One day fate decides to smile on Brennus. He’s hunting in the woods when he is almost seen by a group of Roman soldiers returning to their encampment. He hides until they pass, then decides to bathe in the nearby stream. Naked, he finds a mossy rock on which to lie while the sun dries and warms him. It isn’t long before his instincts tell him he isn’t alone. He discovers a soldier watching him and leaps to his feet, ready to fight. But fighting is the last thing Cyprian, the handsome Roman soldier, has on his mind. Over time the men become lovers, finding happiness in a world gone mad. They agree to meet regularly and for a time, they do. Until one day Brennus is captured by the Romans. Where is Cyprian? Didn’t he see his handsome soldier as he was being led into the encampment? Or will he ultimately be betrayed?

His Pagan Love

In all honesty, Cyprian looked much worse than Brennus felt. Poor Cyprian could hardly lift his head, and he wheezed with every breath he took.


Despite his own ill health, Brennus got up and added wood to the fire, stoking it so the flames were soon three times as high and throwing out five times as much heat. He wrapped a fur around his shoulders and took their small cooking pot to the mouth of the cave. Immediately feeling the bite of winter, he shivered. His sinuses became congested and breathing became, all of a sudden, difficult.


He gave the pot a quick clean and filled it with snow before returning to the interior. He placed the pot over the fire and crumbled in mullein, for inflammation, and yarrow, for the fever. When the mixture had boiled, he let the herbs steep for as long as he could bear to hear Cyprian coughing and wheezing, then he fed it to him.


He poured himself a cup, then joined Cyprian beneath the warm animal pelt covers.


Chapter 20