Call to Juno (Tales of Ancient Rome #3)(8)
The last princip to approach was Karcuna Tulumnes.
Caecilia tensed. There was no love between the Houses of Mastarna and Tulumnes. Both kings from Karcuna’s bloodline had served Veii badly. His older brother had murdered Mastarna’s greatest friend and had terrorized her. And his cousin Kurvenas had shut the gates against her husband and destroyed his army.
As with all of his family, Karcuna was imposing in his height and haughtiness. His cheek would twitch every now and then in a disconcerting tic. She remembered how his brother had towered over her when he was lucumo, intimidating her both physically and mentally, threatening to mutilate and kill and rape her. She wondered why Vel had appointed Karcuna as one of his advisers given such a villainous lineage. And yet the new leader of the Tulumnes clan had not objected to Mastarna’s election. Today more was being asked of him—to bend his knee and pay respect to a man who’d opposed his kin for decades.
To her surprise, Vel rose and descended the dais to stand before the princip. “There has long been enmity between our families, Karcuna. Your clan believes in monarchy while mine opposes it. And yet I stand before you as a lucumo because our people demand it. I’m reluctant, but I can’t ignore their wishes. For the sake of internal concord, I hope you’ll serve me without rancor.”
Karcuna squared his shoulders. “I’m not like my brother. Nor my cousin Kurvenas, who I acknowledge betrayed Veii. So I’ll not conspire against you, but I won’t deny many of my clan have reservations the leader of the House of Mastarna now rules over them.”
Mastarna frowned. “Then I ask that you convince them such hostility must end for the sake of Veii. I’m a general with no troops of my own. Now I ask all our warriors to fight for Veii’s king. Just as Roman soldiers fight for their state, not their clans.”
The princip hesitated. His powers of persuasion would be tested when called upon to convince his tribe to fight under the royal banner. Then, to Caecilia’s relief, he knelt before Mastarna and bent his head. “I pledge allegiance to you and to Veii.”
Vel’s expression was guarded as he reached down and proffered his forearm to Karcuna. “I won’t forget this. Veii will only grow stronger now we’re allies.”
The councillor rose and gripped his forearm.
General Lusinies moved across to the monarch. Caecilia noticed how his hand was raised as though to clap Mastarna on the shoulder, but he dropped it to his side when Vel turned his attention to him. The laurel wreath crown gracing the king’s head emphasized the men’s newly altered status.
“I hope you now see that agreeing to be lucumo is the best thing for this city, my lord. See how the people welcomed your coronation.”
“There’s good humor among them today as I’m filling their bellies, but it may not last.” Mastarna sat down and accepted a damp cloth from a servant boy to wipe his face clean of the paint. “If I don’t manage to bring this city through the siege, their support may wane when hunger stirs discontentment.”
“You underestimate yourself, my lord,” said Feluske. “And I think Queen Caecilia’s call to arms gives hope we might yet attack Rome instead of merely defending our walls.”
Caecilia flinched, aware Vel would not welcome being reminded of her declaration. There was an edge of irritation in his voice. “My wife’s goal is premature.”
At his words, Feluske and Lusinies exchanged glances. Karcuna’s eyes narrowed. She could feel his scrutiny before he addressed Mastarna. “My family has always believed Rome should be conquered. Rasennan kings should rule there again.”
Vel bristled. “And how do you suggest we do that? Camillus has strengthened the siege lines with stone. And there are few chances for us to engage in skirmishes. The Romans remain secure behind forts and trenches. It’s a stalemate.”
“So we continue to sit here and do nothing?” pressed Karcuna. “Our warriors grow restless.”
Caecilia frowned. The general may have sworn fealty, but he was not above challenging his ruler.
“Camillus will soon relinquish command,” said Mastarna. “In the changeover period with his successor, the cordon will slacken, and food will be able to be bartered through the stockades.”
Lusinies nodded his head. “And we shouldn’t forget Rome has many enemies. Multiple war fronts may well prove too much with their resources stretched thin.”
Karcuna crossed his arms. “But that situation has been the same now for years. It doesn’t stop the Romans besieging us. They covet Veii’s land most. And instead of his usual tactic of razing crops, Camillus is now coercing Veientane farmers to till their land. Daughters and wives are raped if the men resist. The grain grown will feed Rome, not us.” The princip turned to Feluske and Lusinies as though expecting them to also challenge the lucumo. “Meanwhile we sit here starving.”
The older men avoided his gaze. Caecilia was pleased they still sided with their king. Yet she sensed Vel’s anger growing at his strategy being questioned. “We must survive until December. It’s time all the principes share their reserves of food just as I do. Let them distribute it to the needier among us.”
The three councillors stared at him, saying nothing.
Karcuna turned his attention back to Caecilia. “And what does our queen say? Your wife wants us to march on Rome, my lord. She shows more iron than most.”