"Chelsea Quinn Yarbro - Olivia 1 - A Flame in Byzantium" - читать интересную книгу автора (Yarbro Chelsea Quinn)

Only Drosos, who watched Olivia closely while he ate honied kid boiled in milk with onions, fish
stuffed with garlic and poached in wine, and spiced pork baked in a bread, noticed that she showed no
outward signs of hunger, treating the lavish feast with indifference. Curious, he rose while the slaves
removed the platters that had held the pork buns, and walked to her chairтАФfor unlike her guests, she did
not recline on padded couchesтАФholding out a second cup to her. "Great lady, let me pour some of this
excellent vintage for you. In your generosity, you have given all to us and spared none for yourself."
Olivia looked up at him. "You are most gracious," she said with a trace of amusement that Drosos
could not identify in her fascinating eyes. "But I do not drink wine."
Before Drosos could pursue the matter, Belisarius motioned him back to his couch as the slaves
brought out three long spits of roasted ducks stuffed with nuts and raisins.
While Drosos went on with the banquet, Olivia watched him, a speculative lift to her brows the only
indication of her thoughts.



A bill of sale sent by military courier to Belisarius outside Roma.



On the Feast of the Patriarchs, I, Andros Trachi, acknowledge the receipt of the amount of
twenty-two grains of gold and thirty-seven grains of silver in total and complete payment for a
domicile of nineteen rooms, with kitchen and larder attached, from the Roman lady known to
General Belisarius as Olivia Clemens, a widow, who for the safety of her goods and her person
has taken the advice of the General and agreed to come to the city of Konstantin.
I formally relinquish all claims on this property to the General, who has acted as sponsor of
the said widow, since she is lacking in husband or father or brother to act for her in this matter.
All further negotiations are agreed to be directed to her majordomo, one Niklos Aulirios, who is
empowered to carry out all contractual arrangements for her, and to have the sanction of the
General Belisarius for such actions. It is agreed that no member of my family, nor my heirs, nor
their kindred and heirs may make claim to this property and that the transference is a permanent
one.
Regarding the alterations that this widow requires, it will take the workers a period of five
months to accomplish most of the construction, and until it is complete arrangements may be
made for this great lady to be the guest of the family of her sponsor, that is, the General
Belisarius, and this will allow the majordomo Niklos Aulirios to oversee the construction to the
satisfaction of his mistress.
Witnessed by the Pope Phillipos and the Pope Alexis at Konstantinoupolis in the presence of
myself, Andros Trachi, and the freedman Thalkas, who will be the one in charge of the
construction to be done on the property changing hand.
Prosperity, long life, and the favor of God to our great Emperor Justinian, who defends the
honor of God on earth.



An appended note, addressed to Olivia.



Great lady,
For the time you are in Konstantinoupolis, you may find that some of the customs are strange