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

everything that happens in a campaign."
"We must be prudent," said the oldest. "You may not think that we are putting up the kind of
resistance that you and the Emperor would like, but we have families and businesses and trade to fill our
time, and we're not eager to see our children starve, no matter who rules in Roma or in Constantinople,
and you may tell the Emperor that. It is not treason to want to preserve our lives and the lives of our
families. According to what you and the others say, that is what Justinian wishes to do." He folded his
arms, revealing two long tears in the threadbare silk.
"It is what all of us wish to do," Belisarius said wearily. "Your goals are no different than those of the
Emperor; we work to the same ends."
"That may be," said the youngest, his expression blank with disapproval. "But what can we do to save
our children? Whether the Emperor agrees or not, we must look to our own welfare or see our families
without shelter and food."
"Yes," said the one with the darkest beard.
Belisarius nodded. He had seen hungry children all over Italy. "We will do all that we must to insure
that as few as possible are lost."
"Fine words," scoffed the oldest man. "But it will not feed our children or save our houses." He glared
at Belisarius and did not bother to appear respectful.
"What do you wish me to do, good citizens?" Belisarius inquired, rubbing his aching eyes as he spoke.
"Tell me."
This was what they had been waiting for; the youngest took a step closer and said, "We want to keep
the gates closed in the morning so that we can take time to find out how much there truly is in the city.
We need to discover how much food is left, where there is room for more people to be housed, where
there can be more animals stalled and fed, how much water is left, what clothing is availableтАФ"
The one with the darkest beard interrupted him. "There are also slaves and servants to deal with.
Most of those coming from Roma are not wealthy, but they are bringing their goods and chattels with
them, and all must be considered if we are going to be able to plan for any of them."
"And," the oldest went on with a nod to the others, "there are those who need to find out what has
been taken, what is missing, and where the thieves are taking their booty. The price of certain foods has
already more than doubled, and I have spoken with the Guard Tribune who has said that they cannot
stem the tide. With so many fleeing, all a thief has to say is that he bought an item from one of the
Romans on the road; unless there is good reason to doubt him, no one will question such a statement.
For one thing, no one has the time to carry on an investigation, and for another the Guard has more to do
than inspect baggage for contraband and loot."
A fourth man, very lean and wearing the most elaborate palmata wound over his tunica, spoke at last.
"There are slaves escaping, too. Some have killed their owners and taken treasure, confident that all they
need do is remove their collars to be free of their state and the consequences of their acts."
Absentmindedly Belisarius fingered the metal torque around his neck that indicated his rank,
thinkingтАФand not for the first timeтАФthat it was oddly appropriate that his rank and a slave's should be
indicated by a collar. That his was studded with amber did not alter its impact for him. "Most slaves are
branded, aren't they? They can be rid of the collars, but not of the brands." Under his bracchae his legs
were scarred, a General's brand, he told himself.
"But the brands are on the thigh or upper arm. It would mean another inspection," pointed out the
oldest. "I believe Lepidius is correct, that there are slaves taking advantage of this troubled time to flee,
but there are others, certainly there are others legitimately seeking their owners and trying to conduct
themselves according to the laws of God and man."
"It isn't practical to inspect every person coming through the city's gates," allowed the one monk in the
group.
"It isn't practical to permit the kind of influx we have, but no one is concerned about that," said the
one called Lepidius.
"What would be the point?" asked Belisarius. "The problem is already upon us, and there is nothing to