“Give the next one who does it the lie then, on my authority. I drank wine at your father’s wedding; you are legitimate.”
“But he divorced my mother.”
“On my orders, for the good of the Empire.”
“And now he and the Lady Theodora have a son, also named Constantine.”
“So that’s why you’re gloomy?” Diocletian put his hand on Constantine’s arm in a friendly gesture. “Come sit with me here on a bench beside the pool and I will explain a few things to you.”
“Those who rule must learn early to put aside their own feelings in most things,” Diocletian said, when they were seated. “I know how much your father loves your mother and I respect him for it, but he is also a soldier and required to obey my orders. By the way, Dacius reports that you are the best of the whole lot of cubs this year.”
Constantine was too stunned to answer as the calm heavy voice continued, “You have noble blood in your veins, too, young Constantinus. Some might even say you are more fit to rule here than I.”
“I have no such thought ”
“Then you’re not as ambitious as I would expect you to be. Nevertheless I must warn you not to expect to be either Caesar or Augustus as long as I rule Rome. Do you know why?”
“Because I am unworthy.”
“On the contrary. You are more worthy, I am sure, than many who have ruled Rome and many others who will. For nearly a hundred years the Empire has been tom by the ambitions of its generals and their sons to be emperors. The Emperor before me, Numerian, was one of the kindest and best men I ever knew, but he was murdered by his chief minister, Arrius Aper, who wished the title of Augustus for himself. I had no desire for it, but the soldiers chose me.”
“It was an inspired choice, Dominus.”
“At least I gave no bribes. I also swore to step down when my twenty years are ended, to let your father and Galerius take the place of myself and Maximian. And when they name the Caesars to succeed them, I hope they are as fortunate as I have been in the men who serve me.” He changed the subject. “I am going to assign Maxentius and Maximin Daia to duty with the legions. Where would you like to serve?”
The siege of Gesoriacum
“In Gaul, at the siege of Gesoriacum.”
“I’m afraid that cannot be.”
“Then it’s true that I am being held as a hostage for my father’s loyalty?” Constantine was immediately aghast at his own temerity in thus addressing the most powerful man in the world, but Diocletian appeared not to take offense.
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