Week, Rick thought. Rome used weeks, like most Christian nations, so Nikeis probably did. In Drantos they used ten-days. The seven-day week wasn’t much used, although with an increasing number converting to the new Unified Church of Yatar and Christ they probably would take to it. Hard to worship on Sunday using a ten-day week.
“They closed the city before the Ottarn battle?”
Publius nodded confirmation.
“I believe so.”
Lucius was more certain.
“The time cannot be fixed exactly, but yes, I believe these events took place shortly before that battle.”
“What events? And do we know why?”
Lucius sucked his teeth.
“Possibly. Understand, Lord Rick, we had more agents in Nikeis than you, but no great number, and few have returned to us. But from what we discern, there was some great discovery made in a forest on the mainland facing the island city. There were rumors. Lights in the sky. Great men of the city taking a ship to the mainland, while cavalry patrols swept the area for spies. There were rumors of strangers, a courtesan from the stars, and of a black man. Our frumentarii spent freely but this was all they could learn before all foreigners were expelled from both the city and the neighboring Terra Firma, and the city sealed to traffic.
“Caesar’s swiftest messengers came to Rome to report, and it was then I appreciated the importance of the references to the rising sea.” Lucius was very serious now. “We have sent additional frumentarii to investigate, but there are few reports as yet. The last thing we know of internal matters in Nikeis is that they have opened the Arsenale, their great shipyard, and they are sending agents to recruit every shipbuilder they can locate. They offer wealth and status to master shipwrights, and good pay to journeymen. My agents on the mainland report they are logging great trees. They know their coming destiny, Lord Rick. The intriguing question is, how did they find it out? For certainly they did not act as if they knew prior to the lights in the sky.”
Publius had been watching carefully.
“It appears this is as great a surprise to you as to us,” he said.
“Indeed,” Rick said.
“You will understand, we had hoped you had some explanation,” Publius continued.
“No,” Rick said. “I’m worried about my agents in Nikeis. They should have reported by now. But I’m as concerned as you are about lights in the sky.” Maybe more, Rick thought. Maybe more. “I will have to do something about this. We cannot allow mistreatment of Drantos ambassadors. Particularly not star men! But what are we up against?”
“Jeez, Colonel,” Warner said. “Shalnuksis bringing in a new force?”
“Shalnuksis,” Publius said. “That is the name you give to the starfarers who brought you here.”
“Yes, how did you know?”
Publius looked to Lucius.
“We learn when and where we can, Lord Rick,” Lucius said. “As needs must. In this case I believe we learned from our agents in Nikeis.”
“Clavell,” Warner said. “He always was a blabbermouth when he had too much wine.”
“Which means Nikeis knows at least that much?” Rick asked, and Lucius nodded again.
“And more. Lord Rick, it seems to us there is great dissension among the star kings, the kings and great lords of the stars who in power are to you as you are to us. Is this so?”
Blunt question. Sudden. No time to think, and no point in lying. I wish Tylara were here.
“Actually,” Rick said, “dissension is a mild term for it. There are factions among the stars and some hate each other. As to power, I believe they have weapons that can kill every soul on this world.”
“Skyfire,” Lucius said firmly.
“And worse. Much worse.”
“Theomachy. Wars among the gods,” Lucius said. “In such wars humans are always harmed. Even if these are no true gods.”
“One thing,” Warner said.
“Yes?”
“Whatever these new star lords brought—”
“It’s not clear these are star lords,” Rick said.
“No, Sir, but it’s likely. Assume it for a moment. Whatever they brought, it’s not decisive in itself. They need local assistance, why else would Nikeis open up the Arsenale and start cutting trees?”
“Good point, Mr. Warner,” Rick said.
“Another thing, Sir. We’re going to need ships, too. If Nikeis is recruiting the master shipwrights who could build them for us, we need to stop that, and now.”
“Just so,” Rick said. “Make it so, Mr. Warner.”
“Sir.”
Publius stood.
“Duty Tribune!” he shouted.
A young Roman officer wearing two gold rings and gilded muscled armor came in.
“Aye, Heir of Caesar!”
“No shipwright master or journeyman is to leave Roman lands without permission from Rome,” Publius said. “Send word to my father. There will be a detailed message from Scholar Lucius soon, but send messengers immediately to Rome and to the frontier posts. Have the border guards stand by for other such orders. What forces have we available here?”
“Two cohorts of cataphracts, Heir of Caesar. Two centuries of cohortes equitates.”
“Have them make ready to march. We may need them shortly. Lucius, have you further orders?”
“Not at present. I will write my letter to Caesar before lunchtime tomorrow.”
Publius nodded.
“Dismissed,” he told the tribune.
“Aye, Caesar.” The officer hurried out and Publius turned back to Rick.
“Our course is plain,” he said. “We must build a navy. Romans have done that before.”
“My course is plain also,” Rick said. “I’ll have to organize a punitive expedition to demand the return of my men.”
“Your honor is no more precious to you than the honor of Rome is to Caesar,” Publius said. “We will aid you. I will send those cataphracts to aid you.”
“And alert our ships and marines,” Lucius said. “We are not entirely without maritime resources in the Great Bay. We have a small fleet. In itself it is no threat to Nikeis, but with your star weapons it might be more formidable than they imagine. But we must know who we face.”
“It would be well to know,” Publius agreed. “But gods or men, we will face them like Romans.”
Lucius nodded assent.
“Organize your force, Son of Caesar. Send your cohorts to Taranto. Send word to have all available ships and marines meet them there. But it would be ill advised to march against an ally on the strength of rumor. You do not know what has happened to Rome’s citizens, any more than Lord Rick knows the fate of his ambassador. Prepare to march, yes, but wait until we know more. That is my advice.”
“Mine too, Colonel,” Warner said.
“Harrison and Clavell,” Rick said. “If they were expelled, what would they do?”
“We’d know it by now,” Warner said. “Clavell’s a pretty good man, drunk or sober. If he could get word to you, he would.”
“That was my thought,” Rick said. “So we’ll have to rescue them. Only we haven’t got anyone to send. We’ll have to go ourselves. Heir of Caesar, I ask that you tell your cohorts I will meet them in Taranto. Perhaps by then we’ll know more.”
CHAPTER TEN
LOYALTIES
Dinner was long over. Rick suppressed a yawn.
“It’s been a long day for me,” he said. “With your permission, I’ll turn in.”
They all rose. As Rick and Warner neared the door, Lucius said, “A moment, Lord Rick? I wish to show you something that will not be of interest to Lord Warner.”
Rick and Warner exchanged glances, and Rick nodded.
“See you in the morning, then.”
“Sir. I’ll see to those orders.” Warner left with an amused smile.
“I am at your bidding,” Rick said.
“Please sit down.” Lucius spoke urgently, his voice full of concern. �
�Heir of Caesar, will you speak now?”
“In a moment,” Publius said. “First, your message from my father.”
Lucius drew in a breath.
“There is no easy way to say this. Lord Rick, Marselius Caesar has not long to live.”
I knew it, Rick thought. I could see it coming. But not yet—
“Surely the Legions will follow Publius,” Rick said. “There will be no war of succession.”
“We hope for none,” Lucius said. “But we must be honest. Publius Son of Caesar has never been as popular as his father. There are those who would have another as Emperor.”
“You know Titus Frugi, once a legate and prefect under Flaminius the Dotard,” Publius said. “What will he do?”
“He will follow you,” Rick said. “He has no ambitions for himself, and he is desperate that Rome have no more civil wars. He remained loyal to Flaminius until it was clear Flaminius had lost. Since then he’s been loyal to your father, and he will be loyal to you.”
Lucius smiled.
“You see, Heir of Caesar. And though Lord Rick does not say it, you will do well not to give Titus Frugi cause to fear your accession. He is a capable and popular general. Rome has need of men of his abilities.”
Rick nodded. But is Publius wise enough to follow that advice?
“Many empires have fallen because the emperor was afraid of competence among his generals,” he said.
“And some have been lost because the emperor was too little afraid,” Publius said.
Lucius gave Rick no chance to speak.
“But Lord Rick, there are those in the Army who would have your Wanax Ganton as Caesar. What think you of that?”
“What can I say to that? He is my Wanax,” Rick said.
“A Wanax who treats you as a subject, not as a friend,” Publius said. “Marselius Caesar has been your friend.”
Rick nodded agreement. There was a long silence.
“Are you asking for my support against Wanax Ganton?” he asked finally.
“Marselius Caesar asks that you consider it,” Lucius said.
Sheesh. No wonder they didn’t want Warner listening in! This is an invitation to treason.
“Or at the least, that you not use your troops and skills to oppose Publius,” Lucius continued, and Rick nodded slowly.
“That would be an easier promise to make,” he said. “Wanax Ganton has no claim on Rome.”
“None beyond his acceptance by the legion commanded by Titus Frugi,” Publius said sourly.
“I wasn’t there, but Lord Mason assured me nothing was meant by that acclamation beyond respect for a battle hard fought and well won,” Rick said. “The impetus to hail him as Imperator came from the legion, not from its primus pilus or from the legate.” He paused for a moment. “And you must understand, it is not my custom to act without the advice of My Lady Tylara. Doubly so in an instance that must affect Tamaerthan.”
“A wise man listens to his wife,” Publius said unexpectedly. “I would that mine had lived to advise me in this time. I cannot fault you for wishing the counsel of Lady Tylara. We have all come to respect her abilities.”
And not a trace of sarcasm, Rick thought. I think he means it.
“But I don’t need her advice to know that I have never doubted that Publius would be the worthy successor of Marselius Caesar,” he said.
“So,” Lucius said. “And even that is not my worst news. Surely all have long known that Marselius Caesar is ill. And old like me, as well.”
“And your worst news?”
Lucius looked to Publius.
“I have had my own warnings from God,” Publius said. “I do not expect many years as Caesar even if the succession is tranquil.”
“Perhaps my physicians—”
“I appreciate the offer and I accept eagerly,” Publius said. “I need not tell you of the need for discretion. This news would be welcome in many places.”
Rick nodded.
“I am flattered that you entrust it to me.” But of course you’d have to tell me if you want McCleve to look at you. And just maybe it’s something we can cure. VD? That existed on Tran, although the most virulent forms of syphilis didn’t seem to have traveled from Earth.
I think we have enough antibiotics. Do we want to cure him even if we can? I’m sure we do, but I’ve got to discuss this with Tylara.
“But we must prepare for all events,” Lucius said. “All. And Lord Rick, while you can hardly be expected to say treason against your Wanax, from what we have heard you would not count it such a great thing for Ganton to be emperor as well.”
“Yet unification of the Five Kingdoms, Drantos, and Rome under one ruler would make for a peaceful world,” Rick said.
“And how possible is that?” Lucius asked. “It would take a hero out of legend to impose such a solution! The Five Kingdoms under the High Rexja have ever had their civil wars, and are about to have a war of succession. Your own County of Chelm is as powerful as any two of the Five Kingdoms, and has not always been content with the taxes imposed by Edron. Succession in Rome is never certain. And as to Tamaerthan, there is neither unity there nor any pretense of it, nor would your father-in-law willingly submit to either Drantos or Rome. Especially to a Rome with Ganton as emperor.” Lucius chuckled. “‘Barach gui haigh!’ was, I believe, one of Mac Clallan Muir’s comments when last he met with the Wanax. Hardly a shout of loyalty.”
“Your sources are good,” Rick said. “You must know what else transpired at that High Council.”
“And more,” Lucius said. “Roman frumentarii are well trained, and we have sent them far and wide recently. And it is clear that all is not well between you and your Wanax, nor do I believe you would rejoice to see him in a purple-bordered toga. You need not answer that.”
“So what do you want me to do?” Rick demanded.
“Marselius Caesar wishes a pledge from his friend,” Lucius said.
“A pledge,” Rick said. “What pledge would that be?”
“Of support for his heirs,” Lucius said. “For Publius, although that will not likely be needed. And for Prince Adrian and the children of Queen Octavia.”
“Even against her husband?”
“If Ganton remains her husband, there may be no conflict, although the temptation of the purple has set father against son before. But if Ganton casts her aside in favor of a daughter of the Five, as well he may, then there would be new heirs. And Ganton Caesar might well prefer the new to the old.”
“This seems a bit farfetched,” Rick said. “Pardon me for speaking bluntly.”
“I prefer blunt,” Publius said. “Friend of Caesar, you and I have never been close, and I know you have said hard words about me. Yet I never heard you say I am unworthy of the purple.”
“Nor have I,” Rick said. “I always thought you would be your father’s heir, and that you would rule long and well.”
“Thank you. To rule well I can hope for. Long is in the hands of God, and He may not have given me all the time I would like. The marriage treaty provides that the firstborn son of the union of Ganton and Octavia will be educated in Rome. If I survive long enough that Prince Adrian is of age, I will adopt him and associate him in the purple. Ganton can hardly object, and the succession will be as secure as any Roman succession can be, no matter who proves to be Ganton’s true heir in Drantos. But in these perilous times I cannot put purple diapers on the prince. The legions will never accept a child as emperor.”
“I must think on all this,” Rick said.
“You have not heard all,” Lucius said. “Marselius Caesar is aware that he asks much. He is prepared to hear your requests in return. One benefit he gives freely, whether you pledge or not. Hail, Rick, Patrician and Citizen of Rome. Hail to your Lady, with the same titles. Hail to her father Drumold, Patrician and Citizen.”
Patrician and Citizen. It didn’t mean a lot to Rick, but Drumold would be pleased. For all the enmity between Tamaerthan and Rome, there was consider
able envy as well.
“We are prepared to offer all of Drumold’s clansmen the status of Friends of the Roman People. Which will confer immunity from slavers, now and perhaps forever,” Publius said.
“Generous of you.” Rick didn’t bother to disguise the sarcasm in his voice, and Publius nodded.
“At the moment, tribute flows from Rome to Tamaerthan, and it is true Tamaerthan has bested legions in the field. It is true that led by you they may do so again and again. But you will not always be there to lead, and Rome is large, and Rome endures. Rome will last longer than you or I. So long as Marselius Caesar, or I, hold command Tamaerthan will be safe whether you are present to assist Tamaerthan or not, but the status of Friends will be a powerful argument no matter who commands.”
Rick nodded.
“I appreciate that. And so will Drumold. Our thanks to Caesar.”
“We have more to tell you,” Lucius said. “You do not know that Wanax Ganton even now rides to the northwest.”
“To Aachilos?”
“Aye.”
“To seize the crown?”
“It would seem so.”
“But—”
Lucius nodded.
“I know. You recently attempted to persuade him to do just that, and were rebuked.” He looked down at the table. “It seems he has accepted your advice but not your aid.”
How do you know all this? But that’s one question I better not ask.
“So he may be High Rexja before he returns to his capital,” Rick said. “I have to admire him. A bold course.”
“Overly bold without your aid, I would say,” Publius said. “It is a great thing to seek a crown, but seeking is not always attainment.”
“Do we know his progress?” Rick asked.
“No. He cleverly paused at the Ottarn as if in confusion and doubt, while he gathered strength and supplies. He sent you away, the best ruse yet, convincing all he would never march north. Then when he marched out, he marched quickly. The Queen has not heard yet, although she may have known her husband’s plans before he acted. But I doubt that Prince Strymon knows as yet, nor the Chancellor in Aachilos. Your Wanax has taken all by surprise, I think. We have only today heard, and our messenger foundered two horses in his haste.”
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