Curiously, as we neared the palace, the houses became more crude and haphazard in their construction. The grand and spacious villas of the wealthy were steadily replaced by habitations of meaner design, each more rude than the last until, in the very shadow of the palace walls, the dwellings were little more than hovels: bits of wood stuck up against the wall and covered over with branches and rags. The entire length of the wall in either direction supported these pathetic structures, about which swarmed a horde of filthy beggars.
Before we knew what was happening, we were surrounded by a seething mass of dirty, ragged people, all crying for alms. Some of these wretches waved withered limbs or stumps in our faces, others exposed gangrenous wounds running with pus. The barbarians, though uncouth themselves, were appalled by the poverty of this stinking throng and lashed out angrily whenever any of the beggars pressed too close. The guardsmen, well accustomed to the stench and noise, took the lead and pushed the overbearing crowd back with their shields and the butts of their spears. We eventually reached the gate where we were met by a company of blue-cloaked guards who, upon taking one look at the barbarians, drew their weapons and challenged us at spearpoint.
"Halt!" shouted the chief guard. "Halt or be killed."
The Danes, seeing spears lowered, thrust themselves forward to wage battle-at which point our escort of guards joined ranks with their countrymen. Justin raised his voice above the rattle of shields and shouted, "Scholarae Titus! Let us through! These men are with me-I am escorting them to an audience with the emperor."
The guard called Titus signalled his men to stay the attack, and said, "Explain this procession."
"We are on a…diplomatic mission-a matter of the highest importance."
Eyeing the barbarians, Titus said, "I cannot allow it."
"Listen to me," Justin said, stepping close. "There are lives at risk. The Quaestor of Hormisdas Harbour has commissioned us," he lied. "We must get through at once." He then signalled to me to bring the bundle, which I took from Gunnar and brought to him. Unknotting the cloak, Justin held it open for his comrade to inspect. "I am hoping to resolve the incident without bloodshed."
Titus shifted through the items in the bundle. "They have weapons," he replied firmly. "I cannot allow barbarians beyond the gate with weapons. It is my head, and I consider that the highest importance."
Turning to me, Justin asked, "Your king must agree to leave his weapons behind."
Motioning for Harald to join us, I quickly explained to him the conditions of entry. He frowned and shook his head dangerously, saying, "Nay. I will not go into that place unarmed. We will burn it down instead. Tell them that."
Turning to Justin, I said, "Lord Harald asks what assurances you offer that he will not be attacked should he and his men surrender weapons."
Justin, observing the thrust of Harald's chin, turned back to the other guard. They held close conversation for a moment, and then Justin motioned me to join them. "My friend Titus begs to inform your king that within the palace precinct, influence and negotiation have replaced brute force. We are not barbarians here. If the king would hold converse with the emperor, he must put aside his arms and proceed peaceably."
This I told to Harald, who considered the situation for a moment and wondered, "Is it a trap?"
"I do not think so, Jarl Harald," I answered. "In any event, you still have the quaestor for a hostage-his life and those of his men remain in your hands whether you hold a sword or not. Truly, I believe you must obey these guards if you wish to see the emperor-and collect your honour-debt."
"I will do it," replied the king, making up his mind at once.
"Very well," said Titus, when I had conveyed the king's words to him. "Tell him to get on with it."
Harald commanded the Danes to give their axes, swords, and hammers to the soldiers for safe-keeping, which they did with no little grumbling and suspicion. I noticed, however, that the small knives which all Sea Wolves carry close to their bodies-under their belts, or in their boots-did not appear among the items given over for safe-keeping. Justin then instructed Titus regarding the expected arrival of the surety. That settled, Scholarae Titus signalled the gatemen, who stepped aside and opened the big door, allowing us to pass quickly through, leaving the rabble and noise behind.
Once inside the walls, we found ourselves in what seemed an enormous garden at one end of a long, tree-lined pathway. High walls divided this palace precinct into several smaller partitions so that wherever one looked the eye met the blank expanse of some wall or other. Rising above the walls, here and there, were the branches of trees and the rounded tops of domes, many with crosses at their peaks.
