Theodoric King of the Goths, CNG coins Usage Terms
Another beauty in my eyes that top 10 of my “No-hope-in-hell-to-get-list” Is the OstroGoths, Theodoric, King of the Goths 474 to 493 Struck 491-518 Rome.
Obverse: D N ANASTA SIVS P F AVC pearl-diademed, draped, and cuirassed bust right
Reverse: VICTORIA AVCVSTORVM, Victory advancing right on ground line with pellet at each end, head left, holding wreath and globus cruciger; star to right;
There was likely a variety of much older Gold coins well distributed throughout the main houses of the Holy Roman Empire so Coins dating back to the original Roman Empire isn’t quite uncommon at the time and often purity is in doubt compared to the predominant circulating Ducats, Thalers, and Florins at the time. A millennium earlier the OstroGoths were under Roman management but when neglected by Rome with tribute and resources far exceeding the benefits provided under the terms of Roman rule along with the deep seething resentment of being conquered… you know what happened next.
Gothic Behavior by Kerris
Some of today's Goths and not necessarily hard core ones, like to hang out at a cemetery rather than a typical park, some have a smoke, have a picnic, read, write, but its where I do my Ninja thing.
Claudia - Origin of the Bloody Raven ; The Cemetery
"Thank you for accompanying me to my room Lukkas." Claudia kept her gaze down as a commoner.
Lukkas lifted her chin with a finger to have her look into his eyes, "I shall see you in the morning my lady. I will be in the room adjacent if you need anything at all." His words were more affectionate this time and Claudia couldn't help for a moment relishing the attention of a fine nobleman and replied to his kiss of her hand with a flutter of her eyes and a blush in her cheeks. His warm smile acknowledged her subtle message that promised better company.
It wasn't long until Lukkas and most of his men had also retired for the night.
She felt close to discovering the whereabouts of her brother and didn't sleep much in the early morning hours. Two of the young Squires were still busy tending to their tasks as she strode past out the stable door into town. It wasn't hard to find an old drunk or two asleep outside any given tavern. A loaf of bread and a few coppers sufficed to awaken their vague memories of past events since her absence. Things haven't been cared for as she remembered. Townsfolk of Menine were usually proud of their town, streets, homes were orderly and thrived under Papa's lordship.
Egon and Kevar were old enough to recall, too old to serve in the military and too invalid for anything else. They and a few others now shared a squalid building in a neglected part of the former Menine Township under Sabat. The men’s welfare having to be dependent on the generosity of the church and local citizenry, Egon was a former carpenter his hands poorly healed from the tortuous punishment inflicted by the Sabatine tax collectors for Lord Sabat's treasury. No reprieve, no grace period, and had since been unable to perform his trade.
As a good judge of character her Papa a few times said, "Watch this Taska." The debtor comes before him to hear his case, Papa launches into an animated tirade outlining the Debtor's inability to pay his full taxes, then changes his tenor when mulling his circumstances. "A man takes pride in his work and to be productive. I rather have a productive man than an empty treasury; I absolve you of the remainder of your taxes owed." And if the person lacked discipline it was just a week or so of military service that didn't take too much a toll and often worked out with only a minimal burden.
Kevar was a farmer whose land was confiscated because he was forced to plant when he was to supposed to allow the land to rest, lay fallow. To pay for new burdensome taxes and as a consequence he endured successive seasons of crop failure therefore no taxes paid and the forfeiture of his land. The stories were similar with the rest. One thing was clear is that the new Lord was greedy for wealth and power. At the same time unscrupulous and unforgiving too the towns people under his lordship.
The night air was cool with a dampness lingering to another rainfall.
Before dawn Claudia finally discovers the final resting place of her parents Grigory and Anna Menine. It wasn't at the family mausoleum by the town's Main Church but in a simple grave in a peasant cemetery adjacent to a modest church. Their names were rough chiselled onto a common stone. The grave was cared for by perhaps someone still faithful to the former Lord of Menine.
She knelt down to the grave and touched the damp cold stone letters that yielded no comfort to her spirit. “Mama…Papa…I’ve come to avenge you both and find my brother. Please help me find him.”
Partly obscured by heavy cloud the moon hovered large and bright augmenting her already acute night vision her heightened sense of hearing. The leaves of the nearby tree rustled in the gentle breeze. From her cloak she places a solitary flower upon the simple grave.
There were footfalls behind her.
She turned, her dagger drawn.
The old man put his hands up, "I yield, please have mercy."
Claudia cautiously stepped towards the man in an ordinary Friar's robe, "Who are you?"
“A young woman’s voice?” He shook his head, “Oh my child why come here, it is dangerous to be out at night!”
She pulled down her hood, “I said, who are you?”
The weary old man stood his ground, "I am Alexander of Menine, the defrocked priest but still the Caretaker here. I was up and heard some needy soul out here. There is always someone needy. As of late several town folk have come here seeking to end their lives. Some I managed to abate, some I cannot," As he pointed to some recent graves laying close by. The name was familiar but she didn’t remember the face.
He lifted up his small lamp to Claudia’s face. "Please, may I be of service to you?" The old man studied her face, his expression searching his memory for familiarity. Her large doe like brown eyes stood out in the flicker of his small lamp.
Sheathing her dagger she straightened, “I was studying this grave. Do you know of this one?”
His face doured, “It is the late Lord of Menine, Grigory and his Wife Anna as they now rest here. I knew them and his children. They deserved better. I vehemently protested the treatment of the Menine and offered myself in Gigory’s place but it was too late. And Lord help their poor children, Taska was sold into that cursed slave market in Ossenia south outside our kingdom, a fate worse than death, and her brother… ,“ tears welled up in his eyes.
“Any news of the Children? Grigory II?” Her anxious expression and tone of her voice gave her away.
“…such courage in a young boy! And he fought for his sister!” Alexander held up the lamp to her face again, this time it came to him. “Good God. Is that you Täska?”
“Yes I am her, what happened to my brother?”
The old man's eyes widened, his spirit invigorated as if witnessing the joyful miracle before him, “Täska! You’re alive! Oh joy! But, but, you will be in danger here I must hide you! I am glad see you grown and strong!”
She grasped his shoulders, “What happened to my Brother?”
His expression changed and shook his head, “No, I shouldn’t tell you.”
It was as she feared. The beast inside was gaining power invoked from her memory, fueled by the painful emotions coursing through her heart, “I Täska Menine, daughter of Grigiory order you to tell me!”
“As you wish.” He reluctantly nodded, stepped a few yards over to another grave. “Lord Sabat and King Haggar III made sport of the young Grigory, and to be made an example of. Sir Elvan of Chochara was matched against little Grigory II in a duel, if young Grigory won you’d be released to him and set free but I knew you were long gone and it was not in their fullest intention of fulfilling. Still I protested this travesty by being his pledge when no one will. In an miraculous answer to prayer your Brother Grigory defeated Elven to the shock the entire court.
Your Father would have been very proud of him as I was. Not even a fledged Squire yet defeated an accomplished knight. Instead they arrested him for the ‘murder of Sir Elevan’ claiming that Young Grigory conspired with the devil, I again offered my life in exchange. The Abbot of Khazaria sided with Sabat and defrocked me casting me out while they …they...” he hesitated.
Claudia’s eyes began to yield tears as her hands clenched, “TELL ME!”
“…they tortured young Master Grigory to death,” He pointed down to the grave! ”They began by cutting his hands off…”
“No!” Claudia fell to her knees and clenched at the dew covered grass upon the grave and wept aloud, “My beloved Brother, no!”
“They feared young Grigory will eventually grow up to avenge his family…eh!”
An unexpected gust of wind swept through the cemetery, a sudden cloud burst began to drench the ground around them as she continued to weep uncontrollably.
“Good God!” Cried Alexander, he made a motion of the Cross with his free hand.
“Then they shall fear me!” The beast inside her was aroused. Alexander steadied his lamp from the wind and rain. What he beheld frightened him to his being. As she wailed like a large bird her skin became pale as death, eyes glowed a flaming red, fangs emerged from her mouth and her nails became long and sharp. Grasping the hilt of her sword as a flash of lightening reflected from her blade when she drew it, then plunged it into the soil. Grasping the hilt with both hands she screamed aloud in the anguished cry of vengeance. “I Taska Menine daughter of Grigory swear upon the graves of my family to stain this blade with the blood of my Father’s enemies and a curse upon their offspring forever!” The peal of thunder rumbled throughout the sky as if the heavens, or more perhaps the denizens of Hell answered.
Alexander stumbled backwards, "God in heaven Täska, what demonic creature have you become?"
He backed further while rummaging the top of his robe for his sole protection.
"In the name of the Father, the son, and the holy ghost I command thee be gone out of my child Täska!"
He fell on his knee, grasped his small silver cross of a St. Stephens, closed his eyes and held it above his head like a shield awaiting an onslaught that didn't happen.
The wind and rain abated. Daylight began to break over the treeline. The birds begin to chirp.
Rather than the scourge from hell he felt the soft warm hands of a young woman resting upon his. He opened his eyes.
Claudia looked into his wrinkled eyes, "It is not what you think Alexander of Menine, you endured and have been faithful to my family in the face of an unjust treachery. Thank you. "
"You are going to do what you just swore?"
"I endured many trials as well to be here and death of my brother by their hands has sealed their fate."
"But it is written, Vengeance belongs to thy Lord, yea only he can exact..."
"And I shall send them there!"
"Then my fate is eternally sealed with yours as I am already an accomplice to your plans."
"I will find a way to repay you, please do not reveal what I am to anyone."
R. Clip art from 123RF
Previous Episodes of Claudia
“Et lux in tenebris to serve laboro, sum sicarius” “I work in the shadows to serve the Light, I am an Assassin”