Chapter 14: The Unexpected Escape

The foliage was high with a spectrum of green, saffron,
and umber colors. Motionless and statuesque, Constantine and
Cassius were poised with javelins in their hands, predators
awaiting the appearance of their prey. The crackling of twigs
sent their hearts palpitating. Was it an antelope, a boar, or an ox?
Their orders were simple and direct, from Galerius himself, to
kill the beast and bring it to him before the blue sky turned black.

A second crackling was an inkling that the beast was
approaching. The muscles in Constantine's forearm bulged as his
grip tightened on the staff. Cassius was a distance behind him
and at such an angle as to allow proper execution of technique.
They had drawn the beast in order to ambush him. A third
crackle, sharper, closer, beside them. The predators realized they
had become the prey. It was another staged "hunting accident" in
the making, since Constantine's four-week stay at the new
Augustus' court, but this time it was to be permanent.

Two glimmering scarlet eyes turned the men's courage
into fear and bravery into terror. A deep, savage growl sent urine
trickling down Cassius' leg.

Constantine remained calm, and contemplated a decision.
His instincts told him to flee from the area with all speed and
hope that the gods would save him. In the process, the lion would
definitely rip someone's body apart, most likely that of Cassius.
His second option contradicted his feelings and desires. He could
ignore his fear and apply his combat training to the situation at
hand. He chose the latter.

"Well, on with it then. You want me? Come and get me,"
he scoffed as a panicked Cassius signaled him be silent. The
crackling became distant and the scarlet eyes vanished from the
foliage. Cassius relaxed.

A sudden horrifying snap behind Cassius caught their
attention. He turned and hurled his javelin into the bush. Cassius
immediately drew his sword.

"Remember the head and the heart," Constantine reminded
him.

"Where is the heart of a lion?"

"How should I know? I would assume in the center of his
body."

"You would assume?"

Constantine pressed the forefinger of his left hand to his
lips. "Shh!"

The beast leaped from overhead and came flying down
upon them. Constantine planted the javelin into the ground as the
lion landed on the spear point. It skewered its body. The lion
growled angrily as the bloody point of the javelin popped out of
its back. Constantine pounded his chest with both fists and drew
his sword.

"Come on!" The lion obliged. He snarled, exposing his
sharp ivory teeth as he lunged forward at Constantine. He was
met with a slash that removed his ear. Cassius lost his balance
and fell to the ground in fright. The lion directed his attention to
the weaker man and attacked. The large grayish-tan beast buried
its fangs into Cassius' left shoulder as he thrust his sword into
the animal's chest. It slowed the beast down although he

continued to fight. Cassius was trapped under the limp animal,
which was continuing to gnaw at him.

Constantine ran and tackled the lion, then rolled free from
the beast until he came to his feet. The lion stalked towards
Constantine, about to rip a limb from his body when he raised,
twisted his sword upside down, lifted the handle above his head,
and plummeted it straight down. The silver-gilt blade smashed
through the animal's skull and pierced its jaw, then it dug into
the earth in front of Constantine's feet. The animal's tail moved
ever so slightly and then its body went limp.

"Are you all right?" He helped Cassius from the ground.
His shoulder had a deep wound and blood pulsed from across his
forehead. "That's going to make for a fine boasting scar."

"I'm ok, are you?"

"Not a scratch. Not this time anyhow." Constantine went
over to the corpse of the lion. He placed his foot on its spine and
pulled the javelin out of its body. "Help me out, here. Remove
your sword, if possible. I do not wish to return this animal to
Galerius with our weapons still in it. Next thing we know, he will
send us out to capture a herd of them with our bare hands."

"Oh no, I'm not getting near that thing. For all I know, it's
not even dead."

"We killed it once. We can kill it a second time."

Cassius helped Constantine remove the weapons. They
wiped the blood from their blades onto the dry areas of its
carcass and placed them back in their sheaths. Cassius laid both
javelins underneath the animal and they began to carry it away.

In the meantime, Galerius was entertaining the closest
members of his court with letters sent by Constantius. He
mocked the emperor's words as the room filled with laughter.

"Listen to this one! 'Dear gracious and noble host,
Galerius,' he read from the papyrus. Galerius puckered his lips.

"I did not know that this was part of the imperial agenda."
Laughter came from everyone in the room, including Galerius.
He skimmed down the page to the parts that he could read with
sarcasm.

"Bla, bla, bla. Bu, hu, hu." He made a gesture, as if to
wipe the tears from his eyes. '"As I have stated in previous
letters, my health is deteriorating to such a degree that I am bed-
ridden and slowly dying.'" He grinned sinisterly.

"Poor Augustus, helpless on his little deathbed," one
imperial member exclaimed amidst the laughter.

"It's all so touching," a second said, holding his hands
over his heart in a dramatic display.

"Back to these grave words," Galerius mocked as the
room quieted. '"My only request is that I see my son before me
for the last time. I wish to spend these final days with him by my
side and request for you to grant him leave. I have requested this
in previous letters, but have yet to receive a response.'" Galerius
raised his chalice in a toast to his lack of effort without saying a
word. The room drank its share of wine and Galerius continued.

'"I urge you as to reply with the utmost haste as I do not
know if our communications are secure.'" He shifted away from
the letter. "It's secure, wouldn't you say?" The people in the
room mumbled and nodded in agreement. "I'm glad we settled
that." He silently read the next part.

"What does it say?" a drunken voice inquired.

"Share with the rest of the group. Do not make us guess."

Galerius was not smiling and neither were the other
members of the court. "Constantius has the gall of a legion of
men." The members glanced at each other, perplexed. He read on
somberly.

"'If there is a breach in the line of communications
between us, we have a dreadful problem that you and I cannot
solve on our own. This lack of communication is detrimental to
the wellbeing of the empire and I will have no other option but to
notify the various generals, provincial governors, magistrates,
and members of the senate about your reluctance to reply. If I do

not receive either a response from you or my son in the ensuing
weeks, I will assume that you are choosing not to reply, and I
will be left to take an official course of action. Be warned!'"
Galerius lifted his head from the page.

"He has the gall to sign it, 'Your superior. Lord Caesar
Senior Augustus Constantius.' He would not have that title, had
it not been for me. What arrogance one possesses when they are
so far away from a real threat! If it is a response he wants, it will
be a response he gets." He signaled a tribune in the group who
produced papers.

"'Dear superior,'" he said with a grin. The group cheered,
drinking from their chalices as Galerius contemplated his next
phrase. '"I have grievous information to report to you about your
son. He has suffered a hunting accident.'" The room roared with
laughter. '"He and a colleague by the name of Cassius dared to
test their hunting skills by pursuing a lion. Not just any lion, but
a beast that has claimed the lives of over a dozen victims,
including two of my best gladiators. It is with sadness and regret
that I report to you that your son Constantine was unsuccessful in
his hunt, which has claimed his life. I have ordered my best
warriors to kill the lion responsible for Constantine's death, and I
will have its head sent to you as soon as the animal is found and
disposed of"

The laughing members of the imperial court suddenly fell
silent. The tribune ceased jolting down the words Galerius spoke.
All eyes were on Constantine, as he carried the lion over his
shoulders into the room. Blood dripped from its carcass down
Constantine's back and onto the white marble floor.

"No need! Here he is!" Constantine dropped the carcass at
the feet of Galerius and said with a bow, "As you ordered." He
walked out of the room, his toga soaked with blood.

Galerius kicked the beast before him and signaled
everyone to leave. They hesitated, observing with disbelief the
infamous lion dead before their eyes.

"Out, I said!"

The group quickly dispersed, biting their tongues so as not
to laugh at Galerius' failed efforts to end his problem with
Constantine.

Galerius squeezed his head; frustrated and enraged. He
had failed again at putting an end to Constantine's life. The
emperor's son was becoming more of a burden, a thom in the
side of Galerius.

The more crucial issue was that Galerius had no choice but
to officially respond to the requests made by Constantius. In the
past weeks he had delayed in hopes that Constantius' health
would worsen and he would hear news of his untimely death. He
could delay no more. Time had come to make a decision that
would determine his position of power for the remainder of his
career. There was no way he was going to release the prince to
go to his father, who was surely going to die in the weeks to
come. That would make Constantine the heir to his father's
throne and ruin Galerius' dreams of absolute supremacy.

His only option was to have Constantine never arrive at
his father's court. Galerius got under way with plotting a plan
that had to be foolproof. He called for two trusted generals to
return to the room.

"Yes, Lord. You summoned?" The men humbly bowed to
him, shaking slightly and off balance from the wine they had
consumed shortly before.

Galerius was pacing about alone in the room. "Indeed. I
have a special task for you, gentlemen. I have called you both
here because I trust you and I know that you are the right ones
for the job. Furthermore, I can pay you handsomely for your
efforts. Shall I continue?"

One said, "Please do," while the other nodded.

"I have chosen to allow Constantine to leave en route for
his father's court at York."

The men glanced at one another, baffled. "Are you sure
that is the smartest course of action?"

Galerius grinned. "Yes. There will be a nice formal
ceremony at noon, with plenty of witnesses to vouch for his safe

departure from this court. Then, along the way, you will see to it
that he is robbed and killed by beggars. Those beggars being here
in front of me. However, I need from you a dead beggar for
realism, and loyal soldiers who are willing to escort Constantine
into the ambush and turn the other cheek while you two take his
life. Can this be done?"

"Anything is possible."

"Then be off with you. I want the names of those who will
be involved before I disclose any further information."

The men departed.

Shortly after, Constantine requested to see Galerius. It was
perfect timing for Galerius, who was on the verge of summing
Constantine.

He entered the room dressed formally with a warm scarlet
cloak over his back. He knelt and waited for Galerius to
acknowledge him before coming any closer.

"Approach," he commanded.

Constantine did so.

Galerius was seated casually upon his golden throne. He
sipped from his ornate ruby chalice to try to mask his excitement
about the planned assassination. He signaled Constantine to sit in
the chair across the way. Doing so, Constantine noticed the black
streaks of dried lion's blood still remaining upon the white floor.

"I have received a letter from Constantius requesting your
presence at his court. I have decided to grant him his request and
send you off on your way."

Constantine looked at him skeptically.

Galerius attempted to put him at ease with his words. "I
was impressed today with your kill. I believe you have proven
yourself to me at last, and I am ready to accept you for who you
are. Therefore, I have ordered a formal ceremony to take place
tomorrow in your honor. I do not know when or if you will be
returning to my court, but the least I can do is see you off
royally."

"Thank you. Lord Augustus. That is extremely kind of
you. However, the formalities are not necessary. I can prepare
my things and depart tonight."

"Never! You must get a good night's rest before departing
on such a long journey. Do not be over anxious. Now, I do not
want to see you roaming the palace. Understood?"

"Yes." Smiling, he bowed towards Galerius as he left the
room. As soon as he walked out, a sober look came over his face.
His eyes focused straight ahead as he walked with a purpose.

Cassius stood at the end of the hall, cleaned and bandaged.
"What? Did we kill the lion incorrectly," he whispered.

Constantine grabbed his sling and pulled him close.
"Prepare the horses. We are going to my father."

"Against the emperor's orders? He will have us killed."

"He is going to have to catch us first. Now go and be
discreet. I will meet you at the gate leading to the postal road."

"Good luck, my friend."

They grasped each other's forearms and were off in
opposite directions. Constantine headed toward the kitchen,
while Cassius went to the stables in search of fresh horses.

Constantine stole two large leather satchels from
unsuspecting off-duty soldiers along the way. He entered the
kitchen with the bags open and ready to be filled. He ignored the
eunuchs, who watched curiously as he loaded the satchels mostly
with dry foods.

"Canteens?" Constantine inquired.

A servant pointed to over a dozen already filled for
soldiers who were preparing to inspect the frontier the following
day. Without a second thought, Constantine strapped the entire
lot onto his back and walked out of the kitchen and through the
palace.

He lengthened his stride and hurried his steps, carrying the
heavy load. As he neared the rendezvous spot, he heard a
commotion. The moonlight revealed two horses and the
silhouette of a figure holding their reins. Four soldiers
surrounded the figure, their swords drawn.

Constantine heard Cassius' voice as he approached. "I say
Galerius ordered that we depart for the court of the emperor
Constantius immediately. Do you wish me to call Galerius here?
That will surely infuriate him."

"There is no need," said Constantine, appearing fully
equipped from out of the darkness. "I can vouch for my
colleague here, and you should know that my word is bond."

The sentries assisted them by loading their equipment.
Both men mounted their horses and adjusted their supplies a final
time. Constantine glanced over his shoulder and squeezed his
heels into the horse. The horses bolted off in a gallop, the
sentries waved them off as they vanished into the night.

At the first post station a few miles out, Constantine and
Cassius reigned in their gallop.

"What on earth do you think you are doing?"

"Insuring a clean get away." He dismounted in the dark of
the night and walked to three horses that were tied to a post
outside the barracks. He heard the posted man in the barracks
approach, and quickly drew his sword.

"Sorry about this," he said to the horses while Cassius
detained the approaching man. "At least you won't have such a
hard life afterwards," he said to the animals. He raised the sword
and then slashed at their hamstrings. The other horses moved
about wildly as Constantine continued the process until the three
were maimed. He mounted and was off in a gallop, en route for
his father.

They galloped under the stars, unaware if Galerius had
discovered their absence yet. They rode as if Galerius were hot
on their trail. The fourth outpost on the postal road was in sight
and they were not slowing for it.

"Aren't you going to hamstring the horses here?"

"Yes. We must exchange these with fresh ones." They
stopped and quickly dismounted. Constantine nibbed his gelding.
"I do not take pleasure in destroying the trot of beautiful animals.
Especially that of my own." He slashed the hamstrings of both
horses and mounted the fresh ones with Cassius."

Constantine observed the distinct Arabian black horse that
squealed from its wounds as they rode away. Constantine
recalled its gold horseshoes sparkling in the moonlight. The
horse was too familiar although he hadn't recalled having seen
Cassius ride it before.

"Whose horse were you just riding?"

"I choose only the best! That was Galerius' horse!"

Constantine's eyes widened. He laughed uncontrollably as
the roan horse bounced his tired body off its spine with every
stride.

Cassius smirked proudly. "I found it only appropriate that
we take his prized stallion. Especially since the 'ox' tried to have
us killed on several occasions."

Constantine continued laughing, thinking of Galerius'
reaction when he discovered that they had confiscated his own
horse. He spoke between breaths of laughter. "Imagine what
price he will put on our heads after this."

Cassius nodded, knowing well that capture meant death,
and at that point, tortured death if Galerius had his way.

The hooves of the animals clanked through the night on
the hard postal road. The horses were fatigued from the long
distance gallop. They turned the gallop into a canter for the sake
of the horses and their backsides. The night had reached its
coldest point and the vapors from the horses's nostrils reminded
Constantine of Galerius, as their hearts still palpitated as though
a demon was on their heels.

They came to the strait and worked quickly to cross before
daybreak. They led the horses onto a ferryboat. Constantine
seized it. Cassius promoted himself to captain for the time
being, while Constantine was the lookout who tended to the
horses.

The sky was lit with saffron over the eastern court of
Nicomedia. The soft morning air came in with the warm rays of
the sun, bouncing off of the face of Constantine as he took time
on the boat to rest. The sea glimmered and the shadow of the
boat entered the dock on the other side of the strait. They tied
down the boat, unloaded the horses, and resumed the pace they
had previously established on the postal road. By this time the
sun had reached its zenith, they were no longer in Asia Minor.

"At the next relay, we must swap horses. We need fresh
animals before these die from the journey," Cassius reminded.

"Agreed." The sun had come out and the peasants had
taken to the road for their early contribution to animal
husbandry.

In Nicomedia, Galerius awoke with a feeling of glee,
reminding himself that he was going to secure his supremacy by
ridding himself of that aggravation-Constantine. He purposely
remained in his bedchamber until an hour prior to the procession
he had arranged. Then he ordered servants to bring him food and
drink, while he summoned the officers who had visited him the
previous night.

The generals entered his room as he poured juice into a
chalice. He glanced at them over the rim of his chalice, then
lowered it with a smile.

"Is there a problem? Are we having second thoughts?"

The braver of the two spoke. "Yes."

Galerius frowned.

"Out with it. The ceremony is to start soon."

"It concerns the ceremony."

Galerius got to his feet and placed his hands on his hips as
he listened.

"It appears that Constantine left yesterday evening, using
the authority given him. That is what the sentries on duty have
reported to us."

Galerius suddenly overturned the marble table, which held
his breakfast.

The generals feared he might attack them.

"Don't just stand there. Send word on the postal road to
capture them. Scour the fields. And fetch my horse!"

The same general was about to speak when his colleague
pushed him aside.

"As soon as we realized what had happened, we sent word
to the postal stations. There appear to be no fresh horses for the
pursuit, because they have been hamstrung by Constantine."

Galerius growled as if in battle and kicked the table on the
ground.

"One last thing. He took your horse."

"What?" Galerius paced about the room wildly, enraged
by the discovery. "Bring his maimed friend Cassius to me. I'm
going to tear his limbs off one by one."

The other general shook his head disapprovingly. "He is
missing from court. He most likely escaped with Constantine."

Galerius furiously punched a marble column next to the
general, the impact breaking his hand.

"Out! I do not want to see anyone today. Out, before I
begin to execute the incompetents who serve me!"

The generals left without argument.

Galerius paced around the room like a crazed hyena, until
his anger subsided enough for him to sit and plot his next move.

His swollen hand clenched the hair of his head as he
contemplated the destruction of his dreams. Galerius wept from
rage at himself, at his failure to have rid himself of Constantine
prior to his escape. Galerius had had the title of supreme emperor

within his grasp. With Constantine on the loose and Constantius
still in power, he had let it slip away.

Constantine and Cassius continued at the same speed
throughout the journey until they entered Constantius' domain, at
which time they slackened their pace. They exchanged horses
more easily as they approached friendly territory. After having
traversed the mountains around Naissus, they followed the route
of the Danube down the alpine passes to Trier. Both men were
exhausted from the countless hours in the saddle and from lack
of sleep. Cassius had lost much blood and was weak, even
though he had hid his condition from Constantine the best he
could. They were fortunate to encounter an entourage of his
father's army at Treves, and were led to Bononia by an Alamani
general under Constantius' command.

They paused at the outskirts of Bononia before completing
the final leg of their journey. Cassius could barely sit up straight
and was confused and disoriented. They had crossed over sixteen
hundred miles of terrain in record time. For the first time since
he had been forced from the arms of his mother, Constantine was
no longer a hostage. He had scored a victory for himself and for
his father against Galerius.