“Olaf Red-Sword, we love you, who have always loved us, your comrades, as we have shown you to-night.  You have led us well, Olaf, and, considering our small numbers, we have just won a victory of which we are proud.  But our necks are in the noose, as yours is, and we think that in this case our best course is to be bold.  Therefore, we name you Caesar.  Having defeated the Greeks, we propose now to take the palace and to talk with the regiments without, many of whom are disloyal and shout for Constantine, whom after all they hate only a little less than they do Irene yonder.  We know not what will be the end of the matter and do not greatly care, who set our fortunes upon a throw of the dice, but we think there is a good chance of victory.  Do you accept, and will you throw in your sword with ours?”

“How can I,” I answered, “when there stands the Empress, whose bread I have eaten and to whom I have sworn fealty?”

“An Empress, it seems, who desires to slay you over some matter that has to do with a woman.  Olaf, the daggers of her assassins have cut this thread of fealty.  Moreover, as it chances she is in our power, and as we cannot make our crime against her blacker than it is, we propose to rid you and ourselves of this Empress, who is our enemy, and who for her great wickedness well deserves to die.  Such is our offer, to take or to leave, as time is short.  Should you refuse it, we abandon you to your fate, and go to make our terms with Constantine, who also hates this Empress and even now is plotting her downfall.”

As he spoke I saw certain men draw near to Irene for a purpose which I could guess, and stepped between her and them.

“The Augusta is my mistress,” I said, “and although I attacked some of her troops but now, and she has wronged me much, still I defend her to the last.”

“Little use in that, Olaf, seeing that you are but one and we are many,” answered Jodd.  “Come, will you be Caesar, or will you not?”

Now Irene crept up behind me and whispered in my ear.

“Accept,” she said.  “It pleases me well.  Be Caesar as my husband.  So you will save my life and my throne, of which I vow to you an equal share.  With the help of your Northmen and the legions I command and who cling to me, we can defeat Constantine and rule the world together.  This petty fray is nothing.  What matters it if some lives have been lost in a palace tumult?  The world lies in your grasp; take it, Olaf, and, with it, me.”

I heard and understood.  Now had come the great moment of my life.  Something told me that on the one hand were majesty and empire; on the other much pain and sorrow yet with these a certain holy joy and peace.  It was the latter that I chose, as doubtless Fate or God had decreed that I should do.

“I thank you, Augusta,” I said, “but, while I can protect her, I will not seize a throne over the body of one who has been kind to me, nor will I buy it at the price you offer.  There stands my predestined wife, and I can marry no other woman.”