Arden by: dnrock(dnrock@rock.com)
52: Normal Again?
1319, 9th month, day 27:
Our running coaches held a large meeting this afternoon with all of the athletes. They now have sufficient time and distance information for each to begin developing plans and goals for improvement. I have set the time standard or perhaps the goals for all distances. In the shorter distances my competition is as close as 1 second but in the longer races as much as minutes. For the longer races the coaches point out that I run the same speed within a very narrow tolerance on every lap. It is a good pace but not the same or as great as in the short distances. While some others may start out quicker then I do, after 3rd or 4th lap they begin to slow. My time for six stadia is 2 minutes that means each stadia need be run in 30 seconds or one half minute.
To defeat me they must run the first 3 or 4 laps in 29 seconds or less and the last couple in 30 but no more. Knowing the time for each lap is important for keeping the runner on his planned schedule. For the one and two stadia races it is just go as fast as you possible can.
I can see the young boys showing the most improvement, as they now run against the clock and not another older boy. Having competition on the track is also important, it provides incentive. I know there is nothing that causes me to run harder than the well shaped buttocks of a young runner ahead of me.
I am thinking that we should organize across country races for groups like the Elite Marines. I think running across fields, down roads, crossing streams and the like would be great fun.
Hesiodos told me, word from our people in Bejaia had come. It was a short and cryptic message that said, "heads are rolling from the palace to the customs house". I have never seen Hesiodos laugh so long and hard. He thought our little visit was to pay dividend and praised the efficiency of the operation. He has interviewed all that participated, including the run away slave, they brought back. He is preparing a full report that will examine what was done well and what improvements could be made. He was greatly impressed with Hadi and the other volunteers, praising them highly as did the navy and marine officers.
Hesiodos thought that this little act of mischief would gain the notice we desired. He also suggested the solders that were killed had not been linked to Parga. I hope he is correct. It would be better for all if this impasse can be breached by good will alone. Further conflict will accomplish little in the long term. I am afraid my advisors are correct, that should we extend our power to Bejaia, the world will know not only that we can and will but what that power is. This will speed its spread, something not in our interest.
That does not mean I would not like to attack Bejaia with so much might they will never again be capable of attacking us or anyone else. This may be my personal dream but it is little else than that. To do so is to be no better than the barbarians we believe them to be.
It is my duty to protect Parga in both the present and if possible the future. I must always do what is best for my people. Having thought more on it, Kastor is most correct. We must take care not to place the sultan in a position that offers him no face. If it is true that he personally had little or nothing to do with causing the present situation, we need be patient and let him solve his internal problems. It is possible the velvet glove is all that is truly necessary. If by providing him with a little mischief and information about what people do in his name, we give him opportunity to reestablish his authority, all the better.
1319, 10th month, day 1:
Eight more days until Iason's wedding day. I know he has trepidation. He has been the most agreeable and pleasant of person. I know it is partly due to his intense involvement with the theater of it. I think that is why I love him so. He throws himself into what ever is required, in the most intense way. The exaltation of the doing makes him most agreeable, as if my beloved could be any other way.
Sophia, Alexandros and Eudoxia are all showing signals of their own trepidation. It is understandable and I try not to pay any attention to their short temperedness. Even Uncle and Father give them a wide road. Mother will not tolerate any of this behavior and they must spend much time with her.
I have been very busy myself, given the treasury and military to look after. Kastor and Polydeukus are dealing with just about everything else. The three terrors have been most helpful of late. Justus and Joulous are helping greatly with the Achemedia and Nikias has been at my side on all military matters.
He and the Argoanuts have installed some special torches at the base of the Ganymede of Parga statue. These torches use the special fuel made from koal and lime. They light them at nightfall and they burn until morning. The light they give is very bright. They have installed parabolic reflectors, made of polished copper, to direct the light against the statue. It positively glows. I have noticed that many citizens come to the little plaza and enjoy walking among the flowers that still bloom or sit on the benches and enjoy the night air, now that some light is provided. I think we should place more of these lamps in the plaza. They need not burn all night like the lights by the statue but they can burn for several hours. The Ganymede reflects on the dark calm waters of the harbor and makes a most interest and wondrous sight from my balcony. I am sure our guests will all be impressed with this. I have asked the twins to see about making this happen.
When I spoke to the General and Raffaele about my further thoughts on military action against Bejaia they were most pleased. The General told me that military action must not be the first but the last effort to resolve differences with other states. He was glad I had reached the conclusions I had reached. "Parga must defend itself if and when attacked. It must use any and all means to do so and the doing must always be, as in the past, absolute. It is most unwise to demonstrate your military power in any way except defense. In Parga you command the high ground. As in the past you must make your enemy come to you. You must only in the most desperate situations go to him.
Demonstrating the real threat of extending your power outside Parga by mischief and pranks is acceptable but must be done sparingly. If that works to achieve your political goals, all well and good. If not some other way must be found. It is inconsistent for you to take offense at others like Florence, to use military power against Parga, if you are prepared to uses it against others.
You have been successful in the past using political means to achieve your diplomatic goals. Notice that your neighbor, the Despot learned his lessons, perhaps this sultan is just duller. It may take a little longer, that is all."
1319, 9th month, day 12:
The weddings are finished the couples are doing what newly wed couples do. We do not expect to see them for some days perhaps weeks. That is exaggeration. Iason is expected to be working again in a week and Alexandros in ten days. Eudoxia and Sophia in about two weeks. Alex and Iason are expected to live with their wives for most or all of their first year. After that they will begin to spend more time with us.
I have called in several times to see the Triplets. They are growing fast and now recognize Philon and most of us. Edward spent several days here with my birth family. He showed me his journal and I am most impressed with his careful records and his insights. When he met Philon they seemed to immediately like each other. I am glad of that, for I think they will make a good team and do much valuable work together.
Abernath has agreed to hire a local Koalhurst lad, to cary on with Edward's experimental garden. I agreed to send him back in the spring, to assist in getting it started up and providing direction to Abernath and the new assistant. I also arranged to increase Abernath's stipend, to cover the cost of the employee and the use of his land. Kastor believes these agricultural experiments should be placed under the direction of the Achemedia and that a systematic study of plants should be undertaken by a new professor of Horticulture (TN: the English word horticulture was not invented until the 18th century. Arden used a compound noun consisting of the infinitive `to cultivate' and plants.) Edward and Philon should study under this new professor, when we are able to find one.
Iason's theater was most wonderful and I am so proud of him. I am proud of all that assisted and they are many. This was quite spectacle and very costly. Fortunately we only have one Crown Prince to marry every 20 years or so. Uncle Iason said little, leaving the arrangements to Iason and Princess Elpis. Karyakos did tell me to give them what ever money they requested. We did save some, as it was a double wedding. Princess Eudoxia will keep her title as requested of the council by the King; Alexandros will be know as Sir Alexandros, Princess Eudoxia's Consort, Knight 3rd Class, Captain Royal Guard. None of Uncle's sisters desired to keep their title, so none did.
I think Eudoxia feels she can make greater use of her talents having the title. Polydeukus will become the primary administrator of the Castle, sharing his power with Princess Elpis and Princess Sophia as well as the stewards. All must come to me for the money. Next year Melitta will become a junior page. Helo will become a page in the spring along with Dios.
Alfred and Helo have taught Umar and Lysandros along with a number of others how to climb up and down ropes. I am not comfortable with it, Uncle keeps reminding me, we must not stifle the younger children. "Let their mothers do that."
I learned today, at the winter soloists two more Heroes of Parga will be named, one is a young man from the south and the other a young woman from the east.
I hope we have been an inspiration to others but it matters not. I hope the Hero of Parga awards will inspire others but that too matters not. What matters is the recognition the society gives to its citizens. I am glad to see that we are a modern state, that is beginning to recognize the contribution women make to our society. The most ancient people seemed to understand this. The early Greeks and Romans did as well. I believe we need move our society to a better balance between the two views.
1319, 10th month, day 13:
We received an envoy from Bejaia today, who met with us in privet. I was quite surprised but never the less glad, that some kind of official meeting was taking place. He is an older, pleasant man, with obvious diplomatic experience. Odo joined us but the man's Greek was in fact quite good. I take it he must have translated our earlier messages, as he was most familiar with them.
He presented his credentials and when that was satisfied he presented the ensign of Bejaia, saying, "the Sultan was most pleased that Prince Arden had given him a gift of his ensign and hopes you will accept his in return." Which I did. I immediately asked a page to see that this ensign flies from our castle for the time the envoy remained with us. This is a custom we do when ever non resident diplomats or representatives of foreign states visit us. He was most impressed with this and said so. Uncle assured him that we harbored no hostility toward the Sultan or Bejaia. This polite chat went on for a bit. The envoy asked after Prince Iason. Father said the Crown Prince was with his new bride and we did not expect to see him for several more weeks.
Dysme came in offering tea and wine along with sweets and fresh fruit. As we sat around the table the atmosphere became much more relaxed and less formal. "The Sultan was most impressed by the flag and delivery method, as well as your printing process." I know I blushed at the mention of the stealth mission and he just smiled in recognition. I guess nothing more need be said about it. Kastor brought a book to the table for the envoy's inspection. And so it went.
After we finished our tea we continued to talk informally. Nothing was said about Umar or our past hostilities. We talked about world affairs and trade, avoiding any mention of political or religious philosophy. He did mention that the sultan had many children from numerous wives. Uncle said he only had one wife and eight children. He then mentioned that all orphans without other family were wards to the crown and that he and Princess Elpis were now parents to over 600, many are adults with families of their own but once a parent, always a parent. He then asked after us princes. Kastor and Polydeukus told him they were betrothed to twin girls, both pages who would be of marriageable age in about a year. Iason he already knew about. "And you Prince Arden?" I am not allowed to have a wife by virtue of my office but I have sired a number of children, all of whom are recognized and I have taken one ward. A boy named Umar.
Our mid day meal was served. When finished I excused myself as I was scheduled at the running track. Later that afternoon I noticed the envoy and Kastor observing. I had just finished my middle distance running and joined the young boys and their coach.
We now have about 25 boys under 12 that come to run several times a week and a small group of Argoanuts that act as their coachs. In addition to running on the track they play tag games. It is much more game playing than training. Boys need to run and be free. That was always one of the great joys of living in a small village in the country, I could just run for no other reason than the joy of the doing. In my view it is more important at this age for the boys to have fun and learn to enjoy sports, running specifically. If they learn anything about the art, all the better. I find little else as wondrous to behold, as a group of naked boys frolicking on the playing field or at the swimming place. Being a cooler time of year, swimming is not pleasant but running is.
Just as we were finishing Helo, Umar and Lysandros came to me. "Why is the flag of Bejaia flying from the parapet," Helo asked? That is because an official visitor from Bejaia is here and while he remains his flag flies. "Oh," Umar said, "Have they come to try and take me away?"
No that is not the reason for the visit nor will it ever be. I am not about to give up any of my children, for any reason. "See I told you," Lysandros sang.
It would be polite, I think, to say hello to Uncle Kastor and our visitor don't you? Lysandros, Alfred, Helo and Umar took off on a dead run. I was right behind them but much slower, as not to overpower them with my longer stride. Shortly after the introductions Hilarus came running across the sports field with a message for me. The boys ran off to join their friends and Hilarus went to fetch my clothing, as I was being summoned to another meeting. I think I spend most of my life these days in meetings.
"Umar is certainly prospering here in Parga and it is obvious those boys dote on you Prince," the envoy commented. I know I turned bright red.
"My brother is easily embraced by the truth, only our brother Iason has a better way with children," Kastor said.
He is completely at home as you can see. The artists have tested him and assure me he has great talent, as does Lysandros with music. Perhaps that is why they have become such good friends.
"My brother has many talents, as is obvious. His greatest lay in identifying and drawing out the talent of others and then inspiring them to excel. Polydeukus and I had no thought to being princes, we were satisfied just being pages. Arden and Iason had other ideas. I remember the King overhearing Arden once say, are not five princes equal to one king.' The king could not let such an error stand and corrected Arden's misconception. Each of you are my equal,' and he looked right at Arden, `some my better, never forget that.' Arden tries to deny but we will not let him. He is the most beloved prince in Parga. The rest of us command full respect of office and a good measure to love but Arden commands a full measure of love and respect to himself plus the office. Even criminals that he must sentence, as judge in the court, thank him for doing so. I do not exaggerate, I have seen it with my own eyes. We once needed volunteers for community service and when told Prince Arden needed men, it was those who he had sentenced that were the first to volunteer. Now he is even redder than before, but it is true.
He is not magic or divine, he bleeds as I do. What he does, I think without even realizing, is set a standard of performance that no ordinary mortal can meet; then he extends his hand and helps you do just that.
Umar loves him completely and unquestionably. Arden is his daddy. Not because he is the lad's foster father but because he loves Umar with the same intensity and dedication he gives to his running. Young children may lack guile and experience but they do recognize love, the one commodity they can also return."
I needed to depart so I took my leave but I am sure the envoy was regaled with one Prince Arden story after another. I am truly embraced by all this. I know my brothers and the others will only speak the truth, as they see it. It may be just a bit colored by their allegiance to me. The envoy will understand that. I feel for him, as he must no doubt report to his sultan what he has learned. How he tells the man that Umar is treated more as prince in Parga than he ever would be in Bejaia or that he receives greater love from his foster parents than he did from is birth parents, I do not know. I truly believe, continued efforts to recover him to Bejaia is a disservice to the boy. I think the envoy realizes this. He is a skilled and experienced diplomat and obviously highly political, he will find a way.
Our differences with Bejaia and theirs with us are not in the best interest of either state. I believe the exchange of flags symbolizes that recognition. We will probably never know how close the situation came to much distraction and death. Given that we are so much removed from the other, this is the best solution. How long it will last is only speculation.