In the morning Constantine managed to avoid both his father and mother until it was time to say goodbye to Constantius. No one had mentioned the decree of divorcement to him and, as he stood in the yard of the villa while a servant was bringing his father’s horse from the stable, he remained stonyfaced and silent.
“Your Uncle Marios will go with you to Nicomedia, Flavius,” Constantius said, as he mounted his horse. “He will be within call if you need him.”
“Take care, Caesar.” Marios’ voice was husky with emotion. “May Mithras guide your steps.”
“And the God of the Christians,” Helena added. “I hear there are many of them in Britain.”
“With two gods to look after me, I shall hardly need to take an army across the channel.” Constantius smiled as he urged his horse forward and reached down to ruffle Constantine’s dark hair. “Guard your mother well, my son,” he said, his voice husky. “When you are a great soldier, perhaps you can come to Gaul and Britain to be with me.”
“I ” Constantine started to blurt out that he never wanted to see his father again but Constantius, moved deeply by the parting, abruptly guided his horse away and was out in the roadway in front of the house before the boy could finish the sentence. Helena, however, noticed his strained manner.
“Is something wrong, Son?” she asked quickly.
“Nno.” He looked away quickly, fighting tears of anger and disappointment.
“Last night you seemed so happy over your father’s coming, but this morning you didn’t even tell him goodbye.”
“Are you happy that he has divorced you?” the boy burst out.
Marios was limping across the yard toward the door, but turned so sharply at Constantine’s words that his wounded leg almost gave way. “Who told you such foolishness?” he demanded.
Constantine’s voice broke
“It is the truth, not foolishness!” Constantine’s voice broke. “Or did he deceive you too, as he deceived my mother?”
“Silence, boy!”
“Please, Uncle Marios,” Helena said. “Let us all go inside where we can talk about this.”
Marios opened the door for Helena and followed her inside, leaving Constantine to close it. “Come sit by me, Flavius,” she said, going to the couch upon which she and Constantius had been sitting the night before. “There is much we must talk over.”
He shook his head. “I’d rather stand.”
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