Illustration for 18th chapter of my fanfic «Asterix and the Germans»
Meanwhile, Caesar sat on his throne, conversing with Brainsideoutus, who was perched on the cushions at the foot of the throne.
«Will the indomitable village be subdued if Runta is unleashed upon it? It would be wonderful if he dealt with them the same way he dealt with the Odiferans...».
The psychic paused briefly, then began chattering, jumping from one thing to another and interrupting himself:
«No, and there are reasons for that. He did it after drinking a magical Gaulish potion that multiplies a person's existing strength. The Gauls still have the potion, and they could easily deal with Runta alone. His daughter is the best candidate for this. To deal with her alone without the potion, it would take forty Gauls under the influence of the magic potion. Runta hated the Odiferans, but he felt nothing but contempt for the Gauls. Furthermore, the magic potion's effects become stronger and longer lasting with strong emotions. Runta would have gone for it if only the bard Cacofonix hadn't been in the village. Runta was very grateful to him for helping him and his family escape Marcus Gladiolus. In other words, if he gave the potion to a beefy Roman legionary, say, Eagleyeus, and took the potion from the village, the results would be faster!».
«Sounds reasonable. And as for the bard, let him stay with this family. Perhaps they'll even make a true Roman out of him. It's interesting, he voluntarily went to the civilized world, and without an escort at that...».
«Runta persuaded him to go to a music competition in Athens with his son. The bard Cacofonix has always dreamed of recognition and hopes that in Athens he will find what he seeks».
«I really like this Runta. His actions have given me a wonderful idea. Why not disperse all the inhabitants of this village across the Roman world? Each of them has specific dreams and goals that could be realized in the civilized world, and this might force them to compromise their indomitability! Can you compile a list of suitable Roman candidates for this?».
«If there are any, then easily. For example, Runta can be forced to communicate with the druid and achieve something, as Runta is knowledgeable in chemistry. Viola, now the governor's wife and awash in luxury, can influence the chieftain's wife, who hails from the now-conquered Lutetia, the capital of Gaul, and is extremely fond of finery, jewelry, and other trappings of luxury. Moreover, she has a wealthy brother in Lutetia, whom she regularly visits. Also working at the Techno-Greek manufactory is the Spartan Volcanos, a steelmaker; he can be forced to interact with the blacksmith there. So...».
As soon as the guards led him into the throne room, the first thing Ambitious noticed was Brainsideoutus, sitting on an embroidered cushion at the foot of the throne, wearing an embroidered toga instead of his garish rags.
«What are you doing here, Brainsideoutus?» — Ambitious was taken aback. — «Shouldn't you be with Megajerkus right now?».
«Marcus Gladiolus killed him with a poison dart. Caesar rewarded me for this information, and I am now his agent. As for you, Ambitious, you will now become a centurion».
They chatted for a while: Brainsideoutus answered Ambitious's questions about various aspects of the Aquarium situation, demanding payment for the information.
«Am I disturbing you?» — Caesar protested, then pointed at the young man who had come to see him. — «What brings you here?».
Finally noticing the man he had come to see, Ambitious began to chatter:
«Ave, Caesar! I am Ambitious, optio of centurion Megajerkus of the Aquarium camp! We are halfway to conquering the indomitable village, and we require a top-notch spy, Chameleonus, a master of camouflage, to track down the secret stash of Gaulish magic potion and steal it for us».
«So, Aquarium plans to enslave the indomitable Gauls, which will then allow them to become slaves of Rome? I'd like to know what exactly you intend to do...».
As soon as Ambitious had outlined the essence of the plan he had devised with Megajerkus: to send a druid out of the village and steal the potion he would prepare before leaving, Caesar sent for Chameleonus, who promptly responded.