'He will listen to reason Decentius' mumbled Constantius. 'Or I will have him and the rest of his family killed'
Decentius watched the Emperor pace about the Imperial residence within Poetovio. 'It should have been done in the first place. Look at what has happened' Decentius lectured. Constantius kept pacing the room. 'I do not ask you for advice Decentius, so do not presume you may give it. You carry out orders, nothing more nothing less' Decentius scowled, growing more irritated each day by Constantius' increasing irrationality in the matter. 'Whether or not you ask for my advice, or others, see reason. You intend to confront Julianus, who has the backing of a great deal of men, who for all we know could be winning over the entirety of Italy and you have no army! I implore you to bring forth the Imperial army so we can confront him!'
Constantius wheeled about, his expression one of dishevelment from days and weeks with minimal sleep. The war against the Sassanids wore him down, the Goths ravaging Macedonia and the lazyges threatening violence across the Danube, the betrayal by Julianus drove him beyond normal rational thinking, so much so he was now so close to Italy and without his army to back him. 'What would you know Decentius you dithering idiot! By the grace of my father, I assumed the purple. My father, Constantine the Great and you, you servile fool from some scummy barbaric backwater seek to lecture ME on what to do!' Constantius was overcome with complete rage. 'Begone from my sight now before I have you run through. I am the Emperor and you will accept what I do and not dare assail me with your idiotic thoughts!'
Decentius ever so slowly backed away, keeping a careful eye on the other guards in the room who had put their hands on the holsters of their swords, the Domestici ready to strike at their masters commands. Instead, Constantius just glared wildly at Decentius without speaking, content with banishing his agent from his sight without ordering his death. Out the door he went and instantly ran for his life, cursing the foolishness of the Emperor and vowing all sorts of revenge.
* * * * *
Felix had never seen such black, pitiless eyes before. They appeared windows to little more than a hollow soul, incapable of any positive emotion. Where only depravity, hatred and anger existed, a man capable of killing without giving it a second thought. His face was heavily scarred and his equine nose bent badly out of shape from many a savage blow. His close shaved head added to the malignancy that seeped from his pores. Even those who did not know him, would wince at the sight of him, they would turn away as if they had witnessed the face of death. 'Of all the places in the Empire, you found me here in this squalid rubbish tip' gestured Felix to the utter grime around him. Dark, dank, badly lit and populated with all manner of degenerates, hidden away but well known to anyone of disrepute that happened to find themselves in Verona. It had no name but was commonly known as simply the Hole. If one wanted to hire a cut-throat, he came here. To discuss business with those who controlled certain sections of the city, they came here.
'Where else would a murderer like you be eh Felix...the Killer' replied the man. He grabbed at a wooden mug and drank deeply of the sweet wine in it. 'Seems appropriate for someone of your repute as well...it would satisfy your...urges... as well' Felix said as the sounds of a women screaming upstairs filtered downwards, accompanied by the sounds of crashing furniture and angry shouted commands. Nobody inside the inn batted an eyelid. 'That sort of things will have to wait until next time' said the man. Several dishevelled men looked towards the pair. Felix noticed and shot them a withering stare. They seemed unfazed, looked a while longer before turning back to their drinks. Outside, he could hear the sounds of somebody getting a solid hiding from a group of men. He couldn't make out the words but it did not sound pleasant. Such was life for those who frequented this decrepit quarter of Verona.
'So Decentius...chief agentes in rebus of Constantius II. Why are you here before me? Do you plan on murdering me in this very inn for some strange and unfathomable reason? I cannot think as to why you would search me out in this manner' asked Felix sarcastically. Decentius showed no emotion, been completely unreadable. 'No, nothing so mundane...though to run you through would bring me great delight'
'A cheery thought' murmured Felix.
'I am here to seek out your help. I have information that you may find to be extremely useful' he stated matter of factly.
Felix snorted. 'What exactly is this 'useful' information that you have'. Decentius looked around him carefully and then leaned in. 'I can give you the location of Constantius' Felix laughed. 'Any idiot can work that out Decentius...this is all very amateurish of you' Decentius growled. 'Do not be so blithe with your words Felix. Before you is a golden opportunity, one that can bring you fabulous riches, fame or infamy, whichever way you prefer to see it...as the murderer of Constantius the tyrant'
'Good lord, Decentius...have you gone completely insane? Your his chief agent and here you are proposing his murder. What exactly are you up to?' Felix asked. Decentius' eyes burned with hatred. 'The man is a fool...a deluded, paranoid, murderous fool. Do you know how many men of his he has had executed on some imagine slight, of some preposterous plot to overthrow him?'
Felix shrugged. 'Well, I'd be rather testy if there was a rival claimant to the throne, like right about now' Decentius continued undetered by Felix's seeming disinterest. 'He threatened to murder me the other day for daring to voice my advice. Did you know that he is, right now, in Poetovio with out an army? With out an army Felix! What exactly is that idiot doing? He has lost it and enough is enough as far as I am concerned. Nobody on this earth threatens Decentius with death and lives to tell the tale!' He gripped his wooden cup so hard his knuckles went white. Any longer and the cup would have splintered, such was the strength of his rage induced grasp.
Felix merely raised his eyebrows. 'You certainly paint a gloomy picture. Why not just kill him yourself? In fact, if I were to accept what makes you think I just wouldn't kill you and then take the money?'
''I'd imagine I'd be persona non grata in his company currently and I can't very well walk in and stab him. Your a man of subterfuge, of blending in the shadows and striking and I am the man with the knowledge, the awareness of his movements and habits. Besides, your a rare breed in this trade. Your a man of honour, you stick to your word. Anyway, you'd never find the money in the first place, unless you'd just kill me for fun. Do you see?'
Felix nodded slowly. 'I guess so. Your are right though, killing you would be rather entertaining.... Recompense?' Decentius grinned. 'More than you could ever imagine'
'How much exactly?' he pressed on.
'100,000 denarii...give or take. I didn't count it properly when I stole it. I was in a hurry' Decentius drummed his fingers on the table casually. Felix exhaled. 'Well...an interesting dilemma...my master Julianus wishes to capture Constantius. On the other hand you offer me a sizeable sum to kill him. Which would profit me greater?' Decentius said . 'I know you are a loyal man Felix...yet loyal men do have their limits when it comes to money. Anyway, Julianus need never know that he was assassinated at your hand'
'IF he was assassinated...I doubt it will be as easy as strolling into his room like I did with that Italian dog parading as a King' mused Felix. Felix fetched another two mugs of sweet wine and sank his in one sitting. He then stared hard at Decentius. 'Very well, you have yourself a deal' Felix offered a smile to the unblinking psychopath before him. 'However, be warned my friend...if this turns out to be a set-up, you will die. Even if it means I hunt you to the ends of the earth, I will find you and kill you'
'Understood?'
Decentius in turn offered a thin smile. 'Understood...now you have little time to waste. I shall fill you in on the details'
Felix leaned in closer and listened intently, all the while trusting Decentius as far as he could spit.