Tului’s anger had faded by now, and the delegation reluctantly nodded in agreement.
On the way back to Tului, Kuno Gorata rode far ahead on horseback, his lone figure cutting a stark silhouette. The sight sent chills down Neonseis’s spine. Several times, Neonseis wanted to call out to Kuno Gorata, but fear held him back.
Neonseis’s position as a general of Tului had been secured through Kuno Gorata’s strong support. It was Kuno Gorata who had vouched for Neonseis to oversee the treasury and trade, citing his financial and accounting skills. Yet today, Neonseis had unilaterally overturned a decision that Kuno Gorata had carefully deliberated, without consulting him.
What should I do? Neonseis anxiously asked himself. He was fond of his position and did not want to lose it. Based on what he knew of Kuno Gorata—a man who never tolerated dissent—Neonseis was certain that Kuno Gorata now loathed him.
Kuno Gorata indeed despised Neonseis.
In the past, Kuno Gorata’s calculating nature might have led him to make the same decision as Neonseis—like the time he opposed General Phrynis in the city hall. However, the defeat in battle had awakened a deep-seated fear within him.
Countless times, Kuno Gorata had woken from nightmares of grotesque Lucanian faces, haunted by the trauma of their loss. After the battle, he realized his vulnerability. War was an entirely different world from politics, and his political cunning was useless on the bloody battlefield.
Worse still, he had seen the hollow strength of Tului laid bare. No matter how dire the finances, he was determined to maintain the mercenary agreement. Strengthening ties with the military genius Juleios over the next six months would stabilize the alliance between Tului and Amendolara.
But Neonseis, this traitor, had ruined everything!
At the end of the meeting, this fool—once a lowly merchant’s employee—had the audacity to tell Ansitanos, "Since we’re allies now, why waste money on mercenaries?" Did he not understand? Could an alliance and a mercenary agreement hold the same sway over Amendolara? Didn’t he see how eagerly the shrewd young consul of Amendolara had nullified the agreement? This politically clueless fool had to be removed from city hall immediately!
Juleios had refused Ansitanos’s request for an interview. Still eager to learn more about the Amendolaran citizens who had joined the Persian expedition, Ansitanos resolved to find an excuse to visit Amendolara after the agreement was finalized. He was determined to uncover their stories.
Back in Amendolara, Juleios summoned Asistes to his residence.
"Now that the alliance agreement with Tului is about to be signed, we must begin preparations for the plan against the Lucanians," Juleios began. "First, we need to understand the current situation in the Lucanian region. Only then can we develop a proper strategy and make targeted preparations. Since the Dukaya people rarely interact with Tului or Amendolara—and even less so now—we’ll need to send someone to scout. But sending someone risks their escape and exposing our plans... Sigh! This is difficult."
Asistes thought deeply for a moment before smiling suddenly. "Consul, you’re forgetting someone. I think he’s perfect for this task."
"Oh? Who?" Juleios asked, intrigued but skeptical.
"The son of the Dukaya chieftain?" Juleios asked, his memory stirring.
During their time in Byzantium, Izam had been part of Timason’s camp. By then, the Dukaya people had lost their value, and Izam was treated as just another soldier. As the army grew restless to return home, Izam had faded into the background. Juleios vaguely recalled that Izam had later joined his own mercenaries, specifically in Hieronymus’s unit.
Now that he thought about it, Izam’s curiosity, cleverness, and talent for languages had left an impression. Moreover, Izam had grown up in the mountains, making him well-suited for such a mission.
"Does he resemble the Lucanians?" Juleios asked.
"Quite a bit!" Asistes affirmed. "His stature and build are similar, and any differences in hair color can be disguised with makeup. Most importantly, he married a Lucanian woman, so he’s learned their language and customs from her."
"Oh, like you!" Juleios joked, feeling relieved that they had found a suitable candidate. "I didn’t expect you to marry a Lucanian girl—and Bagul’s sister, no less!"
Asistes blushed, staying silent.
"How does she look? Not like her brother, I hope?" Juleios teased with a laugh.
"She’s... she’s fine..." Asistes stammered, embarrassed.
"’Fine’ usually means beautiful," Juleios said knowingly. "Vespa, the tribe’s chieftain, would have chosen the most beautiful woman as his wife, so their daughter wouldn’t be any less attractive. As for Bagul... well, he’s the odd one out."
Juleios added, "Your brother-in-law is quite impressive. Despite his looks, he’s the reason Amendolara’s most beautiful woman is willing to wait five years for him!"
Asistes smiled without replying.
Juleios’s tone grew serious. "Asistes, here’s some advice: learn from your wife. Understand the Lucanians—their ways, their strengths, their minds. We will need that knowledge."
"Lord Juleios," Asistes asked hesitantly, "can we really take over the Lucanian region? My wife told me there are five or six major towns, over a hundred tribes, and tens of thousands of people..."
"If you dare to dream, prepare meticulously, and plan carefully, anything is possible!" Juleios replied confidently.
Asistes fell silent, lost in thought.
"Go and summon Izam," Juleios finally said.
"Wait!" Juleios called out just as Asistes was leaving. "I have another task for you. I need timely updates on the developments in neighboring city-states—Tarentum, Tului, Heraclea, Crotone, and others. This includes new laws, changes in trade, political shifts, and military affairs. Organize a team to collect intelligence, summarize it, and report back to me regularly. This information will help us craft laws and measures that suit our neighbors’ circumstances. You’ll oversee this initiative. If you need funds or manpower, I’ll provide them."
"Yes, Lord Juleios!" Asistes replied eagerly.
Juleios added, "Gathering intelligence is meticulous work. Start with Tului first, then expand. Remember, patience and attention to detail are key."
Asistes nodded, his excitement growing. This was his first independent task, far more significant than his previous duties.
Meanwhile, Izam and his Lucanian wife were working in the fields.
As a Dukaya highlander, Izam did not follow the Greek tradition of barring women from public labor. When his wife expressed a desire to work alongside him, he readily agreed. In Dukaya, women often carried spears to hunt or fight alongside men.
Izam’s land was modest—just five acres of mediocre soil located far from the river. Yet his father, the Dukaya chieftain, had given him a generous sum of money before his journey. With this, Izam had purchased three slaves in Tarentum: two Egyptians to farm the land and one Greek to tend livestock.
His wife pulled weeds in the wheat fields while one Egyptian slave fetched water from the Sinni River. The Greek slave grazed their livestock on the hills nearby. Despite the challenges, Izam felt a sense of pride and fulfillment.
When Asistes arrived with Juleios’s summons, Izam listened carefully. His sharp mind grasped the weight of the task.
"I’ll do it," Izam said, his voice steady. "If this task will help the city and prove my worth, I’ll do it."