27 Books and Swords. (1/2)
The new system to manage waste quickly went into effect and a quiet calm overtook the fief with the last batch of refugees arriving and dealt with in an efficient manner thanks to the previous weeks' experience.
While Galahad was adjudicating a minor theft case. Karlos asked for an audience.
Galahad looked at the two men and said.
”As there isn't enough proof to prove that Aelwin is a criminal but the clues we do have point in that direction. My judgment shall be the following, Aelwin will provide ten copper coins worth of services or goods or currency to Veragon. You are both dismissed.”
After the two men left Galahad allowed Karlos entrance and said.
”So Karlos what matters require my attention?”
Karlos bowed and said.
”My good Sire, One of the men that has arrived together with the refugees is a man going by the name Marius Cementarius. He claimed that he has abilities that might prove worthwhile to you.”
Galahad nodded and said.
”Well, indeed I do need more capable subordinates. But if it is worthwhile, it is for me to judge. For now, let's just see what he wants and is capable of. Karlos, would you please bring this man to me.”
Karlos bowed and said.
”I shall oblige my liege.”
Soon after Karlos returned followed in tow by a man in his mid-forties. The man was of average height and built and was both bald and clean-shaven and walked with a measured and methodical step. He was wearing a rather foreign-looking armor a mixture of scale and chain mail. With scales covering the torso area and upper arm and chain mail covering the underarm and neck, he was also wearing red linen pants. Just before he reached five paces from Galahad he bowed in a rather awkward manner in stark contrast to his previous measured actions before saying.
”Greetings Prepositus, I am Marius Cementarius Arabicus ex centurion of the mercenarius Legio Ist Arabicus and son of Gaius Cementarius Barcarius the builder of Barcaria. I have come here looking for employment.”
Galahad raised his left eyebrow and asked.
”So mister Marius from my understanding of Umbrian society you must be a rather skilled commander. So how did you end up at my court?”
The man responded and said.
”Well, Prepositus the reason is rather simple. After the battle of Yargon took place as the leader of the first century of the second cohort the highest-ranking member of the army alive. I decided that rather than taking the long trek back to Umbria without any supplies. It would be better to surrender my Legio to the Frankians. Since I knew the Dekarxi would have my head for not bringing glory and treasure back to Umbria but instead costing them it. I was prepared to accept my fate and lose my head. But a good knight named Sir Varolin von Barquis which had a good enough understanding of Umbrian politics to realize what my fate would be if I returned and believing that I did the honorable thing by surrendering. Implored the king of the Frankians to allow me to go to voluntary exile rather than return to Umbria and face certain death. I was accompanied by five other men my old contubernium mates. Those five were the Decanoi of their own troops but decided to follow me since as my associates their careers were pretty much over. So we headed north in the hope that we will manage to amass enough wealth in this Barbarian land to return to Umbria as Equites. But after we reached the Temple of Diater the northernmost oracle. We were given a divine mission to come to the northernmost point and serve for ten years before returning to Umbria. After heading straight north we reached the Dukedom of Novick where we were ordered to take the ship and head to here. As such we will be in your command for ten years and then we will return to Umbria as Servi Dei.”
Galahad nodded and said.
”I assume you would want to establish a temple to your god? .”
Cemantarius shook his head and said.
”No there is no need Diater and the local god Emas are the same god under different names. As long as you have a shrine to him and we are allowed to worship in the temple as we wish at certain times of day we would be most content.”
Galahad nodded and said.
”Currently there is no such shrine, But I do plan to go on a pilgrim to get the authority to build one.”
Cemantarius's eyes shined and he bowed deeply before saying.
”I now understand why Diater sent me here. Please allow me to come with you on the holy pilgrimage. Diater must have wanted me to come to spread his worship and cement it.”
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Galahad nodded and said.
”We will do so then. For now please make yourself acquainted with both Boris and Martin at the barracks. Nickolas, please give the man a permit allowing him and his men access.”
Karlos quickly wrote down a permit. Galahad took it and carefully read it before sealing it.
Then Cemantarius said.
”Thank you very much my Prepositus. As a token of my appreciation, I have decided to gift to you these two books as a means to show my gratitude for hearing me out.”
Galahad took those two books and looked at the titles. While the script seemed similar to the ritualistic Occitan script. There were some unknown letters. Galahad then smiled towards Cemantarius and said.
”I am in your debt for such great gifts.”
Cemantarius bowed and left the room.
”I am happy your pleased Prepositus.”
After Cemantarius left the room. Karlos said
”Sire, Why did you allow this man to come here and straight away stay with the troops? He could be a spy or something worse.”
Galahad looked at Karlos and said.
”Boris can't really act against me. While Martin is rather trustworthy. Additionally, he claimed that his father was a great architect and I hope that he has inherited some of his abilities. The fact he gifted me books is also a good sign. Showing that he values knowledge or at least that his backer thinks I value knowledge. If there is such a backer it is most likely the Duke. But Cemantarius like every other man has his own ambitions and I think I saw a hint of fervor in his eyes when I mentioned the pilgrimage. Finally, all the men traveling with him are at least seasoned soldiers and at best would make decent sub-commanders.”
Karlos nodded and said.
”That is indeed true Sire, But if he is just a fanatic. Isn't the number of extremists we are getting rather worrisome though? Boris and his men are rather extreme and now with Cemantarius, most of the army will be made up of fanatics. The general public is also much more religiously minded after your last public event.”
Galahad nodded and said.
”While this is true the fact that there is more than one faiths should help me keep the balance. But yes, I am also somewhat worried. On the other hand could you please tell me what the books are about, I can't read that language.”
Karlos took the books and looked at the titles for a whole minute before saying.
”Those books are indeed something special. The language is somewhat similar to Frankian. But it does have some stark differences. Most likely it is Umbrian but it must be an older version. As I do have some minor understanding of the modern Umbrian language. My suggestion would be to seek out your brother to help you decipher the contents of those books. But if the books contain illustrations they could give us a hint of their contents.”
After opening the first book he was greeted by an illustration of a simple man wearing rather odd clothes.
This illustration also shows a bountiful harvest surrounding the man and some small bees flying around him.
In the next illustration, it shows a box-like thing with the height, width, and length of an arm.
The next illustration show's a frame with a honeycomb structure being placed in the box, the frame has almost the same height and length as the box but is only one-tenth as wide.
In the next illustration, it shows the man placing those boxes filled with frames on top of each other, additionally, there seems to be an exaggerated metal latch to secure those boxes together.
In the next illustration, it shows the man placing a small metal mesh on top of the second box for no obvious reason.
In the next illustration, it shows that the tower had grown to five boxes in height.
The next illustration shows the tower surrounded by four logs with a simple gable roof (Triangle roof) on top of them.
In the final illustration, we see the man holding a pot. From inside the pot, a golden viscous looking liquid is dropping on to the earth.
Galahad furrowed his eyebrows and said.
”This seems to be a technical manual for beekeeping. But those apiaries are rather odd. Do you have any idea, on why they would create such an odd apiary?”