‘Dear friends,’ he began, as the small company fell silent. ‘How fortunate we are to call each other that. Don’t you agree, Arbasdos?’

‘With all my heart, Majesty.’

‘You’ve honoured us here tonight. No, spoiled us, damn it! Where’s that genius Silanos?’

The steward emerged from his niche. ‘Majesty.’

‘I salute you, my friend.’ The emperor raised his cup.

‘You flatter, Majesty.’ Silanos scraped out an obsequious bow, then retreated into obscurity.

Leo’s smile faded and he gazed into his cup. ‘We are fortunate, yes. And happy, too. The empire is vulnerable. You and I, dear friend, we knew we had to act and God has seen fit to bless what we have done.’ He smiled down at Arbasdos. ‘That’s why it gives me joy to entrust into your hands what is most precious to me in all the world.’ His eyes fell now to Princess Anna, who sat gazing lovingly up at her father. ‘My heart’s blood. I could not give you up to any man but this one. My prayer is that your happiness together will be a rock in these troubled times. And I will do all in my power to defend it.’

She nodded. If her heart was bursting with joy at her happy prospects, she hid it well.

‘I raise my cup to this marriage. To this seal of our friendship. Brother to brother.’

‘You flatter to call me brother, Majesty.’

‘Does any other man stand closer than you? Come now, all of you, drink! Raise your glasses, my friends. To my daughter, my jewel. And to my brother. May this be the most blessed of unions. Please God,’ he cast a nod at the old patriarch.

They all drank, exchanging solemn glances with the emperor and with each other. The empress beamed and the princess demurred. As for Arbasdos, he looked like a man caught on the knife-edge between high honour and extreme discomfort. Katāros chuckled inwardly. Arbasdos wasn’t a man to enjoy having his freedom curtailed.

After the toast, glasses were replenished, but Leo still stood. ‘It’s like a riddle of the ancients. . . How does a brother become a son? Well, soon, you will be both to me. And fathers are supposed to give sons gifts, are they not? I have one for you.’

‘This is too much, Majesty,’ laughed Arbasdos.

‘You may not thank me for it. But we have a time of testing ahead of us. I trust you above all others, and there is no man in all the empire more skilful in the arts of war.’

‘Except for yourself.’

‘Hm!’ Leo smiled. Katāros noted that he did not deny it. ‘I’m appointing you commander of the imperial fleet.’

‘Fleet?’ exclaimed Arbasdos. ‘You are joking.’

‘No joke, my friend. There will be no office more vital to the city’s survival.’