Frank Petrexa
Tribune
The situation was volatile at Trier in the province of Belgica. This was nothing new—troops posted here were always on high alert. At present, however, there was a worrisome threat. The cult of Eryu, a Celtic group imported from the northwest, was rapidly gaining a following among the populace, due to its charismatic leadership. The tall, blonde leader Kaitlan at around 50 was old enough to be a master politician, but still had striking good looks and the body of someone who was used to physical activity. Her number two, at least 10 years her junior, was the fiery redhead Ailis. Her luscious figure contributed mightily to her effectiveness and popularity. Both were amassing power and fortune, and both were getting bolder.
The authorities were concerned. Cults came and went, often fleecing the people but not challenging the authorities. No one was sure, though, that this one did not have political ambitions beyond wealth and religious influence.
There were ominous signs. Slaves of the estates in the area had been pilfering provisions and goods for some time for the cult. This had become more than a petty nuisance recently, as the following of the cult grew. A wealthy landowner had forbidden his slaves from joining the cult, had refused permission for cult activities on his land, and punished petty theft. In response, some hotheaded male cultists had threatened violence in an effort to shake down the patrician for formal contributions. The authorities had crucified them as a warning. The bodies had been turned over to their families in an effort to show firmness but some tolerance. This had backfired—the cult had buried the victims with honors, the leaders all but endorsing their actions.
The legate met with his commanders and two leading patricians.
“This cannot stand, Excellency. They are growing ever bolder, and the slaves are ever more taken with them.”
“Yes, a harsh response seems to be required.”
“The cult should be decapitated. With the leaders gone, it is likely to fizzle.”
“We can probably seize the leadership in a lightning coup. But exile is unlikely to work. They would return, more wary and more prepared next time.”
The legate turned to the garrison commander.
“If we were to seize them quickly, and execute them both, would you be able to handle any problems that would arise?”
“We have the military power to do so, certainly. And we can bring up additional force from the south—including a crack cavalry unit. Our informants tell us they are not too strong—yet. We know both the leaders and their key lieutenants. But time is not on our side. The leader Kaitlan in particular seems to have a growing delusion of divine empowerment. She seems to truly believe she is an instrument of her goddess. She is no longer behaving entirely in a cynically calculating manner, trying to maximize her wealth. She is showing increasing signs of fanaticism. She is a growing threat, in my opinion.”
The garrison’s experienced tactician and spymaster spoke up. He had been in such situations in other places.
“If I may, Excellency, the key is indeed to act quickly and decisively. But the cult must be discredited as well. The leaders must be humiliated, their powerlessness and the hollowness of their claims to speak for their goddess clearly demonstrated.”
“You have a plan, then, Tribune?”
“The two leaders and their four key subordinates, the ones who could organize a resistance and foment a riot, must be seized quickly, at night. The subordinates should be crucified at once, in the main yard of our fortress.”
“At daybreak, the two leaders should be crucified publicly, on execution hill. The deaths should be slow, with sediles to maximize and prolong the pain. The hope is to break them on the crosses, cause them to despair and ideally curse their goddess. But, even if they hold fast, their crucifixions should be as humiliating as possible. Their powerlessness and that of their goddess must be clearly demonstrated.”
“But something more is required. The people must see that the cult has grown rich on their labor. A public feast at the crucifixion site should be prepared with the booty we seize when we apprehend the leaders. The people should be told that the riches the cult leaders appropriated are being returned to the people themselves. The crucifixions should be entertainment of the highest order, with a large crowd to watch the humiliation of the leaders.
“You are confident that you can accomplish this? Without a riot?”
“I cannot give a guarantee of avoiding all trouble, but I think that with careful planning, full secrecy, and enough troops the odds are very much on our side. And if there is any trouble, our troops will be able to handle it.”
“Proceed, then. We will sacrifice for your success, invoke the power of our own deities against their divine interloper. All in this room are sworn to secrecy until the plan is executed.”
The authorities were concerned. Cults came and went, often fleecing the people but not challenging the authorities. No one was sure, though, that this one did not have political ambitions beyond wealth and religious influence.
There were ominous signs. Slaves of the estates in the area had been pilfering provisions and goods for some time for the cult. This had become more than a petty nuisance recently, as the following of the cult grew. A wealthy landowner had forbidden his slaves from joining the cult, had refused permission for cult activities on his land, and punished petty theft. In response, some hotheaded male cultists had threatened violence in an effort to shake down the patrician for formal contributions. The authorities had crucified them as a warning. The bodies had been turned over to their families in an effort to show firmness but some tolerance. This had backfired—the cult had buried the victims with honors, the leaders all but endorsing their actions.
The legate met with his commanders and two leading patricians.
“This cannot stand, Excellency. They are growing ever bolder, and the slaves are ever more taken with them.”
“Yes, a harsh response seems to be required.”
“The cult should be decapitated. With the leaders gone, it is likely to fizzle.”
“We can probably seize the leadership in a lightning coup. But exile is unlikely to work. They would return, more wary and more prepared next time.”
The legate turned to the garrison commander.
“If we were to seize them quickly, and execute them both, would you be able to handle any problems that would arise?”
“We have the military power to do so, certainly. And we can bring up additional force from the south—including a crack cavalry unit. Our informants tell us they are not too strong—yet. We know both the leaders and their key lieutenants. But time is not on our side. The leader Kaitlan in particular seems to have a growing delusion of divine empowerment. She seems to truly believe she is an instrument of her goddess. She is no longer behaving entirely in a cynically calculating manner, trying to maximize her wealth. She is showing increasing signs of fanaticism. She is a growing threat, in my opinion.”
The garrison’s experienced tactician and spymaster spoke up. He had been in such situations in other places.
“If I may, Excellency, the key is indeed to act quickly and decisively. But the cult must be discredited as well. The leaders must be humiliated, their powerlessness and the hollowness of their claims to speak for their goddess clearly demonstrated.”
“You have a plan, then, Tribune?”
“The two leaders and their four key subordinates, the ones who could organize a resistance and foment a riot, must be seized quickly, at night. The subordinates should be crucified at once, in the main yard of our fortress.”
“At daybreak, the two leaders should be crucified publicly, on execution hill. The deaths should be slow, with sediles to maximize and prolong the pain. The hope is to break them on the crosses, cause them to despair and ideally curse their goddess. But, even if they hold fast, their crucifixions should be as humiliating as possible. Their powerlessness and that of their goddess must be clearly demonstrated.”
“But something more is required. The people must see that the cult has grown rich on their labor. A public feast at the crucifixion site should be prepared with the booty we seize when we apprehend the leaders. The people should be told that the riches the cult leaders appropriated are being returned to the people themselves. The crucifixions should be entertainment of the highest order, with a large crowd to watch the humiliation of the leaders.
“You are confident that you can accomplish this? Without a riot?”
“I cannot give a guarantee of avoiding all trouble, but I think that with careful planning, full secrecy, and enough troops the odds are very much on our side. And if there is any trouble, our troops will be able to handle it.”
“Proceed, then. We will sacrifice for your success, invoke the power of our own deities against their divine interloper. All in this room are sworn to secrecy until the plan is executed.”
