The Eternal Empire

by Geoff Fabron

  "Well that's understandable," conceded Titus, coming to the Legates defence, "the Hibernicus Sea is full of fishing ships in the morning. The perfect place for a few pirates to hide, after all they are probably fishermen themselves most of the time."

  "Well sink them all then!" exclaimed a furious Virius. "They are all guilty. If they do not respect Roman property and lives they must fear Roman retribution. They will soon learn that there is no profit to be had by attacking the Empire."

  "That's against standing orders," said Titus sternly, "pirate vessels must be positively identified before we can take action against them."

  Virius calmed down, and smiled at Titus. "You are a good law abiding citizen Titus," he said, "but you must realise that the rule of law means nothing to those barbarians."

  "Then surely we have a duty to show them the virtues of a law abiding society?" Titus countered.

  Virius roared with laughter. "You're a simple soul Titus and you've been paying too much attention to the chaplains’ sermons on Sunday". He used his hands to pat the scabbard holding his short sword, the famous gladius, and the holster containing his handgun. "We need to show them Roman bullets and Roman steel." He drew his sword and shook it in front of Titus. "When we're tickling their balls with this, it’s amazing how peaceful and law abiding they become."

  2nd February 1920

  Constantinople

  After the vote Marcus and Magnus hurried out of the assembly. Behind them they could hear members of the Senatorial and Traditionalist parties continuing to voice their objections. Magnus led them through the narrow side streets to a seedy looking tavern that Marcus had not been to before. The owner was a large man with greasy hair, an unkempt beard and bad teeth. He recognised Magnus as soon as he entered and greeted him like a long lost son, guiding him and Marcus to a quiet booth in the corner. A jug of house wine and two glasses appeared on the table almost immediately and Magnus downed his drink whilst Marcus was still busy pouring his.

  "I needed that!" said Magnus slamming down the empty glass. "All that talking and shouting is thirsty work".

  As Marcus finished filling his glass, Magnus took the jug and poured himself a second drink. Marcus looked around the tavern. The clientele was definitely from the lower strata of society, and if there had been a few bodies with their throats cut lying around, they would not have looked out of place.

  "Where are we?" asked Marcus in a stage whisper, afraid that the wrong word would bring unwelcome attention from the other patrons.

  "I can't recall its official name," replied Magnus "but everyone calls it Attlia's Place, after the owner. Attlia's his nickname, don't know how he got it, didn't think it healthy to ask."

  "Well Attila seems to know you quite well."

  "Yes, I helped him out with some legal problems he was having last year," said Magnus, "he's a gold mine of information, and it's a great place to meet people in secret. Attila makes sure that we are left alone with any private guests."

  "Why are we here?" asked Marcus.

  "I like the place." replied Magnus. "It’s down to earth, unpretentious and serves excellent wine at a reasonable price." He finished off his glass and began pouring himself another. "What do you think of today's vote Marcus?"

  "I'm glad it's over. I thought that some of those old relics in the Senatorial party were going to have a heart attack when they realised that all the laws were going to be passed together as a single group and with the Emperors blessing."

  The imperial bureaucracy led by the chief minister Lucullus Verus, had persuaded Alexander to accept the package of laws in order to push through the austerity measures needed to balance the budget. They were not at all happy with the loss of some of their own privileges, but no one else had been able to come up with an alternative. Alexander had accepted their recommendation, mainly because he was exasperated by the economic crisis and wanted something done to deal with the problem. He had even summoned the most influential senators to a private meeting in order to get the laws passed through the senate.

  "That certainly surprised them," agreed Magnus, "they couldn't believe that the Emperor had agreed to such 'revolutionary ideas'. But what really surprised me was the way Demetrius Exanzenus rolled over and played dead in the Senate."

  Demetrius Exanzenus was the largest landowner in the Empire and also had significant interests in many areas of trade and commerce. He was a ruthless business man and many senators were either beholden to him for their continued commercial existence, or had been financially crippled by him after some slight, real or imagined. Despite being extremely capable and astute, he could not stand to be criticised or to have his views opposed. You either agreed with him and were acceptable, or disagreed and became, in his eyes, a deadly enemy. His views were in keeping with the most reactionary factions in politics, but he did not belong to any party. He led a group of conservative senators, and whilst generally supporting the Senatorial or Traditionalist parties he made it very clear that he would vote as he saw fit.

  "I agree," concurred Marcus, "Exanzenus gave a most eloquent, well reasoned yet violent attack on all the laws and then he leads most of the other conservative senators in abstaining, allowing the laws to be passed."

  "That old bastard's up to something." said Magnus with feeling. "He doesn't acquiesce so easily unless there's something in it for him."

  "You really don't like him Magnus." said Marcus, pouring them both a drink from the jug. "Surely he can't be as bad as he is made out to be."

  "Oh I'm sure he is really a fine fellow!" exclaimed Magnus with sarcasm. "And provided you get enjoyment from pulling the wings off butterflies and drowning kittens in the river, I can guarantee that Demetrius Exanzenus will see in you a kindred soul!"

  "You REALLY don't like him, do you!"

  He slammed down his glass, spilling wine over the dark wooden table. "Senator Demetrius Exanzenus," Magnus said slowly, emphasising each word, "is an evil, malignant sickness. He would destroy all those who have a vision of the Empire that is different from his."

  "And what is his vision?" asked Marcus, taken aback by his friends passionate hatred of this man.

  "He has never really said," conceded Magnus, now looking sorrowfully at the wasted wine covering the table, "at least not to my knowledge, but I think that for Demetrius Exanzenus there can be only one picture of the Empire."

  "And what is that," persisted Marcus.

  "Where Demetrius Exanzenus is either the power behind the throne, or sitting on it himself."

  3rd February 1920

  Minden, Saxony

  Cornelius had enjoyed the day he had spent with Katherine at the castle museum and when they had parted they had agreed to meet up again ‘so that he could provide more assistance with her studies’, Cornelius had told her. Nothing specific has been arranged and Cornelius did not hear anything for a couple of weeks and then he got a phone call.

  “Trade Office – Cornelius Petronius, Trade Attaché speaking”

  “You sound like a typical Imperial bureaucrat when you answer the phone Cornelius, do you know that?” Katherine’s German accented Latin did not disguise the teasing in her voice.

  “And you appear to have mastered the art of blunt speaking in at least two languages,” countered Cornelius, “regardless of which, it is good to hear from you.”

  “I’ve been out of Minden for most of the last two weeks so have not had a chance to get in touch. Anyway, since you bought me lunch at the Castle I have decided that I would buy you dinner at a traditional Saxon restaurant. It will also be an opportunity for you to learn about some German culture.”

  Many men would have been appalled at been invited to dinner by a woman, but Cornelius, thanks partly to Fulvia’s influence, was relatively enlightened. Besides which he had no intention of saying no. “That sounds wonderful, when did you have in mind?”

  “How about tonight, are you free?”

  Cornelius did a quick scan of the papers on his desk. Nothing that can’t
wait and there are no social engagements tonight at the embassy. “Yes, I’m free – tonight will be fine.”

  “Perfect. I will pick you up outside the embassy gates at 7:30.”

  “I’ll be there Katherine.”

  “One thing Cornelius,” Katherine’s voice took on a slightly cold, steely sound.

  “And that would be?” Asked Cornelius warily.

  “Do not, under any circumstances wear your toga.”

  At 7:30pm promptly Cornelius walked past the Legionary Guards at the embassy gates wearing a new tunic and trousers he had hurriedly purchased a few hours earlier. He did wear his old army cloak over then to protect him from the cold – he didn’t think Katherine would complain about that. Cloaks were common in Saxony as well as the Empire and it would have taken a specialist in military uniforms to identify it as ex-legion issue.

  He had been waiting a few minutes when smart, expensive motor carriage pulled up outside the embassy and Katherine waved at him from the driver’s seat to get in.

  “Very nice motor-carriage Katherine,” commented Cornelius admiring the polished woodwork of the interior as he settled into a plush, soft leather seat.

  “My one real luxury. I enjoy the freedom a motor-carriage gives me and since I can afford it I decided to go for something good!” To emphasise this, she accelerated away at an impressive speed, pushing Cornelius back into his seat.

  “We’re going to an old part of the town on the outskirts of the city. It’s about a 15 minute drive”

  “So that would be about 50 miles away at this speed then,” remarked Cornelius trying not to look concerned as they sped through the narrow streets that led off the square where the Imperial embassy was located.

  Katherine laughed. “Relax – I know this area well and could make the journey with my eyes closed.”

  Cornelius gave her a tight lipped smile in return and hoped that she did not intend to prove that last remark.

  The restaurant was an old Coaching Inn with the courtyard where the stables used to be turned into a parking area for those wealthy patrons with motor-carriages. Despite its rustic look, from the clientele that Cornelius observed entering the main door as Katherine parked, it was obviously an up market establishment. They got out of the car and Katherine took his arm as they made their way to the entrance where she spoke to a large red faced man with a bushy beard standing behind a lectern on which was a large impressive looking appointment book.

  Cornelius attempted to follow their conversation which he deduced was to confirm that they had a reservation. He had spent some time over the last couple of weeks improving his German with people at the embassy. He had done a basic language course when he had been posted to the legio I Germania some years back – however the vocabulary that his instructors had imparted, whilst useful when interrogating a Saxon prisoner of war had limited application to a dinner date with an attractive woman.

  They handed in their cloaks and Cornelius could now see what Katherine was wearing. She had on a dark blue dress, plain dress with a ‘V’ neck revealing a small but enticing amount of cleavage. The dress was tight fitting, covering a full but well proportioned body and in keeping with current fashions the dress ended just below the knees. A silver torque-style necklace with a silver and gold broach in the shape of a dove completed the outfit together with a small amount of makeup.

  “You look lovely” he said in German – a phrase he had carefully practised all afternoon.

  “Why thank you Cornelius,” she beamed back, “and you look very smart. As I’m sure you can appreciate, a toga would be rather out of place here.”

  They were shown to a table in a quiet corner close to a large log fire blazing in the hearth. They made some small talk and quickly agreed to continue their conversation in Latin as Cornelius’s stock of useful, and socially acceptable, German soon became exhausted. They then turned their attention to the menu.

  “Would you like me to select the wine?” Offered Cornelius, who could read German much better than he could speak it.

  Katherine gave him a look of mock horror. “Wine! Cornelius, this is a traditional German restaurant. We shall have beer!”

  “Fine by me,” accepted Cornelius with a smile, “why don’t you choose for the both of us. After all, the object is to introduce me to your cuisine and you’re the expert.”

  Katherine agreed, and in addition to a large jug of German ale, she ordered a selection of breads and cold meats and sausage to start followed by a suckling pig to share for the main course. Having placed their order with the waiter, they resumed talking, Katherine getting Cornelius to tell her about his time in the army.

  “You certainly had the opportunity to travel around and see different places – and all at the States expense.”

  “True, but being in Imperial Army uniform did have its drawbacks – some people have a tendency to shot at those wearing it on sight. Anyway, that’s enough about me.” Cornelius learned forward and gave Katherine what he hoped was his most engaging smile. “I would like to know more about you.”

  Her face appeared to light up and she took a drink from her tankard put it down in front of her, cradling it in both hands. “Our family has been part of the Saxon nobility since the 1200’s and our estates are primarily engaged in agriculture and animal husbandry with some related industries such as slaughter houses and canneries. There is a strong tradition of state service in the family and you can normally find a Maleric serving in either the army or government during the last 700 years.”

  “And your current family?” Prompted Cornelius, keen to learn more.

  “My older brother Frederick, you have met. He is the Count and head of the family, and we have a younger brother Franz who is in the army. There is also a large extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins scattered across the Kingdom that we generally only see at weddings, funerals and christenings, but on the whole it is just the three of us.”

  There was a brief pause as Katherine debated in her mind whether to share more about her family. She looked over at Cornelius and decided that she did. “My grandfather was killed in the last war when I was quite young. I don’t remember much about him and my father died 10 years ago. Frederick said that before the war father had been very ‘jolly’ and full of life, but my main recollections are of him are as a distant and morose man – very formal and not given to talking to us much.”

  She took another drink from the tankard. “I was very close to my mother,” she smiled a little at that as if recalling some pleasant memory, “When father died, Frederick was engaged in making a name for himself in government so Mother and me really ran the estates. She was very organised and had taken on a lot of the estate management - after the war father lost much of his drive and enthusiasm. If it wasn’t for mother we could have got into serious financial difficulties. She died 3 years ago and then we brought in a professional manager to enable me to study full time and Frederick to continue to focus on his work for the King.”

  Cornelius leant over and touched her hands which were still wrapped around the beer tankard. “The last war obviously had a terrible impact on your family Katherine, but neither you nor Frederick appear to harbour any real resentment.”

  “Oh I resent it Cornelius” she replied firmly but without anger. Her fingers entwined with his. “The deaths, the bitterness, the desire for revenge. Many of the children I played with or went to school with had lost fathers or elder brothers. I grew up with the legacy of the last war and I don’t want to see it repeated in this generation.”

  Their food arrived at this point providing a welcome break in the conversation. Cornelius was beginning to fear he was about to hit a raw nerve which could spoil the evening. He picked up his knife and folk, smiled at Katherine and said “Well I’m glad that neither you nor Frederick hate us.”

  “No Cornelius, I certainly don’t, although I suspect my younger brother has enough hate for all three of us.”

  The rest of the evening went well – the
food was very good and the conversation became lighter. They both shared more about their families, childhood and experiences. When they had finished their coffee and pastries, Katherine paid the bill and they drove back to the embassy.

  “Thank you for an excellent meal and a wonderful evening,” said Cornelius as they stopped outside the gates.

  “It was a pleasure. It has been a while since I have enjoyed an evening like this.”

  They looked at each other and Cornelius could feel his heart rate increase – it was that awkward moment at the end of the evening – does he kiss her and if so should it be a ‘chaste’ kiss on the cheek or risk something more intimate?

  At that moment their attention was diverted by the sounds of an embassy guard marching in front of the gate. They looked back at each other and then Katherine grinned, leaned over and gave him a fairly passionate kiss. Although taken by surprise his mouth had the good sense to respond in kind. After a few moments she pulled back, the smile still on her face.

  “Goodnight Cornelius. I’ll call you tomorrow sometime.”

  Feeling a bit heady, Cornelius got out and waved goodbye as Katherine sped off. He walked through the gates after showing his pass to the Legionary on guard duty who was struggling to hide a smile.

  17th February 1920

  Tarraco, Hispania

  The crowd marched from the factories on the outskirts of the city to the main square. They had their wives and children with them, and although they were vociferous in their denouncement of the austerity laws there was no hint of the violence that was to come. The demonstration had been organised by local radical activists in defiance of directives from their party leaders to keep a low profile and to accept the package of laws as a whole. The Tarraco factory and mine workers had a reputation for industrial action and they were not going to let a reduction in wages go without a protest.