“I miss the great ships and the shine and gleam of it all. The…pageantry?” Enopay looked glum. “My life will be a poor thing if I never again see anything as grand as a quinquereme.”
“You will. I am sure.”
“And I miss the big talk. The Roman confidence. The idea that nothing is impossible.”
“That confidence is a two-edged sword.”
“Surely, but it is also invigorating.” Enopay sat up straight. “All right now. Enough moping. To business.”
“Business?”
“Serious talk of the future. Here is what will happen to us all. I have seen it in a dream, and so I know that it is true.”
Marcellinus laughed. “Juno, Enopay. I don’t believe you have ever suffered a prophetic dream.”
“Well, not when I was asleep. But here is what I believe when I am awake.”
Enopay took a long look around the bustle and feasting that surrounded them in the plaza, the smoke and food, all wrapped in the laughter of Hesperians in the dusk light. “Tahtay will be happy at last. He will be a strong leader to Cahokia and to the Hesperian League, as we always knew he would.”
“Always?”
“In another year the elders and chiefs of Cahokia will grant him the title of Great Sun Man, and Tahtay will accept it. He will rule wisely, but only when he needs to. And Taianita will bear him many strong children. They will run so fast that nobody can catch them, and grow up to be warriors.
“Kimimela may love her young Blackfoot for a while, or perhaps someone else, but she will not marry. Instead she will become the chief of the Hawk clan, and sooner rather than later, because Sintikala will yield her position as chief long before she gets old. Sintikala will not become Ojinjintka, who led her clan until the bitter, creaky end. Sintikala has much else to enjoy. Ah, good; I see from your eyes that you and she have discussed this.”
Marcellinus grinned and said nothing. Enopay continued. “As chief of the Hawk clan, Kimimela will stand by Tahtay’s side, just as Sintikala stood by Great Sun Man’s side and now stands by Tahtay’s, and Kimimela and Tahtay will then be the mother and father of Cahokia. And meanwhile you and Sintikala will live a long and happy life together, and you will always fly. Even when you are on the ground.”
Marcellinus raised his eyebrows. “Now you write poetry?”
“Where you two are concerned, somebody has to.” Enopay checked to make sure Sintikala could not overhear him but switched to Latin anyway as he continued. “Marcellinus and Sintikala are perfect together. It is beautiful to see. And the rest of us had to wait so long for the two of you to realize it, because you are both so amazingly stubborn.”
“I wanted it sooner,” Marcellinus said. “We did lose a lot of time.”
“Oh, you are still young,” Enopay said.
Marcellinus cocked an eye at him. “You say so?”
“Fifty-one winters is not old. You still have much time. Look at Howahkan. Nahimana. Matoshka. More ancient than the hills and still hobbling around annoying people.”
“May all the gods hear your wisdom,” Marcellinus said.
Enopay looked at him very seriously. “I am not as young as you think I am, Eyanosa. And you are not as old as you think you are.”
Marcellinus nodded. “And what of Enopay the Bold? I think he will do many, many things.”
“Will he?”
“At harvest, Enopay counts grain. In war, he counts soldiers. In peace, he counts the days and nights and watches where the sun sets, for he is something of a shaman, but without believing the wild ideas that shamans believe. Tell me, Enopay, is today really midsummer?”
For the first time, Enopay looked impressed. “I did not know you had seen me doing that. Yes, Youtin counts true. The sun stands still on the horizon when it sets and will go no farther north. It is midsummer.” He looked smug. “Yet for years we have not had a Midwinter Feast on the real midwinter day, because when it is so cold, Youtin stays abed too long in the mornings, and when he rises, he shivers so much that he cannot keep good count.”
“And perhaps, in addition to studying the heavens, Enopay will write down the first history of Cahokia and the mound-builders, or a geography of Hesperia on a series of scrolls for the libraries of Roma and Alexandria.”
“That sounds like a great deal of finger-talk.”
“And he will go to Roma to see all of its wonders. Perhaps even as an ambassador for Hesperia.”
Enopay looked at him very seriously. “Perhaps I will. I want to see everything, Gaius Marcellinus. I want to see the whole world.”
It was rare that Enopay called him anything other than Eyanosa. For a moment, Marcellinus felt oddly sad. Despite his earlier joke, Enopay was growing up.
Enopay was watching him. “It is wrong that I should feel such a thing?”
“No. Never.”
Enopay looked sad, too. “But when I go to Roma, you will not come with me?”
Marcellinus considered it again. “I do not know. In truth, perhaps that depends on Roma as much as on me.”
For now, Marcellinus appeared to be safe. But an Imperator could always be deposed, or die at dinner in his palace choking on a stuffed dormouse, or simply change his mind. Who could say?
The Senate might demand Hesperian gold. Or its army might once again attempt to acquire Cahokian wings and liquid fire to wage war in Europa or Asia. Who could predict Roma’s future policy toward the huge and mostly “unexploited” continent of Nova Hesperia? Their peace and freedom might prove to be short-lived.
But if Aelfric were here, the Briton would tell Marcellinus not to fret over a future he could not control. After all, Roma still had the other sons of Chinggis Khan to deal with. Hadrianus might have his hands full for many years to come.
Enopay was trying to read his eyes. “Of course. Roma is capricious. But you do not rule it out?”
Even if he could be sure of his reception, to go to Roma, Marcellinus would need to leave Sintikala and Kimimela behind and be away from Cahokia for two years or more. He could not imagine being willing to make such a sacrifice.
But many things about his current situation would have been impossible to predict twelve winters ago, or five, or three. “No, I do not rule it out.”
Sintikala and Sooleawa hugged, and the young Hidatsa woman skipped back to Isleifur Bjarnason. Sintikala turned to survey them, then winked at Enopay and said: “You are too serious, Wanageeska. As always.”
Marcellinus laughed aloud. “You say so? Sintikala says such a thing?”
“I say it.” She met his eye with a fierce and smoldering gaze. “But for you, I am Sisika.”
Mortified, Enopay looked around him. “Perhaps I should go.”
“You should not.” Sintikala put her hand on Enopay’s arm, shook her head, smiled. “The Wanageeska and I will behave.”
“You will stay, and we will eat together,” Marcellinus said. “No, wait: you will go and rescue Tahtay from the Tadodaho and invite him and Taianita to join us, and then you will encourage Kimimela to return here, too, with her very unattractive new friend of the Blackfoot if she must, and then you will stay.”
“Will I?” Enopay glanced at them both, still nervous.
“Yes, you will,” Sintikala said. “We have spoken.”
For friends old and new, who help me to fly
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Stupendous thanks are due to my agent extraordinaire, Caitlin Blasdell; my awesome and perceptive editor, Mike Braff; my dedicated and tireless publicist, Alexandra Coumbis; and everyone else at Liza Dawson Associates and Penguin Random House/Del Rey for their imagination and energy. The last few years have been hard work, but they’ve also been immense fun, and the above-named industry professionals have brought a lot of that fun. It’s been a pleasure.
Gratitude, respect, and wine and water in perpetuity go to my intrepid beta readers Karen Smale, Chris Cevasco, Peter Charron, and Fiona Lehn, who truly went the distance. I salute them for their valiant service.
I’d also like to sincerely thank everyone who offered me support and friendship during the writing and, aye, promotion of these books—old friends and new; fellow writers, readers, and non-readers alike. I won’t attempt to name you all—that way lies madness—but please know that I’m both cheered and humbled.
Thanks as ever to my parents, Peter and Jill Smale, who started the ball rolling by stoking my interest in the world around me. And love and gratitude to my very patient spouse, Karen, who has helped to keep my life running smoothly in the present day while I’ve been off adventuring in my alternate thirteenth century. Time to take some real vacations again, I think.
APPENDIXES
* * *
APPENDIX I
DRAMATIS PERSONAE
ROMANS
Hadrianus III—Imperator
Soldiers of the Legio XXXIII Hesperia
Gaius Publius Marcellinus—Praetor
Lucius Domitius Corbulo—First Tribune, tribune of the Second and Third Cohorts
Aelfric—Tribune of the Fourth and Fifth Cohorts (Briton)
Marcus Tullius—Tribune of the Sixth Cohort
Gnaeus Fabius—Tribune of the Seventh and Eighth Cohorts
Leogild—Quartermaster (Visigoth)
Pollius Scapax—First Centurion
Thorkell Sigurdsson—Scout (Norse)
Isleifur Bjarnason—Scout (Norse)
Soldiers of the Legio III Parthica
Quintus Decinius Sabinus—Praetor
Antonius Caster—First Tribune, tribune of the Second and Third Cohorts
Sextus Bassus—Decurion
Soldiers of the Legio XXVII Augusta Martia Victrix
Lucius Flavius Agrippa—Praetor
Mettius Fronto—First Tribune, tribune of the Second and Third Cohorts
Soldiers of the Legio VI Ferrata
Calidius Verus—Praetor
Aurelius Dizala—First Tribune, tribune of the Second and Third Cohorts (Thracian)
Statius Paulinus—Tribune of the Fourth and Fifth Cohorts
Flavius Urbius—Tribune of the Sixth and Seventh Cohorts
Vibius Caecina—Tribune of the Eighth and Ninth Cohorts
Manius Ifer—Centurion, then tribune of the Tenth Cohort
Appius Gallus—First Centurion
Titus Otho—Ship’s master, Providentia
Aulus—Adjutant
Furnius—Adjutant
Sollonius—Adjutant
Einar Stenberg—Scout (Norse)
Other Romans
Julia—Ex-wife of Marcellinus
Vestilia—Daughter of Marcellinus
CAHOKIANS
Ranking Cahokians: Rulers, Clan Chiefs, Elders, Shamans
Great Sun Man/Mapiya—War chief, paramount chief of Cahokia
Sintikala/Sisika—Chief of the Hawk clan
Demothi—Second in command of the Hawk clan
Ojinjintka—Chief of the Thunderbird clan
Chenoa—Chief of the Thunderbird clan
Anapetu—Chief of the Raven clan
Pahin—Chief of the Raven clan
Wahchintonka—Leader of the Wolf Warriors
Matoshka—Cahokian elder, Bear clan
Howahkan—Cahokian elder
Kanuna—Cahokian elder, grandfather to Enopay
Ogleesha—Cahokian elder
Youtin—Elder shaman
Kiche—Young shaman, acolyte to Youtin
Huyana—First wife of Great Sun Man
Nipekala—Third wife of Great Sun Man (Blackfoot)
Ituha—Paramount chief of Cahokia, historical uniter of Cahokia
Avenaka—Wolf Warrior lieutenant, war chief, brother to Huyana
Warriors of the First Cahokian Cohort
Akecheta—Centurion
Mahkah—Young warrior, then leader of the Second Cahokian Cohort
Hanska—Veteran warrior, then leader of the Third Cahokian Cohort
Takoda—Veteran warrior, son of Nahimana, husband of Kangee, adjutant, Bear clan
Napayshni—Veteran warrior, adjutant
Mikasi—Veteran warrior, husband of Hanska (Omaha, adopted as Cahokian)
Yahto—Warrior
Other Cahokian Citizens
Tahtay/Mingan—Young man, son of Great Sun Man, war chief (also Blackfoot)
Kimimela—Young woman, daughter of Sintikala
Enopay—Young man, grandson of Kanuna, adjutant
Dustu—Young man, confidant of Tahtay
Hurit—Young woman, Raven clan (Algon-Quian, adopted as Cahokian)
Luyu—Young woman, Wakinyan clan
Nahimana—Older woman, mother of Takoda, Bear clan
Chumanee—Young woman, healer
Kangee—Wife of Takoda, Turtle clan
Ciqala—Son of Takoda and Kangee
Wachiwi—Young woman (Oneida, adopted as Cahokian)
Leotie—Sister of Anapetu, Raven clan
Dowanhowee—Sister of Anapetu, Raven clan
Nashota—Daughter of Anapetu, Raven clan
Ohanzee—Warrior, Raven clan
Chogan—Young warrior, Raven clan
Kohana—Brother of Great Sun Man
Patachee—Mother of Great Sun Man
Wapi—Artisan
SHAPPA TA’ATANI
Son of the Sun—Paramount chief
Taianita—Word slave
Panther—Clan chief
Beaver—Clan chief
Snake—Clan chief
Turtle—Clan chief
Deer—Clan chief
Crow—Clan chief
OTHER HESPERIANS
Iniwa—War chief of Ocatan
Otetiani—The Tadodaho, Chief of the Onondaga
Cha’akmogwi—Chief of the Yupkoyvi
Chochokpi—Chief of the Yupkoyvi
Tlin-Kit—Chief of the Tlingit
Fuscus—Word slave (Powhatani)
Pezi—Word slave (Iroqua)
The Chitimachan—Word slave (Chitimachan)
Unega—Scout (Cherokee)
Sooleawa—Buffalo caller (Hidatsa)
Coosan—Centurion (Ocatani)
Sinopa—Warrior (Blackfoot)
MONGOLS
Chinggis Khan—Great Khan of the Mongols
Jochi—First son of Chinggis Khan
Chagatai—Second son of Chinggis Khan
Ogodei—Third son of Chinggis Khan
Tolui—Fourth son of Chinggis Khan
Subodei Badahur—General
Jebei Noyon, the Arrow—General
Liu Po-Lin—Adviser to Chinggis Khan (Jin)
Yesulun Khatun—Wife of Chagatai
APPENDIX II
THE CAHOKIAN YEAR
The approximate correspondence between the Julian calendar and the Cahokian moons and festivals is as follows:
JANUARIUS Snow Moon
FEBRUARIUS Hunger Moon
MARTIUS Crow Moon
LIBERALIA Spring Planting Festival
APRILIS Grass Moon
MAIUS Planting Moon
JUNIUS Flower Moon
VESTALIA Midsummer Feast
JULIUS Heat Moon
AUGUSTUS Thunder Moon
SEPTEMBER Hunting Moon
SOL SISTERE Harvest Festival
OCTOBER Falling Leaf Moon
NOVEMBER Beaver Moon
DECEMBER Long Night Moon
BRUMA Midwinter Feast
In Cahokia, the exact dates of spring, midsummer, harvest, and midwinter are determined by the position of the sun on the horizon at sunrise and sunset, as measured from the Circle of the Cedars.
To maintain the alignment of the lunar cycles with the annual solar cycle, a thirteenth month is added to the Cahokian calendar every three years. This is the Dancing Moon. As its name implies, the Dancing Moon can be inserted into the Cahoki
an calendar at the most convenient time, as chosen by the shamans.
Other ceremonies and celebrations occur during the Cahokian year but are scheduled when the signs, time, and weather are right, at times that may appear arbitrary to the uninitiated.
APPENDIX III
CAHOKIA AND THE MISSISSIPPIAN CULTURE
Many people are familiar with the Aztecs and the Maya and the other great civilizations of Mesoamerica. Far fewer seem to know of the thriving and extensive cultures of North America in the centuries before the arrival of European ships.
For more than five hundred years the Mississippian civilization dominated the river valleys of eastern North America, building thousands of towns and villages along the Mississippi, the Ohio, and many other rivers. Like the Adena and Hopewell cultures before them, they built mounds by the tens of thousands: conical mounds, ridge mounds, and the distinctive square-sided, flat-topped platform mounds. In all likelihood the founding events of Mississippian culture took place in Cahokia and then radiated out across the continent.
In its heyday Cahokia was a huge city covering more than five square miles, occupied by about 20,000 people and containing at least 120 mounds of packed earth and silty clay, many of them colossal. In the twelfth and early thirteenth centuries Cahokia was larger than London, and no city in northern America would be larger until the 1800s. Cahokia’s skyline was dominated by the gigantic mound known today as Monks Mound, a thousand feet square at the base and a hundred feet high. Monks Mound had four terraces, and archaeological data reveal that it was topped with a large wooden structure 105 feet long and 48 feet wide. This great earthwork and longhouse overlooked a Grand Plaza nearly 50 acres in area, meticulously positioned and leveled with sandy loam fill a foot deep. Cahokia’s central 205 acres were protected by a bastioned palisade two miles long and constructed of some 20,000 logs, enclosing the Great Mound and Great Plaza and eighteen other mounds. The downtown area was surrounded by perhaps a dozen residential neighborhoods, some of which had their own plazas. Cahokia was bounded several miles to the west by the Mississippi and to the east by river bluffs of limestone and sandstone and was surrounded by the floodplains of the American Bottom that allowed the cultivation of maize in vast fields to feed its population.