"Full Circle" chapter 6

Often both Grayson and Darius worked long into the night as the torches flared and sputtered, throwing long shadows upon the walls as they covertly set up a network of spies to keep them informed of news on Alaric as well as any other pressing matter that they would need to know of while they were away.

The discussions often were intense and heated between them especially if Methos was in the room. Grayson was becoming more jealous of him as he saw his father actually listening to him and instigating things that he suggested such as the woman chosen to keep them informed about Alaric's doings. It made him uneasy to know that this upstart was still a slave, yet he handled himself as if he ran the place as he manipulated things left and right to his own likings.

He lifted his goblet to his lips, his knuckles white with anger as he gripped it tightly while following the slave his father seemed to favor now with his eyes as he pointed out things that still needed to be done before thier departure. Whispering to himself, he vowed,"Someday, you won't be around him and then it will be just you and I. We'll see then just who loses his head..."

Methos pointed out a place upon the crude map he had drawn, and Grayson heard his voice carry in the air. "...Constantine is thier general on thier Egyptian front to the south. He is smart, capable and disciplined as are his troops. Ever since that fiasco with that Egyptian queen and Cesaer, Rome has had to make up for a lot but the governor has become more Egyptian than Roman and sometimes forgets who he works for."

"Is he a threat?" Darius said as he leaned on both his outstretched arms while looking over the situation laid out before him. He swiveled his head, looked at Grayson, and motioned him over. "Why do you stay so distant? This involves you; I expect you to be a part of it. Come closer, my son."

Both Grayson and Methos exchanged hostile looks that Darius didn't fail to notice, then Grayson approached, one hand to his dagger he wore in his belt. "Father, this is old news! Why worry about him when he isn't even going to be close to Rome?"

"Because," Methos replied, eyeing Grayson steadily, "he could possibly be recalled at any time." He turned his attention back to Darius. "Yes, he could be a threat depending on the amount of soldiers he has access to and the condition of the army."

Musing, Darius pulled at his beard, then turned and walked away, deep in thought. So much to know and learn, so little time to do so. The discord between his son and his slave threatened all thier plans that had almost reached completion. He couldn't afford it to threaten all he had dreams for--or all that he wanted. A decision had to be made as to how to handle it and made quickly.

Pursing his lips, he turned back to Methos. "You have never told me what you want in exchange for the information you supply to me. What do youwant me to grant you?"

Chuckling, Methos' eyes crinkled as his mouth raised into a wry smile. "Isn't it obvious? My freedom."

Darius looked at him for a few moments, then looked at Grayson. "If I grant you this, will you ride away?"

Grayson held his breath as he waited for the answer. He was hoping against hope that his father would release the slave now so that he could leave and he himself could step back into his rightful place as advisor and chief lieutenant. He felt that his place had been usurped by this war trophy, someone who he should have killed when he had the chance those few years ago.

Methos refused to answer directly but only smiled. "Why not find out by granting me this?"

Darius chuckled, then got serious again."Very well. You may have your freedom--once Rome and everything beyond is mine."

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The Roman Emporor, Theodonus, was a Christian who devoutedly went about in religious zeal destroying all objects and temples of pagan worship throughout the Empire including the famed Seraphinum at Alexandria after his acension to the position. No spot that had any trace of a pagan identity was safe from his zeal; many sacred places were lost to eternity in his want to Christianize the empire in the name of the carpenter from Judea.

Darius pulled the horsehair reins so that his horse came about to survey the vast Visigoth and Goth army which lay before him. His heart swelled with pride as he looked at them, knowing that they would die for him if asked and more if necessary. He nodded to himself then glanced at Grayson who rode on his right side.

Grayson half smiled as he looked at his father; this was a day to be remembered! Rome lay ahead of them within the fabled seven hills--so close, yet so far. Time would have to pass before it was ripe for plucking it's ripe riches. but all that would come to pass soon enough; time was on their side as well as a well placed spy network already at work and had been prior to thier leaving thier homes in the Balkans.

Darius raised his sword over his head; instantly the soldiers quieted and listened to what they could catch on the air of what thier leader was saying. "My army!" he shouted and it bounced off the landscape around them. "Ahead lies Rome, behind you your new homeland. We assemble here today to show what we are to Rome, and what we can be!"

A roar went up from the army; the air filled with the thunderous din of thousands of swords being beat against wooden and brass-studded shields in approval of Darius' words.

Darius looked from one end of the ranks all the way to his calvary as the din continued without abating. Yes, these were his men--let Alaric try to take them away. Raising his sword again he went on after the ranks had quieted again. "Let us show mighty Rome what true men are; let us show mighty Rome that we are not afraid to die; let us show mighty Rome that we are what haunts thier dreams at night for we are the Goths, we are the Visigoths--" He raised his voice even louder. "And we have arrived!"