Roxanne, Queen of Noricum

VII

Yesterday Diana came to the Anthony village, which was founded by the Roman veteran. She tried to become the centre of attention again. It's strange: I only know her for about three weeks now, yet it seems as if I can see through all her nonsense. My mom thinks that she's a witch, because of her short hair, and provoking attitude. I'm not sure about her being a witch. The only witches I knew were loner women who avoid social life at all costs. Anyway, after yesterday I'm more suspicious about her. She was literally stealing my friendships. She drew all attention unto herself and it seemed as if i had become invisible. She talked with the Hebrew who moved to the Anthony village. There are rumors that he is a fugitive. Anyway, now I'm friendless and lonely. I'm tired of this city, but I'm not interested of going to Nabalia either. I just want to get away and have some new friends.

Now I'm wondering why Diana joined the crew of scholars to come to this country. It doesn't make sense! Which girl would leave her home town behind to join some strange men, who are being transferred by robbers? That girl is insane! What seems more strange is where the two other men went... According to Diana the Hebrew was the leader of the crew. He came her to do business. Yet, he ended up in a veteran's village? Maybe he is a secret agent of Rome, send to spy on us? I also have my doubts about Anthony. From all the countries in the world he chose this remote principality, removed from almost every international roads and rivers, to remain for his retirement? I've crossed the Rhine river once with some family members. We had to pay toll for passing through. The border patrol was easy on us, due to the guard being a native Frisian himself. We visited a city named Blaricum, which is about 10 hours away from Noviomagus Batavorum. In Blaricum we remained for about two weeks because of a festival of the fertility goddess of the Batavii people. There were about 8000 people at the celebration, according to my parents. I was just 12 at the time.

There was salted pork, seasoned chicken, Turkey, ox meat, horse meat and also an abundance of fish available for all visitors and participants. The festival happens every year right before the summer solstice.

When I was 14 my parents and I visited a city named Durnovaria, the population over there is similar to us. We had to lodge in Bononia for four days before we could take the ferry to Britain. The weather is Britain is a bit warmer than in Frisia. The Durnovarians were highly Romanized. Some completely assimilated themselves from their own native cultures. This was often necessary to achieve high positions in the military and in the bussiness world. We remained in Durnovaria for 18 days. I really have no idea why dad decided to joined the pelgrims to Britain. As far as I know, we don't have any British ancestry. When we were leaving we had to take an alternative route due to disturbances in the Roman navy. We travelled to Londinium, which is the capital of Britain. The city has a thick wall around the southern par, where about 40.000 people live. In that area there are about some 50 other villages, which form about another 15.000 inhabitants around the city. Londinium is also the home of the British king. We lodged in Londinium for three days before being escorted to a small ferry. The journey on the river and German Sea took about five days due to bad weather. We arrived at a harbour town named Henium, which was near the military base Forum Hadriani. We had to travel to Trajectum, which according to the Frisians is in the middle of Frisia and Batavia, to cross the Rhine and travel towards the bridge at the Nabalia river.

So I've seen some Batavian, Frisian, Roman, British and Gallian cities. Nothing compared to this place. This place is boring and very closed minded. I really would like to live somewhere else. I heard about the country Italy and about Helvetia, according to Anthony there are many clear lakes over there. Italy has many slaves all people say. Well, I can't say it for sure. I've never been there.