Scandinavian leftovers

20

Throughout the Empire many Roman citizens wept about the eruption of the Vesuvius. From Egypt and Thrace much aid was send in the form of grain, cheap clothes and taxation money to help the Italian authorities cope with the troubles. From Spain there were many slaves send to replace the slaves that perished. But the aid was not an act of philanthropy: the aid was foremost send by business associations and municipal politicians. They hoped to gain favour from the Emperor. Agricola held several days of mourning among the legionaries in respect to the deceased Italians. Meanwhile, Arvid ratified an alternative treaty with Rome. This treaty granted the Roman senate almost full control of the Steal and mining industries of Norway. The Romans would be permitted to station small auxiliary camps in Norway to guard Roman commerce in Scandinavia. In exchange, the Scandinavian traders were granted direct access to the trading cults of Gaul. In the agreement Rome would be permitted to export 300 to 500 civilians to Scandinavia each year. Scandinavians would in return be permitted to settle in towns in Frisia, Batavia, Caninefatia and the British Parisi. To every Scandinavian that would enter military service in the Roman army full Roman citizenship would be granted. The Scandinavians were permitted to extend their domestic military. They were granted maritime dominance in the Baltic tribes on the condition that they will pay tribute to the Roman colonies in Greater Germany. The sons of the Scandinavian nobles would be educated in Rome for a period of 8 years before returning to their homeland. 

The treaty was celebrated by the whole envoy. The Roman senators informed Arvid that their motivation for strengthening their ties with him was in order to be secure against the Scythians. Even though the Scythians were not perceived as enemies by Rome, the Romans didn't trust them. They were considered barbaric and uncivilized. By having Scandinavia ruling over the Baltic tribes, the Scythians would have lost an outlet for their trade in the Baltic Sea and Greater Germany. With Scandinavia as an ally, Rome would benefit from forcing the Scythians to advance Rome's interest in the Sino-Roman commerce by land (instead of the Scythians uniting themselves and attacking Rome). Divide and rule. That's how they remain the world power. After three months, Arvid decided it was time to return to the North. At this time there was a small uprising in Rhaetia that was smiting down by the Alpine legions. Due to the civil unrest near the Alps, the envoy had to travel via Gaul. The client kings of Roman Britain heard that Arvid was in Gaul. He was invited to meet them in London to celebrate Saturnallia. Arvid accepted the offer. He understood that having allies is better than breeding rivals. 

After they crossed the English channel, the envoy lodged in Durnovaria, a Romanised Celtic settlement near the shores. The military camp was abandoned and transformed into a hostel with a stable. The soldiers were relocated to the North where governor Agricola used them against the Caledoni. The town was small, wealthy and contained around 2000 inhabitants. The nearby villages were dependent upon the food supply of the town. The food supply came from Gaul. The town still received military supplies from the provincial government of Aquitania, even though the military no longer operated in this site. 

While the envoy remained in Durnovaria, awaiting Saturnallia in London, the client kings gathered together to see what they would do with this Arivd. The client kings and their relatives were in agreement with Rome, in exchange for retaining their royal power within the province. They were afraid that the elevation of Scandinavia as an ally would diminish their significance in Britain. The steel trade was the main concern for the Romans to conquer Britain. The Celtic elites wanted to secure their position by prohibiting the Scandinavians from becoming too important. Some of the elites planned to kill Arvid, others planned to marry him to one of their daughters. Anyway, they had bitter envy towards Arvid. Arvid was not from a royal bloodline nor did he relate by ritual to noble houses. He, nevertheless, became more wealthy than they were! Their resentment grew because he was invited to Rome himself by the Emperor - they never were. Also, they considered him dangerous. They believed the rumours that he invaded the Baltic tribes and enslaved hundreds of people. They also gave in to the tales that Arvid was involved in the Rhine revolts during the year of four Emperors. Indeed, Arvid was involved, but not to the extend that the Celtic elites thought. The clients, last minute, decided not to harm Arvid. They were afraid that if this conspiracy came out, they would be executed and their relatives enslaved by Rome. The Celtic elites also backed down when they heard that he was married to a Korean. They considered him a political opportunist who would grasp any change to increase his influence. The Asian community in Britain was an economic advantage to the income of the elites. So, they didn't want to upset the Asians [in Britain] and lose a large sum of taxation money. Arvid sensed that something was wrong. He sensed danger ahead of him. He considered leaving Britain without attending Saturnallia. Nevertheless, Dagmar pressured him to attend Saturnallia. 

The day Saturnallia began the envoy entered London. The client royals were at a banquet with the provincial ministers. They 'forgot' to send messengers to pick up the Scandinavian envoy. Arvid pretended to be a postal service and entered the banquet. He found out all their wicked schemes and he also witnessed them raping young children ritually. He was so repulsed by what he saw, that he threw up. He left the scene as soon as possible. He informed Dagmar about it. They agreed to leave London the next day. Two days later the envoy was arrived at the dunes of the Frisians. It would take another nine days before they would arrive in Scandinavia.