Blasius' envoy

9

Joas woke up after just a few hours sleep. In the morning he decided to ride for himself to Hammers town. He only took four hours due to the speed of the horse. When he saw the town in a distance he also noticed a small house at the edge of the town. He passed by the house and he noticed a woman sitting there. He couldn't discern her age. She had the appearance of a young lady, but for some reason he felt a bit awkward at her presence. 

''Good morning Ma'am!''

''Good morning soldier. What do you want?''

''I'm an officer of the Cimbrian cohort that's residing in this town. I've been on an expedition. Is everything calm here?''

''Yes, Sir! Everything is calm!''

''What is your name?''

''Svenka! I'm 29! I've moved here several years back''

Joas saw at her look that she was lying. 

''Call me Joas! Look, what do you know about that Roman villa over there?'' he points to the hill where the villa is situated ''who lives over there?''

''There are many rumours but..  the only thing I know is that the property used to be used to make human sacrifices. Around 500 people were murdered on that land. A farmer later came and purchased the land and had his farm there. His and his wife disappeared and never returned. And other people were found in pieces around the property. Twelve years later a retired Norseman who served and fought in the Roman legions returned with his riches. He purchased the land from the Norwegian state and build his Roman villa. He was a source of income for a long time for the people living here. Then suddenly he and his household disappeared. Nobody knew why''

''You know the name of the soldier?''

''His Greek name, that he used in the army, was Kauritoris Adonis Erasmos. He served in the Moesian troops of the Roman world''

''Thanks Svenka! This has helped me a lot!''

''You're welcome!''

Joas rode away on his horse and he left three Aureus coins behind for her. An Aureus coin is a pure golden coin worth three years wages for the common employer in the Empire. She was glad! 

When Joas arrived at the military camp he was greeted with gladness. He reported to them all they found. He even took the book with him. He asked permission from the fleet captain to sail back to the Cimbrian camp in order to inform about this Erasmos Kauritoris. He permitted him. Joas returned to the remote village. Another three hours. He found the men awake and eating. 

''Men! I have good news! We will be leaving this cold land for some days. Maybe two weeks! We will go to the Cimbrian camp to do some archive research. If needed, we will go to Ludgunum Batavorum at the end of the Rhine river to find information''

The men were happy. That same day they left the country by ship. However... 

they didn't leave alone.