Constantine reached out

A cumbersome bandage coated a lot of Dacius’ torso, however from the spreading crimson circle already staining the material, Constantine might see that the wound was nonetheless bleeding significantly. He glanced throughout the sofa on the doctor, who touched his proper aspect under the ribs.

“A spear thrust, Dominus.” The doctor shook his head to verify what Constantine might see for himself from the spreading circle of crimson upon the bandages, the shallow respiratory and the pallor of the wounded man’s lips. The wound was certainly mortal, because the commander of the guard had stated.

Dacius opened his eyes and, seeing Constantine, tried to push himself up from the sofa however fell again. When Constantine reached out to assist him, nonetheless, the wounded man discovered the energy to strike his hand away.

“Assassin!” he gasped, however a match of coughing put an finish to

additional phrases, as a trickle of crimson appeared on the nook of the dying man’s mouth and ran down his chin.

“I don’t know what you’re speaking about, Dacius,” Constantine stated. “Who’ve I murdered?”

“Crispus and Licinianus,” the dying man gasped. “I noticed your signature on their loss of life warrants and mine. However I escaped.”

“When was this?”

“The warrants got here to Pola by courier from Rome every week in the past. The garrison commander carried out two of them, however I managed to flee.” His head fell again on the pillow as the hassle of talking introduced on unconsciousness as soon as once more.

“Is he useless?” Constantine requested the doctor, who was preserving his fingers upon the wounded man’s wrist.

“No, Dominus. There may be nonetheless a pulse, however it’s nearly gone.”

“Revive him when you can. I need to know the reality of this story.”

“There was a paper within the breast of his tunic, Dominus. The guard’s spear penetrated it.”

“Can it nonetheless be learn?”

“Most of it.” The doctor handed over a sheet of parchment bearing the imperial crest. It was signed on the backside with Constantine’s personal signature. And although it was stained with the previous common’s blood, there was no doubting its that means. It was an order to the commander of the garrison at Pola for the execution of Dacius; however although it bore Constantine’s private seal and what seemed to be his signature, he had by no means seen it earlier than.