless."
Belisarius gestured ahead, to the enormous procession which was snaking its way along the right bank of the Narmada.
The small Roman/Axumite contingent was located far back from the head of the caravan. The general and Garmat were riding next to each other, on horseback. Just behind them came Valentinian and Anastasius, and the slave scribe, also on horseback. The rest of their party were borne by the two h