Historical Setting, 631 C.E. Rhineland marketplace
Greg and Gaillard are including me on their so-called “pleasure” journey to purchase swords as a King’s gift.
“You’re grieving, still.” Greg notices in my constant kvetching.
“I suppose so. But always in grief it is one sadness upon another, so now, even my pacifistic nature sets me grieving for wars that haven’t happened yet. They are rumors.”
“Must you always make it about pacifism? Can’t you see that unfought wars are a source of great wealth for our royalty, thus, with a good king, this kind of preparation for wars that don’t happen is wealth for all the Franks.”
“I only see the luxury of warfare goes to the kings. It is the common people on both sides of every war, and all of the critters and lands that pay the price.”
I yammer on, “And didn’t I warn you if you brought me along you would just have to listen to my rants. An obstinate pacifist is who I am.”
“Who you are, Papa, is obstinate! Pacifism is optional.”
Gaillard intervenes, “We are coming to the shop of a well-known swordsmith. Maybe the fine art of it could be appreciated even without giving any consideration at all for the tensile strength of the blade.”
“Making peace between father and son is good too. Thank you, Gaillard.”
Roman roads still bring us here. These lands, now risen from the floods, are perceived as trade routes even for far travelers. Even in Egypt, Baltic amber is treasured. So, the old roads with the forever of Rome are still a pathway for horses when they aren’t sinking in the bogs. It is still called the “Amber Road”, not because the roads are made of amber but because that is the treasure trade carries from this place. It is still an important network for trade. All this commerce makes the town of Nijmegen a very good place for the master smiths — the artisans of swords and armor.
The seller who visited King Dagobert in Paris with these wares brought samples from a particular smith, Vlfberht.[Footnote] We visit that smithy first. He made the swords Greg and Gaillard were sent to purchase. But this journey is really not about walking up to the swordsmith and trading the stash of king’s gold for the swords and helmets. This is about finding out who else is fitting out armies in these times.
[Footnote] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulfberht_swords (Retrieved 7-20-24)
(Continues Tuesday, Oct.22)
Lazarus Ink 