Caledonian advocates

3

In London there were was division among the British senators and congressmen concerning their policy towards Caledonia. Some of the senators pleased for increasing diplomacy, while others demanded an annexation. The governor of Roman Britain rejected any idea of an annexation. The money for such an undertaking was missing. Also, nobody wanted to talk about the extensive roads, aqueducts, military fortresses and food stores that would need to be installed in the North after annexation. 

Two months before there were 104 scholars in education that arrived in London. They were young men that enrolled into a scholarly program financed by Noricum's nobles. Their aim was to train the Norici men to become stable leaders to replace them after their retirement. The men were between the 12 and 23 years old. They were from wealthy house or they were slaves owned by client chieftains living within Rhaetia and Noricum. One of those young men was a Simon, who's name in Latin was Altheus Hebraicus Juvavus. He was 15 and skilled in Latin, Greek, Celtic Noric, Hebrew and he was learning Frisian. He enrolled on his own accord for this two year program in Britain. He often wore bronze jewelry, a napkin and a purse with his citizenship papers in it. Even though, frequently his supervisors would tell him to take of his napkin. The young men had visited all the major Roman towns in Britain. They also had a tour on the military camps. Simon asked one of the politicians about Caledonia.

''Sir, is Caledonia a part of Britain or not?''

''It is. It's the upper north of Britain. Its a client of Rome. So they are not part of our administration.''

''Why not?''

''Emperor Titus didn't want to waste tax money on militarizing the whole region. Also, Agricola had already bankrupted the military treasury with his conquests of Ireland...''

''Rome is the most advanced military power in the world. I would like to visit Caledonia...''

''What?!''

''Why not? If they are our client than they won't harm us when we arrive... or would they?''

''What do you want over there?''

''I want to travel around.''

''You have traveled around Britain...''

''Not to the North...''

''Young man...''

''Sir, I'm only requesting it. I really want to make a trip of a month over there. I still have a month before my classes begin.''

''A month?''

''It takes a while to sojourn through a big country like that...''

''First of all, Caledonia isn't that big. It's about three times smaller than the region that we conquered. Second, the Caledonians are quite xenophobic. They don't want strangers around. But.. if you insist, I will see what I can arrange for you.''

''Thank you, Sir!''

Simon left. 

When he arrived outside there was a group of muggers harassing someone. Five against one. Simon didn't want to get involved. He hid inside a bush and threw four large stones at the muggers. He threw the fifth rock into a window. When that happened many people came outside and the muggers fled. Simon remained in the bush until everyone was distracted from looking in his direction. When he arrived at his dwelling place, he found a prostitute tipping at his door. 

''Go away! LEAVE!''  he shouted at her ''I have no interest!''

The prostitute kept pleading. Simon handed her seven Denarii and pusher her away from his apartment door. Inside his apartment he read some newsletters that arrived from the Rhine frontier in Lower Germany. One of the newsletters reported that the Frisians received a large degree of autonomy from the governor of Lower Germany. The Frisian kings and chieftains were permitted to initiate and execute legislation as long as it was in agreement with the policy set by the Germanic senate of Lower Germany. Also, 35 Germanic veterans received Roman citizenship and small villas near Noviomagus Batavorum. Also Trajan announced he would attack the Parthian Kingdom next spring. Simon paid 30 Denarii each half year in order to receive frequent news messages through the military. This was his way to remain alert about what was going on throughout the Empire.

Simon's motive for requesting a voyage to Caledonia has another motive. He wants to establish his own fleet, in the near future, upon the Rhine and North Sea. He wants to visit the countries that he will be trading with before he initiates trade. He is quite ambitious. He understood that life is a moment that's meant to be lived. He wants to trade with the Frisians, the Caledonians and the Norwegians. He keeps much of his ambitions to himself. He has the understanding that envy is one of the most dangerous you can encounter in your life. The first one is fear. 

What Simon didn't know was that Arvid I of Scandinavia was the brother of his paternal grandfather. This made him kin to the present King Arvid II of Caledonia and Scandinavia. While Simon wasn't aware of it, his longing to Caledonia was activated by some soulish prayer made by the slave girl that lived in the Congress of Caledonia. She was not a Believer. She frequently burned incense to Celtic deities and made small prayers unto them. She was not aware that there were real paranormal forces acting out her prayers. Neither was Simon aware that he was part of the manifestation of that woman's prayer. This should be a warning to those reading this short story: not all prayers are according to the will of the Most High. There are many prayers uttered in ignorance, but they are prayers nevertheless and consequently they will affect the world around you. So, be careful what you pray for. Not because of fear. No! You should pray! Prayer ought to be your lifestyle! So you pray! But not everyone prays to the Heavenly Father. And not everyone prays with the right motives. And not everyone has the wisdom to understand the impact of their meditations. Just realise that your prayers might cause unforeseen and unintended consequences, and sometimes even unintended harm unto third parties that you'll never meet during this lifetime. The impact, good or bad, will be real nonetheless.