Rising, my father said, "We all look with pride on what Prince Justinian has accomplished these past months for our holy and orthodox church." He walked over, stood beside me, and set a hand on my shoulder. "For his work, and to make clear my will as to the succession, I intend to proclaim him Emperor."

"Tu vincas, Justinian!" I think the first to make the ancient Latin acclamation was faithful Myakes, although, as he stood behind me, I cannot be certain. I am certain the excubitores raised the shout before the assembled nobles did. I saw that some of the imperial guards, off to either side of the throne, raised their weapons as well. In a moment, the palace rang with my name and the wish that I conquer.

Ceremony's iron law kept me from turning my head, but I let my eyes slide over to my uncles. They too joined in the acclamations- what choice had they, being where they were?- but their faces declared the words they mouthed lies.

And worse lay ahead for them, for my father went on, "And, since my God-guarded brothers during this same time did nothing save sluggishly eat and drink, and since they aligned themselves with heterodox frauds anathematized by the sixth ecumenical synod, they have brought the imperial house into as much disrepute as my son will bring luster to it. Is it your will, then, powerful men of Constantinople, that I revoke the imperial rank my father conferred upon Herakleios and Tiberius?"

Again, the excubitores cried out first: "Let it be revoked!" Again, the nobles my father had gathered could follow or risk their riches and perhaps their lives. Cowed, they followed\a160… all save one.

There was a stir in the brightly clad rows of prominent men as a certain Leo, a functionary in the imperial mints, came forward to stand before my father. True to his calling, he reached into the leather pouch he wore on his belt and drew from it a gold coin, which he held up so the torchlight flashed from it.