Chapter 17: "Dear Galerius"

The spider-wheeled cart traversed the postal road and
entered the confines of the walls at Nicomedia, from where
Constantine and Cassius had departed on their infamous escape
shortly over a year before. The armed messengers had been
warned that Galerius might be hostile, and had been told that if
need be, flee as had their emperor. Under the satchels filled with
mail, they kept their arms, in case Galerius' men attacked them.
Tension was high as the trumpeter announced that the mail had
arrived. They nervously entered the city.

The messengers made their rounds to the various barracks
before entering the palace to deliver mail addressed to members
of the imperial household. One messenger remained on the cart,
holding the horses' reins in case they needed to make a quick
getaway. The others marched to Galerius' quarters with hidden
daggers under their clothes and exposed swords in their sheaths
by their sides. They entered a room once used by Diocletian for
meetings with members of his cabinet.

Galerius and his advisors waited anxiously as they entered.
Silence and a threatening aura filled the room as glaring eyes

watched the messenger hand over the awaited letter. Without any
formalities, Galerius set it down and excused them.

"Go, but not too far, gentlemen," Galerius commanded.
They knelt, then rose and left the room. Galerius opened the
letter and as he did so, a coin fell from his hands and bounced
onto the table. An advisor next to him took it and examined it
while Galerius read aloud.

'"Dear Galerius—'" His temper flared. "We are not friends
for him to address me this informally!"

"Please, continue with the letter and save the comments
for the end. Time is of the utmost importance," an advisor
opposite him requested.

He threw it to the man. "You read it," he commanded.

The man nodded and began. '"I write to inform you of the
death of Constantius. He passed away due to illness. I had
initially planned to write you of the developments here since you
graciously allowed me to depart your residence. However, my
father's condition and the security of the frontiers in Britain did
not permit me to do so.'"

The advisor glanced at Galerius whose fists were clenched
and face reddened.

He read on. '"In my father's absence, the people of Gaul
and Britain have unanimously approved my candidature as
Senior Augustus. It is unfortunate that I did not consult you prior
to accepting the title. Yet in dire circumstances one cannot
hesitate for the approval of another when the masses call to him
in need.'"

"No! This can't be," Galerius angrily shouted.

'"Prior to his death, my father, along with his advisors,
nominated me to replace him. The people knew of my
impeccable battle record, my service to you and the emperor
Diocletian, and moreover, believed that the gods themselves had
delivered me to them. Hence they chose me as their emperor
without a second thought.'"

"The arrogance of that little rat!" Galerius slammed his fist
on the table. His plans to take over the empire had slipped out of
his hands.

"I am sure you will find the decision reasonable and I will
hear of your approval soon. As for the mailing address, I can be
found at the imperial palace in Trier as I plan on moving my
entire army east."

The reader glanced at Galerius and then delivered the final
blow. "It is signed Constantine, Lord Senior Augustus."

The advisor holding the coin slid it to Galerius and said,
"The mints have already crowned him as well."

"Melt this farcical object," said Galerius, hurling the coin
across the room. "Constantine will bum at the stake for this!"

The advisors offered Galerius wine and calmed him down.
Galerius took his seat and the advisors started producing
arguments for action or lack there of.

"Not all is lost," said the man beside Galerius.

"We should not make haste to wage war on the
northwestern front. It would be suicide for our armies without
proper planning," said another.

"His power can be reduced by acknowledging him as the
lowest member of the imperial college," said a third.

"I can say that I approve of him as Caesar and still retain
control of the remaining empire until I see fit to invade him and
confiscate his domain."

"Correct," said the man beside him. "His position is
temporary. Avoid the confrontation that he expects now, and be
victorious later."

"Send my response at once, then. In the meantime, I will
be thinking about Constantine's destruction." Galerius marched
out of the room, passing the messengers as he left. "You may
enter," he said as if nothing had transpired.

As soon as the letter was finished by the advisors, the
messengers took it and hurriedly walked out of the palace. As
they saw the light of day from the open palace entrance, they

heard Galerius' voice and their hearts seemed to have stopped
beating.

"You men! Be sure to take this letter directly to him. Do
not stop to collect mail on the return route."

"Yes, Lord Augustus," they said in unison.

He disappeared into the darkness of the palace and the
messengers exited into the light. They leaped onto the cart and
the driver didn't wait for a command to rush out of the city.

He turned to his colleague. "Was there any trouble?"

"We weren't directly threatened, but whatever emperor
Constantine had written angered the Augustus."

"I thought I heard screaming."

"Well, it was probably him. Let's get out of here before he
orders us to return or has us killed to ease his anger." He
whipped ferociously until the cart had reached the post road.