The next morning witnessed an unusual activity. Even after the same festive ceremonies held for the victorious battalion departure, this activity did not cease inside the palace as the governor ordered the gathering of all his advisors, counselors, and the province merchants and architects.
The puzzled group waited the governor to make his appearance which resembled the entrance of a conquering hero. Full of himself and certain of his power, Germanous walked through the hall and took his place in the center initiating the meeting with a close examination of the confused, somewhat irritated faces that surrounded him. They were surprised all right, and their reaction was justified as the blond had never once called for such a grand meeting causing the people to think he had deserted his responsibilities as a governor, and the counselors did not ask for such meetings either, for they considered the blond a playful delusional man and could not afford to listen to his romantic fantasies. Bets were made, mostly bidding on the ending of this meeting to be no different from the usual disagreement and exchange of insults the few previous meetings had always ended with.
"As you can see my lords, I have gathered you today because of a great plan seeking the light of fruition away from my mind."
An interrupting a senator who was about to ask for a clarification was immediately cut off by the lad's composed excitement.
"The last event had opened my eyes into an important realization concerning our province well - being and development."
Referring to the battalion stop at the city for rest and supplies, Germanous pointed at the large map of the city and its surroundings laying on a table.
"Given the province location and surroundings, it should have flourished through the course of the last years, but this place is still the same small modest striving city since its conquering. Just because it is a small province doesn't mean we should ignore the importance of its location! This place have suffered enough from neglect!"
Cold stares surrounded the wrought - up governor as if protesting "Who has been neglecting this province up until now?!". Comprehending the meaning behind these stares, Germanous did not pay them any attention. He saw no fault in his past behaviors and admitted to no blame; the modest state of this place was the preceding governors' fault and now he had come to turn the situation. Maintaining the same confidence he entered and started the meeting with, the young man went on:
"This place is like the knot to many routes leading to the capital, it should have made a great stop station for the various trading and travelling caravans and thus should have flourished and thrived were not for one obstacle; lacking efforts!"
Germanous could have went speaking about the lacking of men and their vision but he skipped that part, though anger at the slacking of the previous governors and people was boiling inside him but now he needed the support of everyone; especially those whom he detested the most; the hypocrite counselors and adulating advisors.
"This place lack the necessary constructions and markets to serve as a trading and rest point. As you have all seen, we almost got into a serious problem by hosting Quintinus and his men, were he to bring one more single soldier we would have been left starving and bankrupt…"
Few objections were whispered regarding their obligation to serve their country's armies, and as these men failed to see Germanous' point of view and merely wished to contradict and silence him. However, he did not mind them once again or give them a chance to voice their discontent proceeding with his thoughts:
"If we were to lead this province into thriving, we should first truly build it!"
The young governor turned at the group of architects and merchants addressing them now, less carried away and more reasonably, yet still holding a threatening excitement in his eyes that left the merchants' mind in shambles, certain they will lose more than gain in this process.
"We shall turn this deserted place into a heaven!"
***
After the meeting had ended the way Germanous wished to and planned, with everyone's approval and zeal for the future benefits of the approved construction plans, the latter was finally glad to get rid of the company of the beneficial traders and advisors except for one whom he could not describe in this way, nor could love or admire him either.
"Laurentius, what do you think?"
The first counselor stopped at the doorstep and turned at the governor stating the thoughts he did not voice during the meeting witnessing how the governor had finally taken a positive step as he hoped, wishing not to depress him in front of everyone.
"This is a great task, I am not certain we are fully prepared."
"Come on Laurentius… it is true that turning this rotten place into the heaven it was supposed to be will cost us a fortune, but we shall gather a greater one once this place fulfills its importance."
"Fulfill its importance or satisfy your visions?"
Laurentius realizing where this sudden excitement and determination came from asked to Germanous' pleasure. The latter smiled his devious smile and answered simply:
"Are not these two things the same? As the governor of this province, it represents me and so do I, that is why this place should rival Rome itself!"
The advisor sighed closing his eyes; it was just as he expected. Certainly, his eyes could not miss the jealousy arising in the lad's heart when Quintinus sang praise to Rome, flipping and biting his lips at every sentence and now, this jealousy was tearing the blond's heart. However, since it was necessary to get him into acting as the governor he was, Laurentius accepted it for now without allowing himself to forget the destruction that could be brought in the name of jealousy. Looking at the young man's eyes, their redness shining with the same mad excitement as when they shared a drink together, a dangerous yet determined lust, Laurentius now realized that his responsibility was even greater, to maintain that glimmer and keep it in check.
"I only hope you won't back down yet know when to do so."
The advisor finally said addressing the young man directly. Determination was needed to start an action, but reasoning was as much needed to finish that action and if Germanous possessed the first occasionally, Laurentius was not sure that the blond obtained the second one.
Looking at the man who could turn the many objecting counselors to his side by mere words, Germanous knew there was no room for backing down.
The merchants and workers will pay gold and sweat in return for the promises the governor had showered them with.
Words, no matter how eloquent and well-spoken, remain mere letters echoing until devoured by the distance.
Promises, no matter how bright and fruitful, remain mere hopes if no effort is spent for their fulfillment.
The plans Germanous had, the expectations he wanted to reach, the visions he held, no matter how great they were, they were worth nothing if not realized.
The money to be spent and the efforts to be given were measured side by side with the anger and wrath brought by their waste if not paid back.
"Is that all what you have to say?"
Germanous' eyes narrowed, as if realizing now the dangerous comparison he sat against Rome.
"I am an advisor who was appointed to serve this province so for now, I shall only dedicate my work for its sake."
Laurentius cleared the matter by reassuring the young man, hoping to rest his mind and not foil his new found determination.
But this hope did not reach Germanous. A man he could not understand was the foe he feared the most. He had to unlock the secret of that man who seemed conflicted about his new plan, possessing the power to overthrow him and his dreams yet still served him loyally till now.
"How far will your dedication compel you?"
"That depends on you."
A wild smile crept over the young man's face, his counselor's probity never ceased to amaze him. Discovering that man's depth apparently was growing from a mere hobby into an obsession.
"And how do you find me now?"
The governor asked in the same direct manner as his advisor's.
"This change is sudden and quick but still sounds promising."
"Oh?"
"I only hope it won't die out in the same quickness it had started with."
"Were it to?"
"It is my job to prevent this."
Laurentius bowed and left the room in an usual haste, as if to avoid where the rest of this conversation was heading to, considering it to be unpleasant for both. This thought was already troubling Laurentius mind since last night, since the leader of the battalion, Quintinus, came to him in his private chambers.
"I see you have not changed, Laurentius."
"I can say the same about you, Quintinus."
The latter smiled, knowing his host reply was not that of flattery.
"Do you have time to spar with me like the old days?"
"That was training and a display to encourage the soldiers. As for now, I see no need for it."
"I hope your sword hadn't got dull with the job they stuck you with at this far province."
"I don't know about that."
Seeing how the general remained at his spot without adding anything, Laurentius had to answer, and to avoid dragging the conversation longer, he maintained a dead one.
"Your status had sure gone dull though."
Both men serving together in the same army once, could easily read each other from their tactics in battles to their tactics in politics.
"I can't believe they did not appoint you a governor after Marcus death."
"He is not dead."
"Still, you should be in that boy's place. I can't believe you are actually dedicating your time and efforts to serve an arrogant child."
Quintinus leaned at the wall, smiling proudly thinking he had hit a sore spot but surprisingly nothing could pain the man sitting in front of him.
"This is my duty."
"Huh?"
Quintinus was surprised by the answer. Coming from a different mouth, it might have sounded suspicious but coming from Laurentius, there was no doubt it. The long – haired man had no secret benefits from his position and no future conspiracies to promote himself. He was still dutiful and stubborn. An example of perfection that should not present in such a time and age yet here he was.
"Taking your duty too seriously again! But if that was the case, doesn't your duty dictate on you to get rid of that incapable dreamy boy and lead this place into better standards?"
"Not yet."
Quintinus leaned forward to hear more, an evil grin blistered on his face, but there was nothing added. Realizing this conversation was doomed from the beginning, he left without the formalities he entered with.
Not yet.
He won't give up on the dreamy governor yet.
He was an advisor not a power – hungry traitor.
Responsibility, duty, facts, all stormed in the advisor's conscious.