B4 Chapter 37: Trading Barbs

The throne wasn't the most comfortable piece of furniture to sit on. It wasn't meant to be. Allowing himself such luxuries would only encourage complacency as Tiberius sat and observed the senators debating before him. His attention was already divided between the meeting itself and his own musings, and that balance would only shift further inward if he let it.

Though he did allow himself a backrest. It was more than the plain benches of the senators afforded, and though he rarely used it, simply having the option was enough.

"...This is an incredible opportunity," the current speaker was saying---a former Novaran merchant. Though all senators dressed in the same formal togas here, the merchant's eyes glittered with enough greed to compensate for his lack of accessories. "Dwarven-made tools may as well be a legend at this point. The few that do exist within our empire are largely heirlooms passed down since time immemorial or the rare finds of adventurers."

Another scoffed. "That does not mean that we should throw ourselves at their feet like desperate suitors. If we do accept this offer---which I am still not certain that we should---we must ensure that we are not taken advantage of and fleeced for all that we are worth."

Tiberius's gaze swept across the gathered senators. The empire's newest curia was filled with robed figures, each making their case about the recent dwarven delegation and their offer.

It wasn't a matter that he truly needed to call them to session for. Though technically, nothing was. The lack of founding documents and precedent in this world meant that the senate worked at his discretion alone. He established one in order to keep with the ways of Rome, as well as to propose legislation for the budding empire. Yet he was able to adopt, reject, or amend that legislation as he saw fit.

That wasn't to say the senate was entirely performative, though. With the size of the empire, there was no possible way for him to make every law required to maintain it. Additionally, the varied perspectives afforded by the senators gave him valuable insight into the desires and goals of its various factions.

It was a worthwhile institution for many reasons. However, it did take a significant amount of his time. Overseeing the sessions took up more days than he would have liked. But it was unavoidable, especially during this early stage where he needed to ground their operations in the Empire's regulations, laws, and cultural norms.

"I still don't understand." One of the Roman senators grumbled---a true Roman and one of Tiberius's former officers. "The quality of the work is evident enough. But why are we focused on the product? We should be looking to uncover the secrets that make this manufacturing possible."

"It has been tried. Believe me." Guildmaster Hyde shook his head with dismay. "But the dwarves are highly secretive about their techniques. It might even be a racial skill. The rare adventurers who have managed to make contact with them have been barred from the forges. The one fool rogue who tried to sneak a peek barely made it out alive. Only a few adventurers have been granted the honor of a dwarven-made item for a quest, and those at great cost."

"All the more reason to pry those secrets open."

Another Legionnaire senator stood. "While I do not object to trading with the dwarves, we must also look to the future. Is this the extent of what we seek from our neighbors? Or do we require more... active participation in our great empire?"

Tiberius saw the senators turn their attention to him. He tapped one finger on the arm of his throne. "I am not opposed to the dwarves joining the empire. However, it is not an issue that I am yet willing to force."

There were several reasons the empire was not ready to fight for new territory yet, but the senate should know that.

He saw a range of responses to the statement. The matter of international trade proved to be a rather divisive one. Up to this point, the humans had remained mostly isolated from its various neighbors, with the majority of trade occurring across the sea from more distant lands. But the arrival of the dwarven delegation changed that.

So far, three main factions had emerged. The first, comprised mostly of merchants and nobles, was more than satisfied to simply trade with a neutral dwarven faction. The second was vehemently opposed to doing any business with them without a frankly ludicrous number of concessions---ones meant more to dissuade dwarven industry more than anything else. This faction was unsurprisingly comprised by influential crafters, smiths, and those with a significant stake in mining ventures.

The final faction wanted to simply toss all of that aside and conquer the dwarves outright, either by insisting on their annexation or by force. This was the group that most of the true Romans belonged to, though they received a surprising amount of support from the former Novarans. Apparently, the dwarves' "cowardice" rubbed many the wrong way, though how they were any different from the elves in that regard, Tiberius wasn't certain.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

He personally would have preferred the final option. However, with how thinly spread the First Legion remained, Tiberius didn't want to press their luck, especially considering what they'd be up against. He didn't know much about the dwarves' fighting capabilities, but reports about the one stronghold they'd made contact with made it clear that their defensive positioning was not to be trifled with. Better to wait another few years for another few Legions to stand up, gain experience, then sweep across the land with impunity.

Because of that, he leaned toward entreating the dwarves. For now. The way the elven delegation carefully guarded their expressions seemed to hide something simmering beneath. But while he didn’t trust the dwarves, he did trust them to act in their own self-interest.

The debate continued on. Tiberius's proclamation gave weight to the faction seeking trade with the dwarves, and as such most of the discussion turned toward what such an agreement would look like. Everyone was eager to earn concessions for their own side like vultures circling overhead. All except for one group.

Tiberius's attention turned to a group of senators that had remained strangely quiet during all of this. The elves. Iladrien and his brethren stayed more or less out of this debate.

At first, Tiberius thought it was because it dealt almost exclusively with the human-inhabited parts of the empire, practically a world away from their forests. Yet he began to suspect that wasn't entirely the case.

Even with his impressive charisma, it was difficult to read the minute expression changes of the elves. But there was some sort of deep-seated dislike there. He'd need to speak with Iladrien about its source later.

The sound of distant bells chiming brought him back to the present. The senators fell quiet as Tiberius stood. "In an endeavor to speed up deliberations, I will make one thing clear---the wholesale eradication of the dwarves is not a solution that I will seriously consider at this time. Nor would I prefer to go to war with them, although we will certainly respond in kind to any such provocations."

A few frowns deepened at his words, but no one so much as grumbled. None were idiotic enough to make their displeasure so obvious. Not yet, when their positions still felt so new and fragile.

"I also do not find the decade-long time frame on the trade agreement unreasonable. And after hearing the viewpoints of all present, I am inclined to accept it with a few modifications. Do what this information what you will. When we next convene, I will listen to your advice and take it into consideration when making a final decision."

Tiberius continued. "Be forewarned that I will not consider wholesale changes of this strategy without any new information. Nor will I be pleased at the simple regurgitation of previous arguments. Whatever points shall be raised must be with the intent of bringing things into a new light."

It was a firm reminder of the senate's place in the hierarchy, but not too firm. It would also ensure time was not wasted unduly.

"We will reconvene tomorrow. I declare this session of the Senate dismissed."

At his words, the silence of the room slowly filled with chatter and conversation. The senators continued to argue and debate between one another, breaking into groups and more personal conversations as some began to file from the room.

Tiberius made his exit as well. They all clearly needed time to speak with the others before any clear consensus was reached. However, those conversations didn't need to happen all together. Breaking up like this would allow all some much-needed time and space. Otherwise, they would continue talking for weeks.

Praetorian guards fell in around Tiberius as he left the curia---former Legionnaires now tasked with defending him full-time. He felt another presence appear at his side as they moved, though none of the guards reacted. He spoke without looking over. "Lucius."

"Sir." The aide wasted no time in launching into a report. "Recruiting for the Fourth Legion is underway. We have no shortage of applicants, but those applying are of lower quality than last time. Additionally, the lack of experienced men to spare will almost certainly delay training.

Tiberius nodded. It was as he expected. "We will rearrange the duties of Secundus and some of the Third Legion's trainers in order to accommodate."

It couldn't be helped. He already had plenty to speak with Gaius about, such as the selection of a new Legatus candidate. Tiberius had no intention of allowing anyone but a true Roman and former Legionnaire to accept the mantle. Certainly none of the freshly minted senators, who mostly lacked military training at all. He had a few men in mind, but none stood out so much as Gaius and Quintus had.

Lucius continued. "The dwarven delegation is currently resting within the castle's guest rooms. They are under discreet watch. Should any trouble arise, you will be immediately informed."

That was a given. But appreciated nonetheless.

Tiberius thumbed the ceremonial knife that now hung at his hip. It was a masterwork of unblemished silver, its hilt engraved with runes so fine that even the Legion's own smiths and enchanters could hardly make them out.

It was a gift from the dwarves. An example of what they could offer, and a clear challenge to the humans and their smiths. Perhaps Gareth could have made something to contest it, but he never had and never would. The master smith had sworn an oath to never make another blade.

The knife was sharp enough to cut steel and would certainly outlast Tiberius himself. It was also not trapped, according to the plethora of experts and mages who had inspected it. But simply handling the blade made it abundantly clear how much they would benefit from this trade deal. The idea that more goods even close to this quality could be made available to Rome... It presented them all with tantalizing opportunities. Especially if he could convince any dwarves to join the Legionnaires.

"Sir."

Tiberius stopped. Waiting for him by the castle entrance stood Gaius, surrounded by a handful of his own Legionnaires and still clad in his senator's toga. He must have rushed to make it here ahead of them.

Gaius saluted and bent at the waist. "Emperor Tiberius. I wish to speak with you."