"Carpenters?"

"708"

"Masons?"

"568"

"Blacksmiths?"

"216"

"Tailors?"

"890"

"Peasants?"

"3687. Give and take a few", Alaric answered.

He had arrived a week ago. In tow the legion and more colonists than I had anticipated. Far more. We counted the adults, the elderly and the children. A massive 13'000 thousand man had joined our legion's march towards Roma. Around 15'000 people were now living in the city. And we were hardly prepared. Food was our biggest worry.

"Any news from the other cities?Veii? Ostia?", I asked. We had ordered all villages, towns or other major cities in the province to provide extra supplies for Roma. Some had sent notes of approval, some didn't answer and some even refused.

Ostia had been the only one to actually deliver goods. The baron proved to be a reliable partner, so far. However now things had changed. I had the necessary legionaries to enforce my will in the province. And I would do just that.

"We need to create work for the commoners. They are nearly finished draining the last flooded parts of the city and removed most of the debris", I said to no one in particular.

In the shade of the bookshelf, a shadow took form. Alaric raised a brow.

"There is a door you know?", he remarked.

"Forgive me. I wasn't aware", Juladia said. I think that was sarcasm.

Her first task as my spymaster had been to create networks of informants. The first targets were Veii and Ostia. I did trust the baron of Ostia, but control was better than trust. Just to be safe and maybe to find out a thing or two about his wife's activities.

Getting informants into villages was a lost cause. The populations were too low and everybody noticed strangers. We instead opted to just pay the villagers coins to confirm information. We received plenty of information.

Veii was indeed shifting taxes away from the province. The baron was misusing his powers. Suppressing locals, confiscating their assets, taxing them double and triple and forcing them into serfdom. Chaining the people to his holding.

Ostia was the other side of the coin. The baron was eager to rebuild the city. However, he faced serious resistance when he tried to implement reforms. He managed to trim the old supporters of the baron to minor players in the city, but he failed to fill the void of power with his own men.

A merchant from the Northern Alliance, or nowadays Raetia, had taken over key districts in the city. Legally, so there was not much the baron could do. His wife filled the rest. She held her hand protectively over the remnants of the trimmed supporters. Creating her own faction.

"Just don't fail at your tasks", the vampire reminded.

"You mean like you did when Lucius was nearly captured?", the elf countered.

Ignoring both of them I continued my thoughts.

In the end, we had two big players and a third small one, the baron. He could sway the game in either way. I reckoned the baron would join his wife if given enough time. So to prevent that a fourth player needed to enter. I.

"Juladia do you have something to report or are you here to banter?", I asked. Stopping the exchange between Alaric and her. They always ended up like this. Both not backing down and both throwing one passive-aggressive comment after the other.

"The baron of Ostia has prepared and is waiting for the soldiers to arrive", she reported. "His wife is moving, as is the merchant. Both are suspecting to be the target."

"And both are correct", I said. A thousand man would enter Ostia. The merchant's assets would be searched until we found 'something' that allowed us to legally take away his influence. If necessary we will fabricate it.

The baron's wife would be safe. Her supporters not that much. They will lose title and land. The land would be given to the baron. The titles were another matter.

Father had started to raise new nobles in the south. Opting for smaller vassals instead of a few powerful ones. I could follow his examples and rear my own contingent of nobles. Father's letter on the matter showed he expected such.

The vassals that had been loyal to father were also rewarded with new land and titles. With those measures implemented my parents stood unchallenged in our dukedom. The south and Sicillia could be fully integrated into the realm.

"Lucius I do hope you reconsider your plans", Alaric stated. "Taking away noble titles without good reasons will cause future problems. When the time comes to take over the entire dukedom the vassals will be hostile to you. They may even act before you become duke. Maybe even pushing for another heir."

"I know", I answered. "I am a noble myself, you are one, she is one, all other possible council members are one. The vassals of my parents are nobles. Yet I think this is the right step. We need the centralization of power. And I can't do that with an autonomous nobility."

"Who cares about titles anyway?", Juladia interjected. Alaric raising a brow.

"You wouldn't be here without it", Alaric said. "I wouldn't be either."

Both turned to look at me.

"Again, I am aware", I said. "People should earn their place through deed, not blood."

The comment got me two pairs of raised brows.

"You are aware ..."

"that you earned your position through blood?", Juladia finished for Alaric.

"Yes", I sighed. "We went over this yesterday already."

The plan was to use Veii and Ostia as testing grounds for a new form of government. The locals would elect a council. I would appoint a representative of the dukedom. The representative held no noble title. All rights and obligations were tied to the position. They would become a commoner again when not holding the position.

The council would consist of 100 people. The members would serve for three years and could only serve for one term at a time. If they wish to run again they would have to wait three years. Their task was to manage city affairs.

The council was bound by the laws of the dukedom, or the province to be precise. My parents had after all allowed me a free reign.

Every city had the right and duty to manage certain aspects themselves. Certain taxes could be raised or abolished. Some laws could be changed on a local level. They could for example allow or disallow gladiator fights.

The idea was to give the cities a sense of autonomy. Pacifying the locals and handing them a chance to improve their lives. They would not have to follow the commands of a foreign lord when deciding on local matters. I hoped that this concession will be enough to integrate them into our dukedom.

The representative and his subordinates had the task to secure my interest and that of the dukedom. They would control the implementation of province laws, the gathering of taxes and manage the security of the city. Matters concerning the city's defence were the sole responsibility of the representative.

Both would have another task. To control their counterpart and report any violations of their duties. This was a safety net against corruption and rebellion. Of course, if both sides conspired against us then we wouldn't get the information. That was why both parts worked independently from another.

The representative couldn't interfere in local affairs and the council couldn't interfere in the affairs of the province. They could only report each other. The lack of cooperation should prevent or at least lessen the chance of a joined conspiracy.

"We have discussed the pro and cons of such a move", I said. "And we will give it a try. Worst case I will have to raise my own nobles as father did."

Alaric didn't look convinced, but I knew he would follow my wishes regardless. If it fails he would get his nobles, if it doesn't he won't complain further. Facts were what mattered most to him. And the fall of the Republic led him to believe he was right.

I didn't intend to bring back a failed government system, but certain elements of the republic proved superior to elements of the empire. We should strive to gain the best from both sides.

"Fine", Alaric said. "I will prepare myself to lead the legion."

Alaric stood up and left the room. We would see if my new form of government worked or not. I also wondered how my parents and the local lords will react. The baron of Ostia would become my representative for the city. The baron of Veii however was another matter.

He would lose his title and will be sent back to the south. He was part of a family loyal to father. I was unsure how far I could go before my parents interfered. The matter of Veii should show us how the rest of the dukedom will react to my first major reform.

My musing was interrupted when I noticed legs on my desk.

"Do you have further matters to report?", I asked. Lifting her legs to pull a letter beneath them out. Juladia just observed and didn't answer. She had started to stay in my study from time to time after visiting both Veii and Ostia.

Sometimes she would spin a dagger, other times just observe the room and me and a few days ago she read a book. I had suggested her to read a bit if she was bored. She asked what I could recommend to her.

Books about history seemed to not fit her interest. Instead, she found some kind of fictional story in a library. I read the first chapter to see what the book was about. A dwarf hunting beasts in the eastern mountains was the main character and the story described his fights with said beasts. Quite in detail, a bit too much detail if you ask me.

In the end, I appreciated the company. It could get pretty boring to sit alone in an office for the entire day.

"Are there new information about the vagrants or bandits in and around Roma?", I asked after a while. Having read through a report from our scouts.

"No. We found traces, but they have been pulling back into the woods since the legion arrived", she answered.

"Hmm fine for now then. We will have to smoke them out

later though. I don't want my villages and their fields to be in danger"

With that, the exchange finished. I turned my attention back to the letters. Raising legs anew to get to the pile. The dark-elf continued to spin her dagger as I did so.

Answered from potential council members had arrived.

The first was a joined one. I did a double-take after reading the names.

Honoured prince of Napule,

we received your message and after a long discussion decided on our answer. I and my husband would be delighted to join the council of Roma. There are however a few things we have to take care of first before we can depart. We should manage to arrive in about two months. As asked by you we will prepare possible reforms for the matters entrusted to us. See you soon.

Aellelorn and Anaitis Triton

"So he did marry her. Lucky elf", I was happy that they accepted the proposal. My experience in managing farmland was … well I really hadn't any in it. Aellelorn and Anaitis had plenty. Juladia's information reported a row of experiments performed on their families' holdings. Most failed to prove worth the hassle, but a few did produce satisfying results.

Three-field economy and multicultural agriculture. The first was another form of the two-field economy. One field would be farmed while the other laid fallow. I would discuss with both of them to see the pro and contra of the method.

Monoculture agriculture and multicultural agriculture did ring a bell, but that was about it for me. I again didn't quite know what would be better for the province in the long run.

"You didn't know?", Juladia asked, stopping the spinning of her dagger.

"You did?"

"I mean it was kinda obvious for me", she shrugged.

"Could have put it into your report"

"Should have said so"

"Point taken. I am surprised Aellelorn took Anaitis' family name", I added.

"And what's wrong with that?", Juladia asked. The tone implied I should be careful about my next words.

It was custom for the bride to take the husband's family name. If the houses are of equal rank, which was the case with those two.

"Nothing wrong with it."

"Good."

She went to spin her dagger again. I raised legs anew to get the next letter. This one was from Valerius Scipii. He had learned under his father for the last years. Performing the tasks of a diplomat or an envoy.

His house has served mine for decades and their loyalty and experience were irreplaceable for me. It was not a big surprise that he accepted to go to Roma. I could use somebody with diplomatic experience. We would need to establish ties to our new northern neighbour anyway. Raetia would sooner or later pressure our duchy. And my province would be the first target if a conflict arises.

Establishing diplomatic ties might give us more chances, or at least more time, to prepare for conflict.

The next one was from another important house.

Constantine Brutii would inherit the position of ducal guard from his father. He had served in Napule's guard until the city was sieged. Now with reconstruction on the way he was again serving in the city.

His family ensured the loyalty of the guards and the safety of my family. They hunted criminals and thugs, resulting in Napule being the safest place in the dukedom. They also controlled and protected important visitors. In the end house Brutii managed the security work in the capital for my parents.

I wanted his skills for Roma to achieve the same in this city. I should also not forget to care for my own safety. Helvallia had taught me that much. It would also allow my bodyguards to focus on other tasks. Right now they were doing mostly guard work, while a small portion protected the temple of Cronus.

The next was Brizo Salacia.

"Brizo will not come to Roma. She is busy reorganizing the navy with Titania. Also without a navy myself she wouldn't be able to do anything useful in the city. Her words", I read out loud.

"Good"

"Good?"

"I don't like her"

Probing into why she didn't like her resulted in a glare from the elf. I was left to find an answer for that myself.

Statilia Ruber Vulpes on the other hand was eager to join. Very eager according to the letter. I could imagine her jumping up and down as she wrote the letter. She had served under the leading house in Syracusa. Managing city affairs. I could very well use the extra hand in the management of Roma.

She had also put forward a few ideas reforms. But unlike Aellelorn and Anaitis she couldn't try them out. The leading house didn't want to experiment around. I did neither. But some things could be implemented after a thorough discussion.

Statilia's main ideas were projects for commoners. Everybody should be able to read, write and perform simple mathematics. I found myself agreeing with that. Better educated subjects were more productive workers. My family had mused over similar ideas as well.

Though we had to speak about the funds and personal necessary for such measures. A taxation reform was the first thing I should discuss when the council gathers.

"Remember to be here when we secured Veii and Ostia. I want to hold the first gathering of Roma's council then"

"Okay", she said. I noticed she was now spinning two daggers. Throwing them up from time to time and catching them again.

The last one was from Duvira. The dwarf had worked with guilds and craftsmen for the last years. Finishing some construction projects in Messana. A new harbour had been added and the old one had been deepened as well. Stone roads were repaired and construction for a road connecting the three great cities of Sicillia had also begun.

Duvira would arrive in two months as well. Bringing with her a group of craftsmen and guild officials. She wanted to get a detailed picture of Roma before planning any constructions.

I would prefer her to arrive sooner. It would be nice to repair one of the aqueducts. Right now we were relying on the wells or boiled water from the river. A stable and clean water supply from one of the aqueducts would allow me to focus on other matters.

Right now we had to be careful about controlling the water quality in the wells and ensure that people boiled the water they gathered from the river. Historic outbreaks had shown several times that cities without aqueducts suffered longer from a pandemic. We should provide adequate protection against such events from the start.

That also reinforced the need for more educating. An educated citizen would be less likely to make mistakes in events like pandemics. It would also easier to implant reforms if they understand what the benefits or disadvantages were.

I wrote an answer to all of them. Telling them I awaited their arrival eagerly. We had already prepared a few mansions in the city. They were partially damaged and the interior decoration was lacking … but for now it would have to do. I did hope they could put up with it for a few weeks.

I went over a few reports from the scouts but did not spot anything important. It was quiet around Roma. The colonists had not reported any major problems either. There was a bit of infighting from time to time but those were quelled by Cycnus and his men.

The east still sent immigrants, as agreed in the peace deal, to Italia. This included elves of course. And some of the southern colonist or of the few locals were not keen to share what they had left with former enemies.

I would have none of that in my city. Cycnus was ordered to crack down on both parties if trouble arose. And so far that has stopped anything major from happening. I hope the tension will lessen as the situation in Roma improves.

I wrote a few orders for the colonist. Everybody was to chose one of the abandoned houses as his permanent home. I had promised them land and they would get it. They could also work on their houses until the materials from the other cities arrived. Then we could start the reconstruction in earnest.

I ordered the fields around Roma to be marked and measured. The distribution of farmland though had to wait until Aellelorn and Anaitis arrived. We could however prepare the seeds and plough the fields in advance. The peasants were most likely already scouting which plot of land was the most fertile one.

After relaying the orders and going through a few more reports, I called it a day. They contained mostly minor problems. Most already dealt with.

I could feel Quintus somewhere north of Roma. Probably in the forest near us. He had started to scout the province and even ventured a few times into Raetia. He kept far away from settlements, so that was good news.

"Hey!"

I grabbed one of Juladia's daggers as it was in the process of falling down again.

"It is dark outside. Go to sleep."

"Give it back!"

I threw the dagger back and held open the door for the lady. Something Livia had ingrained into me.

"We have busy days ahead."

The dark-elf passed me and shortly disappeared after entering a dark area. I had offered her a mansion like the rest of the council members or Alaric had, but she had declined. I asked Alaric and Cycnus if they knew where she was staying but both had no answer for me. I shook my head. Best to focus on the tasks ahead of me.

After all, Roma wasn't built in one day.