TOTILA.

"Well for us that this sunny youth still lives!"--_Margrave Ruediger of
Bechelaren_, Act i., Scene i.

PART I.

CHAPTER I.

A few days after the death of Mataswintha and the departure of Prince
Germanus, who was deeply shocked by the sad event, a message came from
Castra Nova, which rendered necessary the march of Byzantine troops
from Ravenna.

Hildebad had been informed, by fugitive Goths, who had made their way
in disguise through the lines of the besiegers, of the treacherous
imprisonment of the King.

On hearing the news, he sent word to Cethegus and Belisarius, through
some prisoners whom he released, that he challenged them, either
together or singly, to mortal combat, "if they had a drop of courage in
their veins, or a trace of honour in their souls."

"He thinks that Belisarius is still in the country, and does not seem
to fear him greatly," said Bessas.

"This might be a means," said Cethegus cunningly, of ruining the
turbulent fellow. "But, certainly, it needs great courage--such courage
as Belisarius possesses."

"You know that I do not yield to him a jot in that," answered Bessas.

"Good," said Cethegus. "Then follow me to my house. I will show you how
to destroy this giant. You shall succeed where Belisarius failed." But
he said to himself, "Bessas is indeed a tolerably bad commander; but
Demetrius is still worse, and therefore easier to lead. And I owe
Bessas a grudge for that affair of the Tiburtinian Gate at Rome."

The Prefect had not without reason feared that the almost extinguished
resistance of the Goths would be renewed on hearing of the treason
practised on their King.

No exact report had yet reached old Hildebrand at Verona, Totila at
Tarvisium, or Teja at Ticinum.

They had only heard that Ravenna had fallen, and that the King was
imprisoned.

Vague rumours of treachery accompanied this report, and the friends of
the King, in their pain and anger, were persuaded that the fall of the
strong fortress and of the brave King had not been effected by honest
means.

Instead of discouraging them, this misfortune only increased the
strength of their resistance.

They weakened their besiegers by repeated and successful sallies.

And the enemy felt almost constrained to raise the siege, for already
signs of an important change of circumstance crowded upon them from all
sides.

Thi