The Sage of Einar

Gauiter and a white-bearded Roman soldier walked toward the palace.

Before they could see Kassia, they had to go through a disinfection process in which they were forced to take a bath using sulfur soap until the dirt from their bodies was completely removed.

After this, Einar gave them charcoal paste with mint leaf and some wooden toothbrushes to brush their teeth.

They followed the disinfection protocol, as they did not want to have a problem with a man who could turn an arrow into an explosive weapon.

When they were completely clean, some warriors entered the bathrooms and gave them towels because they had to cut their hair and beard because they had lice and nits.

Using silver knives and soap suds, they cut the two men's hair and beards until they were completely bald.

After finishing with the haircut, a group of slaves entered and inspected the heads of the two men.

When they did not find anything important, they were forced to bathe again, but this time in a pool of thermal waters that was rich in sulfur, so it had a fetid and uncomfortable aroma.

But respecting the rules they did, to their surprise they could see that some small animals came out of their bodies, so they understood why they had been forced to bathe again.

When they finished, they were given towels and a change of clothes to wear. After changing, they started on the way to the imperial palace.

Although the city that Einar was building was not as fascinating as Constantinople or Aachen, to what they had seen at the core of Norse society, it was like a little Rome.

Concrete roads which had strange symbols, rain drainage systems, and buildings with too beautiful a style.

When they reached the city walls, they gulped a bit as the style of the walls was quite different, but when they entered, their eyes widened in surprise.

Because the population they considered barbaric was wearing oddly shaped clothes that looked even more comfortable than the ones they wore in Constantinople.

Not only that, but the colors of the clothes were varied, but two things almost make them believe that they had gone crazy.

The first thing was to see that the women had their busts raised, making them look even more beautiful than they were.

While the second was to see children in purple clothes, playing in the street with a kind of leather ball.

They knew that purple clothes could only be worn by the nobility but in front of them, the children were wearing purple clothes.

Worst of all, they were using it while playing in a dirty place. Einar, who saw the worried and anxious faces on the two men, could only laugh.

"This place is not something common, so you better adapt. For the moment, you should just know that everything you see was built with my effort.

I will not be an emperor in a beautiful city or one that is suffering a civil war, but if Kassia asks me for the moon.

I will do my best to give it to her because of the love I have for her, not because of commitment.

I think you Christian noblemen lack to enjoy love, but I suppose it is better to have power or belief than if you marry someone you do not love.

It is a sacrifice to get a better bloodline. I can only tell you that this method will lead you to collapse among yourselves.

But I don't think listening to me will change your ideas. "

After leaving the city, they walked along the royal road, which was a path designed by Helmi, which comprised cement pavers painted with different paints.

The cobblestones were arranged to create a beautiful path, which was adorned on the sides with a row of small pine trees, which created a very pleasant sight.

But not only were there the pines, all around the road there were winter flowers which gave off a very pleasant floral aroma.

Although it was not comparable to the garden of any noble, it had its charm because in the green grass they could see families having meetings while they ate.

"Those families that you are looking at are citizens or slaves who are enjoying their day off.

The tradition of picnic days was something that, with the help of Kassia, we could do something common throughout the kingdom.

It's an advantage when crime levels are non-existent. "

Gautier frowned "But something I did notice is that you are bringing in thousands of slaves. They are not a problem.

What if they reveal themselves ... "

Einar stopped and showed a smile as he turned his face to see Gautier "Do not compare the form of slavery that I did with the traditional slavery of you Christians."

Einar pointed to the children playing in the green grass while their parents were enjoying the strange autumn sun "Tell me what you see on their faces and you will have the answer to why they will not reveal themselves."

Gautier, when he looked at the children playing and the parents smiling, realized that they were happy. Even though they were slaves, they had hope, something that he had not seen in a long time.

"If you give the slaves, hope they will work happily because eventually, they will come out of slavery.

Although for their fortune, their children stopped being slaves by an order that I implement.

But we have to continue as we still have to climb some stairs."

The two men just sighed and continued to follow Einar up the stairs until they reached some impressive ramparts for their sloping design.

Gautier, who could not bear his curiosity, pointed to the walls "Why the walls of your castle and of the city are in this way and not great walls."

Einar laughed and spread his hands "They are the future of defensive constructions. If you are smart, you will replace your old walls with this kind of wall.

You may save your city in the future, but it's just a personal opinion. "

When they entered through the main gate of the walls, they could see the beautiful courtyard and the admirable structure that had a unique style.

"That is the great hall of the kingdom is where we will meet my wife. Remember my words well unless she allows you to speak.

Do not try to speak or force her to take any action, because the talks will end at that moment. I do not think it feels very good.

Knowing that her father was just a substitute or that now after so many years they are looking for her. "

After those words, they entered the great hall and headed for the stairs, as the meeting would take place in Einar's office.

When Einar opened the office door, he could see Kassia, who was serious, as she was not happy with the attempt by the Romans to try to intimidate Einar.

Kassia, seeing Gautier and a man with a white beard who was already old, could simply show an angry face.

"You really are stupid if you think you can come and try to threaten my husband and my home.

I can only tell you that you are still alive because Einar has more patience than most people, but I am truly disappointed in you.

I expect anything of all of you, and you still disappointed me. I can understand the arrogant attitude of a duke, but you who are supposed to be loyal to my mother.

Being aggressive doesn't speak highly of you. "

The man bent one leg and crouched down while lowering his head "I regret the behavior of all my subordinates.

We were impulsive because we felt superior; I hope the princess can forgive our stupidity.

My name is Evaristus Bardanes. I was the head of the Imperial Guard of Empress Irene of Athens.

I never knew of your existence, princess, but you can be sure that if you ask for my life as you paid for my mistake.

I am willing to give to you because it is because of Empress Irene that I can continue to live, since even when the coup occurred, she interceded for all of us.

Her faithful guards so that we would only be exiled to places of difficult access in the Mediterranean Sea.

That is why I and 5990 soldiers and sailors are ready to pledge allegiance to you, Highness.

We are willing to follow your orders even if they are suicidal, as our families can once again enjoy their lives in the empire.

Whereas we can only pledge allegiance to you, as we cannot see our families again.

It was not a hard decision to make as the imperial guards of the only imperial family that we recognize are you and your children. "

Kassia looked at the man and could remember the old guard who looked after her in that place where she spent her childhood, so she turned her head to see Einar's attitude.

Einar, seeing his wife's concerned face, simply gave her a smile "It is your decision and I will respect it if you want them to take care of the safety of our family.

They will have to take a course with me for 3 months where I will see their loyalty and abilities if they can show that they can fulfill the task of taking care of the children and of all of us.

They will be able to take care of the palace, although I could also train them as military police to safeguard the security of the kingdom.

Any decision you want to make, I will respect. "

Kassia sighed and gave her husband a smile before looking at Evaristus.

"If you want to pledge allegiance to me to take care of my family, you will have to take care of my entire family, including my husband and my other children.

Which are not related to my blood, but I consider them my family. All of you will also have to undergo training with Einar. "

Evaristus raised his head seriously "We will take care of the entire imperial family and if we can have families again.

Our children will continue the sacred work of caring for the royal family. "