>>6101164"Damsel Vivian of the Waters visited Roma once many moons ago. However, this was before the Imperator ruled the city. Despite later entreaties, the Damsel has never returned. Escanor Le Grand is wholly unknown. In my personal opinion, that girl is going to die soon, as all her messages are pleading for a way out. If she had the misfortune to be where no one could assist her, it's only a matter of time. Truly, a Lost Child gone widdershin' on an isle without vassals is a tragedy. I'm sure the plays on her brief life shall be a nice little act for the theater halls of Roma."
With that, the envoy takes a long drink of mead to slake his thirst, his long spiel at an end. He didn't mention the Bitch who trapped you here in Avalon. Could it be that he doesn't know of her existence? You are worried about Escanor more after hearing the Roman's little commentary.
The Bard takes over the center of the Great Hall and begins an announcement of the presentation of gifts to the Romans. Baphomets arrive carrying each a small pile of treasures. Thick elaborate silver bracelets and neck torques, polished drinking horns chased with thin lines of gold, warm quality cloaks with silver pins shaped as birds, and other precious items are laid out on round polished obsidian disks for each guest. There is an abundance of silver in Camelot, and the Baphomets deem the metal virtually useless for their needs. They would trade all the silver in exchange for more useful metal, such as iron, if they could.
"A good offering to Roma; if there's more of that in Camelot, than it'd be worth journeying out to this isle to develop it."
The eyes of the Romans glitter with greed. To your surprise, they accept the gifts but don't offer any gifts back! The Baphomets are taken aback too as they watch the Romans grandly accept the silver and sit back down. Gift-giving is supposed to be mutual; this is a serious faux pas or a deliberate insult.
<span class="mu-r">'Neither. They assume the treasures are tribute.'</span>
"Yes, you did mention earlier something about 'building up' Camelot'. What did you mean?"
Legatus Gaius smiles genially, and what he says next is enraging.
"Tis evident that Camelot lacks many critical goods and expertise; this Kingdom needs the might and blessings of Roma to uplift it. The Imperator sent us as the first ship to establish relations for mutual exchange and benefits. I am here not only as Legatus but also as a quaestor to await the others who will assist in establishing profitable trade and building up the necessary industries. This was all agreed upon with the blessing of the then King Mordred! But alas, Mordred is not King. It is you, Your Majesty. Which is why we should discuss tomorrow how to go about this and enrich Camelot and Roma mutually."
