by Geoff Fabron
Cornelius could see that Granicus was uncomfortable but he was intrigued and also a bit concerned by what he had heard so far. "Please continue," he urged.
"They feel that the Empire is in danger of falling apart and that by reverting to ‘traditional values’ they can stop the rot."
"Sounds like the standard traditionalist party manifesto to me," said Cornelius.
"Yes, but much worse," continued Granicus, "they feel that the only way for our neighbours to learn a 'proper respect' for the Empire is by aggressive military action."
"That means constant war," said Cornelius shaking his head in disbelief, "and what do they think the answer to our current problem is?"
"Oh, they don't have any real solutions - just knee jerk reactions. If the radical party is demanding a reduction in military privileges - ban them! Unruly demonstrators are causing a riot - shot them! Pirates raid the coast - blow every ship in the area out of the water!"
"Popular policies with some," observed Cornelius.
"Popular with too many - until the consequences catch up with them. Needless to say, this new policy of Exanzenus to charge for the use of the waterways around the borders meets with their approval."
"I'm sure it does," agreed Cornelius, "but what about the increase in duty for cross border trade? What do they make of that?"
"That, my friend is economics, and beyond their area of expertise or interest! Heck, I don't understand it myself; economics is for smart arse bureaucrats and university professors with no hair and thick eye glasses!"
During the rest of the flight, Cornelius wrote a short letter to his parents which he asked Granicus to post for him. At Milan he took his leave of the tribune and boarded another aircraft to Singidunum in Moesia. He had a six hour wait and managed to catch up on some sleep before he took his final flight to Constantinople.
It was dark when his plane touched down at the military airfield outside the city. Cornelius had to argue with the duty centurion to get transport to a hotel as his travel arrangements did not seem to have made it ahead of him. However his diplomatic credentials and persistent manner eventually managed to produce a motor carriage and a bleary eyed guardsman to drive him to the city.
The following morning Cornelius went directly to the building where Gregory worked. A junior official was waiting for him at the reception desk and he was taken straight up to Gregory's office. As soon as he entered Gregory got up and came round to greet his old friend.
"Cornelius! It's good to see you again - even under these circumstances," he said, shaking Cornelius with both hands.
Gregory directed Cornelius to a chair and instructed his aide to organise some refreshments. He then took his own seat across the desk from Cornelius.
"How was your trip?" asked Gregory.
"Awful," replied Cornelius, "I would have preferred to walk the entire distance, but as you are aware, time is of the essence. I'm glad to see that you're expecting me, the guards at the airfield weren't."
"That's not surprising," said Gregory, a knowing smile on his face, "I heard directly from Isaac on the telegraph but your travel plans would have had to go through the bureaucrats in military transport and they're rather slow."
The smile faded away as Gregory got to the reason for Cornelius's visit. "I got the report from ambassador Taronites about the situation in Saxony. I agree that it looks bleak, but to be honest I'm not sure what can be done about it."
"We must get the chief minister to review these new policies! They're a disaster for the Empire!"
Gregory looked at Cornelius. His face betrayed no emotion but Cornelius could sense a sadness and frustration that only a friend could detect.
"Privately I agree with you," said Gregory, "but unfortunately chief minister Exanzenus believes that these new policies - his new policies - will be the salvation of the Empire."
Gregory turned away from Cornelius to look at the portrait of the Emperor, Alexander IX on his office wall, "and it appears that his Majesty is in agreement with him. He is prepared to implement these policies by imperial decree under the state of emergency laws."
Cornelius was appalled, and said so. The Empire might not be the kind of democracy practised by the United Provinces, but it was not a 'rule by divine right' monarchy anymore either. Gregory nodded sadly in agreement. "I saw Marcus yesterday. The entire assembly is livid with both the chief minister and the Emperor, but legally they are unable to do anything."
"I must see the chief minister as soon as possible," said Cornelius with determination. "Ambassador Taronites instructed me to explain the situation to him in person."
"Yes, Isaac included the request in the report he sent. I spent most of yesterday afternoon trying to get you an appointment but have not had any success yet. I'll keep trying."
Cornelius felt his anger rising. He had spent the best part of a day travelling from the Saxon capital on an urgent mission to avert a potential crisis between two countries and the chief minister would not even give him an appointment!
Gregory saw that his friend was struggling to contain his feelings. "We'll keep trying Cornelius," he repeated. "I'll call in favours that I'm owed and will pull as many strings as I can get my hands on. However," warned Gregory, "don't expect too much. Exanzenus is not one to change his mind - regardless of the facts."
8th April 1920
Saxony
There were over one hundred members of the full Royal Council and they all stood as Otto VIII, King of the Saxons was announced. He was preceded into the great hall by two bearded members of the Royal Guard with ceremonial battle-axe and shield. As he strode between the rows of tiered, church style pews that lined either side of the hall, Otto kept his eyes on the Royal Coat of Arms mounted above the throne at the opposite end.
Otto had been in his early thirties when he became King following the death of his father, twenty years before. Then he had been in his prime, but two decades of state banquets and presiding over innumerable meetings and councils had seen his firm, well exercised muscles turn to fat. His hair line had receded and he had grown a beard and moustache, partly to hide a face that had become distinctly puffy. He now bore only a passing resemblance to the profile that had been embossed on Saxon coins when he ascended the throne and never changed.
His reign had coincided with a period of peace and economic growth for the Kingdom and this sense of well being and prosperity had become associated with him. As a result he was well loved by the people and this gave him a lot of moral authority when dealing with his nobles. This was just as well since Otto was not very strong willed by nature.
Those who knew Otto well had likened him to a gentleman farmer. Amiable, friendly, and always interested in what the people around him were doing. However, he was too eager to please and if he had to decide between doing what he perceived to be popular and what he felt was best - well, the monarchy was no longer a despotic dictatorship and he bowed to the 'will of the people'. Most of the time the 'will of the people' was the will of the nobles with the loudest voice and greatest influence.
Otto sat down and Duke Haradok, the most senior Count present announced that a full meeting of the Royal Council was now in session. The nobles present took their seats whilst Haradok picked up a sheaf of papers from the small table beside him and began to speak.
"This council has been convened to discuss the trade polices recently announced by the Roman Empire. These policies have been deemed by the inner council to be detrimental to Saxon interests, in violation of existing agreements and against accepted practise." He paused briefly to clear his throat and to give the final sentence of his opening speech a bit more weight. "His Majesty the King calls upon those assembled here to provide guidance in determining the action that the Kingdom of the Saxons should take in response to this threat."
One by one those who had something to say stood up, bowed to the King and gave their opinions. The first speakers, by precedent members of the inner council were indignant at the action of the
Empire but confined their recommendations to protests and retaliatory trade measures. They advised caution, adding that rash action at this time could bring unforeseen consequences.
However, as the debate continued, the tone became increasingly belligerent, with past grievances and humiliations at the hands of the Empire being painfully recalled. Although war was never mentioned, the mood, especially amongst the younger nobles was clearly in favour of, as one speaker put it, 'taking any action in defence of our national interest'.
During the speeches, Count Godisger sat quietly, his granite like expression never changing. Godisger had no intention of saying anything himself, at least not here. It was too public a forum and he had no intention of allowing the Empire even a hint of what he had in mind for them. He had primed some junior Counts to adopt an aggressive response, but given the mood of the council as a whole it had probably not been necessary.
Count Godisger, as head of the Saxon army, had managed to obtain a private audience with the King a few days before. He had briefed Otto on the threat of Saxony being 'dragged into a war' because of the imperial trade laws, emphasising that if Constantinople could do such a sudden about-face over trade, anything was possible. Consequently, 'as a precaution' he had ordered his staff to prepare plans so that, 'God forbid', should it come to war, the Saxon army would be ready to defend the Kingdom. It had taken a bit of persuading. Although Godisger was not known for his debating skills, he could present a very convincing argument to get what he wanted. Reluctantly the King had agreed with Godisger and had signed a Royal Warrant giving the Count the authority to requisition anything he needed and to obtain co-operation from other parts of the government. After all, the King had said as Godisger was leaving, there was no harm in being prepared.
By the time the last person had spoken, Otto was clear in his mind that the people, as represented by the council, were not prepared to meekly accept the new trade policies. Some kind of response would be required. Luckily, Count Godisger had suggested some actions at their meeting that would prove popular without resorting to military action.
Duke Haradok formally asked the council if there were any other members who wished to present their views. When no one rose to speak, he turned to the King and bowed.
"The Royal council has spoken your Majesty," he said and sat down. Every eye in the hall looked expectantly at Otto. The King rose.
"My Lords, I thank you for your advice," he said slowly, his face solemn as he looked from one side of the hall to the other. "It's clear that these new policies of the Empire are intolerable. Decades of mutually beneficial trade and the livelihoods of thousands of hardworking Saxons are threatened by their high handed actions."
Murmurs of approval could be heard. "But," Otto continued, his voice louder and more assertive, "we must not forget that it is the right of every nation to impose taxes on goods entering its borders."
The murmurs of approval changed to mutterings of discontent, but not loud enough to signify outright disapproval. "All we can do to retaliate is to impose reciprocal duties on goods produced by the Empire."
There was a spontaneous outbreak of cheers and cries of encouragement. The look of sad resignation amongst many of the older members of the council was either ignored or went unnoticed. Otto waited until the applause had died down before resuming.
"Whereas the Empire may have been within its rights to impose taxes on our goods, even though they may be extortionate, the tariff they have announced for ships using the waterways is a different matter."
There was silence in the hall. The nobles looked at the King expectantly, their faces betraying a mixture of emotions - excitement, apprehension and fear.
"It is the opinion of our most learned lawyers and scholars," said the King grimly "that the Empire does not have a legal basis for the imposition of a tariff for use of a common waterway. No Saxon vessel will pay it!"
The beginning of another round of cheering and applause was swiftly cut short by the King raising both his hands in the air to demand silence.
"The masters of all Saxon ships," continued the King, "will be instructed to avoid putting into imperial ports. Any demands for payment of the tariff by imperial officials will be refused."
There was a nodding of heads and a hum of agreement that rose in volume as the nobles, believing that the King had finished his speech, began to cheer and shout patriotic slogans. However Otto had one more sentence to add which some of the more vociferous members of the council missed.
"Any attempt by the Empire to seize Saxon vessels or goods will be regarded as a hostile act towards the Kingdom."
Count Godisger did not join in the cheering, restricting himself to applauding. He did not miss the last sentence, which was not really surprising since he had quietly suggested it to the King himself. Inwardly, he smiled.
8th April 1920
Constantinople
It was another two days before Cornelius was shown into the chief minister's office in the building next to the imperial palace.
Exanzenus was seated behind a large desk in an enormous office, the walls of which contained dozens of recesses displaying the busts of past Emperors. Exanzenus did not look up when Cornelius entered nor did he acknowledge his presence when Cornelius formally announced himself. He just sat reading through a report as though Cornelius did not exist.
Eventually Exanzenus slowly looked up at Cornelius, who was still standing. There was no chair on the other side of the desk. Despite what he had heard about Exanzenus, Cornelius had decided to keep an open mind. However, the look of disdain that the chief minister gave him when he looked up and the air of total arrogance that surrounded him quickly shaped Cornelius's view of him.
"The influence that you have with certain senior officials has obtained this audience for you Petronius," said Exanzenus in a tone that already indicated he was bored, "now what is it you have to say?"
"Surely you have read the report from ambassador Taronites?" said Cornelius, who was already feeling a knot in his stomach. This was not going well.
"Yes I have," he said curtly, "what of it?"
"Ambassador Taronites sent me to emphasise the gravity of the situation in Saxony. The new trade policies will cause a deep rift between Saxony and the Empire, there are elements of the Saxon nobility that......"
"Would like to see a war with the empire," interrupted Exanzenus. "I told you I've read the report Petronius. If that's all you have come to tell me then you have wasted your journey here," his voice began to rise in volume, "and more importantly you are now wasting my time which is immeasurably more valuable than yours!"
Cornelius felt his stomach tighten and anger rising up inside him.
"With respect chief minister!" he said carefully emphasising each word. "The report from Saxony should be given a great deal more consideration by you than it has been! The threat of a war is real and you are handing the...."
"ENOUGH!" screamed Exanzenus, slamming his fist onto the desk and causing the pens lined neatly at the top to jump. One rolled off the table and onto the floor in front of Cornelius.
"How dare you speak to me like that!" Exanzenus's face was red as he stood up. "I decide what is right for the Empire, not the ambassador to Saxony! I decide whether a report is worth considering and acting upon, not some junior diplomat! Is that clear!"
Cornelius stood his ground glaring defiantly at the chief minister of the Roman Empire.
"Get out! This audience is over!"
Cornelius nodded curtly, not even attempting to hide the disgust he felt. He turned and walked out.
Exanzenus sat down, still seething with anger. He would remember the name of Cornelius Petronius, and should the opportunity arise he would ensure that he suffered for the disrespect he had just shown. Yet despite what he had just said, the threat of a war with Saxony had not been as lightly dismissed as he had led Cornelius to believe. His own agents had reported the belligerent mood of the Saxon nobility, many of whom stood to lose a great
deal of money because of the new trade laws. Some precautions might well be in order.
Chapter Eight
15th April 1920
Saxony
A week after the council meeting, General Godisger called Franz Maleric into his office. He arrived with an armful of papers and spent the first hour briefing Godisger on how development of the operational plans was proceeding. He informed the general that everything was going well.
"Good," said Godisger as Franz finished detailing the mobilisation plan, "performing the annual large scale manoeuvres near the border as usual and then not releasing the men from their training afterwards should provide enough troops for the initial attack without the announcement of a full mobilisation."
"Yes sir," said Maleric, pointing to a table of figures, "our success depends upon surprise and a well co-ordinated strike at the Roman frontier defences. If they are given sufficient warning the legions will be able to deploy and to be ready for us."
Godisger studied the data before him. "Are you sure that we can launch the attack with only three days notice?"
"Once the artillery, bridging equipment and landships are in place, three days should be adequate," confirmed Maleric, "at least half the men for the initial assault will be with their units on the frontier. The rest will be brought in from nearby garrison units and local regiments quietly mobilised a few days before the attack." Franz Maleric picked up another sheet of paper. "Most of the troop movements in the days leading up to the attack will be at night so that they'll be less likely to attract attention."
Godisger nodded. He took another sheet of paper off the desk and began questioning Maleric on that. "Your 'special teams' only go in a few days before the attack - are you sure that they'll have enough time to reach their targets?"
