Amynterius was aware that he had struck the child out of rage. He had crossed the line as young Constantine’s fierce stare made evident. A small cut was ripped open under the corner of the child’s right eye, no doubt caused by the ring on the tutor’s hand. Blood droplets trickled off his face and dripped onto the papyrus below. Constantine’s eyes remained dry, white, and fixed. Amynterius knew he was at fault, although the mere fact that the child never cried seemed a challenge to authority. He wanted to grab Constantine and beat reverence into him. Yet, Amynterius realized he had crossed the line, and he also knew that Constantius would not approve of these extreme methods of tutelage.

"Please do not count with your fingers."

Without a word, the child returned to his arithmetic. He carefully solved the problem while his tutor paced around the study chamber. Constantine raised his hand, indicating he was through. Amynterius walked over to the desk. But what he saw made his brows draw together in a frown. The answer was written in blood.

The tutor clenched his fist as his face turned red with anger. He leaned over the desk; Constantine didn’t flinch. The doors opened and a sound brought peace to the tense, volatile situation.

"Excuse my interruption," Helena said pleasantly.

Amynterius forced a courtesy smile. "No, not at all."

She continued, "I would like Constantine to join me for breakfast if it doesn’t interfere too much with your lesson plan."

He looked at Constantine, who was using the tutor’s handkerchief to wipe the drying blood from his cheek.

"Please go, but return as soon as you finish."

The child rose and went directly under his mother’s arm. He turned and smiled at his tutor as if to mock him. Helena left with her son, leaving Amynterius in the study chamber to wither in his anger.

They sat in the patio under a woven tarp with various Greek designs. They could see most of Naissus from those seats; they could see their world, and they could see each other for a few moments.

"How is Amynterius? He is a good tutor, no?"

"Yes, the best," Constantine responded straight-faced. He was silent for a moment, then burst out in laughter.