Scandinavian leftovers

2

The second day after the departure of the Rhaetian, a messenger from the Han embassy arrived in London. It was good news. The Indo-Roman and Sino-Roman trade tripled since the news of the terror attacks reached the businessmen in Asia. They perceived this as an opportunity to increase their trade capital. They reasoned that since Rome had to rebuild a large portion of their city, it will need finances to accomplish this end. The prices for Roman goods dropped, which increased their popularity on the Asian markets. This was good news unto the Asian community in London. There was, nevertheless, a dark side to this deal: There were another 2000 Asians on their way to the Asian community in Italy. 1300 of them were to be replaced in both Gaul and Britain. Why was this a dark side? These people were ex-prisoners and poor peasants that were expelled by their communities. According to the Han ambassador, the Asian diplomats in London would have to expect ''an increase in social hostilities in their camp, unless they are prepared to integrate the newcomers that will arrive within five months''. The Mahan and Silla ambassadors understood that there might be another motive to send more 'immigrants' unto the West. Both men realised that having a large Asian population in the Roman Empire would increase the influence of the Asian countries, at the expense of the Romans. Furthermore, having a large immigration stream into the Roman borders would weaken the social cohesion among the Empire's peoples. Asian countries function by the principle of 'unity by exclusion' at the expense of the dregs of society. This well kept secret is shred also by Rome and the Greeks. Nevertheless, they have no immediate group to scapegoat due to the large size of their Empire. They contain at least 50 regional languages within their borders and many ethnic groups. The Asian rulers might exploit this weakness, the two ambassadors discussed, by bringing more 'diversity' into the Roman borders combined with economic prosperity. Its a manner of warfare by using economics and demography. Besides that, the Asian community in London also began their mourning week for the deceased Empress consort Guanglie, wife of the former Emperor Gwangwu. Emperor Ming, Guanglie's son, had given Imperial pardon to many prisoners. 

At this time the Rhaetian arrived at the dunes of the Frisians. The Rhaetian stopped at an island-nation called Glessaria Actania, which was inhabited by 3000 people, led by a Frisian island-King, who became wealthy by trade with both Roman as Scandinavian merchants. The Rhaetian often sailed with his Chinese styled Junk ship passed the island. He often purchased supplies from the locals. The people of Actania were peasants, well skilled in haunting, fishing and constructing wooden objects. They worshiped nature deities and would perform a yearly human sacrifice to appease their gods. The mudflats in the region would become dry daily for two or three hours. During this time you could walk towards the mainland of Frisia. The Rhaetian paid some Chinese construction workers on a private owned shipyard in Italy 2000 Denarii (money he earned by renting his farmhouse to sojourning pilgrims from Greater Germany) to build a junk styled ship. They never receive such orders. Mainly, because Chinese styled ships are not common in the Mediterranean. But, they were willingly to take the job due to his immediate payment. Within several days the ship was done. The Rhaetian sailed to Egypt and Judea after his ship was finished. From there, he sailed to Britain via Spain. He sold the grain and olive oil, which he found in an abandoned Celtic temple in Spain, to British towns on the Southeastern shore. He earned 3034 Denarii with doing this. He exchanged 500 Denarii for 20 Aureus coins. After this, he left for Scandinavia. The small Chinese style ship is quicker than the Roman ships, easier to steer and it contains much space for cargo and passengers. He has chosen to use divide the cargo room into a cargo room and two living rooms. The two male servants are two British orphans whom often begged for bread in the Celtic towns. He offered them a job as his crew. They agreed. The Rhaetian faked documents to give the two men a new identity. They became 'Roman citizens' from Rhaetia. Named Bruce and Brutus. The men would sleep on deck or on the cargo space, while the Rhaetian would occupy one of the living rooms. Each living room was just a decorated small room, big enough for one or two people to sleep in, with some luggage. 

On Actania Yu visited a local shrine. She left some wine as an offering. This was a weird gesture for the locals. They perceived has as a wealthy noble woman due to her wearing silk and jewelry. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Rhaetian was pleased with her attitude; he admired her adaptation skills and courage to take advantage of the occasion. While the Rhaetian was offering his goods on the market, Yu saw a young woman at a pond washing herself. Yu was exploring the forest by travelling on the narrow paved roads that the locals constructed. The roads were not of high quality. Just a lot of small stones laid on a long track. When the young woman was finished, she dried herself with a small cloth and put on something like a blouse shirt (with long sleeves) that fell above her knees. The also fasten a belt above her hips. Yu followed her. Yu saw her entering a tiny house, there were chicks (in cages) and goats walking around. When the woman walked into the back of the house, Yu came closer to investigate the tiny farm. She saw metal weapons, arrows and half eaten bread on tables. She walked towards the back of the house, there she saw that the woman had slaughtered a rabbit. The guts of the animal and the skin were thrown over the spot. The head was away. While she was trying to put the rabbit on a stick, Yu took off her silk clothes and aided her. She was shocked. But, she accepted the help. Yu fasten the rabbit carcass to a wooden stick with some textile wire. After that, both made fire on the front side of the house and cooked the meat above the fire. 

''Who are you?'' [the woman spoke Frisian]

Yu didn't understand her, but she picked some coal and wrote the Greek pronounciation of her name on the ground. 

''Yoo...?''

She nodded.

''My name is Kyra'' the woman wrote her name in Greek on the ground too ''Thanks for the help''.

The walked inside the house and signed Yu to follow her. Inside, she hands Yu some bread. Yu received it. Yu tried a Celtic-Germanic language, which she learned while being in London, to see if Kyra would understand it. 

''You're name is Kyra, right?''

She turned around. 

''You speak Flenium. A Frisian dialect!''

''Yeah. Just a bit!''

''Where did you learn it? It's only spoken by a few towns in the Henium district. It's consider slang and a debased form of Frisian.''

''I stay in London?''

''London? What is that? A ship?''

''You know of Britain?''

''Ah yes! Britain! My elders often talk about that country. It's far from here. Across the Sea. I've neve been there.''

''London is the biggest city of Britain.''

''What brings you to Actania?''

''I'm part of an envoy?''

''En.. what?''

''I'm from a far country. One and a half years travel away from Britain. I'm a painter of pottery. I work in London. I was send to aid a Roman on his journey to Scandinavia?''

''Scandinavia. That's a big country!''

''Yes. The Roman wants to trade with the Scandinavians. He is offering them Asian goods. And I'm there to show off my skills when needed.''

''The Scandinavians, I know a few of them, aren't fond of the Romans.''

''You've been there?''

''Scandinavia? Yes, two years ago. We stayed there for a Norse festival. We remained there for two full months. It's very cold in the North of Scandinavia, in the south its warm and there are many big lakes over there.''

''Interesting...''

A loud thunderstorm emerged while they were chatting. Both went back inside and closed the door. 

''When are you leaving?''

''I don't know.''

''It might be better for you to remain over here. I'm not sure if going to Scandinavia is going to be safe for you.''

''I need to ask the Roman about that..''

''Forget about that for now. You'll stay here for the night. It won't stop raining for now. I can guarantee that!''