The negotiations were long and arduous, stretching over weeks, then months. Titus Messienus Verecundus proved to be a surprisingly tenacious and empathetic negotiator, genuinely committed to finding a path to peace that honored the dignity of both sides. He listened patiently to the grievances of the Armorican elders, to the stories of Roman brutality, to the deep-seated mistrust that had festered for generations. He acknowledged the injustices, expressed regret for the suffering caused, and, most importantly, offered concrete proposals for a new relationship based on mutual respect.
Calavia and Vergilia, along with Morwyn and a council of tribal leaders, represented the Armorican side. They were unyielding in their demands for true autonomy, for the right to self-governance, for an end to Roman interference in their internal affairs. They insisted on the protection of their lands, their customs, their spiritual practices. And they demanded a formal recognition of their status as free people, not as subjects of Rome, but as independent allies.
The most contentious point, however, remained the issue of slavery. While Titus could not, at this stage, promise the complete abolition of slavery throughout the Empire, he did agree to a series of unprecedented concessions. The treaty would formally recognize the Armorican territories as a sanctuary for escaped slaves, granting them asylum and protection from Roman reclamation. It would also establish a system for the gradual emancipation of enslaved Armoricans within Roman territories, allowing them to purchase their freedom or earn it through service, with Rome providing financial incentives for their masters to comply.
This was a radical departure from Roman policy, a concession that sent shockwaves through the Imperial Senate when Titus's proposals finally reached Rome. Manius Urgulanius Cyricus, along with his allies, railed against the "treasonous" treaty, arguing that it would undermine the very foundations of Roman society, that it would embolden other enslaved peoples to rebel. But Emperor Hadrian, swayed by Titus's impassioned arguments and increasingly concerned by the growing unrest in the provinces, ultimately sided with his envoy. He saw the treaty not as a sign of weakness, but as a pragmatic solution, a way to bring stability to a volatile region and to prevent a larger, more costly war.
And so, after months of intense deliberation, the Treaty of Armorica was finally signed. It was a simple document, written in both Latin and the ancient Armorican tongue, but its implications were profound. It formally recognized the independence of the Armorican tribes, establishing a clear border between their territories and those of Rome. It guaranteed their right to self-governance, to practice their own customs, to worship their own gods. And, most importantly, it declared Armorica a free land, a sanctuary for all who sought liberty, a place where the chains of slavery could not bind.
The signing ceremony was a quiet affair, held in the central longhouse of Vergilia's village. Titus, his face etched with exhaustion but alight with a quiet triumph, signed on behalf of the Emperor. Calavia and Vergilia, their hands steady, signed on behalf of the unified Armorican tribes. As their names were inscribed on the parchment, a cheer erupted from the assembled villagers, a sound of profound relief and jubilation.
"This is just the beginning," Morwyn whispered to Calavia, her eyes shining with tears. "A single step on a long journey. But it is a step in the right direction."
And indeed, it was. The Treaty of Armorica, though initially dismissed by many in Rome as a minor concession to a rebellious province, proved to be a powerful symbol, a beacon of hope for enslaved peoples throughout the Empire. News of the treaty spread rapidly, carried by traders, by escaped slaves, by the growing network of resistance that Calavia and Vergilia had helped to build. It ignited new uprisings, inspired new acts of defiance, and forced Rome to confront the moral and practical implications of its reliance on slavery.
In the years that followed, Armorica became a thriving hub of freedom, a magnet for those seeking a new life. Escaped slaves, from all corners of the Empire, made their way to the sanctuary, finding refuge and a new sense of purpose. The Armoricans, in turn, welcomed them, sharing their knowledge, their resources, their vision of a free society. The community grew, not just in numbers, but in strength and diversity, becoming a living testament to the power of human dignity and the resilience of the human spirit.
Calavia and Vergilia, now revered as elders and leaders, continued their work. They traveled throughout Armorica, helping to establish new free communities, to train new leaders, to spread the message of unity and resistance. They also maintained a cautious, yet productive, relationship with Titus Messienus Verecundus, who, despite facing constant opposition from Manius and his allies, continued to advocate for reforms within Rome, pushing for a more just and equitable society.
The struggle was far from over. Rome, though shaken, remained a formidable power, its grip on the world still strong. But the seeds of change had been planted, and they were beginning to bear fruit. The whispers of freedom, once confined to the hidden corners of the Empire, were now growing into a roar, a chorus of defiance that would eventually shatter the chains that bound so many.
And in the heart of Armorica, in the thriving communities built on the principles of liberty and equality, Calavia and Vergilia watched the sun set over their free land, knowing that their fight, though arduous, had been worth it. They had not just won their own freedom; they had helped to light a path for countless others, a path toward a future where all human beings, regardless of their birth or their circumstances, could truly be free.