Tevelgus was a great warrior who had become the village leader after a successful challenge to the previous chief who, the Romans were surprised to find was still alive and living amongst the group.
“We don’t live like animals and fight for the right to lead, we moved on from that some time ago.” Tevelgus explained through Brenna. “We are judged by our peers,” he indicated the village around them, “and they decide the victor.”
Varro and his men were getting a taste for the strong ale as the shadows began to draw longer along the floor around them.
“Can we stay here tonight Brenna? Me and my men are weary and could do with a good night’s sleep and your brew is too hard to resist. I would like to take this opportunity also to learn more about your life here.” Varro asked Brenna.
“Of course, you are welcome, soon we will be having food,” she indicated to a large boar that was being led to an area away from the others, “so you can relax, eat, drink and sleep. We will forever be grateful for you for saving and returning the boy to us. It’s the least we can do.”
The soldiers, with the help of the ale, were properly relaxed now and Brenna explained that she had been told of the foreign language Latin from the early attempts by Caesars forces to invade the country some decades before. She had learnt it from her father who had had some involvement with the Romans at the time.
As Brenna continued to tell Varro and his men about her life there, he realised just how distinctly attracted he was to her. He watched the movement of her lips as she spoke, her eyes he was sure could see into his soul and know his every desire. He tried to shake the feelings believing it was the influence of the ale but it was to no avail, there was no doubting his desire, he wanted her.
With the pig slaughtered and prepared, its rich meat was now roasting on the spit some feet away. The smell of fresh food with the ale and the company they were in almost helped the Romans forget that they were in a hostile land. Any thought of harm coming to them was forgotten and for the first time since setting foot in Britannia, they felt safe.
“So what do your men call you Roman?” Brenna asked.
“My name is Varro. I’m from the south east of my homeland and grew up by the warm sea. I’ve been in the service of my country for five years and in that time have attained the rank of centurion.” He indicated to the small purple stripes on his white tunic. “This is my second in command.” He indicated to the Optio then introduced the others in the group. “Our function is to ride ahead of our legions and make contact with the local population.”
“And to survey what’s ahead of your generals and their spears I assume.” Brenna asked.
“As I said,” he replied smiling, “to make contact with the population.” He replied guardedly. “You have many different tribes in your land and a rich history of warrior codes.”
“You are referring to the repulsion of your Great Caesar I assume? That was a long time ago but the tribes came together and worked as one. It was not all war though Varro. Contacts were made and people from both sides moved to the other countries in an exchange of ideas and cultures. Sadly not everyone was glad to receive your legions and many died on both sides.”
Varro thought before responding, “Rome does not seek to crush new cultures Brenna but to bring them into the empire. Client kingdoms are established, trade routes, learning, both and all grow richer from the union.”
“But doesn’t your emperor seek to ravage our natural wealth and resources and in some cases also put into slavery some of our people.” Brenna asked already knowing the answer.
“You seem to already know much which surprises me. Don’t think me wrong, I refer to your isolation here and yet you’re aware of some of the things across the sea and in the greater world beyond. If Rome chose to merely enslave and rob other civilisations and put the people there into slavery, then neither I nor my men would serve her. It would be corrupt and rotten.”
“Mm so you are a good man serving a good leader with many soldiers and men to persuade these other peoples. You are on a quest to change the known world for the better even if they prefer to live in wooden roundhouses like this.” She said gesturing.
Varro laughed, “The subject is as vast as it is deep and that’s precisely why I’m a simple soldier. I prefer my horse, my sword and the company of my men to the deceit of some but not all senators and their like are corrupt.”
Brenna looked at Staro, “I see that even your horses are big and strong.” Varro looked over and saw that his horse and the others men’s had eaten the grass around them at their feet.
“I’d like to take up your invitation for our horses to graze with yours if it still stands?” He asked.
“Why of course, come with me.” Varro following her signalled for the others to remain where they were, Brenna stroked Staro on his flanks and the animal seemed to instantly warm to her.
“Here you go big handsome boy.” She said untying him and walking him to the gate. She removed his saddle and bridle, putting them onto the fence and opened the gate. She touched his neck and the animal nudged her with his nose, his dark black eyes looking into hers. Varro was standing close to Brenna and thought he saw a connection between her and Staro.
“He doesn’t usually let people he doesn’t know or trust, get that close to him, you’ve a way with animals then?” He said. She laughed, “A bit like his owner I would say Varro.”
He frowned, “Well Brenna, I have, since I have been here witnessed an innocent boy being burnt alive and others try to kill me and my men.”
She smiled, “I don’t mean anything by it Varro.” She touched his face as she had his horse her palm was warm and gentle. She turned breaking the moment.
“In you go.” She said to the other horses. “Here’s a friend for you all, be nice to him.” She said as the local horses came over to see who had joined them. After releasing the other animals Varro and Brenna returned to the others where a roaring fire was now raging in front of them as the shadows grew long. Tevelgus handed them both pots of ale each and they sat down. Another female appeared and offered them food, roasted pork. She was joined by others who brought more food and ale.
“I want to thank you for your generous hospitality Brenna.” She raised a hand cutting him off. “You owe us nothing, you returned the boy who is the son of my brother for that I owe you.” She smiled warmly and Varro felt a connection between them that he hadn’t experienced with another woman for a long time. He had been involved with Lucerne when he was a soldier based in Rome for nearly two years. He was part of the cities home legion after first joining the army and had met her serving wine in a tavern. Although not a whore who would prostitute herself to men, many considered her chosen trade as near as anyone could get. Lucerne had ambitions however, and the lowly grade of a soldier and his pay turned out to be little enough reward for her bed. Brenna seemed to have far more substance about her and was not blonde as Lucerne had been which he always found to be a plus. That Varro found, attractive in itself but there was more to this Briton than he would have imagined he would find or had expected to on this large and mysterious island.
As the night wore on and the sun went down, more locals joined them at the feast. They all seemed happy to see the soldiers and were even happier when it was explained that they had saved Junium from a horrible death. The men were relaxed so much so that they had even removed their armour and their swords and were happy to sit and talk wearing just their tunics albeit through Brenna. Full bellies, an alternative to wine and a warm welcome was exactly the opposite of what any of them had ever imagined would greet them in Britannia but here it was.
Later with darkness complete overhead, the only light being that of the fire, shadows danced across the faces of those sat around the flames. Varro could feel the full effects of the brew and now felt totally relaxed. Brenna was sitting as close to him as she could get and he noticed that every now and again, she would touch his arm or his thigh as they spoke, laughing and talking about how different their cultures were. He wasn’t too surprised when she asked smiling, “Would you like to come for a walk? We have a beautiful lake nearby and the water would be really refreshing after such a warm day.”