Roxanne, Queen of Noricum

I

It has been three months and four days since I've returned from Hibernia. I cannot say that I've missed this place. They call it the "city of salt", due to the abundance of that mineral in the storehouses. Nothing changed around here. The city council is still discussing whether or not they should build a new village at the riverside.  The municipality has been bankrupt for almost one year now - I received the news from my Celtic tutor in Eblana, who received the news from the Roman guards that were stationed at the Royal Palace.

The kingdom of Noricum has known it's inner problems since it become a part of the Empire. But.... since about 5 years there is a polarisation going on between the Northern provinces and the southern Provinces.  The Cities Juvavum and Vindebona (just outside Noricum, yet very important for the Norick people) are more orientated upon the German kingdoms, Scadinavia, Nerigo and Cimbrii. The southern provinces of Noricum show more interest with Italy, Egypt, Macedonia and Lusitania.  I haven't experienced much of the tension because I was abroad. The people however are willingly ignorant of all the economic and societal problems that are happening. The young people - my peers - are often seen in casinos, bars, whorehouses, theatres and sport stadions. Furthermore, some of the daughters of the Norick princes have build a zoo in Juvavum. There are all kinds of Chinese animals, including dragons and hybrid beings. One month ago some elephants from Numidia were imported. The zoo attracts many tourists - about 500 each week. The hostels in the city are often full. Many drunkards fight during weekends and pagan holidays. 

The eldery are distant from the younger generations. They have contempt for the lack of morality amoung the young. But.. I suspect also because many of the young people are Believers of the Christ, whom the Hebrews and Pilate crucified about 90 years ago in Jerusalem.  In Noricum and Rhaetia alone there are about 200.000 Christians.  They live separated from their societies and they often refuse loyalty unto Rome. In Britain and France together about 400.000. There are even city rulers who belong to the Faith.

Some believe the total of christians within the Empire is around 8 million and in the whole world 25 million. But nobody knows their exact number.

One thing that's certain is that this "cult" of this Yeshua of Nazareth is not something that will disappear soon. It seems like a virus that's infecting and damaging every kingdom, every language, every kindred, every population and every institution in the world.

I myself joined the Kingdom of Christ about 8 years ago. And I never regretted it! It has opened my eyes to how the world really is (and where it is heading towards). I did endure persecution and a month imprisonment in Britain for my faith. Due to me being a Roman citizen by birth I was released. My arrest had caused a political controversy with the British  politicians and Roman rich in Londinium. The Governor had to intercede to prevent any armed conflict within the ruling class. So I was released and payed a compensation of 5400 Denarii. I used the money to rent a two year apartment in Eblana for about 300 Denarii. I also bought Roman citizenship for slaves that fled their masters. I was requested by the citizens of Eblama to leave their city. They never told why. So I shook the dust off my feet and left to Brigantium, that's in Spain. From there I travelled a four day journey to Olisipo. I remained there for 5 daya before continuing to Augusta Emerita. There I payed a military chariot to bring me to Helvetia. From Helvetia I travelled a one week journey to Juvavum.  Now I have about 1200 Denarii left.

So I'm thinking about travelling to the country of the Frisian people. Their land is at the end of the Rhine river. The Roman have many military bases in that area. I'm interested in visiting Lugdunum Batavorum (Leiden), Marmamanis (Groningen) and Nabalia (Zwolle), which is the wealthiest city of the Frisians. Together with me there will go 2 scholars, to document the culture of the Frisians. The first scholar is a native Norick who adopted the Greek name Erasmos Theofolos and the second is a Roman born Dacian who carries the Greek name Theon Valensos. Both are educated in Egypt and are aware of the occult arts of magic, politics and group dynamics.

I've arranged a German group of bandits that will bring us to Nabalia, by avoiding the roads with tax obligations.  They will not remain with us after our arrival. The total cost for the 16 day journey is 400 Denarii.