A Servant to Rome

[Kai]

As Kai and his escort headed to the city he could not help to notice the many people, full fields and extravagant people. At one point he was poised to take this city and my was the slipper on the other foot now. As he rode into the city he headed towards the senate house, he had a feeling it was where the really powerful hung out. As he rode on he wondered what his bride would be like. He would have a proper Illyrian wedding with a feast and human scarifies. He also wondered what would happen to his prized army he was here to talk about military conquest as well. Soon he arrived he looked for someone in charge but could see no one just lots of fat old men in white dresses. Well he hoped one of them was in charge otherwise it would be hard talking to them all.

[Lucius Valerius Silvio]

When the news reached Rome about their expansion of their new Empire, they had gone wild in the streets of joy and happiness. Kai who was the previous king of Illyria and Italic had surrendered to the terms given by the senate, although power he still had. As the escort of his was seen approaching the city, the guards soon gave news about his arrival threw everyone in the city. The large gates who protected the city opened so he could enter, people inside already were waiting as the road he went led all the way to the senate house. The citizens of Rome cheered by the sight of him, to give him the welcome he deserved even an enemy he had been in past. Now as he had come to speak of great importance with the senators and nobles, they all waited for him on the stairs close to their meeting hall. Marvelous houses was seen on the sides, as great the city were built. High the walls reached and on top soldiers watched, in case trouble would appear.

Early that morning Lucius had got dressed and gone to prepare the meeting, together with the senators he stood but glad to have achieved a great glory for Rome. With the power united from the countries around, they would be stronger then ever and great in numbers. Inside the city, Romans guards were everywhere. All of them using the red armor, who as symbol was for them to use. Soon most of the new empire would see such warriors around, only to protect but never to attack. When Lucius saw Kai in distance, he smiled but went to meet him."Greetings, welcome to Rome."He said gentle, trying to be polite even not good enemies in past they had been.

[Kai]

Kai looked at the cheering crowds and wondered why they were so happy, surely the fact his countries have joined didn't affect them. But he waved back and smiled, wehn he finally came to Silvio the man greeted him politely, Kai dismounted and replied with " And to you too my new brother, You have quite a city here it is rich and full of people, your fields are fertile and cattle fat. I only wish we could of talked before War started. Now what about my bride? And of course the first order of business, the military." Kai looked at Lucius waiting for an answer.

[Lucius Valerius Silvio]

"Well let us first speak of business before personal matters, I believe there is a lot to be said about the people we now have united."Lucius spoke kindly in return, but with a smile watched him. It was good to see Rome being expanded with territories further then ever, thought in peaceful attentions they now would rule before any other plans were made. With that said, he in respect offered him to show the direction to the place they could speak alone, together with the senators of the Roman Empire. When he brought him inside and the senators sat down on the seats around, Lucius himself went to sit on his chair that in front of the rest stood as Kai were left alone to speak on the floor. Small chats between the senators was spoken about what had happened, but interested they seemed to what was to come. Suddenly noise was heard in distance, it was wooden stocks who touched the ground by the guards who watched the area. It was a sign that the consul of Rome would enter, silent the senators waited. With everyone gathered, they would speak.

[Senator Marius]

With everything turning silent inside the senate house, the Consul of Rome named Marius entered in all elegance. The cloths he had on were simply, dressed in white and red fabric as all other senators. Soon as he arrived, he sat down on the chair closest to Lucius with view over the whole senate. By the sight he saw, he curious got as Kai stood on the floor to be confronted about importance between their lands. With a hand raised into the air, he started to speak out loud."Greetings, Kai of Illyria and Italic. Its good for Rome to see you accepted our terms, now let us speak shall we."He said seriously but kind, then continued."Now what would you like to discuss?"

[Kai]

As Kai watched all this he shrugged and watched everyone around him, Democracy he thought bah it will never catch on. He looked round at the people, once again they were nearly old fat man with a sprinkling of young faces all wearing white dresses. When the consul walked in he thought this is the leader, but a bit weedy for a leader I have to admit. When he asked what Kai wished to discuss Kai said "Well a number of things really, do my people keep there customs and religion, do my lords keep their lands and power and do I keep my Army? And finally what about my hostage?" He looked round after this hoping he had said the right things.

[Senator Marius]

"Your people surely may keep their costumes and religion yes, Rome is always interested in learning new things and specially about new gods. However your lords and nobles may still rule what they own, but as long they do as commanded. You will be allowed to control your army yes, as you will be governor. Thought with our population gathered, it would be wise to figure first how much each province should have. We also would like to have all slaves in Rome, making nobles and rich people to rule land across our new Empire. How many people do you keep in your countries?." Marius spoke out loud with a serious tone, but tried to seem convincing as high ranked he were. The senators around listened, but earlier had agreed to what the consul spoke about. If Kai wanted a hostage or bride in trade then he would get it, but not before the agreements were settled in the senate house.

[Kai]

Kai looked around at the silent people wondering of what they had talked about. He looked at the consul and said to him " Well in Illyria I have 900,000 people 400,000 are in the military and in Italicus I have 600,000 people 100,000 are soldiers. I have overall about 150,000 slaves. What else do you want of me? I would ask some questions of you first how many people do you have, how many soldiers and in what condition are they? I would like to know these things." At this he stared intently at Marius waiting for an answer.

[Senator Marius]

"Ah sounds good, well according to our numbers we have 1 million citizens in Rome only, but 400 000 of them are legionaries even 200 000 more are under training. In Etruscan we have 800 000 in population, 200 000 of them are warriors. They are well trained men, teached by the Roman military system. We would actually prefer that together we could manage an army up to two million, the rest we could leave as citizens. There are actually one more thing, as you would be a governor now it would rather be best if you controlled one area instead of two, as each province should have only one ruler. Lucius will be given Etruscan to control, although we would like that Marius ruled Italic while you have Illyria. What say you?"Marius spoke and asked, but still the senators around watched with silence. Everything that took place was important to the new Roman Empire. Together no one could defeat them, as they would be greater then ever.

[Kai]

"You want to take away my lands? Which I fought for? Which my men died for? You promised me my lands and army now you want to take away the lands. If I keep the army I presently have trained there your 'Marius' can have the land of the Italics." Kai was less than pleased with the news but he was impressed with the strength and numbers the Romans had, he was glad he didn't push the war any further. He hoped he could finish this business soon, he wanted to get his hostage and go. He had a country to rule after all.

[Senator Marius]

"A land that we both fought for, however sure. You may have your army there, but first we should figure how many men we should have in each province. All slaves should at least come to Rome, were they would be safe if any uprising would appear. Many of Rome has already got their freedom by joining the army, although 700 000 more we need if we are going to have 2 million legionaries to split up in our provinces." Marius answered, although he believed it was good Kai agreed. Rome surely had the best numbers to win against him in the past, and it were wise of him to accept the terms. If not then it all could gone worse, at least everything had turned well.

[Kai]

"All the slaves? That is allot of workers, would it not be easier to split them into work camps scattered across the provinces where the recources are? If they are all here they could easily overcome the guards with sheer weight of numbers. And then Rome would be swept beneath you from an uprising of slaves. If they were all split into groups you could just send men where there was trouble. About the 700,000 remaining soldiers I do not know, maybe 100,000 each from Etrusca and Italicus. Then we have 1.5 million soldiers better that all these men are really well trained and equipped than hurriedly trained and armed. Then if we put a border guard round the whole perimeter small garrisons at towns and strategic points and central reserves ready to be called out,all of this in each province. Of course a large guard at the Capitol cities as well." Kai hoped his suggestions would be treated wisely.

[Senator Marius]

"Well we would still like to have all the slaves in Rome, however dangerous it would not be when the male slaves would be trained to become soldiers as the females would keep on working like normal. Anyway, 100 000 more we could summon from Etrusca but I believe even more can be found in Italic and maybe Illyria. Let us take in every boy and man from the age of 15 till the age 50 that are not rich to become real military men, the rest we would leave alone to live in peace. The outpost you mention is a fine idea, but only two we would need in each outpost. When danger approach, they sound the alarm and our armies will gather quickly to fight. After some years of training we will have our 2 million warriors, thought how shall we split them in each province. As Rome is our capital, I suggest it should have more then the three others. We should also figure how much gold we have together now, how much do your land have in treasure?"Marius spoke in all curiosity and seriousness, wondering what Kai would answer to the new things who were spoken.

[Kai]

"If you are going to train all the slaves to become soldiers who will work the fields? The mines? The ships? Any way, I think another 200,000 people from Italics another 150,000 from Illyria another 150,000 from Rome 200,000 from Etrusca. We should be able to meet it, I have much gold in my coffers enough to raise an army, I suggest we start some more money making endeavors. Perhaps some more trade with other countries. Yes you should have more men in Rome, the fact our army is made of slaves is a small problem, how will they fight when it comes to it. You will have slaves guarding slaves in Rome, do not conscript the slaves let them volunteer other wise a rebellion could happen. What else is there to discuss?" He looked at Marius waiting for an answer.

[Senator Marius]

"According to the new Roman law, every man who joins the army are to be given a profit well deserved. Male slaves who joins will be given their freedom by joining and also money to live on, normal Roman citizens as boys, men and elders can join and get rewards they wish for. So far no slave have wanted to rebel, but workers for the mines and ships will either have to be done by normal citizens and children, female slaves. After some time with training the volunteers they will be ready and fit to join the army, we will find teaching experts and train them to become great soldiers of Rome. It pleases us to hear you have a lot money, cause our chambers are as well full. Your right, we should send messenger to foreign countries and ask for trade and alliances yes. Any land you suggest? We should probably also import slaves from other countries with money we have to spend, that way we would have more to help in whatever job that need to be taken care of."Marius responded.