The long – haired counselor surely looked very different in his current clothes, not that the respect and intimidation he unintentionally imposed on others were gone, but he suited the part of some middle class commoner who was spiraling into bankruptcy and stepping into beggary into the river Styx. Laurentius eyed the ashen perplexed soldier who dared to dart his eyes at the governor as if asking what was the right course of action to choose.
"I am alive for the city's sake."
Laurentius concluded the messenger's trouble, whose face fell into a temporary relief before he remembered the news he was bearing. Germanous could not keep the leach on his curiosity, many questions stormed his mind erupting from this single minute exchange, and he wisely decided to start by asking about the letter sent to him. The soldier visibly gulped, his throat popping up and down before he bowed and declared.
"I was just about to deliver the news of counselor Laurentius's death by the Justice's Pallbearers thugs."
The blond governor wished to laugh, he desired to curl on the ground and bound the floor in a fit of hysterical bliss. What a perfect joke that was! Still, he maintained his balance, failing this time to find amusement in the scheme being woven as he remembered the scar on his uncle's neck.
Still seeking a jest to brighten the matter, he repeated his previous question to the presumed – dead man.
"I thought you said you were not invincible."
"I am not."
Laurentius insisted on the same answer to his nephew's dismay this time who wanted to wade further through this scheme masquerading as a joke.
"You have just unproven your reply. Give me a real proof!"
The blond arrogantly ordered and though more advanced in age and older in the family tree, Laurentius was not insulted. His reply maintained the same equal tone.
"Death is my proof."
The soldier stood in his place, realizing he should leave but unable to whilst not given the command. The governor after hearing that simple undisputed answer forgot all about the thugs, the soldier, the yet to be revealed plan, and his uncle.
Death befell everyone, bodies and souls, tokens and memories. No one escaped it, and no legacy outlasted its infiniteness.
Visibly distraught, the young governor changed the subject back to the plan Laurentius was seemingly devising in secrecy, deciding to discuss his reasons for keeping to himself later.
"Then what is about this letter? Did you forge it?"
"An idiot thought he scripted the truth."
The counselor denied the pathetic accusation, then turned at the soldier who was waiting his orders.
"Dispose of the letter, neither confirm nor deny the information."
The soldier bowed to the counselor and was about to leave before he remembered the governor. He looked at the red stained irises who nodded in approval then exited with a similar bow.
Left again in the loneliness of the sleeping chambers, Germanous poured himself a drink, ready to face his uncle.
"What are you playing at?"
"I do not play. More work needed to be done and I took it upon myself."
"Why?"
"Because these troubled people are my citizens."
"Where did I slack?"
Germanous asked furiously, throwing the cup in Laurentius direction who only needed to lean his neck a little to the left to avoid the impact.
"You did not, but you focused on the wrong subject."
The governor did not need additional explanation. He knew his uncle was referring to his constant clashing with Caecilius, each trying to outdone the other and prove he was the superior. These words were not wrong, but the blond lad refused to be taught that lesson. Instead, he decided to use it to his advantage for the same reason he was just chided for.
"So, what do you see fit, uncle?"
The nephew softened his tone, and picked the cup. He contemplated whether he should wipe the wine off the carpet then decided against it. There were only so little small acts he could force himself into performing.
"After I have visited the canal, I left my cape there, bearing my crest. The thugs must have seen it and thought I had discovered their secrets so they sent someone to assassinate me."
"And where is the man now?"
Germanous asked, prepared to flay the truth out of that man but his hopes evaporated quicker than the summer's rain.
"He is dead, of course."
"Is it because he marred your beautiful skin?!"
"Because if he survived he will alarm his friends to change their hiding place."
That was the answer the counselor supplied but Germanous knew very well it had a completion.
"It is because they know the man sent to kill me would not survive even if he succeeded."
The governor stepped back, as if a stray wave had struck his swaying ship. Such confidence that had just been disproved.
Truly, a thin line separated power from invincibility.
"Tomorrow they will boast their kill, but we will not give them time. We have to attack before that, seizing the chance against their believed trivial victory."
"You call your murder a trivial victory?"
"I am but a man."
"Indeed."
Germanous replied stoically. The pride this man had shown, balancing it with the proofs and truths he demonstrated were enough to steal sleep for countless nights from the governor's eyes. one last question lingered in his mind, although half expecting and fully gating the anticipated answer.
"Why do you not want them to declare your death?"
"I do not wish to cause more panic."
The counselor answered reasonably, so much it ignited jealousy in the nephew's heart.
"Were me the one assassinated, would it have stirred panic as well as the news of your demise?"
"Of course. You are the governor and breaching your palace is a cause for concern and panic for anyone in this city and outside of it."
The counselor answered once again without hesitation, a reply befitting a wise man of politics but falling short of that of a caring uncle. This was not new to Germanous but he could only dwell on it though silently amidst the torn hems of his heart.
"What of that soldier, he knows the truth?"
The blond asked, ready to give the order for the kill but Laurentius shook his head.
"He is a trusted soldier, he is one of the few I have trained."
"You truly trust your men, this is a fatal mistake for a man in your position."
"Yet here I am still standing, so maybe it is not."
Germanous took his second lesson silently again, without an ounce of conviction.
Knowing this, the counselor added to appease the youngster's fears and doubts, as his position hanged by the chances of tomorrow's Parcae.
"I will bear his responsibility. I only shed the blood of the unjust."
The counselor concluded the discussion faster than what the blond had hoped but he did not desire to shake the foundation of this secretly formed weird alliance between a counselor and his governor, between an uncle and his nephew.
***
The plan for the attack was explained and agreed upon an hour ago, so Germanous did not delve into new details. Secrecy from untrusted recruits, the element of surprise, the few numbers and hidden backups. Everything was ready and prepared for carefully and although it was by the counselor's design, it will carry the governor's name and that was the victory the latter was thirsting for.
Laurentius will be a mere soldier, a commander doing his duty.
Caecilius will be a surprised spectator, humiliated and dumbfounded by the victory to spoil his treacherous nature.
The Celtic was promised a place in the fight to clear his name along the governor's since he supported him, and to shed more radiance upon the one true victor; the governor who saved the city.