“The only land I’d give you is the dung hill.”
Atretes lost his temper and interfered before Theophilus could stop him. “By our law, Father’s full portion falls to me as the eldest son!”
Varus’ head jerked toward him.
“Atretes!” his mother said. “You can’t do this!”
“I can and I will. It’s within my rights to take back everything, no matter how hard Varus has worked to protect it. And he knows it!”
“Take nothing for my sake,” Theophilus said, seeing the breach a few words could make between the brothers. “He has reason not to trust Rome, and you’ll add cause to injury.”
“Do not defend him!” Atretes said, incensed.
“He’s no different than you were when we first met,” Theophilus said with a wry smile.
Varus’ face reddened. “I don’t need the defense of a Roman pig!” He rose and spit in his direction.
Atretes took a step after his brother. Theophilus blocked his way. “Think,” Theophilus said under his breath. “Think from his side before you say another word.”
“You’ve been gone eleven years!” Varus shouted back. “All that time, I’ve held Father’s inheritance together. And now you come back and think you can give it away to this Roman dog and leave me with nothing?”
Atretes started to step past Theophilus, but the Roman grasped his arm. “Your anger will not bring about the righteousness of God,” he said so only his friend could hear.
Clenching his teeth, Atretes strove to calm himself.
As he did so, reason came. It was true—Varus had cause for resentment. He had lost as much as he himself had, and held onto what was left. It was not in Atretes’ mind to strip his brother of all his possessions just because he had the right to do so, and yet he knew his words had implied just that. His anger had only caused more strife rather than bringing some semblance of reason into the discussion.
“I make a gift to you of the eastern half, Varus, as well as all the cattle,” he said with impulsive generosity. “Theophilus’ portion will come from my half. Will that satisfy?”
Varus was stunned into silence.
“You’re giving him the richest portion of farmland,” Freyja said, equally stunned.
“I know that. The eastern half also has the best grazing for the cattle,” Atretes pointed out, still looking to his younger brother for an answer. “Well? What do you say?”
Varus took an unsteady step back. Wincing, he sat down and stared at his brother as though he had never seen him before. Half the land and all the cattle? Atretes could take everything and no one would argue his rights to do so. Instead, his brother gave him the best of his inheritance. It was within Atretes’ rights to leave him with nothing, no matter how hard he had worked to retain it. In truth, that was what he had expected to happen if Atretes ever returned and one of the primary reasons he had hoped he wouldn’t.
“You have a son, Atretes,” Freyja said, astounded by such thinking. “Would you give his inheritance to an outsider?” What had happened to her son? Had this Roman cast a spell upon him?
“The land will remain his, my lady,” Theophilus said, wanting to allay her understandable concerns. Atretes had surprised him as well. “If it’ll set both your minds at ease,” he said, glancing at Varus, “I’ll pay an annual fee for the use of it.”
Varus frowned, wondering where the trick lay in his words. Romans took; they didn’t give.
Theophilus saw his distrust and understood it. “My desire isn’t to take anything from you or your people, Varus, but to earn my own living while I’m here. I have been grateful for your hospitality, but I think you will agree, it’s time for me to leave.”
Varus uttered a cold laugh, hiding how the Roman’s words troubled him.
Freyja searched Theophilus’ face, but saw no sign of subterfuge.
Atretes’ mouth tipped sardonically. “Do you agree to the division of land or would you prefer I hold to tradition and take it all?”
“I agree,” Varus said.
“Come.” Atretes jerked his head at Theophilus. “I’ll help you choose your portion.”
When they selected a suitable site for Theophilus’ house, Atretes gave in to his own curiosity. “What’ll you do with the land? You have no cattle. We’ll have to raid the Tencteri and Cherusci herds to get you a few head.”
Theophilus knew thievery was practiced among the tribes, but had no intention of following the custom—or of encouraging Atretes to do so. “I intend to grow corn and beans.”