The King

CHAPTER 7

“Surely things proceed apace, milord,” said Tuvo Ausonius.

“I am detained here, in Lisle,” said Julian. “There seems no adequate reason for it, for my participation in these ceremonials.”

“It is fitting that those related to the imperial family participate, milord,” said Ausonius.

“I am troubled,” said Julian.

“Ottonius is well on his way to Tangara,” said Tuvo Ausonius. “What does it matter if he arrives some weeks before you? He will surely wait for your assistance, and counsel.”

“I do not think he will wait,” said Julian. “I think he has his own projects afoot.”

“You do not doubt his loyalty to the empire, surely?” asked Ausonius.

“One does not know,” said Julian.

“Surely he is loyal,” said Ausonius. “He was, as I understand it, raised in a festung village, one in tithe to the festung of Sim Giadini, in the Barrionuevo Heights.”

The festung, or fortress, of Sim Giadini was, in effect, a remote, fortified Floonian monastery, one occupied by members, or brothers, of the order of Sim Giadini, who had been an emanationist, a position now understood, following votes taken at three councils, to be heterodox.

“He would doubtless have received instruction from the brothers of the order of Sim Giadini,” said Tuvo Ausonius.

“I think not,” said Julian. “The relationship of the festung village to the festung is primarily economic. I suspect our Ottonius knows little more of Floon than of Orak and Umba.’’

Orak was the king of the gods in the pantheon of the empire, and Umba was his consort.

“But surely he will have learned the glory and wonder of the empire, and the value of civilitas,” said Tuvo Ausonius.

“Civilitas may be crumbling,” said Julian.

“Say ‘No,’ milord!” said Tuvo Ausonius, dismayed.

“It may be the end of all things,” said Julian.

“The empire is eternal, milord,” said Tuvo Ausonius.

“Once,” brooded Julian, “there was no empire.”

“Do you feel the empire is in jeopardy?” asked Tuvo Ausonius.

“Yes,” said Julian.

Tuvo Ausonius was silent.

“The empire needs fighters,” said Julian. “Leadership fails, the aristocracy grows decadent, rabbles roam the streets, clients defect, allies become restless, borders contract, trade routes grow hazardous, outlying worlds grow indefensible, federates grow unruly.”

“But barbarians,” said Tuvo Ausonius.

“No children are born in golden beds,” said Julian.

“But barbarians, milord,” protested Tuvo Ausonius.

“Yes, barbarians,” said Julian.

“As our Ottonius?”

“Yes,” said Julian.

Tuvo Ausonius was silent.

“They may save the empire,” said Julian.

“Or destroy it,” said Tuvo Ausonius.

“Yes,” agreed Julian, wearily.

“He is a peasant,” said Tuvo Ausonius.

“No,” said Julian.

“What is he then?” asked Tuvo Ausonius.

“I do not know,” said Julian. “The answer to that mystery lies, I think, in the festung of Sim Giadini.”

“Surely, milord,” said Tuvo Ausonius, “you do not think that the empire is truly in jeopardy?’’

“No,” said Julian, slowly, after a time. “I suppose not.”

“There is nothing to fear.”

“No,” said Julian. “I think not.”

“The empire is eternal,” said Tuvo Ausonius.

“Of course,” said Julian.