Designs and plans piled on the architects desks, stones and marbles were imported and bought, workers and employees were working beyond their assigned hours. The entire small province was buzzing with activity and business like a beehive. While walking down the busy streets, the people stared at the construction sites and workshops talking about the wonders they will turn into, drunk on the importance and fortune their rusty province will, and them along it, gain. For the first time perhaps since his rule, Germanous was given praise and the zealous young men began adoring the young governor, even the elderly citizens rethought their attitudes toward him.
Never had Germanous been this popular.
The sight of the wooden supports risen and the huge stones transported while builders and workers occupied every flagstone and corner, watched by the curious eyes of the people filled the governor with pride. From his high balcony, his red eyes watched how liveliness was overflowing the quiet city, pouring the passion they agitated with into the once lifeless streets. For once, hails and shouts were heard outside the arena.
That liveliness was his own to claim.
From the wooden supports, buildings will stand tall and haughty. From the huge stones immortal monuments will be carved calling to the souls and minds of the citizens and the visitors. The statues will celebrate the old and the new, turning the hands sculpturing them into an everlasting dot in the line of time, and making the name of the man who commissioned them eternal.
This province will equal Rome.
The governor of that province will equal Rome.
He will excel.
He will surpass.
He will be forever imprinted in the minds of the people.
No one before him directed such sight, no one could take pride in it but him.
Aspiring at the sky, these boasting stars will be rivaled.
***
With half dissatisfied eyes, Sextus viewed the supposed locus of the new arena to be erected. Emotions conflicted, he kept his gaze wandering the still devoid place recording oral remarks of the flaws and advantages of the chosen place. Surely it was bigger and wider, promising a grand edifice and elegant architecture, but the place still had few defects.
"I don't know what to say, a larger arena means a larger scale for battles and a larger audience but I can't say I feel exited… I contributed to that arena with my labor and sweat, to have to abandon it easily for something though greater without doubt, but I still will not be able to call it mine… I don't know!"
Sextus shook his head unable to find suitable words to describe his mixed thrill and discontent. He could only console himself with the doubled benefits the new arena was ought to bring him.
"What do you think, Celtic?"
The confused man turned at the star of his show.
"Don't worry yourself too much about it, this place hasn't risen a stone yet, who knows how long it will take to get it ready?"
Diarmuid indifferently answered, he couldn't care less of where he was to do his killings. He knew giving this reply would only leave his owner more troubled, but he couldn't push himself to give a more cheerful one. He could no longer expect beautiful things, although he was still surprised and truly admired how fast the young governor put his will into action. Looking at the changing city, he realized the benefit of such rash persistence at times. He had made a similar change in his life with the same rashness and recklessness, and it turned his life upside down. Now he could only wonder if the outcome for the governor would be any different.
The governor shall grasp prosperity and admiration.
His hands grasped nothing, but the dusty ground.
***
Expanded as it was, the Roman empire lands could not be left without supervision, so every now and then ambassadors were sent to the numerous provinces to witness the situation and the capacity of the people assigned to rule them and Germanous's province was no exception.
Receiving a confidential letter, the province expected the arrival of the emperor's ambassador in few days. The first visit during Germanous's rule, the latter wasn't nervous to the degree he thought he would be upon getting similar news. With the reforms he had started and the growing support of the people, he had little to fear.
The festive ceremonies, the costly decorations and the boastful feasts never ceased to amuse the young governor as they emphasized his authority. Having to greet an imperial ambassador as the province head was a victory in itself but his joy was soon spoiled when the said ambassador stated his delight to meet Marcus's son who was performing his father's duties until his recovery and expressed his wish to meet the ailing governor. Reluctant to admit this truth, Germanous still had to play along it describing himself as a son trying to devote his little experience to maintain what his father had built until he comes to health again, more precisely, describing himself as a mere temporary substitute.
Caecilius, the capital's ambassador, did not seem displeased by the brief tour of the governor's palace, and when he acquired the reason to the busyness and over activity that dominated the city, Germanous was more than happy to answer him, supported by the majority of counselors.
Upon hearing these words, the ambassador eyed the confident blond with his slit eyes and nodded his head in an arrogant satisfaction, failing to conceal his surprise as he was truly impressed by the plans the youngster had come up with, not excepting this much vision and determination from the inept lad he was told he would meet.
The emperor's ambassador continued to display his silent contentment as he was led through the palace to the dining hall; soldiers did not break their lines with alert gazes scanning their surroundings, even the servants acted in a lovable coordination as they served and entertained the guests. Everything seemed colorful and cheerful, as if the mere whiffs of the sought change were enough to storm liveliness in the neglected province, joining the struggling harsh streets and the government strict bureaus together in a delightful harmony. Even the unusual and bizarre things Germanous possessed unlike any other governor, like the excess odalisques and the Celtic guardian by his side went unnoticed and without criticism.
But this was merely the first day of the visit, getting over with that part safely was the easiest step. The imperial visit normally lasted more than ten days, and Germanous had to keep this bright picture for another ten days knowing there are many people who would be delighted in distorting it, like the icily carved woman sitting at his left, remaining silent yet behaving majestically; his elder cousin, Sabina.