Scandinavian leftovers

12

When Josephine noticed that Dagmar was nowhere to be found she asked at the court where she was. Dagmar's servants told her that Dagmar went to the Fjords for several days in order to recover from depression. 

''Depression?''

''She has been feeling bad for quite some time...''

''Where in the Fjords is she?''

''I'm not certain if I'm allowed to tell you this..''

''You better tell me. Because I'm quite persistent...''

The servant becomes uncomfortable and confesses.

''She's in Berigos. Its a town near Jehuda town, where she grew up. Just, don't let anyone know I told you.''

''Why would they want to know?''

When Josephine left, she encountered one of the man that murdered the senator. She was shocked. She followed him. He didn't notice her at all. He went to a basement where he met other men. These men wore religious wardrobes, wizard-hats and they were in a formation. They spoke Norse.

''Do you have the payment?''

''Did you finish the job?''

The murderer opened his back and we threw the head towards them.

''That's the head of chief Blasios, the job was an easy one. Just like that senator past year.''

''You always finish the job! Nevertheless, you are a bit littery in your executions!''

''I thought I had to cause social unrest with that senator!''

''Yes, but not the way you did it!''

''The plan worked. Scandinavia had an excuse to invade some Germanic tribes across the Swedish sea (Baltic Sea). We militarised our sea routes. i did what you ordered me to do!''

''We still want you do one more job...''

''Pay me for this one...''

One of the wizards opens a chest filled with fresh minted golden coins. He fills a pocked full with them and hands them over to the hitman. 

''You will get trice as much for the next job!''

''Who is the target''

They shew him three drawings.

''That's...  King Arvid, His wife Queen Josephine and who is that third one?''

''That's Queen Dagmar!''

''So, you want me to kill the royal household?''

''Yes!''

''When?''

''Not for now. We wait until the situation in Rome is settled. Once Vespasian has been validated as Emperor of Rome, the senates will first seek another bilateral agreement with the Roman Empire. Possibly, Arvid will have to travel to Rome himself. We don't know. After that bilateral agreement has been settled, you wait a half year, then you assassinate the royal house.''

''Its none of my business why you want your targets dead. But why Arvid?''

''Since that man gained the upper hand in Scandinavian commerce, he has formed this big country called Scandinavia.''

''Isn't that a good thing! I know how life was before the formation of this new system. The system is still run by our own people. Not by the royals!''

''You don't get it...''

''What don't I get? I want some explanation... this job is not only a difficult one, but also a quite sensitive one...''

''The elites used Arvid in order to found this nation called Scandinavia. It's still two peoples living side by side. The elites wanted to urbanise Scandinavia in order to have better management of resources - this in order to secure their position as elites. Their plan to attack their own people and blame it on the Finnish tribes worked. As a consequence most people fled to the new cities that were being constructed. Older towns received extended city walls. Norway and Scandia urbanised quickly. It also led to militarisation! It all worked! They needed someone to be the central figure of the new country. None of the elites were brave enough to take the position. So, they lured that Rhaetian into being more involved in the economy before they executed their plan. They knew that the Rhaetian had enough insight to run a country. So, without the Rhaetian being aware of it, he became the ruler of the Scandinavian commerce. When the state was formed, he was declared head of state. Arvid isn't aware that he was used by the elites. But the elites are now realising that Arvid has become far more powerful than they intended. Also, the elites themselves are now faced with the disadvantages of having an urbanised population. They don't want to fully return to the previous condition. Some of the elites want to get rid of Arvid. Nevertheless, nobody knows what to do when Arvid is gone. Many predict that another civil war might break out. Many elites are nevertheless happy with Arvid, because he makes governing easy for them. We received a commission from four chieftains that urged us to get rid of Arvid. They pay well. We knew you would be excellent to get the job done!''

''So, I need to wait for almost a year or two?''

''Three years. In Spring, after the equinox, you slay them. And if needed, their court also!''

''I'll do it! Do you have any other jobs for me in meantime. I do need to eat, remember?''

''We will send you to the conquered territory. The Scandinavian governors need men like you to take out rebels against our rule. You can leave next month to the colony.''

''Good!''

''And listen, Arvink! You're not leaving this city. If you do, we'll find you. And you'll wish you've never met us. Is that clear?''

''Clear! Can I leave now?''

They nodded. 

Arvink left. Josephine followed him back till the market place. There she met some of her servants. 

''I want the two of you to follow that man over there. Tell me where he lives.''

The servants obeyed her command. She returned to her private room. There she lay down and ate some grapes. Someone knocked on her door. 

''Come in!''

It's her husband. 

''Lay next to me...''