Ortwald (426 AD)
I’m Ortwald, Ortwin’s son, and I come from the Civitas Coloniae.
My father, henchman of King Chlodio, became of high rank in the Francia Rhinensis, there are even vineyards in our grand allodium. The Romanic slaves working there know their craft really well, and the good wine has brought riches and fame among all Ripuarii.
Yet it has been five years since I last saw my home. Between us Franks and the Alamanni there have long since been quarrels on the fertile lands on the Rhine. Many have died in these, and many villages and acres have been devastated in this again and again. Finally our king made a contract with the duke of the Alamanni and to guarantee it, the nobles of both tribes had to exchange their sons as hostages. My father was obliged as well, and I was given to a grim Alamannic warlord named Teutomar.
Thus it happened that I came to the stead of Teutomar and his son in exchange to our civitas. My family equipped me with good garments and the arms of a man, though they had been way too heavy for me, then. All gave their good advices and reminded me to show courage and bravery.
When we arrived at Teutomar’s farm, I almost started to cry. I felt miserable and alone. Life here is so much different than in the city. The houses are pigpens of wood and dirt, covered with wood and straw instead of tiles, and they do not even have windows. The roads are not paved and ever muddy and we eat the same stuff almost very day. My good armament was taken away. Teutomar says I will get it back when I have need of it. At least Teutomar is likeable, and also the others treat me like a family member. Is Teutomar’s son well also? I wonder...
My coevals are exercising combat and hunting with me. Most of the time we have to work, though, guarding the cattle or cutting wood. In the evening we sit around the fire, storytelling. In ten years I will be free again, but I don’t know yet if I will return home. Teutomar says I have become a real Alaman. I’m five years on Teutomar’s farm now and I do but seldom think of home. Teutomar’s new wife is really fond of me, maybe for she is quite old also and cannot bear own children anymore.
This year on the farm puppies were born again, and I’m allowed to dress them into hunting dogs. It is a great honour, for then I will soon join the boar hunt like a grown man. But I will not have to wait for manhood much longer, and then Teutomar will hand me my shield, spurs and weapons for all to see at the Thing. And soon I will fight my first battle...
