Blasius' envoy

17

Blasius, at this time, was still in Norway. He, as an ambassador, had to arrange much paperwork. Frogetha and Karna were send back to Cimbria. They remained at the house of Blasius' father. Blasius reported to his home government that the civil war in Norway was coming to an end. Many of the fighting groups were tired of all the fighting. Also, the civil war has been going on for years. As a result, much farmland became available for Cimbriam immigrants due to the death of many Norwegian farmers during past years. Karna found out that Joas is a distant cousin of Blasius. One of Blasius' aunts had a son with a Cimbrian priest. That son later fled to Rome to asylum. He was meant to be a human sacrifice at age 15. In Rome he joined a secret society of whom two of his uncle's were members. From there he became a maritime officer in the West of Gaul. She realised that her whole family was weird. So, Joas is actually a relative of her.

When spring arrived the first wave of Cimbriam immigrants crossed the Kattegat into Norway. Their number was a total of 200 people. In may it were 650 people. In June it were 800 people. When Blasius noticed that almost 2000 Cimbriams migrated to Norway, he became worried that it might lead to contention in the South of Norway. Furthermore, even though the civil war was over, the rivalries and tensions between the Norwegian clans were still there. Blasius suspected that the Cimbrian migrants might be dragged into the silent wars of those clans, or that they might lock themselves of from the Norwegian society and polarise. Both options were evil. He, therefore, proposed to the King of Cimbria and the Elders of his homeland, to invest more into small towns in Cimbria. Also, an extension of the Germanic-Celtic roads was also on his list with recommendations. For Blasius knew that many of the immigrants were poor people from the South, who were often excluded from the bounty of the Cimbrian wealth. These families would often be victimised by muggers and thugs that raided their villages and towns. There were no social services from the Cimbrian leaders to protect them. The roads and bridges in their districts were neglected and some even dangerous to travel upon. Because of this there is less to no trade to and from their districts. The Cimbrian ministers didn't want to include the Southern districts out of fear of societal envy: the South is bordered with the country of the Jutti and the Anglii tribes. If their region is improved, they will have a big economic advantage in contrast to the North of Cimbria that is mostly dependent upon trade by sea. Nevertheless, due to the increasing presence of the Roman Camp and the personal Union that has been ratified, the ministers agreed that improvement of the impoverished regions were needed. Their only motive was to prevent a huge depopulation of their Southern border. This would make them vulnerable for annexation by other Germanic tribes, and maybe even by Rome itself. The Cimbrian state had set 114.000 silver coins apart. They also hired Roman soldiers for the job, due to their work ethic and disciplined lifestyles. Furthermore, the Cimbrian state also installed several troops at their Southern border. They realised that they had neglected their borders way too long. Furthermore, the Cimbrian state received only 500 immigrants from Norway, most of them were former prisoners, slaves and outcasts. They were not permitted to settle in the South. One of the ministers proposed to send an envoy to Britain in order to strengthen their ties with the Isles. The others were not so found of this proposal. They reminded him that they only remained with domestic sovereignty, but that they were formally a part of the Norwegian confederacy.

Joas interrupted them

''Elders, brothers! I've returned from Rome almost a half year ago. I also receive reports from legionary posts around the Dunabe and the Rhine. We need not to fear concerning this issue. I received news from the Alpine regions that Tiberius is in trouble. His predecessor, Augustus, had promised a raise in wages for the troops in the East of Europe. He never did. Also, Tiberius is not very fond among the people of Rome and not with the legions either. Many of the legions in Eastern Europe live in poverty and sickness. We should use this situation to our advantage. Rome will not focus on Britain very soon, so we can trade in tranquility with them. Nevertheless, we shouldn't spend too much on foreign trade. The higher our income, the more we have to pay taxes to the Norwegians. We should spend less in foreign trade and far more in our interior affairs!''

The council listened carefully to his words.

''We are not in a state of war due to the presence of the Romans at the Rhine and Elbe. Even though many Germanic tribes refuse full subjugation, they do approve Roman hegemony. This means that the Germans between the two rivers have less to no benefit from military conflict. Military conflict among themselves would weaken them further. With this increasing vulnerability they would lose the little autonomy they still have left. This Roman peace, that is also affecting us, is for our benefit! Let's not fight it! Let's embrace it!''

The council recognises the wisdom of his words. Two days later an envoy departs towards Britain.