Scandinavian leftovers

8

Yu still lived with Kyra in the palace. Kyra went back twice to her home island. She, however, choose to remain in Scandinavia. She enjoyed the palace life. Yu was permitted by Verita to bring more Asians to the palace. This happened just after the great snowstorm of 64 AD. After the urbanisation Yu became the ceremonial wife of the Rhaetian, who by now, managed the external economy and treaties of Scandinavia. The Rhaetian was only known by the authorities in the towns and two capitals. The elites, themselves, retained much of their domestic power. Yu was renamed Queen Josephine. She, however, had only territorial power over Jehuda town and many farming villages in the region. Her Asian friends managed those places for her. Queen Josephine moved towards the ''city of the Goths'' which was one of the two capitals of Scandinavia. Verita, who wanted to remove herself from the changes going on in Jehuda town, moved together with Josephine to the Gothic capital. Verita understood that the old days were over and that she needed to adapt. She still received the monthly inheritance that her father left her. She also realised that the Gaulish authorities might stop the payment very soon. She received reports, by sailor, of a potential civil war in the Mediterranean in order to dethrone Emperor Nero. Also the relatives of Verita moved together with her. They, nevertheless, received another place to live. The palace was rented to the Asians by Verita. In this manner, she increased her income with an additional 1000 Denarii a month. In the capital, she decided it was time to seek a husband. She, however, found out that the local noble singles were not interested. Furthermore, her age scared many away. She was near 50, despite her youthful body and beautiful figure. 

The prime minister suggested unto her to become the side-wife of the head of state. In this manner, she could receive some territorial influence too. Verita hesitated, but eventually, she realised she had nothing to loose. A small private ceremony was that endured three days. Yu (Josephine) was fine with the arrangement. She understood the political and economic relevance. Furthermore, she never even imagined that she would ever end up where she was now. So, she was not complaining at all. In Korea nor China would she even had any chance of becoming a concubine of one of the rulers. So, she was exceedingly glad. On the third day the relationship was consummated and Verita was renamed Queen consort Dagmar. She received her own staff of 200 maid servants. These were country girls that came to the capital for work. Josephine had 100 Chinese maid servants and 50 Norse made servants. They lived in the same palace, where also the local 'senate' was stationed. The women were not involved in the politics. They were mostly ignored by the decision makers. The Rhaetian traveled almost daily between the two capitals. Despite all of this, life at the Gothic court was not all bliss.

The maidservants of Josephine and the maidservants of Dagmar were often in conflict. The conflicts never escalated into physical violence, but it did bring a heaviness into the climate. To hinder this, Dagmar daily burned much incense. Josephine made musicians come and play music daily. The music would calm everyone in the court. In august 68 AD the news reached the Gothic capital that Emperor Nero committed suicide. Also, they were reported that there was a succession crisis. The situation in Judea became worse and worse. Also, there were rumours of a potential Batavian revolt around the Rhine region. Kyra, who had an affair with one of the noblemen, also revealed unto the two queens that their husband was planning to invest into the Batavian revolt. The two co-wives were deeply shocked! 

''Where is Thriompus now?'' Dagmar was fierce. 

''He is in Oslo at the moment. Tomorrow evening he will be back here. He needs to get approval from the Goths and Swedes before he makes his move.''

''Thanks, Kyra!'' 

Josephine added ''And Kyra, keep your mouth shut about this!''

Kyra nodded and left. 

''Is he out of his mind?!''

''Well, I always thought he was kind of out of his mind...''

''Verita!''

''What? I'm being honest!''

''That's disrespectful and dishonourable towards your husband!''

''True. Forgive me. I shouldn't have said that...''

''If he finances a rebellion in the Rhine, the Romans might retaliate by invading Scandinavia.''

''Why does he even want to mingle in the Rhine region?''

''The Rhine region is the most industrialised river in Europe. It's just like the two big rivers in China. All three are highly militarized and many merchants have established their businesses over there to make money. Whoever controls the Rhine, controls Rome.''

''You think that our man wants to force his dominance on the Roman Empire?'' she laughs out of mockery ''Who does he think he is? How does he expect to win that?''

''He wants to prove himself...''

''To whom?''

''To Scandinavia! He only intended to  visit this place to get some treaties with the elites of Norway and Scandia. Due to opportunity he ended up boosting the domestic Scandinavian economy. By doing this, he became powerful. He has not usurped the place of the local elites. Neither did he deify himself as something he's not. He's quite humble. Nevertheless, there's pressure upon him to prove unto the Scandinavians that he is a capable leader. Most people here only know his name, they never saw his face. Nevertheless, when things go wrong here the rage of the people will turn on him. And those elites will flee like cowards. He understand that he needs to make sure the people have some kind of acceptance of him...''

''I don't agree with that!''

''How do you see this?''

''The Scandinavians were always divided. They have the same language, the same blood, the same currency, yet they have tensions. Their leaders are using their hostilities to control them. They are exploited by their elites. And the elites themselves are depraved economically by the Roman presence in Britain. Thriomphus is a great blessing unto these people. And they aren't even aware of it. And as you said, they don't know how he looked like. They don't know who he is. But get this, these people never even know who their nobles were! They are like sheep that lead in whatever direction their controllers steer them. The elites here are dependent upon the skills and talents of Thriomphus. My mother was a Savarian farm girl. My grandparents were nothing important. Just two poor farmers that had a large farm. They often had fights with one another. And most of my relatives only exploited us after the harvests. One day, there was this national celebration in Savaria. This young man from Norway came with his friends to a hunting festival. There my mum met him. He requested who she was and they became friends. After years of exchanging letters, Ludo married my mother. My mum became the wife of a half-Norse, half-Lusitanian, who through ambition founded his own tiny country. I remember growing up in Jehudatown. However, my parents were not that close. I did have a good relationship with my dad. After a while, Pianna, the step-daughter of my father, who was still considered my half-sister forced herself on me repeatedly. After a while I got used to it and I began liking it. Our relationship was an embarrassment. My mum agreed with Pianna to keep the relationship quiet, in exchange for a farmhouse. The relationship with Pianna endured far into my twenties. After that, she got more interest in younger girls. I tried to get married several times. The first time I married in London, the marriage was annulled by the soldier. I found out that he only married on paper with me to use that to get land in Britain. So, I had to return back to Norway. When I tried to marry a young man who was a close kin of mine, his father rejected it. After that I was kidnapped and held hostage. I was not assaulted, but only restricted in my freedom. When I was ransomed I requested to date some of the men in the town. Most of them never showed up at the dates. So, I decided to just live in the palace. Pianna and I began another affair that only lasted three months. And I was done with it. And I forced her to leave me alone. And then, one day, you people came in town. I mean, Thriomphus, his two slaves, Kyra and you. I kidnapped Kyra in order to have something to keep Thriomphus in town. I was a bit scared of strangers coming to town. Later, the whole situation turned into this. I have a husband anyway. And I'm taken care off.''

''How old are you anyway?''

''Almost 50. I'm 49.''

''You look like 20!''

''Many say that! I'm glad about that! But... Yu, we need to watch over Thriomphus. He is not stupid nor is he arrogant. Nevertheless, circumstances can drive people to do things they would never imagine themselves doing!''

''You're right!''

''What should we do?''