Honoratus ab omnibus
Inter Aequendam et viros
Justinius felt lightheaded after a long night of drinking and talking. He had returned home late in the night accompanied by Lumina, who remained detached and silent, and Ardellius who was on the verge of drunkenness and appeared in danger of never making it home. Justinius wasn’t sure he had ever made it home. Now, with the beating sun on Justinius’s face as he stood on the steps of the capitol building with the entire senate, he regretted drinking so much. The bright light forced him to squint.
He swayed on his feet, dizzy, bumping into his brother who cast a sideways glare at him and muttered, “Keep still will you.”
Justinius nodded and rubbed his eyes. They had been standing outside for what seemed an interminable time. A large crowd of the populace gathered in the square before the capitol building, all eyes gazing at the figure of Magnus Conditius giving his farewell address as consul. As his term was concluding, he had one last address to give to the people, expounding upon the many things he had accomplished in his term. Thus far, it had been about how he had worked to help the populace of Aquilla. Affordable housing was abundant, prices for food were down, and programs were established to help the needy. Throughout many of these claims, members of the Senate were heard to mutter about their preposterous nature. Even among the populace gathered in the plaza, there were occasional angry shouts, indistinguishable amidst the low murmur.
“Dearest citizens of Aquilla,” said Magnus, his voice ringing across the crowd in what Justinius hoped was his closing statement, “I have done all I can for my country. I have sought to think of their needs first and foremost. I have brought the full strength of the government to bear in helping support those in most need and establish order and control within our borders. Though my time in office is coming to an end, I assure you that my resolve will continue unabated to serve the best interests of our nation and people. And I will ensure that the continuing leadership, whoever shall next be elected as consul, will be held accountable for their actions in your best interests as well. As is my duty, so is my oath.”
He bowed and there was applause from the crowd as he stepped down from the platform before the senate, and made room for Brutus Cadenzius, the second consul. Justinius groaned. “Oh no, another one?”
Corbenus nodded. “Of course. Each consul gives a farewell address.”
Justinius felt like slumping down onto the stairs. He was sweating in the heat and he felt miserable having to stand still and proper for yet another boring speech filled with half-truths. Brutus Cadenzius was less formal in his address to the crowd. “Fellow citizens, it is my honor to have served you. There is not much more I can add, my esteemed colleague has put it all so gracefully and succinctly. So, I will be brief.”
There were several mock cheers from the crowd and Brutus coughed in annoyance before continuing. “As has been stated, my care has always been for the people of Aquilla. My intention is to remain vigilant on their behalf and continue my duties as a senator to the best of my ability. I welcome the support from the citizens of Aquilla, and will work to…”
Justinius was suddenly distracted from his speech as a group of horsemen moved through the crowd calling out, “Make way!”
The crowd pushed against one another as they struggled to get out of the way of the advancing horsemen. Who they were making way for was unknown. Before Justinius could hear the soldiers proclaim who they escorted, a cheer began to ripple through the crowd. It grew louder as calls came from all around, spreading the word of who was advancing into the square. Justinius had to focus to hear several senators muttering, “Oh gods… it's the hero of the people, Marius Montinius.”
Brutus turned to Magnus, his face livid with fury as his speech was interrupted. Horatius sighed beside his two sons. “I have never known Marius to pass up the opportunity to make a spectacle.”
Justinius turned to his brother. “Marius Montinius? The famous general?”
Corbenus snorted. “A famous general, according to his own writings. He has garnered the love of the people by winning military victories and then coming back with aggrandized tales of his exploits. Many of the veterans have likely served under him as well.”
Justinius stared at the man from within his crowd of guards. He was probably a little younger in age than his father and seemed in better physical condition. “But...what military victories? We haven’t been at war.”
“Not officially. He’s been dealing with incursions from invading or migrating tribes from the north and east.”
Marius and his guard rode through the crowd where Magnus and Brutus now stood together on the platform. He waved, calling to them. “Ho, consuls! It has been some time! I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”
The smirk on his face and the scowl on the consuls gave Justinius an entire history without words. Brutus lashed out. “Of course you are! How convenient you arrived at just this moment when we are giving our farewell speeches to the populace.”
“My dear consuls,” said Marius,dismounting and walking up the stairs past them. “I don’t know what you mean. I will be in the senate chamber while you finish your talks. I have a matter to bring before the senate.”
“You must make an appointment,” said Magnus.
Marius turned around, his guards stopping with him on either side. “Consuls, I do have an appointment. My servant made it a month ago. So you see, I have every reason to be here. Finish your speech, I will be waiting inside.”
He turned and walked up the remaining stairs. Upon reaching the top, he turned and waved to the crowd, smiling. This was met with raucous cheers. He then made his exit through the double doors and into the senate building. Justinius turned to Corbenus. “He knows how to make an entrance, I’ll give him that.”
“A spectacle more like,” replied Corbenus, frowning.
Brutus and Magnus were in a heated discussion which ended abruptly as Brutus stormed back into the senate, leaving the platform empty. Magnus waved the speaker of the house forward onto the platform. The speaker hurried up the steps and spoke loudly to the crowd. “It is with grateful hearts that we will bid farewell to our previous Consuls, Magnus Conditius and Brutus Cadenzius. Through their service, our republic continues in strength. But now, to the matter at hand. We have the results of the primary elections for the positions of Consuls. These final four men will give a statement about their positions. Debates will occur within a week.”
He paused to stand straight and clear his throat. “The candidates for consuls in the next term are…”
A dramatic pause followed as silence engulfed the crowd. “Alexus Dignius.”
Scattered applause came from the crowd. The old man who so hated Carxandria shuffled forward and Justinius wondered how he could be running for office, let alone standing and walking for as long as he had been. His wild hair stuck out at odd angles as he stood before the crowd and stated, “I will work to ensure the security of our nation against external threats and the machinations of our enemies, especially the Carxandrians!”
More cheers from the crowd, sounding wild and bloodthirsty as they howled in delight. Justinius felt glad that Damianus was inside the Senate and Lumina wasn’t there. Alexus was so winded by his brief speech, having yelled it, that he huffed down the steps of the platform and would have stumbled over if not for the steadying hand of the speaker who helped him down. The speaker returned to the center and called the next candidate. “Antoninus Registius.”
More applause. The young spokesperson of the moderates walked calmly onto the stage. When he spoke, it was with authority and confidence. “I swear to the people of Aquilla that I will work to establish peace, reduce taxation, and find a home for our veterans and land for the poor farmer.”
More cheers, louder this time as he bowed and left the platform. The speaker stepped forward. “Rufus Ambitious.”
A man Justinius had not seen before walked onto the stage. The name was still familiar. It was the man who was supposed to be allied with his father but married a daughter of Magnus Conditius. His youthful face was set with determination as he spoke. “I swear, by the gods, and to the people of Aquilla, that I will work to continue to aid the citizens of our nation with government-funded programs and to establish security within our borders, particularly in securing them from outside threat.”
More cheers, loud as well. This was nothing, however, compared to the cheer that went up for the final name called by the speaker. “Finally, Horatius Honerius.”
Wild applause broke out mixed with harsh boos and jeers, even some shrieking from the crowd. The cacophony was so great, that it was almost impossible to hear his father as he ascended the platform and spoke in his clear, commanding military voice. “I swear to the people of Aquilla, to solve the crisis of over taxation, food shortages, and securing our lands against insurrections from within, including corruption from our own elite.”
The mixture of calls was astounding. The cheers, chants, cries, and yelling grew even louder. There seemed to be no middle ground. The crowd either loved him or hated him. He calmly walked down the platform and the senators began to file into the building. Justinius suddenly found a man in a light yellow tunic, not senate attire, beside him. “What are you doing here?”
Virgilus smiled. “I really couldn’t miss all the fun. It's too enjoyable to watch people smile and nod while shredding each other to bits with their words. Wait till we get to the debates. Also, I was privy to a rumor that Marius Montinus had just arrived in the city with a request to see the senate. This I can’t wait to see.”
“Why is that?”
Virgilus put his arm around Justinius’s shoulder like an old friend and said, confidentially, “Between you and me, I know why he is here. I have been keeping tabs on the news from the north and the current civil war in the Mokranan Kingdom. That’s not even including the fact that refugees and raiding bands are streaming past our borders and he is the front-line defense against them. If I had to guess, I would say he’s here to ask for military funding and permission to put together an excursion force to deal with it. More glory for him to reap.”
Justinius was suddenly reminded of the item he carried with him still in his pocket. He had gotten the dark gem off of a Northman but never found out what it was. “Does it have anything to do with magic?”
Virgilus looked intrigued. “Not that I’m aware of, but if you have news, I would hear more.”
They were in the building and headed into the senate chamber where they would be separated. Justinius spoke quickly. “I’ll tell you later. Perhaps at your house?”
“I look forward to it!”
They parted ways and Justinius found his seat beside his father. He noticed Marius standing in the middle of the senate floor, ready to begin the proceedings and smiling at the senators who passed. Only a few greeted him cordially.
As the Senate took their seats, the speaker hurried into the room and Marius waited for him to reach his place beside the Consuls and catch his breath. For a moment, the room was awkwardly quiet. Finally, the speaker announced, “Here to discuss the pressing issue of war amongst the Northern Tribes, Marius Montinius.”
Marius bowed to the consuls. “Consuls, senators. I am here on behalf of my lands and our people. The invasion of our northern border has been going on for months and no one has seemed to notice. Refugees flee across the border and raiding bands chase after them, burning and destroying Aquillan homes in the process. The civil war in Mokranan and the unrest up north have begun to affect us. If we do not move in with our own force, it may soon lead to a larger invasion. Worse, there are rumors of magic up north, men dabbling in dark powers, shaping and bending themselves into grotesque forms…”
The senate had lost him by this point. There were calls for proof or for his removal. The staff was cracked and Horatius suddenly stood and spoke loudly, “Consul, I would speak the rebuttal.”
Magnus seemed surprised and off guard. He nodded dumbly and Horatius stepped forward. “Marius Montinius, you have ever defended our borders and we thank you for your service. However, what you ask for is insupportable. You would ask us to attack our neighbor on hearsay of magic. Have you any proof? Furthermore…”
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“I have proof,” said Marius.
The Senate suddenly went quiet as Marius marched to the door and banged on it. It opened and two of his guards marched through, dragging a human corpse that was rotting and, even from a distance, smelled terrible. Senators pulled away in alarm and covered their noses as it was dragged past. What was worse, it wasn’t fully human. Justinius almost shot from his seat in alarm as he recognized the thing on the ground. It was the creature that attacked him and Lumina the first night they had met at his father’s villa. How did Marius have this corpse? He glanced at his father to see him, stone-faced, staring at the body. Justninius’ mind whirled. This had to have been a plan…one his father was in on. What other explanation was there?
“This,” said Marius, “Was found south of the border, just north of your own lands, Horatius Honerius. It is hard to distinguish now due to its rotted nature, but it had on it the painted markings of those up north. Worse, it was covered in bark with branches growing from it; a half human half tree abomination.” He turned to the Consuls as senators shifted to get a better look. “Do you believe me now that there is some magic at work?”
Magnus stared at it with revulsion. “Take that…thing out of this chamber.”
Marius flicked his hand and his men pulled the creature out the doors which slid shut. He turned back to the Senate. “Do I need further proof of the danger that resides to our north? We need to act now if we are to deal with this before it gets out of hand.”
Horatius nodded in acknowledgment and moved quietly back to his seat. Justinius still couldn’t read his face. Murmurs echoed throughout the Senate and Magnus rose to speak when no others stepped forward. “Marius Montinius, once again you bring chaos and impossible requests to the Senate. You are asking us to fund an entire war campaign, led by you, into northern lands that are beyond the interests of our nation. The Senate has asked you to keep our border safe but if you cannot do that…”
The sound of shouting could be heard behind the doors of the Senate room and Magnus trailed off as it rose. The doors suddenly shook as if something was thrown against them and the Senate began to rise in concern. “Why have we not included better security yet?” muttered Justinius as he hunched in his position on the stone bench.
The doors opened quite suddenly and a man ran in, dressed in a poor tunic that was travel-stained. He called out as he ran to the center of the Senate floor. “Honored senators, please, I must speak with you! I have been tasked and I have no choice!”
“What is this?!” roared Brutus, staring at the man who ran past his seat to stand in the center with Marius. “Guards! Remove this man! How dare you let him in!”
Two men ran into the room, approaching the dirty man warily as if he were dangerous. The man knelt before the consuls and folded his hands. “Please, consuls, I didn’t have a choice! I was asked to do this and feel compelled to…”
“Take him away!” yelled Brutus! “We cannot have citizens interrupting the Senate while in se…”
The two guards leaped forward to seize the man but, as soon as they were within an inch of him, they were thrown backward by an invisible force and sailed several yards away to crash onto the stone floor. A cry rose up as people stood, calls of “magic” filling the air.
The man standing before the senate looked petrified, his face ashen and his legs wobbling as he looked about at the frightened faces staring at him. Justinius, though fearful, could not help but pity the man who stood before him. His poor clothing, youthful, half-formed beard, travel-worn face, and cowed posture showed that he was not an emissary by trade but rather an untrained, and perhaps unwilling, messenger. Still, he had just seen magic performed, he was sure of it. Senators were now calling for more guards as the two who had fallen slowly rose to their feet and approached the man, swords drawn. The man was now looking about in terror and backing toward the consuls, holding his hands up and pleading. “No…I mean no harm! I swear! I don’t know what happened! I simply have a message!”
It was then that the man pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and held it up as if it were a sword to ward off the guards' blades. One of the guards leapt forward and the man stumbled backward, falling to the ground. The guard who had lunged was thrown once again across the room. This time, however, Justinius was sure he saw a brief flash of light illuminate the man's forehead before fading away. The second guard swung his sword at the man now helpless on the ground but was again thrown back, his sword falling from his grasp as he hit the stone floor.
From the cries of the senators, one voice rang out clear and confident. “Stand down soldiers!”
Marius, who had been standing by the side of the circular floor, moved with a confident stride to the young man sprawled on the ground. Everyone watched, waiting to see if the general would be thrown as well. He reached out a hand to the man to help him up. As the man hesitated, Marius said, “It’s alright.”
The man reached out and took the general's hand. They made contact and nothing happened. Marius lifted him to his feet and said, in a commanding voice, “At attention, legionnaire, and report.”
The man seemed to respond with ease to this command, long hours of drills piercing through the fog of his frightened mind. He stood rigid and saluted Marius with a clenched fist to the chest. “General, I was tasked by an Aequendar to deliver a message to the Senate immediately, not by appointment.”
“And you obeyed him without question?”
“He…his men…my command was killed, sir. The Aequendar killed my entire patrol as we ransacked a Fair Folk hold.”
This message was met by disturbed murmurs and cries but Justinius felt an intense interest in this news. Aequendar, said to be the strongest and most mysterious of the fair folk. No one within Aquilla had spoken to them in years, not since the conclusion of the Fair Folk wars nearly four hundred years ago. It was unlikely that anyone had even seen one in years. Now, it would seem that Aquillan soldiers had stirred them to action with their intrusion into their lands.
Marius walked around the soldier, staring him up and down. “You must be a new legionnaire. What happened to your commander? Start from the beginning.”
“Sir, the commander at Fort Pinea heard a report from local woodsmen of a village of fair folk in the woods. When he discovered they were unarmed, he decided to take half the garrison to ransack the settlement and take the spoils for himself and his men. Only…after we scattered or killed the occupants, these little people who looked like children, were…attacked. Massacred. They appeared out of the trees: great figures in clothing that matched their surroundings. They cut through the men easily…there was nothing we could do. The commander was killed in mere moments and he was a skilled veteran.”
“How did you survive?” asked Marius.
“I was on the ground. My friend was hit with an arrow in the throat and he collapsed on me. Then I was discovered but…I was spared. The Aequendar spoke Aquillan and told me not to be afraid. That he only wanted to talk to the leaders of Aquilla. He asked me to give you this…and…”
The man hesitated and Marius had to prompt him. “And what? Speak soldier.”
The man shuddered. “He breathed on his thumb and pressed it to my head. Then he told me to deliver this message and guide whoever you send to the harbor in Carxandria.”
Marius stared at the man and then shook his head. “Let’s see the letter.”
As he extended his hand, Magnus stood from his Consul’s seat and spoke harshly. “You are but a guest in this chamber, Marius Montinius. This letter is for the Senate and, as such, it is our prerogative to read it or not!”
Marius stared at them and Justinius could barely see the trace of a smile on the corner of the man’s lips. He bowed to the consul and stepped back. “As you wish, Consul.”
Magnus glared at him and then held a brief whispered conference with his co-consul, Brutus. Justinius almost wondered, with a sudden twinge of fear, if they would refuse to read the letter or do so out of the hearing of the rest of the Senate. He wanted, almost felt he had, to hear what that letter said. Then, Magnus turned to the soldier still standing at attention. “Give the speaker the letter to read aloud to the senate.”
Justinius sighed with relief as the speaker took the letter and broke the seal. A roar of wind came from the letter as it flapped out of the man's hands and fell to the ground. It echoed within his mind and Justinius felt a weight descend as a voice spoke. It was serene in tone but filled with strength and conviction. The language was Aquillan but spoken with an accent unlike any he had heard.
“Greetings, senators of the Aquillan Republic. My name is Falehiem of the Eastern Wind, a predictor of the future, a lord among Aequendar. My words do not fall idly from my lips and my tongue does not speak save what is truth. Hear me.”
The shocked reaction from Senators indicated that they too heard the voice in their own heads. They were soon silenced as the voice continued its speech. “Among my people, there is a saying of ancient times, once held by your ancestors as well: A life for a life. But within this, there is little mercy. Long have we allowed you to take wood from our realms, allowing you to prosper in your trade. As of late, you have delved deeper, taking more from within and neglecting the care of the forest you have already disposed of. With such greed in your nature, it was no wonder that your men looked with covetous eyes upon the dwellings of the innocent Elfin they stumbled upon. One word to the commander of your nearby fort, and he too came running with armed men to take what was not his.
“In return, we took from them their own lives, save this messenger. If we continue down this path…a life for a life…there will be little left of either of us and war will begin again. Our people must learn to speak with one another once again to resolve any conflict before it begins. Thus, I propose a compromise. A delegation of the finest young noblemen from Aquilla, your future leaders, come to the port of Carxandria where they will be transported to the island of Salucienti. They shall be your representation for your nation now and for our future relations together. No harm shall befall them while they will see the wonders of our home and enjoy our hospitality. Perhaps they would be willing to speak with our prince and heir, Mephanor of Law and Order. By my word to the Cause, your sons will not come to harm and they will be treated with hospitality. My word is truth and it is borne witness in your heart.”
Justinius felt the truth in his words, an instinctual feeling that resonated in his mind and heart. He had never felt more sure of anything in his life and the sensation equally frightened and fascinated him. Falehiem continued. “We await your arrival at the port of Carxandria. If you do not arrive within the coming months, we will consider our proposal rejected. Only know, to refuse could lead to further conflict between our nations. I know little of the goings-on in your world…but I know enough that this could prove disastrous for you as well as for us. I await your response. Peace unto you.”
The voice left, the sensation of weight vanished, and the room fell silent. It was a silence that didn’t last long as the conversation began at once and debate raged in the senate. Justinius heard little of it as he soaked up the sensations he had experienced. That feeling…of absolute certainty and truth. He wanted to feel it again.
*
“That was an experience I’m not soon to forget.”
Justinius turned to see Virgilus staring at him with a curious expression. He sat down next to Justinius, taking his father’s place as he was currently in the middle of the floor with several other respected senators giving their opinions. The debate was still raging hotly and senators argued back and forth as to the wisdom of sending young noblemen to the Aequendar. “What do you think is the wisest course of action?” asked Justinius.
“I would go.”
Justinius looked at him in surprise. “Really?”
“Of course! How often is it that you get to see the ancient wonders of the Aequendar up close? What fascinating secrets they must hold. Sadly, there are no young heirs in the Cantorius line here to send…”
He trailed off and looked pensive. Justinius nodded. “I agree. I want to go…though I don’t relish the thought of being killed in a foreign land by devious Aequendar.”
“You felt the truth in his statement, did you not?”
“I did! It was the strangest feeling…”
“I quite liked it,” said Virgilus. “You won’t come to harm. I am sure of it. So why don’t you go?”
Justinius started. “Me? They will never ask me to go.”
“The Aequendar…what’s his…Falehiem stated that young men from noble families should go.”
“But…surely not me.”
“Do you not want to go?”
“Of course I do!”
“Then vote for the movement. And when they speak of who should go, volunteer.”
Justinius felt his face grow warm at the thought of speaking up in front of the Senate. “And when you go,” continued Virgilus, “You must write about all the things you see. It shall be included in a work I am compiling on Aequendar in our age.”
Justinius looked aghast. “Truly?”
“Truly. Now, I must go. Remember to speak up. Some of these senators are quite deaf.”
Virgilus retreated back to his seat as Horatius returned, sat down, and spliced his fingers together as the speaker cracked his staff for order. “There is a movement by the Consuls. Those in favor of sending young noblemen as envoys to the Aequendar, raise your hand.”
Justinius didn’t know which way his father would vote but raised his hand. He was relieved to see his father raise his hand as well. The speaker counted. “The vote is two hundred and two to ninety-eight in favor. The motion passes.”
A crack of the staff. Magnus Conditius stood from his seat and spoke. “Now it is up to us to determine who will be in this delegation. I, of course, nominate my nephew Laurentius Conditius to go.”
He gestured to the angry young man Justinius had seen only a day ago among the populace who scowled but nodded. Brutus stood. “I volunteer my son, Lowellus, to the delegation.”
Marius stepped forward and said, “Though I am not part of the senate, my family should be represented. I will send my nephew Ardellius to go.”
More calls began to be made by other senators. Justinius looked to his father but saw no reaction from him. His father seemed content to let the opportunity pass. He felt panic rise in his chest, knowing what he would have to do. He glanced behind him, up to the guests' seats, to see Virgilus nod, smile, and wink at him. Justinius felt himself sweating profusely as he listened.
In the briefest of pauses that ensued, he stood and said loudly, his voice cracking embarrassingly. “I would like to go…as representative of the Honerious gens.”
He sat hurriedly back down and dared not look at his father’s face as he glanced at him briefly. His father didn’t betray any of his thoughts. The Senate fell silent when each of the noble families had chosen a representative, a large delegation that had to consist of at least thirty young men. As the Senate continued with its business, Justinius suddenly heard his father whispering in his ear. “What possessed you to volunteer yourself?”
Justinius flushed crimson and whispered, “I want to see them. I have always wanted to see the Aequendar.”
“You cannot make decisions based on your personal wishes.”
“What harm is there in it?”
“Not only does it not take into account the needs of the family but I need you here. Elections for Consul are near at hand…and I do not trust that this trip won’t end in violence.”
“It's too late, father. I am committed.”
“That may be, but you will do things for me if you are to go on this foolish errand. The Aequendar are the least of our concerns, as much as they like to pretend they still hold importance. I will detail your tasks at home. If you will not be useful here, you will be of use among the Aequendar.”
Justinius felt a twinge of fear. “What would you have me do?”
“Later. But rest assured, it has to do with this magic…and that thing you found on that creature.”