Chapter 184

A wave of relief washed over Agasias; he was grateful to Davos for having so deftly honored the spirit of his earlier promises.

Timasion and the others listened intently. Cleanor, however, was still not satisfied. “Davos,” he said, his words thick with wine, “you are an archon for life, and they say you control the Senate. Is that not like… that man from Athens… ah… Peisistratus? If you wish for a law to be passed, is it not a simple matter of a single word from you? Why make things so complicated? Just make us citizens directly!”

“Cleanor, that is enough!” Philesius snapped, his voice sharp with anger.

Davos simply waved a hand, signaling that all was well. He continued with unshakable patience, “You mean to say that I am a tyrant, do you not?”

Cleanor, realizing he had overstepped, lowered his head, not daring to reply. The Davos before him was no longer the man with whom he could speak as an equal.

“I will not speak of other matters,” Davos said, his voice calm and reasonable. “Let me simply state a fact. There are just over a thousand of my original mercenaries in the League. The League’s standing army now numbers more than five thousand men, and we have over twenty thousand preparatory citizens, most of whom are native to Magna Graecia. We, as foreigners, already occupy half the seats in the Senate. Do you think the local people have no objections? I am certain they do. So why has no one risen up against us?”

He paused, letting the weight of his question sink in before continuing. “It is because we have done our utmost to be fair and just, treating the people of Amendolara, Thurii, the Lucanians, foreigners, and freemen all with strict adherence to the laws of the League. If I were to propose a law today granting you immediate citizenship, tomorrow twenty thousand preparatory citizens would storm the council hall, and the Senate would move to impeach me. Could our thousand outsiders, even with your help, defeat tens of thousands of the League’s citizens? And even if we could, would the League itself survive? So, as your friend, I will help you in any way I can. But as the ruler of this League, I cannot bend the rules for personal sentiment. I hope you can understand.”

Davos’s heartfelt words cast a heavy silence over the room.

It was Hieronymus who finally broke it, his voice filled with remorse. “Lord Davos, in all my time in Thurii, I have never once considered these pressures. You have been shouldering this burden to protect us all along. I am truly sorry.”

“Nor have I,” Philesius added with a sigh. “I have always felt that we were entitled to this life.”

“And so you should,” Davos said, a warmth returning to his voice. “Do not trouble yourselves with such thoughts. Live your lives. Farm your land when it is time to farm, and fight when it is time to fight. You have never caused me any trouble. On the contrary, you have always supported me and helped me maintain the balance we have achieved. To you, my friends, I raise my cup!” Davos lifted his cup, and he, Philesius, Agasias, and Hieronymus drank together.

Timasion and Xanthipparis exchanged a look and a nod. “Davos,” Timasion said, “what are your plans and recommendations for our three thousand brothers when they arrive?”

Davos considered for a moment. “I suggest that upon their arrival, they first go to the census office in Thurii and register their intent to become citizens of the League. Then, they must find lodging. They could go to the inn district in Amendolara, where the rent is cheaper. Or they could work as tenant farmers for citizens, which would save them the cost of rent entirely by living in their employers’ homes. Of course, they could also stay with old comrades. Capus, Antonios… most of the soldiers in the First Cohort are veterans of the Persian expedition. You should know them well. They will be returning from Nerulum soon. Philesius can arrange it. One or two men to a household should solve the housing problem.

“Next, they must find work. The port and the market are booming and in dire need of laborers. And the great road from Thurii to Nerulum is about to begin construction, which will also require a massive workforce. There will be no shortage of jobs. It is important that they work diligently, not only to earn money, but to show the census investigators that they are industrious men, not idle vagrants. This will smooth their path to full citizenship. Furthermore, on training days, Philesius will have them participate in military drills. The League’s way of fighting is complex, and they will need to familiarize themselves with it to avoid mishaps in battle due to poor coordination. I expect that by next year, the League may launch a war into the Lucanian territories. If you all distinguish yourselves in battle, I have no doubt that the waiting period for citizenship can be significantly shortened.”

It was clear that Davos had given the matter considerable thought, and his suggestions struck Timasion and the others as eminently reasonable.

Then, Xanthipparis voiced his concern. “I have heard that if a man breaks the law during his probationary period, it becomes very difficult to attain citizenship. Davos, you know how it is. We mercenaries have been fighting abroad for years, without rules or masters. We are used to our freedom. It is inevitable that some will run afoul of the League’s laws. When that happens—”

“I understand,” Davos nodded gravely, his tone reassuring. “A first offense will not be a serious issue. But I hope you will impress upon every one of our comrades the importance of this, and keep them in check. And… I have another suggestion. I know that each of you has come to Magna Graecia with your armor, shields, and spears. I would ask that you temporarily entrust your spears and swords to Philesius, so that he may store them in the armory. After some time, when you have all grown accustomed to life here, Philesius will return your weapons to you.”

Timasion was about to speak, but Davos quickly added, “Rest assured, the League has no intention of confiscating your weapons. The armories are overflowing with arms captured from the soldiers of Croton and Nerulum. My concern is that when your men arrive, conflicts with others will be unavoidable. If weapons are drawn, and someone is injured, or even killed, the situation will become intractable. Of course, this is merely a suggestion. You may take your time to consider it.”

***

After his guests had departed, Davos went upstairs.

Crystoia was standing at the window, gazing out into the night. Hearing his footsteps, she asked softly, “How was the banquet tonight?”

Davos sank onto the bed with a long, weary sigh. “It has been more than half a year. They are still who they were, but we are no longer who we were. What do you imagine came of it?”

Crystoia’s brow furrowed slightly. She moved to sit beside him. “They made some unreasonable demands?”

Davos nodded. “They demanded to be made citizens immediately. Some even wished to become senators.”

“Who proposed it?” Crystoia placed a slender finger on his lips. “No, don’t tell me. Let me guess… It was Cleanor, wasn’t it?” she said playfully.

A smile touched Davos’s lips. “Among them, Xanthipparis is humble, Tolmides is cunning, and Timasion is proud. Only Cleanor is so caustic. He held a grudge against Xenophon and me back then. Who else could it be? But I suspect every one of them was thinking it.”

“It is because you are so exceptional. To have achieved so much in only half a year…” Crystoia’s pale hands traced the lines of his face. She gazed at him with adoration, murmuring, “Anyone who looks upon you would be driven mad with jealousy.”

“Does that include you?” Davos asked, catching her hands in his.

“I am mad for you,” she whispered, her voice filled with a deep and tender passion. “Madly in love.”

***

On the road back to the inn, Cleanor’s voice boomed, venting his frustration. “Did you hear him? He wants us to be farmers! To build roads! For fifteen years, I have done nothing but kill! What the hell do I know about building roads? And he wants us to surrender our weapons! So we can be bullied and pushed around at their whim?”

“There is some truth in what Davos said,” Xanthipparis offered, trying to placate him. “Governing such a large league is no easy task. And they are outsiders themselves. Of course they must be cautious. They cannot grant us special privileges.”

“But their position is weak! Is that not why they need us? To lend them our strength?” Cleanor shot back. He walked a few more paces, then, as if realizing the weakness of his own argument, he sighed. “I just… I just don’t understand why they can have all this, while we, after all this time, still have nothing.”