Eagle in the Snow: A Novel of General Maximus and Rome's Last Stand

Pride, perhaps, forbade him to mention the truth, that they had been driven out by the Huns. But perhaps he was speaking the truth: he did not know. The story had been twisted in the handing down, as fathers, determined to retain the respect of their sons, tried hard to turn stories of defeat into those of victory. Even we in Rome had done the same thing.

I said, “Italia was not your land but you tried to take it from us. Now you cross the white mountains. Why should we help you? Let the Alemanni do that, who are now your hosts and brothers.”

Rando said quickly, “It is our desire that those who wish be allowed to cross the river peacefully.” He glanced significantly at my sentries. “Without war,” he added softly.

I looked at them in silence. They had fought us in turn for years now, yet there were Alemanni serving with Stilicho, Burgundians married to citizens of Treverorum and Vandals without number in the army of the east. They envied us, they feared us and they hated us. They had never known a time when Rome did not patrol their frontiers and punish their raids with a strength they could never overcome. The enmity between us was an unhealed scar that reached down to the bone.

“Were you so peaceful when you visited Moguntiacum as a young man?” I asked. Rando did not answer me.

I said, “Let who wishes speak for himself. Do you, King of the Alemanni, wish to move your people into our lands and accept the protection of Rome?”

He hesitated. “I?” he said. “My people and I can take what we want—if we choose—if it is our wish. It is our wish at the moment to be content with what we hold.”

“So,” I said. “That leaves only you, King Gunderic, who are a king of a people without a land. It is you alone then who wishes to serve Rome?”

He said, with a smile, “In the past it was said that Rome turned kings into slaves. Perhaps that was true. I do not know. But then Rome was strong.” He smiled again. “She is not strong now, and I have no wish to be a slave. But I am willing to take service in the army of your empire if, in return, you grant to my people a third of the soil of Gaul for them to farm and to call their own.” He smiled a third time. “I understand that you need men who can work your farms and you need men who will serve as soldiers of the Emperor. All this my people will do.”

Quintus said slowly, “You were with King Radagaisus in Italia. In his army were many peoples who, when they were beaten and Radagaisus was dead, moved north out of Rome’s way. A third died at the hands of Stilicho. Do you mean to tell my general here that only the Asding Vandals are in need of new lands?” Quintus held up a letter. “It is all here in a letter to us from the Emperor’s general.”

The Aleman stroked his beard. “It is as my brother says.”

I said, “He had forty thousand men when he crossed the mountains. I am to find homes for two-thirds of those. Is that correct?”

“Yes.”

“And if I refuse.”

Gunderic hunched his shoulders. “You cannot refuse what we ask.”

“It is not you who asks,” I said. “I can refuse anything.”

The Aleman said politely, “You have a great army, no doubt.”

I said quietly, “I would not advise you to find out.”

“I have,” he said. “We have many friends on your bank. You have only a small force. You could not stand out against one of our peoples even.” He paused, Gunderic glanced at him, and said quickly, “It would be wiser to make terms as Stilicho did.” He added harshly, “Stilicho is a Vandal. He has wisdom in this matter.”

“And I am a Roman.” I stood up and Quintus stood up with me. “You, who are a wise man with much experience, will know by now that spies so often tell their masters only what they wish to hear, especially when they receive silver from both sides.” I saw his mouth tighten as I spoke. “Besides, you forget, I came from Britannia,” I said. “I brought my legion with me but I have more on the way.” I smiled. “Nanienus who beat your father in battle at Argentaria was my countryman.” Rando gave a little hissing breath. “One horseman is worth three men on foot,” I added gently.

Gunderic said insolently, “That is what my father told me and he fought at Adrianopolis. I forget how many Roman soldiers were killed there. The plain was white with their bones.”

“Precisely. My cavalry is anxious to see if they can do the same.”

“You have not enough men.”

“Try me,” I said. “It is your wives and your children who will be sorry. Did I not tell you that the Burgundian king stands on my left side in this matter. And that is the side that matters: the side of loyalty.”

The Aleman king rose to his feet. “Remember that we asked to come in peace,” he said.

“Share your lands in peace with each other and be content with what you have.”

Gunderic glared at me. “If you offered silver as Stilicho did I would not accept it.”

“Do not worry,” I replied. “That offer was never in my mind.”

Gunderic clenched his fist. “When the spring comes—” he said, threateningly.