if they obeyed the laws. The conquering nature of the Romans drove them to battles with some of their neighbors. Some were strong and formed nonaggression treaties, eventually improving relations through trade agreements with other countries such as Adjios, also called Ægeos by some dialect regions. Other relatively nearby neutral countries included Illuin and the Highlands Citadel, where some dwarves of the World’s Edge Mountain range had migrated. They were all presently allies of Megalos.
As Leo and Barricus arrived at the gray-white marble steps that led up to the large colonnaded bath facility, Autolocus, one of the city’s senior tribunes, briefly spoke to Barricus as he passed. He was different. The Thurians brought many peoples and species to Eidelon. Rather than having multiple, prolonged battles with his people and their cities over a century ago, they worked out an arrangement, and their region became part of the Republic. Even though culturally Autolocus’s family had adopted many Megalosian ways, he was not human. He was more of a reptile than a man. He and his people were from a place called Sald, and his people once called themselves Saldron. Megalos eventually adopted some of his people’s ways after they joined the Republic. Through the meddling of the Thurians, his people arrived several decades before Leo was born.
Inside the baths, several musicians locally called conicen played their musical instruments, including various string instruments and horns and an occasional mild drum. A harpist seemed to have the prominent part for the music playing at the moment. The harp’s melody traveled along the halls.
This particular bath house had a female section for those who wanted more privacy, but the sections were not strictly enforced, and robes could be worn. Bothersome people and voyeurs were prohibited, and anyone who broke the general rules was thrown out.
Leo had not been to this bath before. The various translocated peoples came to adapt to the Roman ways of Megalos and even influenced them. Many had rules of cleanliness and thought that washing was good for one’s health, especially the washing of the hands. Barricus and Leo washed their hands and faces with soap at a water basin and then prepared to change into bathing robes they could wear to the baths. Barricus wanted to go to the tepidarium that held the warm water, as he did not like the hotter water. Leo preferred the caldarium, where the water was heated in the adjacent chamber.
Tolans’s was an old establishment and there were many fresco’s at intervals on the walls. On the way from the changing room to the main baths Leo noticed a fresco of an old map of the Celinadion Hegemony. Looking at the map caused him to recall some history as he passed by the fresco displayed on one of the chambers walls, containing names and borders of the previous notable civilization. With the fall of the Celinadion Hegemony from a major incursion of Chaos Warriors, and the resulting loss of a strong military presence in the northern regions, barbarian hordes from Norsica and the Northern Reaches struck at the weakened lands. One of the remaining strongest Rumallian houses was the house of Megalos. Megalos was once part of the old Celinadion Hegemony; Megalos was a part of the more central lands. The leaders of Megalos, who became the first consuls, organized and gathered allies to repel the northern barbarians. As there was a power vacuum, several allies came together. To maintain a defense from the barbarians, further Chaos warriors, and another enemy from the Far East, the allies formed an allied government in the form of a republic named Megalos.
They entered the huge, rectangular bathing chamber, which was not too crowded at this time of day. The two-hundred-foot wide basin of stone and marble formed the tepidarium’s bathing pool. Although several other patrons were soaking or in the process of getting out, the area seemed soothing. Barricus entered the tepidarium, and Leo dipped his foot in and shrugged. It was warm, but on the cooler side. He frowned slightly and moved into the water that was soon up to his chest and then swam toward a sitting shelf not far from Barricus.
Barricus visibly relaxed as he the water soothed him. Moments later, he looked behind at an approaching woman. Leo glanced at her and then looked again; the woman was beautiful. She was platinum blonde with blue eyes and carried an air of power. She was dressed in a bathing robe.
As she approached, she said, “Senator, how good to see you. I was just finishing soaking and enjoying the steam of the caldarium and thought to cool down.”
Barricus said, “Lady Darshalla, join us. This is Master Wizard Leozanthicus. He will be leading the investigation. I hope you will be able to work together.”
Before entering the water, she showed perhaps a little more leg—and other parts of her physique—than necessary. Leo thought, This one likes to flaunt her looks somewhat, or perhaps she is proud of her physique, more akin to a goddess such as Venus, or perhaps Diana. Of course I can still enjoy her company without becoming unfocused.
Darshalla said, “I don’t see any problems with us working together.” She moved like a tiger in the water. She was of roughly equal height to Leo and her piercing blue eyes searched his as she glided closer, for a moment she looked as though she were ready to pounce but she relaxed quickly.
Leo clasped her forearm in the traditional mystic knight greeting that his friend Erios had taught him. He knew the ancient greeting was still used, even among the dawn knights.
Darshalla smiled slightly and then gave him a more fully expressive smile as she returned his greeting. She glided to the bath pool’s wall toward the other side of Barricus, sat on the marble shelf, and said, “I have heard of you, Leozanthicus. You have a good reputation.”
“Thank you, Lady Darshalla,” Leo replied.
Quietly, Barricus said, “I want things related to this investigation to remain discreet for as long as possible. There are political intrigues that will start once the deaths that occurred in Tosca are more widely known.”
Darshalla said, “I understand, Senator; however, the responsible parties will need to be brought to trial. Also, the involvement of some northern barbarian clans raiding in part of Tosca province will not stop Megalos Central Command. I expect at least a portion of one legion will be sent to Tosca as reinforcements.”
Barricus spoke softly so that only she and Leo could hear. “Yes, eventually reinforcements will be needed; however, any investigation will reflect on me. Without information that I can present, I can personally look to be at fault, and the consuls will likely fine my family at the very least.”
Leo frowned. Now I understand more clearly why he wants to keep things quiet for a while. Out loud, he said quietly, “Barricus, you need not worry. I’m sure I can find some information to put you in a better position to defend your family’s honor over the loss of Megalosian forces and equipment to barbarians and bring some light to the recent personal family loss as well.”
“An appropriate time to determine the causes and plan a just response is acceptable to me,” Darshalla added.
Barricus nodded as a few more bathers moved past them. The three soaked for a few minutes in silence and relaxed.
Leo said, “I’m staying at the Terra Inn on the central plaza. I need to go soon, so I will leave now and meet with you tomorrow, Lady Darshalla. Don’t worry, Barricus. This problem will eventually be resolved.” He patted Barricus on the shoulder and then exited the tepidarium. He enjoyed the music of the dozen or so conicen as he moved toward the changing room. He decided to enjoy the moment and soaked for a few minutes in the hotter spring water before he left Tolen’s Baths.
Chapter 3
Return to the Terra Inn
Leo thought about the city of Megalos as sounds came in from his window and the inn below. The air buzzed with shouts and laughter, bells and music, swords clanging, and hammer blows. The capital was vital and artistic, violent and corrupt, noble and wonderful. It was full of hope and desire and happiness and despair. It was an intense place with wonderful and horrible things blending together to make something notably unique.
Currently, Megalos had few neighboring hostile countries. It was located in a generally central area of the great continent of Eidelon, the largest continent