Those Above: The Empty Throne Book 1 by Daniel Polansky Read Free Book Online

ballot.’
    ‘Then your problem solves itself. Certainly the great esteem the people hold for his line should be sufficient to find him comfortably carrying the rod of office.’
    ‘One would think that, but in fact it seems a long shot that he’ll be called to serve.’
    ‘I shall light a candle to Terjunta. Undoubtedly the Sun Lord will look with favour on a man so similar in bearing and conduct.’
    Gratian exhaled a slow round of breath. ‘I had hoped you might take a more direct hand.’
    Eudokia smiled her empty smile. ‘How so?’
    ‘Please, Honoured Mother. With your connections, it would be a small thing to ensure Justinian’s … many virtues are given their proper account. He seeks appointment in the Third District – I thought, perhaps …’
    Eudokia waited for him to continue. Normally she preferred to smooth over the naked selfishness that lay at the heart of most of her relationships, but the sheer sordidness of Gratian’s request had perturbed her. Justinian wasn’t fit for any task more rigorous than cleaning out his asshole, and Gratian would have him made Consul, put in charge of maintaining order in the capital, ensuring the good behaviour of the rabble.
    It was nearly enough to bring one to anger. Eudokia’s smile remained bright and wide, and her stitching constant as ever.
    After longer than it should have taken him, Gratian realised he wasn’t to be let off the hook. ‘If you could perhaps say a few words to your man there, explain how much benefit Justinian’s leadership might have for the area.’
    Narses was the man she had in the Third District, one of those civic leaders more thug than businessman. But between violence and the largesse his violence allowed him to offer, he could command enough votes to get a corpse elected to sit on the Empty Throne. Eudokia let Gratian’s request hang in the air, watched him crumple in the face of it. ‘Truly, you exaggerate my influence. My acquaintances have all forgotten me, an old woman, only steps from the cenotaph.’ Gratian blanched, but she continued before he could turn to begging. ‘Still, let it never be said that an Aurelia is forgetful of her friends. I’ll make what efforts I can.’
    Gratian was so overcome with emotion that he half stumbled getting out of his chair, had to right himself awkwardly before crossing to her seat and taking her hand. Helena must have riled him near to madness – how any man ever got anything accomplished, attached to that mad, desperate beast that was his cock, Eudokia could never fathom. Indeed, few overcame the handicap. ‘Your kindness is as boundless as your beauty, Revered Mother. Your name will perpetually find praise on my lips, and be etched for ever on the innermost lining of my heart.’
    Eudokia slipped her hand back from his, returned to her knitting. There was an awkward silence while Gratian tried to determine why he hadn’t been dismissed yet. He sat back down finally, unsure of what else to do.
    ‘My nephew tells me that Andronikos and his people have been quite active in the Senate of late,’ Eudokia said.
    Gratian licked his lips. ‘Our misguided opposition. The noise they make is nothing but a cover for their lack of support, and a poor cover at that.’
    ‘Still, though. It would be wise not to let their provocations go unanswered. Perhaps a strong display of reason is in order, to clarify the situation for those misguided unfortunates yet to swing round to our way of thinking.’
    It took more than a few beats for Gratian to wrap himself round the subtext, but when that first gleam of enlightenment finally reached his eyes, he was quick to move on it. ‘As it happens, I’ve been preparing a devastating brief in support of our eastern policies. I should be ready to present it any day now.’
    ‘I anxiously await reports of its success.’ She extended her hand for Gratian to kiss, which he did quickly and without embarrassment, then scampered to the exit.
    Irene returned