(Queen Maldunilis is indolent and unintelligent. I respect her. She enjoys her life and knows her limits.)
Extraordinarily, Grattilonius must instruct his men:
if the challenger wins, then he is the King;
do not take any action against him;
protect Ys until the diverted sailors and marines return;
then, put yourselves under the Turonum garrison commander.
After fifteen years in Ys, the men have families there and don't want to leave. The challenger, Chramn, was chosen by Wotan, supposedly, so yet another pantheon is involved. But what is to be done about the band of Franks waiting to challenge one after another for as long as it takes? Something will be done but not this evening.
Here tomorrow, we have a hospital strike and an annual Viking Festival. Onward and upward.
5 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
There is something to be said for people who both know their limits and how to enjoy life.
Actually, most of the Roman soldiers who came with Gratillonius 15 years before had probably finished their 20 year hitches in the army. Time to collect back pay and other benefits before being mustered out.
Ad astra! Sean
Sean: 25 years, in fact, though those promoted from the ranks could serve longer.
The usual discharge bonus varied, but was generally 12 to 14 years pay in a lump sum, or (earlier on) a land grant and some cash as well.
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
I sit corrected, I thought it was 20 years by AD 383.
Ad astra! Sean
Note that after about 100 CE, Roman legions were rarely moved from their permanent bases. Until the 300's, soldiers were -formally- barred from marrying, but they did -de facto-, and their marriages were generally legitimized and their offspring often enlisted.
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
I can see the advantages of permanently based Legions, but I think it would have been better to move them around to different bases every ten years or so. Keep them from getting too set in their ways.
Ad astra! Sean
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