Gallicenae Read Free

Magnus Clemens Maximus, scattered the army of co-Emperor Gratianus, who was presently murdered; and Valentinianus made a peace that gave Maximus lordship over Britannia, Gallia, and Hispania, while Valentinianus retained sovereignty over Italy, Africa, and part of Illyricum. The Eastern half of the Empire stayed under Theodosius in Constantinople.
    “’tis understandable,” Gratillonius went on. “The issues are settled, the weapons fallen silent, the task no longer to seize power but to wield it. He can learn more, and better, of Ys in interviews with me than from any amount of my clumsy writing.”
    “And what will he do with the knowledge?” Bodilis wondered.
    Gratillonius shrugged. “We shall see. Yet I have ever maintained that Maximus Augustus is the stern physician whom sick Rome needs. Hell heed my advice, if it be sound. This is among the things I’d fain discuss with you two, what my recommendations ought to be.”
    “He may forbid you to return here,” Lanarvilis fretted.
    “I doubt that. True, he need no more fear a hostile Armorica at his back. But you know how much is left to do, putting down piracy and banditry, reviving trade, weaving the whole peninsula back together. I’m in the best position to lead that work, and I’ve proven my loyalty to him.”
    “You may be gone for a long while, however.”
    Gratillonius nodded. “Belike so. Even on Roman roads, ’twill be more than half a month’s journey, unless I kill horses. And though the conference should not fill many days, I want afterward… to use the opportunity.”
    “They’ll not like it—Suffetes, votaries, commoners, all folk in Ys—having the King take leave of them.”
    “I’ve been away erenow. Granted, this may prove a lengthier absence. But no military leader will be called for, and our interior affairs prosper. As for my ceremonial and sacral tasks, they can either await my return or be delegated. I want your thoughts on all this.”
    Bodilis’s gaze grew intent. “What else have you in mind to do?” she asked.
    “Well,” he said uncomfortably, “you remember that when the Christian minister Eucherius lay dying, we promised him a successor in his church. That’s two years gone, and the pledge still unfulfilled, as busy as we’ve been. I’ll seek a man we can get along with.”
    “That’s a small matter, to Ys and in your own head,” she responded. “I’ve come to know you, my dear. What is your true intent?”
    “Very well!” he blurted. “You know how I’ve wished to found a Mithraeum, for the worship of the God Who is mine. I cannot, unless first I’ve won the rank of Father in the Mystery. My hope is to find a temple where this can be done.”
    Lanarvilis looked shocked. Bodilis remained calm: “You may search through a vast territory, if I’ve heard aright about the persecution of that faith.”
    “Oh, I wouldn’t. Mithras is a soldier. First and foremost, He expects a man to do his duty. But if I went as far south as, say, Lugdunum—I’d need permission, but I suppose I can get it—I should at least learn whether any such congregation is left within my reach.”
    “Would your elevation take long?”
    “I trust not. Once, aye, years; but there are so few of us these days, and our needs are so urgent. I promise I’ll not seek consecration if it demands more time than Ys can spare.”
    “I see.” She glanced away, thoughtful.
    “This is unwise,” said Lanarvilis nervously. “Your breaking of traditions has already caused discord in abundance. If now the King, high priest and Incarnation of Taranis, openly gives allegiance to a foreign God—”
    “I’ve made no secret of my prayers,” Gratillonius answered. “Never in aught that matters have I failed to give the Gods of Ys Their due. Nor will I.” He felt an emptiness as he said that. In his soul he had forsworn Them. “Have we become Christians here, to deny respect to everything divine other than the Lord of our narrow sect?” He