Chapter 4

Chapter 4. Wisdom

“Age and knowledge does not produce wisdom. The heart must grow as well.”
--Scribonius Largus

“Yes, we both see it.” Caradoc said in a strained quiet tone. He let loose of the hilt of his sword and laughed. He turned and noticed Togodumnus’ return, laughed again and slapped his brother hard on the back. He raised his cup and nodded to Adminius and without further comment; he threw his leg over the chair and sat down in a slump.
Adminius wondered if the crisis was diverted. He perused the crowd. Had no one cared that the princes argued?
“Barbaricae,” someone said.
“Babblers.” Came a reply. Another group laughed and pointed. The Romans were intent on their celebration, of what, Adminius was sure, they were not even aware of. In the distance, amongst the din of the festivities, he heard someone crying. It sounded out of place. Adminius with shoulders still tense, sat down.
Togodumnus was at the Kings table. They had returned. King Tasciovaunus looked at him and then at Togodumnus. Togodumnus bowed and then returned to sit with his brothers.
They ate in quietness. Only their slow heavy breathing could be heard amidst the background noise of the room. Eventually, Caradoc spoke again. His voice was distant as though he was remembering wonderful things. “Large meeting halls carved out of stone. Great water roadways that run for many leagues seated high above the ground on arched pillars,” and suddenly in a tone of mock admiration, “the strict discipline of their blasted armies.” Then as if to Togodumnus, whose seat was empty, with his back to Adminius, he said, “And you want them here? Vast buildings to block our peaceful countryside views? The cities, the filth of their sewers? The change to our ways of peace?”
Adminius caught a sudden unexpected great sadness in his brother’s voice.
At that point, Togodumnus put his arm around his brother. “Did you miss me?” he said and patted Caradoc on the shoulder. Togodumnus addressed the men around him with good humor and energy. “You won’t believe what I just saw! The Roman Bath-house… did you see the baths? They have elaborately built houses made for the sole purpose of relieving themselves. Not only that but they told me that they bathe together.”
They all laughed. Caradoc laughed.
Adminius’ shoulders released the cool readiness that was there and he, too laughed. “Yes, my brother, they do.”
Togodumnus elaborated. “As this is my first time in Rome, no one told me that there are rooms like this! There are as many as a dozen holes in a stone bench where men sit, side by side mind you. They talked of the business of politics while doing their daily natural business. I get the impression that they sit there all day and gossip like a bunch of old women about their leaders and what the people in the community are doing. I felt like I was in a public tribal council."
"It is disgusting. To them it is an acceptable, social thing to do.” Caradoc waved his hand and leaned into Togodumnus, “and some want to bring that to Albion.” He pointed his thumb to the table of Kings.
“No one in Rome thinks it unclean or uncivil," Adminius said. “We don’t live in Rome.”
"Why don’t they go in the woods like everyone else?” Caradoc spewed.
Then he grabbed his head. “My head is spinning.”
He started to swoon. A slave came over with a vomit bowl.
At this point, their uncle, Epaticus came over from the King’s table. He was accompanied by Tasciovaunus. Epaticus bent low to Caradoc’s ear and said things Adminius could not hear. Caradoc looked at him and smiled. He gave his uncle a double pat on the shoulder and tried to stand. Epaticus grabbed him under his arms and helped Caradoc to stand. Holding his nephew, he removed him from the table.
Caradoc's slurred voice trailed as he was taken away. Epaticus took him to the wall and leaned him there. Adminius heard Epaticus whisper to Caradoc about the vices of their enemy.
“We have all seen this many times.” Adminius said. “Epaticus and Caradoc.”
Then an unexpected comment from his Grandfather Tasciovaunus as the High King sat in Caradoc’s evacuated place at the table, “Even in his cups his oration can move people.”
Togodumnus scooted to give his grandfather room.
Adminius nodded. "Yes, Epaticus is quite the motivator."
Tasciovaunus continued, “Not my son, Epaticus. I meant Caradoc. Caradoc speaks often about the disgraceful acts of the great civitas of Rome. He uses words that the Romans call us, he goes around telling everyone he can about, in his estimation, the ‘barbaric’ and ‘savage’ ways of the Roman people. It has been like this for years. I do not know why he hates them so. One day he will do more than talk. He can’t win this fight. Not this way. Not tonight. He will not win by lofty speeches. One day he will get the tribes together. Mark my words... and I am afraid of the outcome.”
"The Romans do not help his demeanor," Adminius added. "The people here call him ‘Caracticus’.”
“Latinizing our names is just another way of controlling others in Caradoc’s way of thinking.” Tasciovaunus explained.
His Grandfather was wise. Adminius recalled that he was descended from the great Velaunii tribe. Tasciovaunus was not only his grandfather, but was their High King by birth and by honor earned. The people respected him. They followed him. Adminius listened and tried to learn from his words and apparent prescience. He definitely had a grasp of Caradoc's plight. They had discussed this before.
“I see it as the struggle that all those in Albion feel. Even you Adminius.” Tasciovaunus said.
“Grandson?”
“Yes, Grandfather?”
“You know his name – Caradoc—means ‘love’ in our tongue? He feels it is fitting. Caradoc loves this land of ours, even when others are not loyal.”
“Yes, he acts as if he is the protector of the land. He takes that role very personally and seriously. It is in his deepest being. Perhaps that is why he is so opposed to what we are doing here.”
“In that he loves our land, I can relate to him, Adminius, but… his name’s definition has no meaning in relationships. He avoids me and your father for some reason. It is as though I too am his enemy. Even when I give him a great gift, as I do this day.” At that he stood and motioned to a golden haired man in a white tunic with a broad purple border.
The man stood on a dais and quieted the crowded room.
"Now is the time for giving of gifts!" He said in Latin.
As the Princes of Albion rose, horns sounded once more.