by Geoff Fabron
"Like where?" asked Laetus, seeing a possible solution.
The governor turned to face the two men again. "That's up to you, but in your shoes I would consider the United Provinces. I fancy that they'll prove sympathetic to rebels such as you."
Gallicus and Laetus exchanged glances. It made sense. The United Provinces had been colonies of the empire across the Atlantic that had rebelled and broke free over a century ago. They would certainly welcome others who shared their desire to be free from imperial rule.
"I think it's got potential," said Laetus guardedly. In fact Laetus thought it was a brilliant idea, solving all their problems. "When would this take place?"
The governor produced a paper from his cloak. "This document states that the city of Tarraco surrenders unconditionally to imperial forces." He handed the papers to Gallicus. "It allows three days for the city authorities to disarm their forces and to prepare the city for occupation. Three days should be sufficient for all the leaders of the rebellion and their families to be well on their way across the Atlantic."
"When do you need an answer?" asked Gallicus.
"I can give you twelve hours. Then Constantinople will order me to assault the city."
"You will have our reply by then," replied Gallicus.
10th March 1920
Constantinople
Marcus Metellus was about to leave the assembly chamber to have lunch when Magnus Lepidus came rushing up to him.
"Have you heard the news?" he asked.
"About the surrender of Tarraco?" replied Marcus. "Yes, excellent isn't it, no bloodshed and the leaders of the rebellion have 'disappeared' sparing us an embarrassing trial."
"No!" snapped Magnus, "about Exanzenus, he's been appointed the new chief minister!"
"What!" exclaimed Marcus, "how do you know?"
"An imperial edict has just been published. I saw them putting it up at the main entrance."
"But there have been no discussions with assembly leaders," countered Marcus, who did not want to believe what Magnus had just told him. It had become accepted practice for the Emperor to consult with the leaders of all the parties in the assembly before appointing a new chief minister.
"I know that some of the leaders have definitely not been involved," said Magnus looking over his friends shoulder. Marcus turned around and saw John Phocas with the leaders of the Radical, Equestrian and Federalist parties in a heated discussion on the other side of the chamber. Obviously they had also just heard about the edict.
"There's going to be trouble," stated Marcus, "Exanzenus is not renowned for compromising or for co-operating with those who disagree with him, let alone those who actively despise him! What was Alexander thinking of when he appointed him?"
"We'll know soon enough," said Magnus, "the edict appointing Exanzenus as chief minister also announced that the Emperor would be making a formal address to the assembly at the end of the month."
"A formal address - that sounds ominous." When the Emperor made a formal address it was generally to announce major policies, a declaration or cessation of war, or a constitutional change.
"Yes it does." Magnus looked up at the ornate clock that was mounted above the huge carved wooden doors that led into the assembly chamber. "But now it's time for lunch. I think that having that vicious snake Exanzenus appointed as chief minister is a good enough reason to get blind drunk. Come on Marcus, let's go and drown our sorrows at Attila's place. I think it's your turn to pay anyway."
13th March 1920
Minden, Saxony
Cornelius was getting to know his way around the Saxon Capital and what it had to offer and after finding a Moving Picture Theatre a few streets away from the embassy he invited Katherine to a show one evening. It was an historic drama set during the crusades against the Turks in Eastern Europe with both Saxons and Romans on the same side which Cornelius hoped would play well and avoid any potential for arguments, not that Katherine was prone to take offense easily. After the performance they went to a nearby coffee shop.
“Well Cornelius, what did you think for the show?” Katherine took a large forkful of apple pie that she had purchased along with her coffee and waited for his response.
“It was a good story, but the Legionary solders that they showed were totally wrong for the period – those uniforms and weapons were 100 years out of date!” Cornelius shook his head in mock disgust at such an error.
“How typical of you to spot that – what amused me was how they mixed up all the events and dates. The massacre of Breslau took place years before the battle of Pisek not 2 weeks after and it was a Polish army that relieved Prague not a Burgundian one! And as for the heroine of the story, Princess Natasha she would only have been 2 years old at this time - rather young to seduce Count Otto and persuade him to charge to the rescue of Prague!”
They happily continued to pick holes in the picture show as they finished their coffee and pie, then as it was not too late and the evening dry if still chilly they went for a walk by the river.
“Your German seems to be coming along. You did not seem to have any problems reading the captions.” Remarked Katherine as they strolled arm in arm along the embankment.
“No, I can read German pretty well now but understanding it when it is spoken can still be a bit hit and miss.”
“That will make future trips to the Moving Picture Theatre a bit tricky once they convert over to all ‘talkies’ – no captions between scenes. I believe that show was one of the last silent moving pictures made.”
“In that case I had better practise my spoken German more often. Can I depend on you to teach me?”
Katherine laughed and said something in German.
“I didn’t quite understand all of that,” said Cornelius with a suspicious but amused look. “I could make out ‘payment’ and ‘lessons’ but not the rest.”
“You picked up enough,” she said and gave him a lingering kiss. “Basically I will be taking payment in kind for providing private German lessons.”
“Sounds fair enough,” he said as he manoeuvred her into the shadows by one of the many statues that lined the river. “I think I would like to make a payment in advance.”
17th March 1920
Minden, Saxony
Cornelius helped himself to one of the mugs of steaming brown liquid from the silver tray on the side board and walked over to the windows. Not wanting to burn his tongue he sipped the drink cautiously. The chocolate was delicious and the hot fluid warmed his cold body.
The current session of trade talks was being held at Count Maleric's country house where he had first met Katherine. The sudden cold spell that had begun last night had caught the household staff by surprise and consequently the central heating had not yet warmed the house to what Cornelius considered a civilised temperature.
Looking out of the windows, Cornelius could see the vast gardens that lay between the house and the woods surrounding it. It was mid-morning but there was still a sheen of frost on the grass of the well groomed lawn, and a line of footprints showed where a guard or gardener had taken a short cut.
The talks were going well. The ambassador had incorporated the proposal to solve the issue of the timber sales and this had led to other areas being resolved in a similar manner. The thorny question of the level of tariffs and fees for trade goods between the two countries was next on the agenda. If this problem could be sorted out satisfactorily then this round of trade talks could go down in history as the event that opened up the economies of an entire continent.
"The chocolate is good, isn't it."
Cornelius turned to see Count Maleric, who was also looking out of the window.
"Yes, very good," agreed Cornelius, "much better than we get in the Empire."
"We've excellent relations with the Aztecs," explained Maleric, "we get first pick of their crop of cocoa beans."
"You can certainly taste the difference," agreed Cornelius taking another sip, "it's a pity that the Empire's trade rel
ations with the Aztecs aren't as good as yours."
"Yes, you Romans have a habit of annoying the people you want to do business with." Count Maleric gave Cornelius a mischievous grin. "However," he added, "if all goes well here - and it looks good so far - I'm sure that the Saxon government can put in a good word for you with the Aztec Empire!"
Cornelius smiled back. He liked Frederick Maleric and enjoyed talking to him. He was every bit as tough in negotiations as Isaac Taronites had said, but he was also honest, fair and willing to compromise to find a solution.
"Katherine sends her regards," said the Count abruptly changing the subject, "and hopes to see you again soon."
Cornelius was surprised by the unexpected shift in the conversation, but quickly recovered.
"My responsibilities and Katherine's studies have conspired against us meeting more often," said Cornelius, "but we hope to visit some of the historical sites in the area when the weather improves."
Count Maleric's expression changed slightly. He was no longer the jovial Count, he was now the concerned older brother.
"Katherine has taken quite a liking to you Cornelius."
"We get on very well together," agreed Cornelius guardedly, "we have much in common. I hope you don't disapprove?"
No, Cornelius," replied the Count, "I don't disapprove, although there are those who would."
Cornelius thought back to the old soldier who had accosted Katherine at the castle museum and nodded his understanding.
"All I'm concerned about", continued Maleric, "is that Katherine is happy and doesn't get hurt again. She's a strong willed and confident young woman, but for all that she's very sensitive and her feelings are easily hurt. I hope you won’t hurt her Cornelius."
Hurt again? Cornelius wanted to question the Count on that but prudently decided that this was not the best time for a discussion on his sister's past romances.
Looking into the Count's silver grey eyes, he could see the family resemblance; Katherine's were exactly the same. He also saw a man who had been both father and brother to Katherine for many years. When he asked Cornelius not to hurt his sister, it was both a plea and a threat.
"I'm also very fond of Katherine," admitted Cornelius, "and I would never knowingly do anything to hurt her."
Maleric's face relaxed and the friendly Count returned. "Thank you Cornelius," he said, "I know you to be an honourable man. I just hope that you don't hurt her 'unknowingly' either."
23rd March 1920
Exanzenus Villa, Near Adrianople, Thrace
Demetrius Exanzenus stepped up out of the hot water pool and took a towel from the silent attendant standing at the top of the marble steps. He dried himself briefly as he walked over to a table. There was a silver goblet of his favourite wine, chilled to the temperature he preferred on the table. He tied the towel around his waist and took a drink from the goblet, savouring the cold sweet wine. He looked up at the clock that hung on one of the large pillars that part supported and part decorated his bath house. They will be here by now, he thought, but they can wait. Exanzenus habitually kept people waiting to emphasis his power.
Exanzenus sat down and relaxed, enjoying his wine as his body finished drying in the warmth of the bath house. A servant silently brought a silver plate of sweet meats and put them on the table. Exanzenus neither thanked nor even acknowledged the servants presence. He had done the job that he was paid to do, why should he be thanked as well?
Through the large glass doors that opened out onto the veranda that went around the bath house, the new chief minister of the Roman Empire could see other servants exercising his horses. He had a large stable of thoroughbreds and was very proud of them. His grandchildren would be visiting later this afternoon and would want to be taken for a ride around their grandfathers’ estate. It occupied over 500 acres of countryside outside the city of Adrianople, some 100 miles from the capital. The villa, which was only exceeded in size and opulence by a few of the imperial palaces, was where Exanzenus preferred to work. Being chief minister would necessitate him spending more time in Constantinople, which meant less time at his villa near his grandchildren.
The thought of his grandchildren brought a rare smile to his normally expressionless face, so rare that one of the bath attendants took a second look in amazement. Exanzenus had never shown affection to his two daughters, but to his five grandchildren he was a kind indulgent grandfather. His daughters who had only known a cold and stern, if correct father, would look at each other in disbelief as he played hide and seek in the woods and allowed their children to jump all over him in high spirited horseplay. It was something they would never have dreamed of doing.
When he felt he was ready, Demetrius Exanzenus got up and signalled a servant to bring his new toga that had arrived from the tailor that morning. When he was dressed he made his way from the bath house along the glass enclosed colonnade to the east wing of the villa which was where he conducted his business.
There were four conference rooms, and there were fifteen men in the main room seated around an oblong table. They were the chief executives of the various companies that made up the industrial, retail, agricultural and transport interests of the sprawling commercial empire of Demetrius Exanzenus.
They sat around the table exchanging pleasantries and superficial comments. No one was discussing the current state of the Empire or the recent political events that had propelled their 'patron' to the position of the Emperors chief minister. Exanzenus employed them for their business acumen, and in his organisation political views were the prerogative of Demetrius Exanzenus. Anyone who voiced an opinion that was at odds with that of Exanzenus would soon find himself out of a job and unemployable. If Demetrius Exanzenus was anything he was vindictive.
The double doors opened and the major domo of the household stepped inside and came to a halt. He waited until he had everyone's attention before he spoke.
"Gentlemen, Demetrius Exanzenus, the chief minister to his Imperial Majesty Alexander IX, Emperor of the Romans."
As one they all rose from their seats. Demetrius Exanzenus strode into the room, resplendent in his new white toga to which the gold stripe of chief minister had been added to the purple band of senator. He looked at the men around the table as he made his way to the end of the room, but did not return the nervous smiles or polite nods that they gave him. At the end of the main table there was a desk on a raised platform and a chair which was noticeably larger and more comfortable than the others in the room. Exanzenus took his place there. The platform was high enough so that those at the main table had to look up the man at the desk. It was another of Exanzenus' ways of intimidating people and emphasising his position.
After Exanzenus had taken his seat the other men all sat down except John Anemas, the most senior of the men around the lower table who occupied the chair to the right of the desk. He remained standing and smiled ingratiatingly at the new chief minister.
"On behalf of my colleagues," he began, indicating the other fourteen men with a sweep of his arm, "I offer you our congratulations on your appointment as His Majesties chief minister. It is well deserved." There were murmurs of agreement from the others.
"Thank you Anemas, you can sit down now," said Exanzenus curtly. Although he was a highly effective manager of his farming interests, Exanzenus regarded Anemas as a sycophantic little worm. However he was totally loyal - nobody becomes spokesman for this particular group by having a mind of their own.
When Anemas had taken his seat, the ingratiating smile still on his face, Exanzenus spoke to them all.
"Now that I'm chief minister," he began "I find that I have responsibilities greater than those which I had when I was concerned solely with my own commercial interests. Everything that I do, that you do, must be for the greater good of the Empire."
The men around the lower table nodded loyally.
"I have summoned you here today," Exanzenus continued "to advise you of a radical new policy direction that I will implement ov
er the next few months. A policy that will revitalise the Empire, make it strong and free from outside influence!"
The men applauded their patrons words, as Exanzenus knew they would. When the clapping had finished he continued.
"What I'm about to tell you is highly confidential and is not to be repeated. I'm informing you so that you can make plans to realign my commercial interests in order to support this new direction."
The fifteen men nodded their heads obediently and listened attentively as their patron continued.
"The current crisis in the economy has occurred because we have become too dependent upon trade with the people outside our borders. This must change!"
Exanzenus scanned the table below him. They were still nodding their agreement, whether it was because they agreed with what he said or simply out of loyalty or habit, Exanzenus neither knew nor cared. All that was required of them was to agree.
"In order to bring about this change, all tariffs and duties on goods entering the Empire will be increased to a minimum of 50%."
The nodding of heads stopped immediately, although the expression of understanding on their faces remained frozen in place. Exanzenus knew it would shock them but was pleased that they managed to control themselves. He was interested to see if what he had to say next would shatter their self control.
"In addition to taking control of our own economic destiny, there will be other changes that have been long overdue. The nations along our borders have been reaping the benefits of the 'Pax Romanum' for too long. They can trade peacefully along the major waterways and sea routes around the Empire because of the security that the imperial forces provide from piracy and the infrastructure of harbours, locks, lighthouses and beacons that is available because the Empire has built them."
Around the table some of the bolder members of the group were glancing at their colleagues, although it was only their eyes that moved. No one wanted to draw attention to himself by any obvious head movement. All were wondering where this speech was going, and a number of them were afraid that they already knew.
