It was a clever scheme, Constantine conceded. By burying him in the East, Galerius would avoid the trouble with Constantius that would surely come, if he simply arranged an execution. But there was also the possibility that, in his cleverness, Galerius had defeated his own purpose. Only a few days’ journey to the north
east lay the province of Armenia and the kingdom of Tiridates, who was not only one of the most powerful independent monarchs in the Empire but also Constantine’s close friend. And he was certain that, if he called upon Tiridates for help in escaping from the living burial of Callinicum, even Galerius could hardly refuse the request of so important a monarch that a new commander be assigned to his troops.
“Do you share the centurion’s feeling about Callinicum, Tribune?” The odd note in Licinius’ voice warned Constantine that he was expected to object, possibly opening the way for an even worse assignment.
“I am a soldier of the Empire, General Licinius. I will serve wherever I am ordered.”
“And I likewise,” Dacius added.
“When do we proceed to our new post?” Constantine asked.
“You may have a few days’ leave if you wish,” Licinius said. “I believe your mother’s family lives in this region.”
“At Drepanum,” Constantine confirmed. “With your permission I shall ride there tonight.”
Constantine’s spirits
Depressed though he was by the assignment that would put half the Roman world between him and Fausta, Constantine’s spirits were buoyed up by the delight of his mother and Crispus at seeing him again. The boy was almost ten, a sturdy lad who could already hurl a light spear and handle smaller versions of the weighted darts called plumbatae that were favorite weapons with the Illyrian soldiers. He had taken to horsemanship as naturally as he had to walking, when Marios had provided him with a pony. Together father and son spent the mornings galloping over the rolling hills beside the gulf and, for a while, Constantine was able to forget the bleak future ahead of him. But when they came back to the house at Drepanum from one of their rides, he found Marios there and sensed from his uncle’s grave expression that more trouble must be brewing.
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