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Caesar had never much concerned himself with his advisors or their advice. Regardless he still waited for them to arrive for the traditional once a month council. A gold coin shuffled through Caesar’s knuckles as he waited. The coin flowed smoothly between fingers until it reached his thumb and then crossed his palm to begin the process again. This process was executed over and over again as Caesar pondered the Roman economy. The thought of it made him smile broadly. The Roman economy was extremely wealthy and luxuries were in every household nationwide. Although Caesar saw these monthly councils worthless he did have questions for his military advisor, Trajan. The coin continued its dance as Caesar rose from his large leather chair at the end of the ivory council table. With his free hand he poured a cup of wine and glided across the room to the window. The ceiling was high, as in all the palace rooms, making the window enormous.
As Caesar looked out on Rome pride swirled in his stomach. Rome was the epicenter for science and culture for the entire world. Since the beginning of time Roman hands had been building great structures and Roman minds thought up great ideas. From the window Caesar could see the gold mines as well, which for a moment reminded him of the rhythmic motion of the coin in his hand. His mind drifted back to wealth for that moment and he began thinking of the trade routes to the outer cities. The roads in and out of Rome caught his attention and he stared at the ant like figures coming to and from Rome. From this viewpoint he could see five of the eight “roads to Rome.” As on a compass, roads went out of Rome in eight directions establishing cities at the end of each road.
The first indication of the coming advisors was the high pitched laughter of the trade advisor. Caesar had a high level of contempt for her; she always gave the same advice “We should acquire more luxuries and resources.” Oddly enough, Rome has enough luxuries and resources to supply every other nation and still have surplus. When the door to the hallway opened the advisors poured in, the trade advisor, stumbling a bit promptly poured a glass of wine for her and the diplomatic advisor. Apparently they had been in the middle of a conversation about the German ivory imports. “Lush.” Caesar said to himself, at least she wasn’t hitting on the science advisor again who had already taken his seat at the far end of the table and began to work equations in his notebook as he always did. By the time Caesar had seated himself his domestic and military advisors had taken their places at his left and right. A few moments later he began.
“So what’s new?” Caesar said with a subtle eye roll. The trade advisor gave her usual advice and looked around the room for support, seeing none she retreated to her glass of wine. The science advisor reported that the new rifle design would be ready earlier than expected and thank the domestic advisor for the additional funding. The diplomatic advisor had many things to say. Caesar drifted off during this speech; he never cared for foreign relations much. Finally it was Trajan’s turn to speak.
“We have gone far beyond our troop capacity my lord. The city governors will not support us enough and I have been forced to take funding from the national budget. But may I ask, what are we going to do with 100,000 cavalry and 200,000 musketmen?”
Besides Trajan and the domestic advisor, the rest of the council seemed very surprised. “Well,” began Caesar “although we are the strongest nation in the world we are lacking one thing: territory. Our neighbors the Aztecs are a primitive and barbaric culture. As we speak our Galleons are in route to Veii where the invasion army Trajan has mentioned is assembling.” The diplomatic advisor started to say something but was cut short by Caesar. “The Aztecs are distracted by Egyptian forces that are massing at their northern border. That is why we will attack to their south just above the tundra and hopefully the element of surprise will win us Tlaxcala and Tenochitlin before they can respond.”
The diplomatic advisor stood quickly and blurted “You don’t know what you’re doing! This is a mistake Caesar. The Greeks and Germans are at our necks. If you do this they will take the Aztec’s side and may join them in a war against us.”
“That is why you will contact the Russian and Iroquois to guarantee our everlasting friendships.” Responded Caesar with a menacing look. “Bribe them, I think you’ll be surprised how cheap you can buy them out for. In the meantime these councils are suspended and anything important can be sent to me at Veii where I’ll be over seeing the rest of our project.” With a glance from Caesar Trajan trailed at Caesar’s heels as they marched out of the palace to the stables. By the time they reach Veii the army should almost be assembled. Trajan couldn’t help but wonder that if this was a good idea, never before in history had Roman troops marched on foreign soil.
We shall see.....
As Caesar looked out on Rome pride swirled in his stomach. Rome was the epicenter for science and culture for the entire world. Since the beginning of time Roman hands had been building great structures and Roman minds thought up great ideas. From the window Caesar could see the gold mines as well, which for a moment reminded him of the rhythmic motion of the coin in his hand. His mind drifted back to wealth for that moment and he began thinking of the trade routes to the outer cities. The roads in and out of Rome caught his attention and he stared at the ant like figures coming to and from Rome. From this viewpoint he could see five of the eight “roads to Rome.” As on a compass, roads went out of Rome in eight directions establishing cities at the end of each road.
The first indication of the coming advisors was the high pitched laughter of the trade advisor. Caesar had a high level of contempt for her; she always gave the same advice “We should acquire more luxuries and resources.” Oddly enough, Rome has enough luxuries and resources to supply every other nation and still have surplus. When the door to the hallway opened the advisors poured in, the trade advisor, stumbling a bit promptly poured a glass of wine for her and the diplomatic advisor. Apparently they had been in the middle of a conversation about the German ivory imports. “Lush.” Caesar said to himself, at least she wasn’t hitting on the science advisor again who had already taken his seat at the far end of the table and began to work equations in his notebook as he always did. By the time Caesar had seated himself his domestic and military advisors had taken their places at his left and right. A few moments later he began.
“So what’s new?” Caesar said with a subtle eye roll. The trade advisor gave her usual advice and looked around the room for support, seeing none she retreated to her glass of wine. The science advisor reported that the new rifle design would be ready earlier than expected and thank the domestic advisor for the additional funding. The diplomatic advisor had many things to say. Caesar drifted off during this speech; he never cared for foreign relations much. Finally it was Trajan’s turn to speak.
“We have gone far beyond our troop capacity my lord. The city governors will not support us enough and I have been forced to take funding from the national budget. But may I ask, what are we going to do with 100,000 cavalry and 200,000 musketmen?”
Besides Trajan and the domestic advisor, the rest of the council seemed very surprised. “Well,” began Caesar “although we are the strongest nation in the world we are lacking one thing: territory. Our neighbors the Aztecs are a primitive and barbaric culture. As we speak our Galleons are in route to Veii where the invasion army Trajan has mentioned is assembling.” The diplomatic advisor started to say something but was cut short by Caesar. “The Aztecs are distracted by Egyptian forces that are massing at their northern border. That is why we will attack to their south just above the tundra and hopefully the element of surprise will win us Tlaxcala and Tenochitlin before they can respond.”
The diplomatic advisor stood quickly and blurted “You don’t know what you’re doing! This is a mistake Caesar. The Greeks and Germans are at our necks. If you do this they will take the Aztec’s side and may join them in a war against us.”
“That is why you will contact the Russian and Iroquois to guarantee our everlasting friendships.” Responded Caesar with a menacing look. “Bribe them, I think you’ll be surprised how cheap you can buy them out for. In the meantime these councils are suspended and anything important can be sent to me at Veii where I’ll be over seeing the rest of our project.” With a glance from Caesar Trajan trailed at Caesar’s heels as they marched out of the palace to the stables. By the time they reach Veii the army should almost be assembled. Trajan couldn’t help but wonder that if this was a good idea, never before in history had Roman troops marched on foreign soil.
We shall see.....
I really like the way this is beginning. You have a nice style that makes the story read very smoothly. Keep it up.
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