The world at the death of Eutharic the Resentful
Amalius Trapstilicus and his lucky helmet are the guardians in a realm of coming darkness
CHAPTER VI: ASHES TO ASHES, DUST TO DUST- SHOWDOWN WITH ATTILA THE HUN
PART I: THE MILITARY TRIUMVIRATE
A NEW UNION
Ancona
December 434 A.D.
Ever the chronic adversary, he is killed near Verona after a battle with Filimer. The Bulgar bane of Theoderic, Vithericus, Savva, and Eutharic is finally dead.
The Axumite commander of the invasion of Italy. After fighting Odoacer and Gaiserias, he will be brought to justice.
The persistence of barbarian groups converting first to Arianism and then the Latin faith, for as long as they endured, resulted in tribal customs that shaped the church. Women could become priests, and pagan traditions such as wearing a lamb, were commonplace. Although she has difficulty converting Hunnic agents to Christianity, often involving violence, Achilius will later succeed by hiring and extorting them.
Not long after Filimer returned from the battle in Venetia and informed me of the Emperor’s fortunate demise, it was my forty-fourth winter, the winter of my birthday, in 434, when I returned from a successful battle against the Axumites under Mehadeyis in the south. Perhaps as vengeance for breaking my oaths and ordering Achilius to end the Emperor’s reign, my wife had just died an early death, and I was in mourning. Many had come to pay their respects at my keep in Ancona, both to me, and my only daughter who was learning to speak properly, Valdamerca. My wife, Livinia was wrapped in a black shall with a veneer of gossamer covering her beautiful face, and Sister Guitifrida had just read her rites of passage into the heavenly kingdom.
Vandalarius, with his blonde straight locks, knelt and placed a pink rose by her feet, on the marble altar where she lay. There had been a rebellion of Italians in Sicily at Syracuse since I had left my battles against the Axumites near Napoli and I also had received word that Achilius had murdered the foul creature Ajbars the Bulgar near Verona, after he had lost a battle to forces commanded by my own Filimer, which was a cause for celebration, even on this dark day. In Ravenna, news of Eutharic's death on the field was met with mixed reactions: those who had been given estates by him in place of the Romans, would no doubt have to restitution these properties, but those who had faced he, Leovigild, and Savva's reign of terror were overjoyed and optimistic in the prospects of a man of letters and coin such as Gesalec, who ruled from Ravenna itself and knew many of the local administrators there.
Gesalec could not attend, some business in disciplining his wayward young illegitimate child, Fredebal, but Chlotsuintha, in her debt from releasing her from Eutharic’s vile intentions, was there in respect, wearing a black dress. Those who had known her wept, but none of the nobles of Amalius did, instead bowing and ingratiating themselves to me, and me alone. Gaatha, who was as many years as me in age, was one of them, and she approached me with Chlotsuintha, beckoning her son Vandalarius from his respects. Prayer cards were being given out, and Tranquilus Insteibus had attended in truce. Gesalaec, acting as regent along with Vindonius Natta, had accepted his offer of peace, and Gallica now was a vassal of the Empire, during the truce. Whether it would hold, was dependent on how far Gundulf Yellowbeard would exert his power, and how willing the Gallic and Spaniards were to accepting the humiliating terms. He spoke with the Alemanni king Fastida who had also made an appearance. It was very clear to most people present, the crème of the empire, that the generals, notably Sigeric, Gundulf, and I now had the power in Italy and Gaul. Attius' successor ensured that the ports of Africa were friendly and trade flowed, all the way to distant Aelia Capitolina, formerly Jerusalem, which the Vandals had occupied, adding to their territories they shared with Attian governors.
If Gesalec was to be elevated to Emperor, it would be a symbolic gesture, with more of a triumvirate of the three of us ruling militarily in Gaul, Northern Italy, and the frontier under duress, where my domain lay. Filimer stood at my side and we spoke of the current political climate.
‘ I saw the emperor fall, it was no poison of Achilius. He would have never made it to the battlefield that way. Someone closer must have cooked the mussels, an amateur, a fledgling.’ Filimer said boldly.
‘I see it as trivial, Filimer, the Emperor received a clean death on the field. Many of his victims were not as lucky.’ I answered in a low voice.
I watched Tranquilus approach Chlotsuintha. There was an awkward silence, and then the two began talking, breaking the ice: perhaps there was time for a marriage between the two of them yet. He was a bit older.
He broke his conversation with Chlotsuintha and spoke to me ‘My condolences and a thousand thanks for your intervention in the un-professional conduct of the killer Savva, Rome is forever in your debt, Trapstila. This young lady has assured me that if it were not for you, she would be in a dungeon with so many un-tried Romans and countrymen. I must say, you are forever welcome in my court at Tarraco, should you wish to spend the night.’
‘As you say. Provided Gundulf Yellow-beard doesn’t get there first.’ I said firmly, though not without levity. I jested, but there was truth in these words, Gundulf and his three children were not in attendance, preferring to ensure that Labienus and Tranquilus kept to their subjugated state, patrolling across the Pyrenees. He intended to enter Tarraco, and disarm the Romans still manning it’s walls. Once angered, Gundulf was vengeful. Bordeaux had surrendered and Saturninus was a prisoner once more. Much to the Romans furor, Bordeaux had been looted by Hermenegild on orders from Gundulf.
Gaatha edged in and placed her arm around my hip. Quite inappropriate for a funeral, but she now seemed intent on making public our alliance in the two years of Eutharicus the Resentful’s rule.
‘Indeed, he is a credit to all serving comitensis. The pride of the Saiones, this Amalius Trapstilicus.’ She said indulgently.
I was at a loss for words. She held me tighter. Attractive and intelligent, but known for her plotting since the days of Hethin and Vithericus. ‘I might say.’ She continued. ‘The two most powerful houses in Ravenna are the house of my late husband Theoderic and my cousin Gesalec. I’ve never been in a position to thank you for your assistance in the times of the riots, and my time in the tower, and for rescuing sweet Chloe.’
‘You are as sharp as the blade of Theoderic, and as fine as the whit of the Po valley, my lady. Your company is enough.’ I answered. Tranquilus bowed and walked to discuss more matters with Fastida.
‘Then why not join our houses.’ She stated slyly into my ear, out of earshot from Vandalarius and Chlotsuintha.
‘The Latin church of course.’ I answered, looking her in her brilliant eyes.
‘Hethin and Theoderic were killed in battle, and Theoderic was known for his affairs. Archbishop Guitifrida has assured me it would be in sanctimony with the laws of the church.’
‘I loved my wife. I loved her stories. I love my daughter, Gaatha.’
‘I know, she had told me of your many affections in confidence, the more I learned, the more I yearned. And you love Filimer as a son. You’ve always wanted a boy. Who better than the heir of Theoderic the Giant himself? An older brother for your darling daughter.’
‘I’ve been partial to Vandalarius, yes….’ I answered.
‘A kiss, then?’ She asked.
A lasting marriage with Gaatha would place me at the head of the estate of Theoderic. I would have a son, a daughter, and a loyal younger friend in the Knight Filimer. It would also tie us in a bond of blood with the Amalius, as Gaatha was a cousin of Vithericus himself. Out of the three power blocs in the empire, I would be at the head of the most powerful house, rivaling even the Amalius. And, I wanted her, thinking back, though I hated myself for it at my wife’s farewell, I remembered that I always had. I smelled her perfume, and remembered longing for it in the days past. In time, the two of us could be the tribal chiefs of Amalius, recognized by the people, with Gesalec’s blessing.
‘You are quite the wicked woman. I warn you, this will not be spurious.’ I said, before I could finish speaking she kissed me on the lips, and before I knew what was happening I felt warm and my hands were around her curly black raven hair, looking passionately in her green eyes. Perhaps it was to shake off the winter’s chill, and the chill of death. I kissed her again, and again, each with more strength, until I noticed Vandalarius looking at us strangely.
‘ I’ll begin cooking the lamb.’ Chlosuintha said as soon as we had stopped, as it might have distressed her to see a man who had helped her in a fatherly way, and her cousin embrace.
Filimer spoke to her. ‘Since when have you picked up cooking Princess? I’ll help you. I only hope you haven’t picked up any habits from your grandmother.’
‘Oh, but I have, Filimer.’ Chlotsuintha replied, beckoning towards the cellar and kitchen across the stone steps of the hall.