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Marcellus sat across from the Suebi warlord known by the name of Asarulfo. The two of them had been in a heated discussion about the potential formation of an alliance between the Western Roman Empire and the Suebi tribes for several hours now.

As the night descended across the sky, they stubbornly refused to return to their lodgings, and instead continued to debate, albeit with the introduction of alcohol. The primary point of contention was that the Suebi wanted lands to settle, and Marcellus wanted men to fight for him. With the Franks being forcefully removed from Gaul, the northeast corner of the territory would become poorly defended.

Thus, Asarulfo sought to claim the lands for himself, since Hispania was off the table. The problem was that Marcellus did not want to cede more land to barbarians without their integration into the Empire and its culture. Thus, the two men were practically at each other’s throats as they argued about the finer points of this conflict.

“You gave the Goths Noricum and promised them Illyricum. Why do you favor them, and yet refuse my people’s lands to settle?”_.

Marcellus had his reasons for allowing the Goths to settle two provinces without integration. It was a completely different circumstance than the Suebi’s case. Which he perfectly outlined for the man.

“Alaric posed a threat to me at the time and needed to be won over. I was forced to make certain concessions in order to gain his troops as a fighting force. You and your tribe are no threat to me, if I so desire I can call upon tens of thousands of troops to reinforce Gaul and drive you from these lands just like I am doing to the Franks. If you wish to settle Gaul, then you must submit to Rome!”

Asarulfo scoffed when he heard these words. He would never fully submit to Rome as its servant. He was a son of Germania, and his people had remained unconquered for centuries. Why should he submit to the Roman Empire when the Romans did not have the military power to force him into submission? It was with this in mind that he called Marcellus’ bluff.

“If you really had the means to do so, you would have already done it. You may have tens of thousands of soldiers, but they are needed to maintain order across an Empire that is on the brink of collapse. You cannot spare the men in Gaul without losing territory elsewhere. No, you need me just as much as you need Alaric. We Suebi will not integrate into your Empire, but if you are willing to give us territory, and silver, we will accept being your subjects.”

Asarulfo was wise enough to know that the armies of Marcellus were not the same poor forces of Honorius. He had seen how they handled the Franks and the Vandals on the field. They were well equipped, and well organized, with competent commanders. If he truly wanted to force his way into Hispania and conquer his own lands, it would cost him dearly. The best solution would be to take the lands of the Franks and become Foederati.

The two men both drank from their cups as they glared at one another in silence. Neither one was willing to budge on this point. Marcellus believed if he made an exemption for the Suebi, then the next group of barbarians he sought to make use of would demand the same treatment. Much like how Asarulfo was now demanding the same deal as Alaric, The Suebi needed to be made an example of, so that future foederati did not take advantage of him or his Empire.  However, before he could double down, Asarulfo struck a nerve by making a comment about Sigefrida.

“I am sure my sister would be saddened to know that you wish to annihilate her people. How can you claim to love the woman when you wish to assimilate her people and obliterate their culture?”

Marcellus was awestruck by this comment. Though Sigefrida rarely referred herself as a Suebi and was now a Roman citizen. He did not know what she would think if he returned with her people in figurative chains. Perhaps Sigefrida suggested this meeting, knowing that her brother would be stubborn enough to get his way. When he thought of such a betrayal, his heart felt as if it was wrapped in a cage of thorns.

Naturally, Sigefrida did not identify with her Suebi heritage. She had not grown up in their culture, or learned their customs. As a free woman, she was now a Roman, and she identified as such. She cared little for her old family, or their traditions. However, the woman was Marcellus’ weak point, and Asarulfo had masterfully exploited it.

Marcellus needed the Suebi as Foederati if he wished to defend Gaul from the Franks and Vandals, especially after the expulsion of those few Franks living in the borders of the Empire. The rest of their tribe would want vengeance for the blood spilled in Gaul.

This meant that it was only a matter of time before a screaming horde of barbarians crossed the Rhine and entered Gaul yet again. In truth, he did not have the forces to contend with such a large number of enemies, not without risking foreign invasion and annexation of his eastern most provinces.

Knowing this, Marcellus sighed before begrudgingly nodding his head. Not every negotiation would end in his favor. Though it would come at the cost of long-term stability, and he could not guarantee the loyalty of the Suebi in the future. In the short term, he needed the Suebi warriors among his ranks, and thus, he could only concede defeat.

“Very well, I will give your people the rights to the lands that the Franks used to inhabit. In doing so, you are tasked with the protection of Gaul from any foreign invaders, and your warriors must swear their service to Rome as my Foederati.”

When Asarulfo heard he had been victorious in his negotiations, he wore a smug smile before lifting his horn in the toast of this new friendship.

“To new alliances!”

Marcellus could only sigh as he lifted his chalice before drinking the wine contained within. He had suffered a defeat in these negotiations, and he dreaded the long-term consequences of such an alliance. However, it was necessary, or else he would very quickly lose Gaul shortly after having reunited it as a part of the Western Roman Empire.

Since Asarulfo was related to Sigefrida, Marcellus believed he could keep him under heel for some time. After all, Marcellus could tell by the look in the man’s eyes that there was a hint of yearning to reunite with his half sister, and because of this, Marcellus believed he could use that to ensure the man’s loyalty.

For how long the Suebi would remain loyal to Marcellus and his military dictatorship? That had yet to be seen. After all, the Germanic people would never fully submit to Rome, or anyone else for that matter. At most, the status of Foederati was as mercenary allies. They were being paid with land, silver, and women. Eventually, when the silver stopped flowing, and the women stopped coming, they would rebel. However, for the time being, Marcellus could count tens of thousands of new soldiers among the ranks of his Armed Forces.