Blasius' envoy

15

When Blasius received news about the Romans leaving Norway, he left towards the villa. His arrival, a week later, was welcomed by the Cimbrian civilians. Those that were hiding returned back to Hammer's Town. Frogertha and Karna informed him about Svenka. He admitted everything. He promised to 'make it up' to his daughter when they returned back to Cimbria. Blasius received a visit from a marshal from the King of Norway. The marshal, in the presence of several solicitors, offered a bilateral trade agreement between Norway and Cimbria. Furthermore. the treaty included a political co-operation on maritime affairs. One clause added ''With this treaty the maritime forces of both Norway and Cimbria shall operate in union. There will also be a single foreign policy that apply for both Kingdoms. This union will also establish a common external border both on Sea and on land''.

Ambassador Blasius signed the treaty. The treaty had several copies in both Old Norse, the Cimbrian language and in Greek. Blasius send three copies of each language version of the treaty to the King of Cimbria. The sailors arrived after only 4 days. The King and the elders discussed the treaty for five days. When they agreed, the sailors returned with the approval. Within two weeks, after the signature of Blasius, Norway and Cimbria became a personal union, with Cimbria as a 'protectorate' of Norway, with the Norwegian King as head of state. The King of Cimbria remained the domestic ruler, in exchange for his maritime and foreign policy. The treaty also gave Cimbrians free access to settle, live and trade within the Norse confederation. There was, however, a prohibition of Norwegians from leaving Norway towards Cimbria. This was to prevent a mass emigration toward Cimbria as a consequence of the civil war. The personal union only demanded a tribute in grain and bronze from Cimbria, which would be used to finance the navy. 

The Romans that returned to the Cimbriam camp learned of this treaty two months after it was ratified. The Cimbriam camp didn't feel threatened at all by the treaty. The Cimbriam camp was 'Roman territory' within Cimbria. Furhermore, the navy power of both Cimbria and Norway was almost non existent. So the generals concluded that the treaty was just 'a symbolic resistance' to the presence of Rome's world dominance. The Romans did understand that this was an economic move by the Norwegian and Cimbrian elites to form a closed economy to reduce the pressure of the Germanic kingdoms that were clients of Rome. 

Joas was commanded to return to Rome to report the treaty (he even managed to make a Greek copy of it) to Emperor Tiberius and to the Senate. Joas departed with 10 men. The wounded soldiers received medical help at the Cimbrian camp. Joas travelled via the Celtic roads towards the Roman Province Noricum. From there, he travelled via the Roman highway towards the colony Aquileia. At Aquileia he identified himself as a maritime officer of the Cimbrian Camp. He had 'important news' for the Emperor. He was permitted to travel on to Rome. 

At Rome he was received well by the Senate. The Senators heard him out about the developments in Norway. One of the senators become a bit critical ''Why would Rome want to mingle into the affairs of those two dwarf states? Cimbria is a necessary spot. From there the Navy has dominance over the ships sailing towards the Rhine region in the West and upon the ships sailing eastwards towards the Baltic Sea. But that's all the relevance Cimbria has for us. If they've become one kingdom, with two states, two nations, two armies... why should we care? The legions at the Rhine and at the Elbe both can subject Norway any time we wish''

Another senator didn't agree

''Bernus! Don't be such a fool! That Norse country may indeed have a weak state. They are just a loose confederation of rivalry chieftains to be precise. Nevertheless, in times of civil war a nation is easily build. As Romans we ought to understand that better than anyone else! Furthermore, the Cimbrians are not that different from the Norwegian tribes. They have a similar language and similar customs. If both manage to unite they can build a strong nation. That itself won't be a danger to the Empire. Why? The population of Gaul alone exceeds the population of both Cimbria and Norway. Also, Norway is quite cold and large in form. Most people live in the Southern shores, right across Cimbria. To manage such a large territory requires skill and a disciplined central state. That's something they will have a difficulty forming together. This development shows us that the Imperial foreign policy is effective. Our neighbours fear our Roman hegemony. If that wasn't the case, they wouldn't try to form these weak alliances! This should be a complement to our civilisation!''

''That may be true! Darus! Nevertheless, we have enough difficulty in Judea and Syria. We have to spend the taxation money wisely!''

''We will spend it wisely! If we want our Imperial frontiers to remain safe, we have to invest more into the military. The client kingdoms in Germany will need to be aided with more troops and with better trade benefits to Gaul, the Alpine provinces and Italy. Furthermore, the Cimbrian camp must receive Roman citizens to live there! There are around 10.000 troops stationed there! Together with 1100 slaves that are employed. I say we send at least 3000 of our civilians over there''

''You are out of your mind..''

''Silence!'' one of the consuls interrupts ''That's enough! We will discuss this matter with His Majesty as soon as possible! For now, Joas, I greet you and I admire your services to Rome. Please, remain in the city until this case has been decided upon''