Volume 4: The League of Dionia, Chapter 39: Clouds and Rain

Agasia sighed in relief, grateful to Davos for making good on his earlier promise.

Timasion and the others listened attentively, but Cleanho was still unsatisfied. "Davos, you're a lifelong magistrate. I hear you even control the Senate. Doesn't that make you like... that Athenian from before... uh... Peisistratus? If you want a law passed, it's just a word from you. Why make it so complicated? Why not just make us citizens outright!"

"Cleanho, that's going too far!" Philistos couldn't help shouting in reprimand.

Davos waved his hand, signaling it was fine, and continued patiently, "You mean to say I'm a tyrant, don't you?"

Cleanho now realized his words had been too harsh. After all, the Davos before him was no longer the one he could speak with as an equal back then. So he lowered his head and dared not respond.

"I won't say much else, just one fact. The mercenaries I brought here number just over a thousand in the League. But now the League has over five thousand regular soldiers, plus more than twenty thousand preparatory citizens. Most of them are Magna Graecians. We foreigners already occupy half the Senate seats. Do you think the locals have no objections? I'm sure they do. So why hasn't anyone risen against us?" Davos paused, giving everyone a moment to think, then continued, "Because we try to be fair and just, treating everyone—Amendolaraeans, Thurians, Lucanians, foreigners, freemen—strictly according to the League's laws. If I proposed a law today to grant you citizenship, by tomorrow those twenty thousand preparatory citizens would be storming the Council Chamber, and the Senate would start impeachment proceedings against me. Could our thousand or so outsiders, plus you, defeat tens of thousands of League citizens? And even if we won, would the League still exist? So as friends, I can help you as much as possible. But as a ruler of the League, I cannot show favoritism. I hope you understand..." Davos's heartfelt words left the room in silence.

Then Hieronymus said apologetically, "Lord Davos, I've been in Thurii so long and never once considered these issues. I'm truly sorry for making you worry constantly on our behalf."

"I never thought about it either," Philistos remarked with emotion. "I just assumed enjoying this life was only natural."

"That's how it should be—don't overthink it, live naturally. Plant when it's time to plant, fight when it's time to fight. You've never caused me any trouble; instead, you've always supported me and helped maintain the current situation. I propose a toast to you!" With that, Davos raised his cup and drank with Philistos, Agasia, and Hieronymus.

Timasion and Xanthiparis exchanged nods. Timasion said, "Davos, I'd like to know your arrangements and suggestions after our three thousand brothers arrive."

Davos thought for a moment and said, "I suggest that after they arrive, they first go to the Thurii household registration office and apply, stating they are willing to become League citizens... Then find a place to settle down. They can go to the hotel district in Amendolara, where rent is cheaper. Or they can help citizens lease land, which saves on rent and lets them live directly in someone's house. Of course, they can also stay with former comrades they know well—Capus, Antonios... Most soldiers of the First Battalion are veterans of the Persian expedition. I think you're all familiar with them. They'll be returning from Nerulum soon. Then Philistos can arrange for a couple to stay at each house, solving the housing problem...

Then find a job. The docks and market are thriving now and need plenty of labor. Plus, the road from Thurii to Nerulum is about to be built and will need many workers. There's no shortage of jobs. Once they find work, they should work hard—not just to earn money, but to show the investigators from the registration office that they are diligent, not idle loafers. That will smooth their path to full citizenship. Also, on training days, Philistos will arrange for them to participate in military drills. The League's combat methods are somewhat complex, so they need to familiarize themselves to avoid accidents due to poor coordination in battle. I estimate that by next year, the League may launch a campaign against Lucania. If they perform well in battle, shortening the period to become League citizens will be no problem at all!..."

Davos had clearly thought this through carefully, and his suggestions made sense to Timasion and the others.

Just then, Xanthiparis voiced his concern: "I've heard that if you break the law during the probation period, becoming a citizen becomes very difficult. Davos, you know us—mercenaries fighting abroad, ungoverned, used to freedom. It's inevitable we might violate the League's laws. Then—"

"I understand!" Davos nodded solemnly and reassured him, "As long as it's a first offense, it shouldn't be a big problem. But I hope you'll remind every brother who comes to the League in time and keep them in check. Also... hmm, I have a suggestion. I know that everyone who comes to Magna Graecia brings their armor, shield, and spear. I suggest you temporarily hand over your shields, spears, and swords to Philistos, who will store them in the armory. After a while, when you've adapted to life here, Philistos can return your weapons to you."

As soon as Davos finished, Timasion was about to speak, but Davos quickly said, "Don't worry—the League won't embezzle your weapons! The armory is already overflowing with weapons and equipment captured from Croton soldiers and Nerulum warriors. My main concern is that when your men arrive, conflicts with others are inevitable. But if they resort to weapons, injure or even kill someone, things will get difficult. Of course, this is just a suggestion. You can go back and think it over..."

...

After seeing the guests out, Davos went upstairs.

Cheiristoya was standing by the window, gazing out. Hearing his footsteps, she asked softly, "How did the banquet go tonight?"

Davos plopped down on the bed and let out a long sigh. "After more than half a year apart, they're still the same, but we're not who we used to be. What do you think happened?"

Christhoya frowned slightly and slowly walked over to sit beside Davos. "Did they make some excessive demands?"

Davos nodded. "They want to become League citizens immediately, and even become senators in the Senate!"

"Who proposed that?" Cheiristoya pressed her slender fingers to Davos's lips and said playfully, "Don't tell me first—let me guess... Hmm, it was Cleanho, right?"

Davos smiled. "Among these men, Xanthiparis is modest, Tolmides is slick, Timasion is proud, but Cleanho is harsh. He used to hate me and Xenophon before. Who else could it be? But I think they all share the same intent."

"Who can blame them? You've become so accomplished in just half a year..." Cheiristoya caressed Davos's face with her fair hands, gazing at him adoringly, murmuring, "Anyone who sees you would be mad with jealousy..."

"Does that include you?" Davos took her hand and laughed.

"I love you, madly in love!" Cheiristoya said passionately, then turned and gave her husband a kiss.

That kiss ignited the desire Davos had suppressed since his wife became pregnant. He decided to set aside the bothersome matters for now. Carefully, he wrapped one arm around Christhoya's waist and gently stroked her slightly rounded belly, whispering, "Let me see my son—did he have a good day today?"

"Who says it's a son? I haven't gone to the Temple of Hera to inquire yet!" Christhoya gave him a playful glare.

"If it's a daughter, as beautiful as you, that's fine too." Davos said, his hand slowly moving downward. His burning palm entered her sensitive area, making her whole body tremble slightly.

"I'm... I'm with child... I can't... not... why don't you... why don't you go to Asuna..." Christhoya panted breathlessly.

"Who says you can't when you're pregnant? As long as the fetus is stable, it's fine. I'm Helpus's teacher, so what I say goes..." Davos whispered behind her, his warm breath brushing her long, white neck. The strong scent filled Christhoya's nostrils, and hearing his flirtatious words, she felt hot all over. Her eyes glazed over, and with a suggestive glance, she finally relented and gently braced her arms on the bed.

Davos immediately understood and slipped off her clothes. Perhaps because of the pregnancy, Christhoya's body was noticeably fuller than before...

Davos's breathing quickened, but he was extremely gentle, lightly licking Christhoya's smooth skin...

"Did you all hear that?! Davos wants us to farm and build roads! I haven't done anything but kill people in over a decade! Build roads, my ass! And he wants us to hand over our weapons—then we'll be at their mercy!" On the way back to the inn, Cleanho vented loudly.

"Davos's words made sense too. Governing such a large League isn't easy, and since they're outsiders, they have to be cautious. They can't just exercise privileges for us..." Xanthiparis tried to console him.

"Aren't they weak? That's exactly when we should step in to help them!" Cleanho retorted. After walking a few steps, maybe realizing his own argument was weak, he sighed, "I just... I just can't understand why they have all this while we still have nothing!"