An Oblique Approach by David Drake and Eric Flint

The general’s gaze was returned by the monk’s blue-eyed glare. A crooked little smile came to Belisarius’ lips.

“You might want to keep him hooded, Bishop, before he slaughters your doves.”

Cassian laughed. “Oh, well said! Belisarius, let me introduce you to Michael of Macedonia.”

Belisarius cocked an eyebrow. “An odd companion at this hour—or at any hour, from his reputation.”

Belisarius stepped forward and extended his hand. The Bishop immediately shook it. The monk did not. But, as Belisarius kept the hand outstretched, Michael began to consider. Outstretched the hand was, and outstretched it remained. A large hand, well shaped and sinewy; a hand which showed not the slightest tremor as the long seconds passed. But it was not the hand which, finally, decided the man of God. It was the calmness of the brown eyes, which went so oddly with the youthful face. Like dark stones, worn smooth in a stream.

Michael decided, and took the hand.

A small commotion made them turn. In the doorway stood a woman, yawning, dressed in a robe. She was very short, and lush figured.

Michael had been told she was comely, for a woman of her years, but now he saw the telling was a lie. The woman was as beautiful as rain in the morning, and her years were the richness of the water itself.

Her beauty repelled him. Not, as it might another holy man, for recalling the ancient Eve. No, it repelled him, simply, because he was a contrary man. And he was so, because he had found all his life that what men said was good, was not; what they said was true, was false; and what they said was beautiful, was hideous.

Then, the woman’s eyes caught him. Eyes as green as the first shoots of spring. Bright, clear eyes in a dusky face, framed by ebony hair.

Michael considered, and knew again that men lied.

“You were right, Anthony,” he said harshly. He staggered slightly, betrayed by his weak limbs. A moment later the woman was at his side, assisting him to a couch.

“Michael of Macedonia, no less,” she said softly, in a humorous tone. “I am honored. Though I hope, for your sake, you were not seen entering. At this hour—well! My reputation is a tatter, anyway. But yours!”

“All reputation is folly,” said Michael. “Folly fed by pride, which is worse still.”

“Cheerful fellow, isn’t he?” asked Cassian lightly. “My oldest and closest friend, though I sometimes wonder why.”

He shook his head whimsically. “Look at us. He, with his shaggy mane and starveling body; me, with my properly groomed beard and—well. Slender, I am not.” A grin. “Though, for all my rotundity, let it be noted that I, at least, can still move about on my own two legs.”

Michael smiled, faintly. “Anthony has always been fond of boasting. Fortunately, he is also clever. A dull-witted Cassian would find nothing to boast about. But he can always find something, buried beneath the world’s notice, like a mole ferreting out worms.”

Belisarius and Antonina laughed.

“A quick-witted Stylite!” cried the general. “My day is made, even before the sun rises.”

Suddenly solemn, Cassian shook his head.

“I fear not, Belisarius. Quite the contrary. We did not come here to bring you sunshine, but to bring you a sign of nightfall.”

“Show him,” commanded Michael.

The bishop reached into his cassock and withdrew the thing. He held it forth in his outstretched hand.

Belisarius stooped slightly to examine the thing. His eyes remained calm. No expression could be seen on his face.

Antonina, on the other hand, gasped and drew back.

“Witchcraft!”

Anthony shook his head. “I do not think so, Antonina. Or, at least, not the craft of black magic.”

Curiosity overrode her fear. Antonina came forward. As short as she was, she did not have to stoop to scrutinize the thing closely.

“I have never seen its like,” she whispered. “I have never heard of its like. Magic gems, yes. But this—it resembles a jewel, at first, until you look more closely. Or a crystal. Then—within—it is like—”

She groped for words. Her husband spoke:

“So must the sun’s cool logic unfold, if we could see beneath its roiling fury.”

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