Blasius' envoy

16

Joas went to the forum of Augustus. There he bought some fresh grapes and a fish meal. Afterwards, he went to one of the ghettos of the town. As an armed soldier, the civilians went aside to let him pass. The streets between the 4 tot 6 floor apartment complexes were very narrow. In many allies there were muggers that attacked the civilians. Most people living in these neighborhoods were either poor or they had poor paying jobs downtown. Joas came to one certain apartment. He went downstairs into a basement. The basement was as an underground library. Lamps were on all the time and there there were members of a secret society. 

When Joas appeared they all recognised him. It has been around four years since he last seen these people. They walked through a tunnel and entered up in an abandoned pub. This pub is only used by the club to celebrate their parties. This night they were drinking much wine and some of the elder man were feasting on some of the prostitutes in the corners. Joas talked about Blasius and all that took place in Norway.

''Blasius?''

''Yes! Blasius, the Cimbrian''

''You know! That man's father and uncle used to be members of this society''

''What?'' Joas is surprised ''Tell me more..''

''His father came to Rome when he was a young men. He studied art, politics, music and he served in the Roman army for five years. During his studies and military time he joined this cult. This was his way to socialise with Romans. He often had a good time with the rent boys that were around at the time. Anyway, his brother was also a member. His brother, that's Blasius' uncle, left for Cimbria earlier than him. Blasius also spend a large time of his youth in Rome. Just as his father he was a lover of good fish dishes. Especially Lusitanian fish saus!''

''What happened to them?''

''They were commanded to leave Rome, by Emperor Augustus and the Senate. Some claimed that there was some agreement with the Cimbrian king that had expired. Others claimed that it had to do with the installment of the Cimbrian legion. Anyway, they left. It's great to hear that Blasius is using whatever he learned in Rome there in Northern Europe''

''Well, I will be returning soon to Cimbria. I have to answer to the General concerning the decision of Tiberius about this Norse-Cimbrian treaty that has been made''

''Don't expect too much of it! There are already issues at the Eastern front''

Someone else also states ''And remember. The Emperor cannot rule like a king. He is bound by the Republican constitution and the Senate. Only in military cases is he permitted to be like a dictator. If he blurs the lines between the Senatorial and Imperial powers, he might provoke a civil war. And I'm not expecting Tiberius to do this''

''He has seen the good example of Augustus! It's sad that he passed away already!''

''We need to move on. The times of Augustus were known for their stability, prosperity and internal security for all civilians. Romans and non-Romans. I don't expect much good from this Tiberius. He is also named after the Tiber river. That doesn't promise much good either''

''We have nothing to be afraid of! The city state of Rome is in the center of the Mediterranean. Also, it's in the center of Italy. And around Italy you have the Alps, the Dalmatian mountains across the eastern Sea, and in the North of Gaul and in the East you have both the Alps and the Rhine region. So.. if any foreign army want to harm Rome, they would have to pass through many natural barrier. And also the military barriers that the Empire has constructed. We are perfectly safe here!''

''Perfectly?''

''Well, perfectly within the city''

''There are many murders and muggings taking place here!''

''The new Emperor might solve that''

''Don't you remember one of those senators that constructed his own fire brigade? Augustus had him executed! Let's be realistic here: the ruler of Rome don't care at all about the common people. The common people are like cattle to them. They make sure they have military safety, they build these apartment complexes that are very dangerous to live in, and that's it! Nobody cares of a commoner is robber or murdered! The civil courts are only intended for the wealthy Romans. As a common civilians you are more likely to be prosecuted by the criminal court than to be helped by any of those institutions!''

''He's right!''

''The only reason we are considered important is because we are spying on the common population. That's why we are permitted to operate as a cult here! That's it! If it's not for that, than we are doomed! We are exempt from paying rent and we pay less taxes than others do''

''We can loose that privilege any time! So we must remain favourable towards the Emperor!''

''Joas?''

''What's up?''

''When will you return?''

''After I delivered that message for the Senate, I will return back to Rome... and probably I will stay here. I have no interest to remain in that cold North''

''CHEERS!''

Everyone is rejoicing!