In the words used there was no expression of approval or regret and he went about his duties as if nothing had been said. It was axiomatic at court that the suppression of any personal feelings was the only safe way to behave and if he felt sure that their conversations on the subject had been just between Anastasius and himself he could never be certain: no man could keep such a throne without being himself an intriguer.There was rising tension within the imperial palace, growing daily, with news coming from southern Moesia of the activities of Vitalian, who had within the areas he controlled – those within reach of the army he commanded – removed several Monophysite bishops despite a direct instruction from the magister militum per Thracias not to do so. Not that the writ of that official, unpopular both as a satrap and a person, carried much weight with a count of the foederati, general to a strong body of mounted barbarian mercenaries. Justinus was present in his official capacity as the council gathered to discuss what action to take and it was with a creeping sense of disquiet he listened to men who knew nothing about a man like Vitalian propose solutions that could only inflame matters.
