Scandinavian leftovers

15

The prime minister of Scandinavia received angry letters from Cimbria concerning the war in the South of Scandia. Some of the Baltic raiders also invaded towns in Cimbria. The Cimbrians threatened to attack Scandia too if they didn't resolve the problem as soon as possible. Also the Norwegian people became pissed at the prime minister for causing all the trouble. Some of the wealthy Norwegian farmers, from Alpine descent, plotted a plan to kill the prime minister. They knew that King Arvid was probably on his way back from his diplomatic mission to Rome. One of the conspirators, a lady named Frogerthina, approached Queen Dagmar. 

''Your highness, your husband has been away for almost five months. The situation in Scandia is getting out of hand. The treasury of the state is almost bankrupt and there is division among the nobles in both Norway and Scandia. If this continues, another civil war might erupt. Or worse, we might became overwhelmed by invaders because we failed as a nation.''

''I understand your concern. There is not much that I can do.''

''You do!''

''What do you propose?''

''Your husband might return any time soon. Till then, it's the prime minister that runs this country. But, you as the spouse of the head of state, have the same powers and influence as your husband.''

''I know. I just don't want to be involved in politics. Its so stressful.''

''You are the wife of the head of state. That is what comes with it.''

''Uhg.. you're absolutely right. So... again, what do you propose?''

''Kill the prime minister?''

''And then what?''

''You take over?''

''Scandinavia?''

''No, only Norway. In practice, it will be us, the conspirators that will be handling things. But we do need official approval.''

''You mean support..''

''Yes.''

''What is in it for you?''

''I don't want my children and grandchildren to become enslaved through conquest. And I don't want them to be die in a war that has nothing to do with our people and our heritage.''

''You sound quite insane! Who wants to conquer us?''

''You got to be kidding me!''

''I'm not kidding. You sound quite hysterical, lady! The Baltic tribes don't have the capacity to overtake Scandinavia. The Germanic tribes outside of the Roman borders are too divided to unite against us. They are too frightened of the military presence of Rome in their countries. Also, Scandinavia is quite big. They would get lost in this country! And who would want to conquer this cold country anyway? We are quite isolated around here!''

''That's what I'm frightened about. We are isolated and an easy target. If its not the Germans that might loot us, it will be the Romans. And you know about those Romans, they loot and destroy everything that stands between them and conquest.''

''The Romans are too occupied with Britain. They will not also focus upon us.''

''They will! Soon, they will annex the remainder of the British tribes. That means that we won't have any allies anymore that aren't accountable to Rome. The Cimbrians, Jutii, Angli and Saxony are already turning against us. We are not in a good condition here, your highness!''

''Stressing about it won't change anything.''

''Then what are you doing?''

''I'm waiting for my husbands return. He has formally ratified a treaty with the Roman senate. We have become Roman allies. With Rome as our ally, no country nor tribe on the face of the Earth would dare to come against us. We will also receive state aid by the Roman senators. We will be able to use that money to modernise our standard of living. We will be able to compete with the economy in Britain. Look at it this way, because of the annexation of Britain you will have one economy in Britain. Then Scandinavia won't have to deal individually with the various British tribes. By the way, you live in a fortification in the Fjords, don't you?''

''What does that have to do with it?''

''If Scandinavia would be sacked, it will happen in the East of Norway and in Scandia. The Fjords are to mountainous to be taken over. It would take months to explore the region for cities and settlements. You are too paranoid!''

''I'm worried about my posterity!''

''And I'm not? My husband is quite fond of that Chinese wife of his. I want my daughters to end up well. I won't live forever. I'm already going into my sixties, despite my youthful body. I might not even see my grandchildren grow up. So, I'm just as scared as you are.''

''I can't understand how you chose to marry Arvid while he already had a wife...''

''It was practical. And he had no choice. He needed all the help he could get. I had a castle estate in a trade settlement in the Fjords. It's what I inherited from my father. The estate now belongs to Arvid and also all the money I inherited from my Celtic relatives. I never had a man before in my life. There were only lustful women that wanted to exploit my body. So, when I had the opportunity, I made sure I wouldn't let it pass me by. I'm glad I was able to conceive children past my 50's.''

''We can arrange a marriage for your daughter.''

''Not so fast. You want to prime minister dead? I won't assist in the killing. I don't agree with this bullshit. But come back after the job is done, and I will formally take over my husband's responsibilities in Norway. Inform the senate in Norway about it. Well, at least, if you can call that mess a senate.''

''Be a bit more proud of your homeland!''

''I am proud. I am also realistic!''

''So am I!''

''When will you kill the man?''

''Tomorrow!''