'Lord Venantius,' he added, 'as your escort is no longer needed, you
will wish, no doubt, to return forthwith to your own abode. It will
not be long before you have the occasion you desire of proving your
loyalty to the Emperor. Brave men both, we may presently fight side
by side. Let us sit at table together, and then good-speed!'
With a haughty glare Venantius heard this dismissal. A reply surged
into his throat, but he swallowed it again, remembering that more
than his personal safety was at stake.
'You will pardon me, lord,' he replied, 'if I do not stay to break
my fast. I am of impatient humour, and never willingly linger when a
journey is before me.'
'As you will,' said Chorsoman, with a slight knitting of his brows.
'You ride alone, I suppose?'
'The lord Basil, who starts for Rome, will give me his company as
far as our ways are one.'
Chorsoman gave a glance at the soldiers in his rear, then at
Marcian, and smiled grimly.
'I fear you must go without lord Basil. I shall have need of him.'
There was a very short silence; then Marcian spoke, with bland
decision.
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