New Leaders for Tarentum

“Tevron!” you call out as you spot the man. You had sent for him not too long after your chat with Artemis.

“You wanted to see me?” Tevron asked, a confused frown on his face.

“Yep, you’re the new Governor” you tell him and his eyes widened to comical levels.

“B-b-but I r-really don’t but-” the man stammered. You really only just noticed how young the man looks, early twenties at least.

“You showed decent enough initiative with that League of yours and besides, you won’t be alone in this mess” you say with a smile, putting a hand on the man’s toga clad shoulder. “I will need you to swear fealty to me though” you add after a moment. Tevron’s eyes widened again before he screwed them shut, hands clenched into a fist.

“Trading one master for another” he muttered, turning away from you.

“What did you expect would happen? This is actually the best option for you and Tarentum” you tell the man.

“How so?” he asked, giving you a wary look.

“I am beholden to no man” you tell him “Thus I can not find it in me to carry on as the previous governor did and send tribute to Odoacer” you explain “Thus I’d have to declare independence” you say “With you, however, you can continue to send tribute and what have you to Odoacer and I will ask neither tax nor tribute of my own” you tell him “At least until I’m in a position to take over from Odoacer and in that case you would stop paying tax to him and pay it to me instead” you say. Tevron still looked annoyed but nodded anyway. “Besides, I need Tarentum as a base of operations and I have plans which will lead to much prosperity for the city” you add with a grin. Looking over Tevron’s shoulder, you notice Strabo and a bear of a man approaching, the hobnailed Roman boots echoing across the marble floor. Tevron as well turned to look at the intrusion, his eyes widening slightly at the size of the man beside Strabo.

“I hear you need a new Watch Master” the bear rumbled in accented Latin. It was pretty clear he was some kind of barbarian.

“Yes, the position has recently become vacant as it were” you reply as you size the man up. If you had to guess the man’s size, you’d put it around six foot or 190 centimeters. Considering the short and petite stature of fifth century Romans, this Barbarian was an absolute giant, thick muscles bulging from past his green plaid cloak and dark blue tunic.

“The name is Dumont Sturgonsson” the bear rumbled, “If it matters, I am Frankish” he added.

“Might have a little distaste for the name” you mention and Dumont nodded.

“If it is because of those mercenaries that fought with the Governor? Then yes, I would have the same distaste” Dumont said, face twisting like he had just eaten a lemon. “Taking what they want in wine and women with no regard for consent. It is good they are all dead, they deserve no less” he said with more than a little hatred.

“Bad experience?” you ask. Dumont nodded with a sour look.

“In any case, it will be good to have you on hand” Strabo interrupted “You do have experience with organising forces yes?” he asked.

“Of course! I used to lead my own war party once!” Dumont replied cheerfully, the gloom having been dispelled.

“Ah sorry but do I get a say in this?” Tevron asked, staring at you with an annoyed expression. You eye the man before turning to Strabo who just shook his head.

“No” The venerable veteran replied. “It’s our job to protect our holdings, yours is to manage them” he explained.

“Ahh this is Tevron, the brand new Governor of Tarentum” You introduce. Dumont nodded at the man before turning his attention back to you.

“What happened to the old Watch Master?” Dumont asked. You and Strabo share a look.

“He was . . . removed from office” you say cautiously.

“Bah, these word games, I don’t care for them” Dumont snapped sweeping his arm as if trying to brush the words away. “Did you kill him?” he asked, looking dead in the eyes.

“Violently” you replied with a dead set expression. Strabo sighed and took on a haunted expression for just a second.

“They are still cleaning bits of him and his men out of the courtyard” Strabo grunted. Tevron blanched while The Bear merely nodded. “He picked a bad time for betrayal” Strabo muttered under his breath and Dumont sighed.

“You will have no such issues with me” Dumont stated seriously. You didn’t need divine power to know he was serious and truthful.

“Counting on it” You reply “And so are the people of Tarentum” you add, getting a nod from the man.

“If you will excuse me, I must see what work is to be done” he said “Could one of you show me to the office of the Watch Master?” he asked.

“I will, we have things to discuss anyway” Strabo grunted before leading the Bear away.

“I suppose I should get to the Governor’s office” Tevron muttered.

“His things are yours” you say, getting the man to pause mid-step “Just so you know” you add before turning to leave yourself. You might go see how Sabine is doing.