Palatii Caesaris

Two centurions approached their Legate carrying miniguns, and helped him dismount while our escort rode off. Mark and I dismounted, and we entered the "Palatii." Inside, we were in a large room with portraits of Caesar and Joshua in between large Legion banners covering the walls. There were display cases with various tribal looking artifacts and even one with a "King James Bible" next to a "Book of Mormon" under the main portrait of Joshua Graham. At the end of the room were a set of wooden double doors with two more centurions standing motionless on both sides.

As we approached the doors, Joshua pulled us aside and said, "When you are before Caesar, drop to your left knee and make a fist with your right hand over your heart… Anyone in Caesar's lands is either one of his faithful servants or an enemy. Our Lord Caesar takes formalities very seriously."

With that, the guards opened the doors, and we walked down a long red carpet towards a throne with "Caesar" at the end. I scanned the room quickly to see even more banners along the wall, and men in similar crimson outfits and black fur shawls, leather strap armor, and golden bull figures on the chest like Joshua's. Scanning the place, it looked like we were in an old prewar courtroom.

As we got closer, I managed to study this "Caesar" to notice he wore a similar outfit to the clones behind him, but stood out by the dark grey wolfs pelt draped over his shoulders, and a gold leaved crown thing atop his head. It looked like the guy was in his late thirties or early forties. I assumed the infamous "Caesar" would be an old man, or some mohawked and tattooed creep like many "Raider Kings", not a clean and collected man born only a decade or so before me. Despite the middle-aged guy's appearance at first glance, I could see stress and anger in those eyes. His dark grey hair had a few noted streaks of white, and just barely started showing the signs of alopecia by its thinning state. We got closer and the warlord remained seated while staring intently at our every move. At the end of the red carpet and just before the steps to his throne, Mark and I simultaneously dropped to our knees in salute at Joshua's que.

Joshua stood with his fist over his heart and said to Caesar, "My Lord, I have brought you the man I sent word of as well as our ally from Scottsdale."

Caesar laughed, "Come now, Joshua! I hadn't seen you in a month. Enough with the formalities and introduce me to these ambitious dissolutes."

Joshua signaled for us to stand up, and we did while the dozen sentries watched us behind masked faces. Joshua said, "To my right is the Drifter who was working with Mr. Swilling's Arizona Resistance, and next to him is Markus Dinero, Chief Ambassador for the city of Scottsdale."

Looking at me with a penetrating gaze, Caesar asked in a strangely curious way, "So, you are with that group of miscreants that assaulted my garrison in Sedona?"

I said aloud, but hoping not to anger this man, "Yes, my Lord."

He asked, "So my Legate tells me that you are a potential asset in dealing with those 'resistance fighters.' Is this true?"

Every fiber of my being didn't want to answer that question in any way. I wasn't sure where the words I spoke came from, but somehow I uttered the words, "My Lord, I am here in your court to offer whatever assistance I can to your Legion."

I almost instantly motioned to throw a hand over my mouth in disbelief for what I just said or agreed to. I didn't only out of instinct for what kind of message that would send.

The graying Caesar stared at Mark but spoke to me, "Why should I trust a man willing to betray his friends?"

I responded instantly, and again unconsciously, while briefly recalling Joshua's ultimatum, "Because I want to win."

The dictator looked back at me with intrigue in his face and said calmly, "Explain yourself… And do answer honestly."

Trying not to say something that would end with me getting nailed to a cross, I said, "I have personally seen your men at Sedona both during and after my part in the event. I have seen the resolve of your Legion and know that no Phoenix Resistance can stand in the way of your superiority."

He stared at me menacingly for the moment afterward while I tried to consider where my brain and mouth came up with the words I spoke. The autocrat broke the silence by letting out a great laugh in a way that showed he wasn't used to that, "Hahaha! I like that answer, Drifter..."

He followed immediately with an order that caught me off guard, "Tell you what? Over the next few days, I will grant you permission to show your loyalty to me. Provided the Resistance still trusts you after your task, you may be able to give me a piece of their plans. However, your immediate concern and primary new purpose in life is to prove yourself. So, I will tell you your task in a moment..."

I was wondering what the task was, but the warlord was done talking to me for the moment. Looking at Mr. Dinero, Caesar said, "As for you, Mr. Dinero. I understand that you have been keeping in touch with my Legate here. Is that true?"

I was again lost in my thoughts before hearing any more. My answers to simply avoid getting crucified just put me on a new and irreversible course. I was almost used to cancelling my escape plans at this point in my life, and just stared into space while waiting to blindly answer another question. I shook myself out of it and observed the talk between my Scottsdale "Buddy" and the dictator I just swore to aid.

So, Mark looked back at Caesar and responded by saying, "You betcha, Caesar. I am 100% FOR the Legion."

Caesar looked skeptical, "Why should I trust the Chief Ambassador of a city that holds pseudo elegance and real greed over virtue, honor, and loyalty?"

Mark seemed to have his answer all prepared, but started by stupidly saying, "You see, Mr. Caesar…"

Angrily, Caesar shot in, "Just 'Caesar' will suffice."

Mark continued, "…Yeah. Sorry about that, Chief-Er Lord Caesar. I understand that your Legion is coming. I do, I really do. And I hate that city of squatters and filth called Phoenix. So, as Scottsdale's chief ambassador, I have the ear of Master Walker and Mayor Sillen. Hell, I can steer them into just giving you the city if I play my cards right! Ha!… But to answer your other question; I, like my friend here, realize that my city is doomed in the face of your Legion. You see, I want to have a leg up and be in your good graces when your boys inevitably level the place..."

I felt that what Mark Dinero said was one of the stupidest reasons or ways to excuse oneself in the face of a dictator. He basically said that he only wants to help Caesar in order to save himself. I knew that was his reason from our initial conversation, but I didn't think he'd say it to "Caesar" of "Caesar's Legion!" So, I was pretty sure that some legionaries were going to spring out of nowhere and haul Mark away, but Caesar felt different.

Caesar studied him, remaining silent for a full horribly uncomfortable minute. Caesar finally said in matter-of-fact sort of way, "Your selfish and self-preservative nature may come to good use for me. After seeing your letters to my Legate here, I would admire you having your loyalties to me rather than those wretched wastes of space who occupy Phoenix."

That was it. Mark's position was solid as a rock, but the warlord was sure to add a warning. Rising from his throne and pointing at Mark, Caesar said, "You have just pledged your allegiance to me, Mr. Dinero. If you betray me; my agents in Scottsdale will kill you in your bed along with your assistant and seven girlfriends."

Mark replied with, "No need, Caesar. I'm 100% your guy."

"I hope so" said Caesar in a gruff way.

Looking back at me, Caesar spoke, "As I said before; after working with the Resistance, you will need to prove yourself to me. Although I admire your success and obedience to orders even from those who oppose me, I'd rather your obedience was to my orders and not theirs. I am having my Praetorian Guard enroll you in the School of Leadership here in Flagstaff. You will be trained for six days and given the rank of 'Honorary Decanus.' From there, you will take a contubernium to reinforce Centurion Talamon at the Have-Su village. An incident happened there a couple days ago, and I have ordered the battle to begin in two weeks. The battle there will be your test."

Looking back at Mark, he added, "You are to head back to your city and keep doing your business as usual, but under the supervision of one of my Frumantarii, 'Domini Platos.' He will act as your new servant in the penthouse. He will keep in direct contact with me, and you will take orders from him regarding what I desire. He is my most junior Frumantarius, but his loyalty has proven savage. Don't upset him, and you won't upset me. Got it?"

Mark said, "You got it, Caesar."

One of the Praetorian Guardsmen approached him and handed over a small golden medallion with Caesar's face on it. Caesar said, "You are to go alone, Domini Platos will be in Scottsdale awaiting your arrival."

The Praetorian handed me one of the little medallions as well. As I studied it, Mark asked, "What's this for?"

Caesar answered casually, "I'm trying out the use of these identification sigils for extraordinary individuals I need to deal with who aren't part of my Legion. Don't think for a moment that you two are extraordinary individuals; this medallion is my 'mark' and will guarantee your safe conduct through my lands. I haven't had a reason to give any of the dissolute one of my bestowments yet, so I guess we'll both see how this turns out."

The two of us nodded, and the warlord looked at us. "You two have your tasks. Now, go prove your allegiance to me."

Joshua said, "Yes Caesar, I will ensure they get to where they are needed."

Leaving the Palatii and entering the courtyard, Mark seemed like he was in a much better mood and said to me, "So long! See you back in Scottsdale, Buddy!" and was escorted to his pona where he rode off back to Scottsdale far to the south.

I on the other hand, was dragged aside by a centurion with an art-deco style metal face mask. All the soldiers taking up the plaza were gone, and I marched with the centurion through the streets on my way to this, "Leadership School."