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

“Not so welcoming now, is it?” said Cyprian.


They took one last look, then strolled back to the village.


During the winter, Brennus had learned a few words of Pictish and could now communicate with the blue people in a rudimentary fashion. With nothing better to do, he’d pick up words and phrases simply by listening and watching. He could ask for things and tell people where he was going, name many of the objects in and around the hut, and also knew the words for several of the animals in the area.


One day, some of the blue men returned from hunting with news. The Red Devils had been seen heading north, into their territory. This roused much shouting and air-punching. All the villagers—the men andthe women—came together and made the decision to travel out to meet them, to attack and drive them back, as they’d apparently done many times before.


Brennus ascertained this would be a coordinated effort, with many other villages joining in.


Chapter 23