At length Amalaswintha, who was quite stunned by the sudden energy displayed by her son, again found her tongue:
"My son, the age of minority is, according to the laws of the Emperor----"
"The Romans, mother, may abide by the Emperor's laws. We are Goths and live under Gothic law. German youths are of age when the assembled army has declared them capable of bearing arms. We have therefore determined to invite all the generals, counts, and freemen of our realm, as many as will obey our call, from all the provinces of the kingdom, to a review of the army at Ravenna. They will arrive at the next solstitial feast."
All were mute with surprise.
"That will be in fourteen days," said Cassiodorus at last. "Will it be possible to issue summonses in so short a time?"
"They are issued. Hildebrand, my old master-at-arms, and Earl Witichis have thought of everything."
"Who has signed the summonses!" asked Amalaswintha, taking courage.
"I alone, dear mother. It was necessary to show those invited that I was old enough to act alone."
"And without my knowledge!" cried the Queen-regent.
"It was done without your knowledge, because otherwise it must have been done against your will."