The Ting

Over the next 8 days as they wait for and depart for the Ting, The Romans get acquainted with local notables and the political situation. It seems that while in control of four of the tribes, Hrothulf excerts less influence on the Anglii, Varinii and Avionii (Romanised names). Of these the Anglii (Angloz) are the strongest and most independent, they have not forgotten that the last king was one of them, so the scheme of Gloáugiz (nephew of last king) spreading its web into their own tribe and attaching a Roman was actually worse than it looked at first glance. Aigiláz could have been forced to join a rebellion and the tribes would be split. Even now, the killing of his Erloz and distant kin will force him to accuse Háriáwulf of unlawful killing or he will loose face- and thus strength. So the Ting will be exiting, though both hope a settlement can be reached.




Be that as it may, Hrothulf is very interested in friendship and alliance with Lvcivs Cornelivs, Rome and Caesar. He is willing, keen in fact, for an exchange of amber and warriors in exchange for Roman arms, armour and tools. He figures an ambitious man like Lvcivs can use protection when he gets home as he heard that Rome can be a dangerous place, so as his part of the deal he will send 500 good warriors under Háriáwulf immediately with Lvcivs when the latter returns to Rome, to be followed by up to 4500 more if Lvcivs and Rome needs them.



Caivs Caecilivs meets and talk to Okáz, who “lets slip” that the reason the last Dugunthiz, Háuház fell was a failed alliance of some sort with the Suionoz, Rugoz and Danoz where a dowry of unheard of size would secure marriage and alliance between his son and the daughter of the Rugoz king, and a sizeable contingent of Roman weapons and armour. This somehow went awry and the Kêmbroz confederacy lost much and much honour. Avenging this was stopped by the Swêboz confederacy council who saw both sides gather allies in the struggle and the potential for the tribes splitting, Hrothulf, Háriáwulf and the Kêmbroz’ prestige and the Danoz- Suionoz- Rugoz wealth could draw allies from tribes even outside the Swêboz, even Getai and Boii would come at Háriáwulf’s call and the confederacy definitely wanted to keep these powerful neighbours from interfering. That Háuház backed down to this pressure caused his proud people to clamour for hrothulf instead and a holmgang decided the issue. The scars are not healed between the subtribes of Kêmbroz, and there is a thirst for vengeance that cannot be sated until the Kêmbroz is made whole.

Okáz believes that Hrothulf and Háriáwulf has a scheme to heal the wounds, avenge the dishonour and further their own power, and he believes that they in fact aim to become the leading tribe and Dugunthiz of all the Swêboz.



Háriáwulf takes them on a bearhunt in a desolate area, but the first day the hunt is interrupted as Lvcivs spots two eagles circling the target and as he stands on a hilltop declaiming, they catch a fish in a nearby lake. No soothsayer is needed to interpret that omen. It has nothing to do with bearhunting for as they spend the next day searching through the wilderniss for it, only to have it escape, a day-long drizzle starts to soak them.



Evenings are spent feasting and carousing, wenching, competing in drinking contests, dicing, axe-throwing and politicing. The widow Álágunthjo and rebellious teen Godahilthjo pursue Lvcivs Cornelivs and Caivs Cominivs respectively. But both resist their advances, Caivs Cominvs wisely not even spending time alone in his effort to avoid complications.



As they ride to the Ting a total of 26 other Erloz joins the party of Lvcivs Cornelivs, with the allies already at the Ting or who choses side there, Hrothulf has 93 Erloz, the opposition will be able to gather 60- 70 and another 20- 30 will stay neutral.



There is not much trade going on at the Ting, but low-level barter between farmers who has not met for a year and wish to renew their breeding stock, gift exchange between nobles, and of course a lot of women exchanging new cloth and dresses.

Taking the advice of Háriáwulf, Lvcivs brings both his own and some local bodyguards, apparently many has not forgotten the losses suffered at Caesar’s hands 11 years before and there is already tension. Thus protected he strolls around the Ting seeing the (few) sights and living things up with a combination of mead and mudwrestling slave girls (though they are not too keen on the idea). A young and lucky German warrior; Dágármerjáz, defeats Dolabra in armwrestling and is allowed to join the girls’ match. This endears Lvcivs more to him even than to Hludáz the wrestler who was richly rewarded for his skills by the magnanimous Roman patrician. Dolabra, being perceptive, notice something- likely a rune-stick/message stick change hands between two noble-men, but thought no more of it until he recognised them as Aigiláz and Eyjáoulfáz at the Ting-case the day after.



Okáz will speak Hrothulf and Háriáwulf’s cases as Eyjáoulfáz accuses them of manslaughter. The killings have been legally declared and the defence is that they brought it upon themselves. That may be legally right but four of the nine farmers to whom it was declared do not own enough to be legal witnesses. Okáz will state that this might be so, but that it is legal to use down to 5 witnesses, so the case stands. One of the farmers witnessing owes Okáz though and thus cannot witness, the defence is thus annulled and Háriáwulf must pay or be outlawed. Okáz asks for recess to confer and tells that it is illegal to owe the speaker or to have received money to prosecute, which he is certain Eyjáoulfáz has. As it turns out, your women have actually witnessed Eyjáoulfáz receiving a gold armring and torque and as the relation is merely to his mother there is a precedence that he can defend Háriáwulf. Okáz asks for permission for foreigners to speak and your women can testify (the judges can count number of swords as well). Hágárádáz then challenges Okáz, which makes Háriáwulf loose his temper and challenge all three of them to fight together against him. Hrothulf steps up and calms his nephew, and states that such harsh measures are unnecessary. He will accept settlement where aid and shelter to kidnapping his niece, attacking his guests and honour, and taking up arms against the Hárjánáz of the tribes as he requested renumeration shall equal the deaths of Gloáugiz Frithuz and the three brothers, while Gytha will be well-wed by the wisdom of Erminlindá, inherit all the land and have a generous dowry. Gloáugiz’ land will be shared between Hrothulf and Aigiláz as he has no heirs of significance and Frithuz’ shall pass to his minor sons who Aigiláz will foster. The breach of law of Aigiláz and Eyjáoulfáz shall be forgotten as the word of foreigners may be doubted.
This will benefit all in wealth and power with no lessening of honour, further, he will add his friendship with Aigiláz to the deal as they have both been much scathed by the scheming of their power-hungry subjects and foster Aigiláz son to much honour (which is an honour, for usually fostering goes downwards in the social hierarchy or equal). Bidáwárjáz will offer to host a feast of reconciliation next evening at the Ting.