The Shadow of the Phoenix

Gizeric smiled. That smile was famous. It held neither amusement nor warmth. It often preceded a sentence of death. "Rome's Empress is indeed a woman of strength and courage," he commented. "I am mindful that I enter Rome as her Preserver, not her Despoiler...this time. I suggest that you gather your women to places of safety to protect them from my men, many of whom are without families. As for you, Priest, I offer you the advice that you return to your prayers with all speed." Silently fuming, Gizeric pulled at his horse's bridle. The spirited animal reared and pawed the air. Filled with anger and suspicion, the Vandal King led his army into Rome...... ......Turning toward the palace he shouted, "Eudoxia, Daughter of Rome, I await you!" Sepulchral silence hurtled back at him. The servants had fled; the soldiers, senators, lackeys...all had fled, leaving their Empress to the mercy of Gizeric the Vandal. His reputation had far outstripped his actual march upon Rome. Like grim players in an ancient Greek myth, Rome left her daughter as a sacrificial offering to the monster who had come against her in the hope that he would content himself with rending her, and let everyone else go free. Gizeric gestured. Hunneric and Genzon opened the massive doors. Their father entered the heart of Rome's diminishing power..... ......"Eudoxia!" The Empress latched the shutter. Her hand trembled. So it had come to pass, after all. Every wall had been breached, every bastion had been opened. The mountains had been leveled, the hills leveled, the lowest valleys had made themselves exalted. But it was not for the Messiah this had come to pass, oh no, it was for the antichrist... Eutropius plummetted into the chamber. "My Lady, Gaiseric is calling you! You must go to him! You must extend him Rome's greeting of friendship!" "I did not summon him here." Her voice sounded strangely detached. It rang hollowly in her ears. "Please, Lady, do not be rash! He alone can set you upon the Throne!" "You deceived me," she accused. "You and Laconis...you sent a letter to...him!" "Eudoxia!" came the summons again. "Oh please forgive me, My Lady!" Eutropius wept. "It was necessary, more necessary than you will ever know--" "Necessary? To summon the Dark Horseman? To invite Death himself into Rome? What have you done?" "My Lady, we have known the Vandal for a long time--" "He was directing his forces of destruction long before I entered the world!" she cried.. She clenched her palsied hands. The tremor rose into her voice. "He will be directing them long after I leave it! Eutropius, why have you betrayed me?" Her eunich flung himself at her feet. "If you would only calm yourself, Child, you would see that YOU hold his hand securely bound! You must go to him as Theodosius' granddaughter...please..." "Do you see this letter? It is from Marcellinus. He is coming to do all that I asked, to marry me, to set me upon my Throne, to defend and preserve Rome." Eutropius' soft mouth quivered. "Eudoxia, Child, why didn't you confide this to me?" "I could have had a Roman marriage and a Roman throne," she breathed. Her beautiful face contorted. "I will not owe my throne to a Vandal! Get out!" Her scream wrought its desired effect. Eutropius fled. Eudoxia forced herself to think. All her avenues of escape were sealed off. How could she ever forget the terror of being accosted by Honoric as she slipped through the secret tunnel into the garden? As if he had known! Marcellinus was still two weeks' forced march away. She would have to confront the Vandal. What should she say to him? "Eudoxia!" A whimper escaped her. She covered her face and prayed for a miracle, for an angel to deliver her and her daughters from the evil force prowling the halls of her palace, advancing steadily upon her. "Eudoxia." She raised her head and looked at him through trembling fingers. He was unchanged. His hair, trimmed in the Vandal mode, was still dark brown, his face was still the pleasing countenance of a man. Its sharp planes were cast in deep shadow, his figure was still lean. His dark eyes held no emotion, not triumph, not cruelty, not hatred. He was a man...only a man... "Forgive my delay, My Lord." Her voice was firm! She had somehow siezed control of herself and her destiny! Elation spread its narcotic warmth through her. "I believe that somehow there has been a dreadful mistake." "A mistake? Is this not your signature upon this letter?" ..... "Come and welcome me," he said softly. "It is my due and your obligation." **************************** ......"Yes, sit there, My Lady," the harried cook said in relief. "Someone will be with you in a moment...Aieee!" She rushed to the pot, which was boiling over. Eudocia lifted her eyes to the sky stretched above her, bluing into Eternity. She leveled her gaze to the horizon and spied a fig tree. She was hungry; guards had taken her away before she could eat. She looked around. No one was watching. She skipped forward without noticing the men approaching from the stables. One of them left the small group and blocked her path. "What are you doing here?" Eudocia's hand crept to her throat. The pale blue of his eyes reminded her of sun-faded robes that had been bleached too harshly and left too long beneath a merciless sun. She wanted to explain but couldn't think of anything to say. Tears welled beneath the liquid of her amber gaze. The effect was astounding. His wrath melted into confusion, then concern. "If you were to be accosted! Only think of the consequences!" Hunneric accused. "Where are your women? Why are you here alone where only men belong?" She tried to straighten her shoulders as her mother would have done, but she lacked the iron determination and pride of her mother. "I have lost my way, My Lord," she offered helplessly...