Lord Mastarna raised his goblet to him. “I hear you’re satisfied that Tarchon is eligible to be Sethre’s mentor, Karcuna.”
The tall general paused, inspecting the prince. The younger man met his eyes. Semni was impressed. In the past, the pleasure seeker would have fidgeted at such scrutiny.
“Considering Prince Tarchon has shown wisdom and resolve as regent, I’m prepared to consider a trial period,” Lord Karcuna said. “But if he lapses into old ways . . .”
Lady Caecilia spoke before her stepson. “Those days are behind Tarchon. As is the enmity between our Houses. Campaigning with my husband has mended the rift, has it not?”
The princip bowed his head. “Indeed.”
“Karcuna and I relished routing those Romans,” said Mastarna. “It was good to see the Tulumnes and Mastarna clans fighting together instead of circling each other like hounds.”
“Then Tarchon’s mentorship of Sethre will cement our alliance,” said the queen.
Lord Karcuna’s cheek twitched. Semni found the tic disconcerting. “I’ll be frank,” he said. “Sethre is close to full manhood. The relationship might not last beyond a year. I doubt it’s worth the trouble. I hope Tarchon won’t hesitate to release my cousin from his bed when the time comes.”
Semni blinked, surprised at the aristocrat’s bluntness.
“I have given my word,” said the prince. “I’ll not seek to taint him. I’ll honor any terms you set.”
Lord Mastarna stood and extended his arm to the general. “I believe my son is sincere, Karcuna. I vouchsafe his conduct. We can agree to conditions later but let’s seal the agreement now by hand.” Lord Karcuna hesitated, then gripped the lucumo’s arm. Then he turned and offered his own to Lord Tarchon.
As they resumed their seats, General Lusinies entered the courtyard. His battered countenance challenged Arruns’s for menace. After the initial surprise at taking council in starlight, he smiled as he bowed his head to the queen. Sharing months of hardship had led to more than mutual respect.
Semni noticed Lady Caecilia was not cowed by the presence of the warriors. Elegant in her flowing purple mantle, she surveyed each man in turn, asserting her authority. Semni was amazed this woman was at ease talking of battles and treaties as much as dealing with nursery and hearth.
“The time has come to make peace with Rome,” said the king.
“Let them come to us,” said Lord Karcuna. “I don’t see why we should be the first to treat.”
The lucumo shook his head. “We’re in a position of power. Why not take advantage of their chaos?”
General Lusinies grimaced. “But our spies say Camillus is raising a force to march north again. They say he’s also planning to visit the war fronts in the south himself.”
Lord Karcuna leaned forward. “We should not underestimate him. The rumor that all Etruria has joined us is now dispelled.”
“We shall see,” said Lord Mastarna. “Camillus only has six months as dictator. Why would he succeed in half a year when others have failed to do so for ten? However, I do think it’s prudent that we send one of our armies north again.”
“What treaty terms will we seek?” said General Lusinies.
“The same as those of the twenty years’ peace before this war began,” said the king. “Veii will gain access to the southern trade routes via Fidenae. Rome will be provided with our grain.”
Lord Karcuna glanced at Lady Caecilia, then back to the king. “The old truce was predicated on us feeding Rome. But our crops are yet to be reaped. And there is no guarantee Camillus will not try to conquer the fields sown under his direction.”
Lord Mastarna rubbed the scar from nose to mouth. “Camillus has made no move to return to Veii. And the longer he waits, the more daunting it will be to start again when he finds his siege lines stripped of stone and timber. Harvest time is only a few short months away. We should offer Rome what it had before.”
Prince Tarchon stood. “Then let me act as Veii’s ambassador.”
His eagerness was met with awkward silence.
General Lusinies scratched his shiny bald head. “I speak plainly here. Prince Tarchon is hardly a decorated hero. Should we not send a warrior to deal with Camillus?”
“Tarchon has proven himself as a wise regent. And sending the king’s son would show good faith,” said Lady Caecilia, quick to defend him. “And the prince speaks fluent Latin. There’s less chance of deception if an envoy doesn’t need an interpreter.”
“I agree,” said Lord Mastarna. “We need diplomacy, not bluster. My son has never lacked intelligence, only good sense. In fact I think we should reinforce the message that it’s time to put aside old hatreds.” He turned to Lord Karcuna. “Sethre should be sent as well.”
General Lusinies interrupted before the other princip could respond. “Do you want to antagonize Rome, my lord? Karcuna’s father sparked the last Fidenate war.”
“On the contrary,” said the king. “It will show Camillus we’re not afraid to send a relative of King Tulumnes to broker peace.”
Prince Tarchon stared at his father, horrified. “I don’t want to risk Sethre’s life.”
“By the gods, my lord,” said General Lusinies to the lucumo. “Are you prepared to risk your son being taken hostage? Or killed?”
“Do you question my judgment?”
The general raised his hands. “I meant no offense.”
Agitated, Prince Tarchon dragged his fingers through his hair. “Father, I’m willing to take the challenge, but Sethre . . .”
“Will you falter at the first hurdle when proving yourself as a mentor? Sethre Kurvenas is now your pupil. Let the youth learn about diplomacy from you as he has learned warfare from me. Besides, it may well be a guarantee of safety to send you both. It would be a brave act to execute two messengers with royal blood running in their veins. You must leave for Roman territory tomorrow.”
The prince squared his shoulders. “Then I’ll show Sethre what it means to step into a wolves’ den and survive.”
“Good.” The lucumo turned to Lord Karcuna. “What say you? Are you prepared to send your ward to treat with Rome?”
The tic in the general’s cheek flickered, but his voice was firm. “We’ll show the Romans that Clan Tulumnes now breeds men of principle.”
The monarch rose. The others stood to attention, but Lady Caecilia was slower to rise. “We must ensure our ambassadors are protected by our ablest soldiers.”
“Of course they will be accompanied by guards,” said her husband. “And I’ll send Arruns as their personal protector. It would take more than one assassin to get past him should they attempt to kill Tarchon and Sethre in their sleep.”