"But not retained possession of it," cried the king's son; and his clear gray eyes shone pleasantly. "Who would wish to live in walled graves? Also in your Juvavum we shall not settle." "That is provided against," muttered Severus. But Liuthari threw back his locks, laughing. "Wait a little! But say first, for whom leadest thou these burghers into the field? In whose name dost thou defend Juvavum?" "For the Imperator of Ravenna, who, as a good omen, unites the names of the first king and the first emperor; for Romulus Augustulus, the lord of the whole earth." Then the German drew a papyrus roll from his girdle, and threw it to Cornelius. "I thought so," said he. "You know less than we barbarians what is happening in your own Italy--in your own imperial chief city. Read what is written to me by one who knows it well. There is no longer an Emperor of the West! Romulus Augustulus--the boy's name is certainly a good omen _for us_!--is deposed. He lives henceforth on an island, and feeds peacocks; and on his throne sits my brother-in-law, the husband of my beautiful sister--Odoacer the brave. He has himself written it to us." Cornelius had glanced through the composition. He tamed pale and silently gave it to Severus, who read it trembling. "There is no doubt!" said he, almost voiceless. "I know the man; he has served under me. Odoacer does not lie." "And we do not lie!" cried the gray-bearded companion of Liuthari. He urged on his horse and took the letter from the hand of Severus. "To split shields, not to falsify Runes, have I taught King Liutbert's son." One could well believe that of the old man. Before he put the roll into his girdle he looked into it with an important air; it did not disturb him that the letters were upside down. Severus supported himself on his spear. Cornelius looked darkly before him. "I knew it," he then said. "I had almost wished for it when I saw it was unavoidable; and now it is come it crushes me." "No longer an Imperator in Rome!" groaned Severus. "Italy in the hands of the barbarians!" sighed Cornelius. "You awake my deepest pity, gallant heroes," said the king's son, in a grave tone. "But now you see well: the battle must come to an end before it begins. For whom, for what will you yet fight?" "For the future!" cried Severus. "For the past--for honour!" cried Cornelius. "For immortal Rome!" said both. "Byzantium yet rules--soon will Byzantium send another Emperor," threatened Severus. "Perhaps!" said Liuthari, shrugging his shoulders. "But in the meantime we want a settling-place, fields, and pasturage, we Germans. And therefore I bring you a message in my father's name: 'So speaks Liutbert, the King of the Alemanni, in his own name and in that of his allies'"---- "Who are these allies?" interrupted Cornelius. "You will find out quicker than you will like," answered gruffly Liuthari's companion.