CHAPTER ONE- ILL OMENS
272 BC, Swebolándám, Germania



My name is Balthaz, the brave one.
I am a hunter of the Sweboz tribe. I wander the forests of Swebolándám, hunting boars, wolfs and deers, and report to my village everytime I see rival tribes entering our hunting grounds- for our neighbours, the Rugoz, Heruskoz and the Cimbri, always find new ways to awake the wrath of our high chief.
Indeed, the Rugoz are well protected in their island capital, and the Cimbri are extremely fierce, but our tribes are united and our warriors our brave.
I am the son of a great and noble warrior, Atháwulfáz of the Sueones, who came from Skándzá many years ago and became a Swebian nobleman thanks to his bravery and treasures. He was a close friend of our high chief, and he died as a hero in a battle with the Cimbri.
Even though my father was a noble, I am a simple hunter- The treasures and riches of Atháwulfáz were taken by the Cimbri in another battle.



My story begins in the year 272 BC...
I was hunting in the forests of central Swebolándám, close to the river that marked our border with the Silengoz. The only sounds I could hear were the noises of birds and insects, and my own steps on the rough dirt road, partly covered by grass.
But then, I heard a new, weird noise- silent steps on the soft grass. I stopped to listen- there were at least three pairs of feet. I thought it was a pack of deers.
I left the road and went deeper into the forest. While I was walking, the steps sounded closer. At last, I saw something moving ahead of me. I hid behind a large tree and waited for the deer to show.
But when I saw what was walking out of the thick forest, I was teriffied- three tall and muscular men, wearing coats made of bear hide and holding axes. Two of them were blonde, and one of them had brown hair. Because of their height, I thought them to be Cimbri- but what are they doing so far from their homeland, the flat, never-ending marshes of Kimbrolándám?
I turned back to run, but then I heard a deep, low voice shouting- they saw me!