Roxanne, Queen of Noricum

XVIII

The next morning the ship arrived in the harbour of a city named Berigos. The city had several small harbours where international trade took place.

Idgmar left the boat after parking it at the pier. He paid the harbour clerk two Denarius.

[Speaking Scandinavian]

''These three woman and this man are Romans. They are here on an expedition to our city.''

''Can you trust those people?''

''Trust me. They are wealthy folks. We could use some of them around here, can't we?''

'''True true....''

''I want you to arrange a place for them in the city. A luxury apartment.. large rooms'' the sailor hands him a bag with copper coins ''Also, arrange guards to guard them.''

''This is quite much for some random Romans visiting this country..'' the clerk is confused ''Who are these people? Am I getting in trouble for this?''

''Fear not..'' Idgmar gives him an Aureus coin in his pocket ''You wont. That red haired woman over there, with that crown? She's a Queen. And I assume those two women with her are her slaves or maidservants.''

''What about that black guy over there?!''

''He's a scholar.. possibly a politician that's assisting the Queen consort...''

''You know.. the Roman Civilisation doesn't permit women having authority...''

''What does that have to do with this?''

''Just think about it Idgmar... she's a Queen right? That means that the bloke there is her husband, the King. In the Roman Empire there are many local kingdoms that pay tribute to Rome, and as a consequence remain independent. Probably, this royal couple wants to make a treaty with the leaders of Nerigos, and they don't want the government in their area to be aware of it.''

Idgmar is thinking. It makes perfect sense..

''Good.. in that case. Go and find a house, at the edge of the city, a big one and rent it for them. Pay 5 men to guard the property! Go!''

The clerk leaves.

Within a hour the Clerk returns with papers and with five men who carry spears.

''I've found these men.. they are prisoners... but the prison warden permitted them to be free to guard the people.''

''What about the house?''

''There are sixteen abandoned houses at the northern harbour, near the Hebrew Neighbourhood. It's a ghetto over there.. many thugs are living there.. both Jews and native Scandinavians. The respectable people left the area. They can enter in today.''

''Good...''

Idgmar leads them towards the five men and clerk.

Within 25 minutes they arrive at a dilapidated neighbourhood. Many broken buildings and drunken elderly roaming in the streets.

''This is it.''

The house is beautiful. It has two floors. Inside there's a large living room with an entrance towards a backyard. There are also several smaller rooms on the first floor. Also, there's a large room with a bath inside of it.

''This is great!'' Arianna is quite glad ''I'm choosing my room!''

''ME first!'' Diana and her run upstairs.

''How much does this cost?'' Simon is still looking around.

''It's already paid for'' the Clerk mentioned ''This building has no owner. The owners left five years ago and never returned. Due to outstanding debts the property was confiscated by the local governor, just as many other houses. Your payment at the harbour is sufficient. You can stay as long as you want. There are food storages in this neighbourhood and some Hebrew restaurants... they only don't serve any pork over there!...''

''We got this!'' Simon sits down on a sofa. ''Thank you very much gentlemen. The guards can stay in sleep in the barn when needed.''

Roxanne is feeling hungry. The clerk departs and the guards move outside to guard. Diana and Arianna are still going through the rooms on the first floor.

''Simon....''

''What's wrong?''

''I want to use the bath... could you please warm it up?''

''Fine....''

While Simon is putting firewood into the basement below the bath (for this he had to go outside of the house, into an alley, between his house and the empty building next to them) he noticed some brown haired men walking around. He stood up and moved closer, but hid himself, to see what was going on. The men were checking the house and one even peeked at the window.

Simon was about to walk towards them to set things straight, but then... two men, with the Frisian symbol on their clothes, arrived. They carried swords. Simon could understand what they were saying.

''So.. this is the place where the Romans are residing?''

''Yes... we followed them till they got here. There are also five guards that are rented unto them..''

''Guards?''

''Yes.. men with spears... but they are marching through the neighbourhood now. So we can't stand here for too long''

''Ok... remember, we aren't here to harm anyone. It's important for the Frisian King that we can guarantee that they are held hostage by us. We don't have to kidnap them and take them back to Marmamanis.''

''There are more Roman citizens in Marmamanis right? So... ''

''These four people aren't that important..''

''You're wrong''

''Why?''

''These Romans are wealthy. The Government in Colonia has made a policy against our people within Lower Germany. They might begin to oppress them. By having these wealthy people as hostages.. we can blackmail the Batavians to agree to our terms. So.. we'll stay around. Just don't let them notice that we are watching them!''

The men walk away.

When Simon walks back into the bathroom, the fire has already heated the bath. While he's closing the door, Roxanne lowers into the water.

''Great....''