Free The Eternal Empire by Geoff Fabron Page A

official in Saxony, he would be travelling in the ambassadors
official motor carriage, a new luxury model from Northern Italia.
    The journey from Minden to the Count’s
estate took about twenty minutes, and the ambassador used this time to brief
Cornelius.
    "Frederick Maleric comes across as
a friendly and likeable fellow, which he is," said Taronites, "but he
is also intelligent, shrewd, and will give nothing away in negotiations."
    "How does he view the
Empire?" asked Cornelius.
    "He's no Roman hater, if that is
what you mean. Which is surprising if you had known his father, the old Count.
Now he was a man who despised the Empire with a passion, wouldn't talk to a
Roman and certainly wouldn't have one in the house."
    The ambassador allowed himself a little
smile. "That old bastard must be turning in his grave at the thought of this
reception!"
    The car arrived at the entrance to the
estate, a huge gate house with a couple of armed guards. They respectfully
inspected the ambassadors’ invitation and directed the motor carriage along a
well tended dirt road. Cornelius noted other armed men walking along the road.
    "Does the Count normally have an
army billeted on his estate?" asked Cornelius.
    "They'll be men from the local
regiment," the ambassador answered, "the youngest perform security
duties for the nobles as part of their training. Count Maleric is honourary
colonel of the local regiment."
    The motor carriage pulled up to the
front entrance where another guard opened the door for them to get out. They
went inside and were met by a servant who guided them through to the main reception
room.
    The room was large and well lit. A
quartet played quietly in one corner while the sixty or so guests stood around
in small groups talking. As Taronites and Cornelius entered, a middle-aged man
detached himself from one of the groups and strode purposefully towards them.
    "Isaac, good to see you, welcome
to my home." The man had a large smile, only slightly hidden by a well
trimmed beard, and friendly silver grey eyes. He shook the ambassadors’ hand
vigorously.
    "It's good to see you again Frederick,"
said Taronites, "please let me introduce you to Cornelius Petronius, my
principle trade assistant. Cornelius, this is Count Frederick Maleric, our host
for tonight."
    Cornelius shook hands and said
formally, "I am honoured to meet you Count Maleric."
    "Please call me Frederick",
the count replied jovially, "There'll be plenty of formal occasions once
the negotiations start."
    They moved into the room, helping
themselves to a glass of wine from a table at the entrance. Frederick left them
to greet another arrival and they moved around the various groups to allow the
ambassador to introduce Cornelius to the people he would be negotiating with.
    "The Saxons seem pretty
amiable," said Cornelius as they left one group.
    "Oh yes, they are all great with a
glass of wine or beer in their hands." The ambassador stopped and turned
to Cornelius, his face cold and hard. "But never forget that behind those
smiles, many of them hate the Empire with a passion. It's a hatred that has
been ingrained for two millennium."
    The ambassadors’ smile returned as he
saw the Count approaching with a young woman at his side. "Gentlemen, you
haven't met my sister. Katherine this is Isaac Taronites, the Roman ambassador
and his assistant Cornelius Petronius."
    Katherine Maleric appeared to be in her
late twenties, shorter than her brother with fair hair and the same silver grey
eyes. It was the eyes that caught Cornelius's attention. They seemed to be
larger than the Counts, but they also sparkled with greeting. She was attractive
though not stunningly beautiful like Fulvia and if it were not for those eyes
and her smile she would probably be quite plain. Her smile, like her eyes drew
people’s attention. Cornelius suddenly realised that he was staring and quickly
said the first thing that came into his head.
    "What do you do Miss
Maleric?"
    At this forthright