"It's all right, Cap'n," Mason said. "I'm glad of something useful to do. I've been getting cabin fever." He got up and put on his heavy coat. The wind blew flurries of snow into the great hall when he went out.
The letter was on thick parchment. It was brought to Rick in his office.
The Roman had spoken the same language as Tylara, and she had told Rick that there was one universal tongue from the Five Kingdoms to Rustengo. But the letter was written in Latin-Rick could read enough of it to know that. He sent for Gwen and handed her the parchment. "Can you read that?"
"Just barely. I had three years in high school." She sat near the fire and read laboriously.
"'From Caius Marius Marselius, onetime Prefect of the West, to Lord Rick, war leader of the tribes of Tamaerthon, greetings. Peace be with you and your house. This letter is sent by the hands of Lucius, my freedman and friend, who brings you-' I think that's 'gifts' — 'and a message which I hope — 'I don't know that verb. It's future tense. From the context, I'd guess it was 'will heed.' Anyway. He says, 'Lucius has power to speak for me.' It's signed with a lot of flourishes." She handed Rick the parchment.
He looked at it curiously. "No way to tell if it's genuine. But I suppose it is. Who'd fake it?" He nodded to his freedman attendent, a young NCO who'd escaped from a Roman slave barracks and fled to the hills. "Send their leader in, and see that the others are given food and drink and a fire. They are my guests."
"Sir!" Jamiy stamped to attention, did an about-face, and left the room.
Gwen giggled. Rick looked wryly at her.
"Well, it's funny, that's all," she said.
"I tend to agree," Rick said. "Blame Mason. He's the one who's been teaching them military manners-mostly learned from watching old British Army movies, I think. It amuses him." And, he thought, it's not really so funny. There's a point to military ceremonial. Under the circumstances, I'm not so sure Mason's wrong. We'll probably have to fight again. Even if I manage to wriggle out of it, I'll need disciplined forces.
The visitor was wrapped in woolen clothing so that only his nose and eyes showed. When he took off his scarves-three of them, counting the one wrapped around his face-and the hooded cloak and the thick gloves, Rick saw that he was quite elderly and very thin. His beard and long hair were nearly white, and he had almost no teeth.
Dentistry, Rick thought. Have to invent that from scratch. Thank God my teeth are in good shape, but that won't last. If! live long enough, I'll lose them all. Dentistry's another benefit of civilization you take for granted until you haven't got it.
"Were you able to read my master's letter?" the elderly man asked.
"Yes. What is your message?"
"Do you object if I sit? My bones are old, and the cold has made them brittle."
"Please do." Rick indicated a chair near the fireplace. "The matter must be urgent, to bring you here at Winterset."
Lucius sat heavily and huddled forward for warmth. "It is that. But first-" He reached down to a leather case he carried and took out a thick roll of parchment. He held that near the fire to warm it until it would unroll slightly, then held it out to Rick. "Marselius thought you might prize this," he said.
Rick took it curiously. The letters were hand-printed in a block form and easily recognized. He read slowly. "Ego Tiberius Claudius Drusus Nero Germanicus-" He broke off, staring. "Is this truly a copy of the great history by the Emperor Claudius?"
"To the best of my knowledge," Lucius said. "I have no reason to doubt it. You are pleased with the gift, then?"
"I am indeed," Rick said. He frowned. What was this going to cost? "I am pleased that Marselius remembered my interest."
"He has written down every word you spoke," Lucius said. "I know, for he dictated them to me."
"May I see?" Gwen asked.
Rick was reluctant to let the parchment scroll out of his hands. He knew that was silly. He couldn't read it, and he'd need her help. He gave it to Gwen and watched to see that she didn't damage it, but she held it as tenderly as she might hold a baby.
"There are other documents," Lucius said. "One seems to be the story of how a group of soldiers came to this world from another."
"Where are these documents?" Rick demanded. "Prefect Marselius has them," Lucius said. "They, too, could be gifts for you."
"Your friend is very generous," Rick said.
"What does he want in exchange?" Gwen asked. Rick frowned at her, but Lucius didn't seem upset. "Your friendship," Lucius said. "And an alliance."
"Alliance?"
"Perhaps I should begin with what has happened since you left." Lucius shifted in his chair.
"Jamiy," Rick shouted. "Tea, please."
''Sir."
"So what has happened?" Rick asked.
"The legions of the western provinces have proclaimed Marselius as Caesar," Lucius said. "I see this does not surprise you, and indeed it was inevitable if Marselius did not wish to be recalled to Rome and executed. The soldiers you released from captivity had no more pleasant expectation, and Marselius was popular with the other troops as well-and they could see the Demon Star. They have heard the tales. We all have. They believed Marselius when he told them what he had learned from you of the times of trouble to come. Few of the province, citizen or soldier, believe that our present Caesar will know what to do-or indeed care.
"Naturally, Marselius first sent for his family. His son and grandchildren were on the family estates near Rome. I was tutor to the household, as I have been for thirty years. For the past year, I have been working in the libraries of the friends of Marselius and his son. The letter that ordered young Publius-I call him young Publius, although he is a man older than you, my lord-the letter that ordered young Publius to join his father also instructed me to take many documents including that history by Claudius." Lucius sighed. "I fear we have betrayed many trusts, but Marselius assures me that the parchments will be replaced for all those who survive the coming times."
Jamiy brought in a pot of tea and three stone cups. As he put the tray down, Rick studied Gwen. She didn't seem overjoyed by the news of the documents. Rick wished he could think of a good reason to have her leave. I could simply order her out, he thought. I don't have to be polite to anyone-well, except Tylara and her father.
What is she hiding from me? "Jamiy."
"Sir."
"Tell Major Mason that our new guests have brought important documents, and that I would like him to see that they are given to no one but me. No matter who might ask for them, they come to me and no one else. Is this understood?"
"Sir." Jamiy stamped to attention.
"Excellent. Dismissed. Lucius, your story is fascinating. But has Marselius a chance? Will not Caesar bring the other legions against him?"
"Certainly he will try," Lucius said. "But neither Caesar nor the army likes winter campaigns. They will wait for spring. By spring Mars elius will have a surprise for Caesar." He grinned toothlessly. "Marselius has freed many slaves, and is training them to make and use those long spears you call 'pikes.' He has studied your methods well, and is also training crossbowmen since only your hill clans use the longbow."
"A surprise for Caesar indeed-"
"A surprise for you," Gwen said. "What advantage will you have now?"
"You need none," Lucius said. "Marselius offers alliance with you."
"A trap to get you back onto the plains," Gwen said.
Rick switched to English to say, "Gwen, teach your grandmother to suck eggs. And please stop interrupting. I want to know everything I can about the situation, and you are not helping."
"I'm sorry," she said. "I–I seem to be scared all the time lately. I don't want-I'll shut up, Rick. And I am sorry."
"We know that you have no reason to trust Marselius," Lucius said. "But he does not expect you to send your soldiers to help him. What he wishes is assurance that you will not raid the western provinces. We will pay you well for that. Marselius intends to plant many of the parklands and game preserves in grain. He will build storage places in the high hills. We will keep much, but there will be enough to send you more than you could take by raiding the Empire."