History:
I am using Tacitus version of Germanic life as it was before the Romans. However I realize certain things may have changed since then, but I am sticking with the belief that at this time, the Chatti are NOT too influenced by the Romans so much.
They will still have the same view of women and marriage and loyalty as they did in the 1st century. Tacitus did not comment on the view of homosexuality…and it was not officially outlawed until the time that the Tribes came under Roman influence, so I am going to go with the belief that no one cared…just for my own merit. I am also going to have the view that a girl being a "tomboy" is completely ok since the Germanic tribes lauded skills in warefare.
That being said, here are some differing views I am taking from Tacitus
Slavery: I am using fealty and slave in the same manner. Same type of work, same type of payment. Tacitus made it clear that slaves were not as we know them, but someone who worked in what they did and paid a tribute. I am using the fealty to mean that the Lord is responsible for the subject's upkeep.
Dress: They will wear clothes…no naked tops. No naked sword dancing.
Physical appearance; I don't care what he said about appearance. I control how they look.
Living conditions: Though there were many views on how they lived; I'm going with the later view around the 3rd century. They had homes. I will have children of master and slave brought up in decent conditions. No " live amid the same flocks and lie on the same ground till the freeborn are distinguished by age and recognized by merit." Nope, I'm taking the reins here.
On to the story:
Chapter Three
Angela looked around as they reached the outskirts of the settlement. It was similar to the one they had left so long ago, yet different some how. She knew her small family would stand out, as those who walked among them were fair haired and fair skinned. A few children looked up at Jane on the horse with interest, before continuing on to their destination. Egino halted momentarily at the few small children who ran in front of the steed, causing several packs and bags to fall off.
"Ack!" Jane yelled as she started slipping from her perch upon the horse along with their things. It was the first sound she had made all morning, once Franco had made the announcement that they were going to be in their new home by midday. Steadying the girl, Angela gave her a smile and a small kiss on her hand.
Franco tugged on the rope controlling their horse and pulled them pass various homesteads. All were similar. Large rectangular structures, a few cattle grazing near the homes and some storehouses.
"How long till we reach this mans home," Angela asked, holding Frankie in her arms.
"Radulf Isles has the largest estate in the area, so it's a bit further. I was told by a freeman that he was worth upwards of 1200 shillings." Angela couldn't hold in her gasp, knowing most freemen were worth 200, and maybe 600 if they were of good family. It was no wonder the man didn't mind caring for a family of four with that amount of worth. It was nothing to him if he gained a skilled worker.
They slowly approached what had to be the largest grazing area Angela had ever seen, the number of cattle were amazing. There was a large structure in the back, no doubt where more animals were, and three storehouses were to the right of it. She also saw a small amount of other buildings to the side, but there was no indication as to their use. Franco continued pulling them forward towards a home, made of timber like all the others, but covered a vast area, twice the area of the other farm homes they had passed.
Once they stopped at the farmhouse, a well dress man came out. He wasn't fair-haired like most of the others they had seen, but had hair that was a darker brown, but still noticeably lighter than theirs. Angela could tell his place immediately by the fine tunic he wore, and his cape secured with metal broaches.
"Franco, I am glad to see you have made it here in such a timely matter. It was less than a fortnight when I spoke to you last." Franco nodded and then bowed to the man, retrieving a pack off of the horse.
"I bring gifts to you clan leader, in honor of your strength and bravery." Franco was familiar with Isle's reputation of being the most victorious in battle among those in this clan. His station was not one of verbal power, but physical as well. It was earned, as noted by the faded scars on his forearms. Franco laid down the pack, opening up to reveal several weapons he fabricated overtime, and one that he created on his way over here. He'd remembered all that his father had taught him and used his knowledge of craftsmanship to hone a sharp tip for a spear, hoping to please his new lord into helping Jane as soon as possible.
"I am pleased," Isle said looking over the weapons briefly before glancing back at those with Franco. "Is this your family?"
"Yes. This is my wife, Angela and my son Franco," Franco then smiled at Jane, before lifting her off the horse and carrying her over to Radulf. "And this is my daughter Jane, the one we spoke about."
"Ahh yes. Welcome." Radulf turned around and beckoned for them to follow.
"I have received much of the spare land after my kin received their share, thus I need much help. However, there are no…'skilled' iron workers in this area, and our weapons need improvement. Seeing your gift I have no doubt that our clan will benefit." Radulf led the family around toward the row of buildings that they had seen from the front, but didn't know the use of.
"You will reside in this dwelling and work over in that building." Franco nodded seeing the well built wooden structure, covered in clay to keep it secure. "I will exact tribute from you in the form of weapons for my men. Your wife may care for your household with the produce from fields." Radulf paused momentarily looking Franco over and raising an eyebrow.
"Are you a skilled hunter?"
"Yes," Franco replied quickly. "I am skilled in the hunting of herd and of men. I would be honored to join you when appropriate." Radulf nodded before waving his hand toward the dwelling.
"Get settled then bring the girl to me to look over."
.
.
.
.
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Franco looked around the room as Jane clung to his neck. This room was very big, bigger than any he had been in and there were shiny weapons on all the walls. She clung tight as he walked forward, taking her to Radulf.
"Jane this is Radulf. He is going to look at your arm," Franco whispered before setting her down in front of the man. Radulf took both her left and right arms and look them over, humming to himself.
"Are you a healer," Franco asked him.
"No. I am not, but my sister lives among the Greeks. She has learned her practices of healing form them and sends me information. I use these practices among my comitatus when they become injured in battle." Radulf ran his hand along her scar, before sitting back. "She is weak. She has allowed this arm to not grow with the other." he stated matter-a-factly. Radulf then reach on the table picking up a stone, giving it to the little girl. "Take this in your left hand."
Jane took the stone, holding on it for barely a moment before screaming and dropping it.
"Constance!" Radulf called to the back of the dwelling. "Bring me the text that Hope sent." A short woman from the back room emerged smiling at Jane. She had brown hair like the big man, but was smaller and made her feel happy when she smiled. "This is my wife Constance."
Radulf took the book, opening it and glancing over the pages.
"Can you read those writings?" Papa asked.
"Yes. Both Roman and Greek. It may surprise you to know that I am not only Chatti, but Roman also, though I do not proclaim this to my enemies. My mother saw to it that I learned her tongue, as did Hope." He continued looking at the pages before nodding to himself.
"You daughter will be fine, provided that she stops favoring that arm. You said she used that arm for everything before?"
"Yes."
"Then make her use it again. She will need to strengthen it again. I often have my warriors practice with their spears and even swords more when a hand or arm has been injured. I suggest you do that same. At least one candlemark a day."
Franco could feel his face falling as a weight seemed to be falling on his shoulders. Jane could barely hold a doll or rock with that arm, there was no way should could hold anything heavier.
"She cannot hold the simplest things. How to I get her to do this?"
"Find a way. Here," Radulf tore a page from the journal that held pictures of what seem to be a person, but with lines drawn through the figure. "We have natural resistance on our own body. Start with these, and gradually bring her up to holding items."
Franco looked at the picture seeing movements he knew Jane could do. But how he would get Jane to use her arm….he didn't know.
A/N: So I ended up splitting what was one chapter into two because I wanted Jane's...development to be on its own. Chapters will be a bit longer from here on out as we are now getting into the meat of the story.