Pagan Crimes E-Book

Lori Conklin

• Herausgeber: BookRix
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2016

Beschreibung

It is 40 AD in Ancient Briton.  Aria is two years old travelling with her parents. On the road her mother is murdered leaving her father to raise her alone. The tragedy causes him to become a recluse and they live in a cave only trading with the near tribe when necessary. He dies suddenly leaving her an orphan at twelve. She has to survive on her own and overcome the fears that plagued her father. She eventually ventures out and meets friends, and through them, she becomes adopted.

She desires to fit in with the Dobunni people who live on the hill and observes her friends about their customs. She learns quickly but has some disappointing setbacks and starts out as a misfit later becoming a beautiful woman through the love and care of her adoptive family. Soon she is the most sought after woman in the land, but this places her in peril. Only the radical thinking of the changing times can save her.

Leseprobe

Lori Conklin

Pagan Crimes

BookRix GmbH & Co. KG81371 Munich

Prologue

SW PAGAN CRIMES (Copyright, Lori Conklin 2015)

Prologue

The pain burned, piercing from his chest to his left arm. He shook his hand to be rid of the numbness with little effect. The feeling happened many times before, but today it persisted.

“Dad, it is hurting again isn’t it?” His daughter looked up at him. At twelve years her large eyes showed the concern and maturity of one older. Her hair braided the way the males of the Dobunni wore theirs, and the boyish tunics she wore, enabled them to conceal her gender from the hilltop people. They had been trading there for years and nobody ever knew. It put his mind at ease. She would be safer that way. He would not let anyone hurt his little girl.

His mind drifted back to the day the fear took him. Ever since that horrible day it never completely left him and how it changed him. He remembered living freely with joy and anticipation for new places to see, and interesting people to meet. Now, he kept away from others and found refuge in the cave they headed toward. He lived this way because he knew too well how quickly what you love most, can be suddenly torn away.

He had come to this land when he heard about a spring of hot water. At first he thought it was a wild tale until he heard it described by another traveler. He wanted to see it and feel it for himself, and if it was true, live near it. Of course, his wife did not believe it, but she was happy to go with him, as eager for an adventure as he.

He still could picture her smiling face and those shiny blue eyes, slits of light as she squinted with that wide grin of hers. Oh Cara, Cara. His mind went to thoughts of her. It warmed his heart to remember her face, but his expression quickly became sullen again as he thought about the day that changed everything.

He had been trying to fix the wheel on the cart and would have been more distressed at the situation if it were not for Cara’s sweet cheerful attitude. Nothing ever seemed to daunt her nature. He remembered how a lock of her black hair fell over her brow and he tenderly brushed it aside… just before they came.

At first when he saw their smiling faces he misunderstood them as friendly with greetings. Then he saw the wickedness in their eyes and their twisted grins as they looked at Cara. He had lunged forward to protect her. A sharp pain shot through his head. Next he woke without knowing where he was. As his confusion cleared he slowly began to recall the events and his uneasiness grew. Cara was not there, the horse and pig were missing from the cart. Terror jolted him to his feet. He ignored the stabbing pain in his head. ‘Cara’, he yelled as he ran to the cart.

Aria, only two then, sat alone sniveling in the emptied cart. He grabbed her and ran with her as she clung close to him. He followed the horse tracks silently as he searched. When he saw the birds flying in circles off the path ahead of him, it was as though his heart dropped out of his chest. Somehow he knew it was Cara without seeing. He covered Aria’s eyes as he went to see what he already knew in his heart. There she was strewn naked. She must have fought hard because there were clumps of hair and blood in her hands. Her beautiful neck was slashed and her grey blue eyes stared lifeless.

A nauseating bitterness consumed him. If only he had the foresight to know the men’s intentions sooner he would have slaughtered them, but why would he? He never knew people to commit such atrocities. He choked as he fought to stop the groan’s erupting from inside. He had Aria. He had to get her out of there. The fear gripped him with the new awareness that the world was not a safe place. That night they slept far off the path into the woods to not risk her cries being heard. Oh how it ached every time she looked at him saying ‘Ma? It was the best she could formulate her words at that young age to ask where her mother was. She is gone he would answer knowing he would not be able to get her to understand. She would continue to ask ‘Ma?’ more frequently and more urgently until they became continuous cries. Hours went by until she stopped crying, and her silence disturbed him even more. For a long time, she was like that, her body drooped in his arms and her eyes reflected her morose as her head hung. He tried to chat light-heartedly to her when they travelled further down the path as though nothing was wrong. She was unchanged and disinterested and then one last time she looked at him with those sad eyes and said ‘Ma’, as if she knew. That broke him. He cried whaling like he had never done before, how weak he was, letting his anguish show like that in front of her. Oh the shame of it. Then he felt her little arms encircle his neckas if to console him.

Finally, it was twilight when he saw a Gorge ahead. Knowing that would be a good place to gather some food he headed there and by some small mercy that was where he found the cave that they were now approaching. They had lived there for the past ten years. He never did see the spring of hot water.

His thoughts returned to the present. He looked again at his daughter’s anxious face. She had inherited the colour of his thick chestnut hair and his nose, except her nose was not quite as wide, and the bump in hers was barely detectable forming well to her oval face. Her dark brows set high over her eyes contrasted with the lighter shade of her hair. Her almost plump lips she got from her mother, but her eyes had a peculiar colour. They were neither the colour of her mother’s nor his brown eyes. They almost appeared to be green at times, depending on the surrounding light.

“Now, don’t you worry. You know it will pass soon like it always does.” He forced a smile to ease her. He leaned on her as they entered the cave.

“I’ll start the fire tonight, Dad.” She helped him to his straw mattress and took the flint and steel to begin the process.

He watched her and thought about what a comfort she was to him. He thought of how he could have taken her back home from where he had come, but the journey would have been long and he did not want to go back. He would have had to explain what happened to Cara and how he was not able to protect her. It was more merciful to her family this way he assured himself. This way they believed she was happy and alive.

Soon Aria would be developing into a young woman he pondered and it would be harder to hide. He would have to find someone for her, who would look after her and protect her, but he would worry about that when the time came. For now, she was safe in the cave with him.

If he knew it would be the last night, he would be in the world he would have told her so much more to prepare her for life.

1 Alone

Aria looked out over the calm water of the Gorge and decided she would go wake her father. She let him sleep long enough, and it was a good time to go fishing while the waters were still. She checked the boat was still safely hidden away behind the shrubs and headed back to the cave.

“Come on Dad, git up now. The water is smooth today we could catch some fish.”

He lay there on his side, eyes closed, facing the fire pit. She placed her hand on his shoulder and tried to shake him awake. His rigid body had no warmth and fell back with his arm stiffly stretched out. She screamed and jolted back staring in horror before she could gather her thoughts. Slowly she inched her way back to him hoping that maybe he teased her.

“Not funny, come on.” She leaned over him and touched his arm, all beneath his flesh felt hard. Her father’s body had become like the animals she had seen after they had been dead awhile. She slumped to the ground beside him as though knocked down by something very big, except the blow came from inside her.

“Oh, Dad you shouldn’t’ve tried to hunt yesterday.” She moaned. “I knew the pain would get you.” She sobbed. “Why did I let you go. Poor Dad…Dad.”

In bewildered sorrow she wept until there were no more tears. Then after hours went by she numbly got to her feet and dragged his body out of the cave. She would bury him in the ground by the tree he liked to sit near. She knew she had to. She had watched him bury animals before. When she asked him why, he would answer in his cheery patient voice. “It is good to bury their rotting corpses, that way we won’t smell it and it won’t attract all the pests we don’t want in the area.”

That evening she went to sleep too over-whelmed with grief to pay any attention to the sounds of the wolves howling in the distance or the occasional twig that snapped in the woods from the large animals that lurked.

In the morning she woke feeling like her usual self with her first thoughts of the day as any other day. What should me and m’ Dad do today? Where would they fish, or maybe they would hunt again. No, I will not let him go hunting, because the long hikes and lifting seemed to causehis pain. I won’t let him go like yesterday. Yesterday…. The thoughts tumbled down again in her memory. It must have been a bad dream. She looked at the empty bed where her father normally slept. The pit of her stomach wrenched. It was not a bad dream. He was gone.

As the days passed she lived with her grief with only the thoughts of survival to distract her. At night, she had difficulty sleeping as she became more aware of the sounds outside the cave. She had felt so safe with her father and never paid much attention to them before. Now, she heard many sounds through the night. Her biggest fear was the wolves. There were many of them out there. If she fell asleep one night and let the fire die down, they could easily get her.

With a large stick she would lay down as close to the fire as she could and think about how she would ration her food. There was no need for immediate concern as it was late spring and there would be berries soon. Plenty of nuts were stored in the cave from last year and she knew what plants were edible. Her father had been so good about providing food for them. She lamented as her thoughts drifted to all the provisions he made and how she would chide him for all the time and fuss he made over it. She understood now why he was so earnest about it.

What became a daily routine, would be to take her father’s quiver and practice shooting the arrows at a tree outside the cave. It took a lot of her strength just to pull back on his large bow, but she would practice until there were callouses on her fingers. Her skill increased every day. There were three iron head arrows her father prized she would save for when she would need them most. The other arrows broke easily so a lot of her time was spent repairing them and wherever she went she would look for anything that would be good to use for an arrow tip.

Every night the wolves seemed to get closer to the cave. Until one evening, in the twilight as she began to make a fire, she saw a light grey movement in the shadow of the trees. Her fear heightened her nerve sensitivity to her surroundings. She could hear rustling in the woods and another movement flashed between the trees. She anxiously struck the flint as she glanced around at the shadows until the sparks ignited the dry grass.

Charging out from the woods a large dark grey wolf appeared. Two lighter grey wolves followed behind.

Grabbing the heavy stick beside her she leapt to her feet and yelled as she swung the stick wildly in the air at them. The wolves stopped and skittishly moved back. She took another step forward and that scared them back into the woods. Thankfully, the action surprised the wolves as much as herself, she thought with relief. The pounding in her chest settled as she leaned back against the ledge of the cave. She would not be as afraid of them as before, and tomorrow night, she would be ready with a bow and arrow.

The next evening, she did not make the fire as early as she usually did. Instead she sat in the cave ready with the bow. It seemed a long time she sat and began to doubt they would be back.

She heard a twig snap in the woods and quickly sat up. She poised her arrow and out it came again - the same dark grey wolf leading the pack the night before. This time with more following behind. It paced in front of her as the pack grouped behind. It came closer growling with shackles up, its amber eyes clear in the mist of the grey atmosphere. The wolf's eyes remained steady on her as she released the best iron head arrow strait at its head. The arrow went through the wolf’s mouth imbedding well in the neck. The rest of the pack skirmished except one lighter grey one. It ran toward her growling. She quickly placed another iron tipped arrow in the bow and shot it directly in the chest. With a high pitched whine, it fell to the ground while the other writhed beside it. The rest of the pack fled.

She watched the suffering animals sadly and moved closer to be able to shoot them in a lethal spot to speed their death. Her Da would always aim for the heart for this reason, so she tried to do the same. With two more arrows she managed to kill them. She stood over them and examined their fur. With dread at the task ahead she knew she should make pelts from them. Pulling the knife out from her belt she began the process and tried to remember how her father did it. If he could see me now ... how proud he would be, but he wasn’t, he was gone.Gone. How could he be gone? His body is no more, but his body wasn’t him. Is that all I am a body? She tried to make sense of it all then focused her mind back on her task. The pelts could be traded for something. No, she could not go to the hilltop people on her own. There were too many dangers on the way there.Her father warned her about it over and over again. Too many dangers for women he would say, especially travelling, let them think you are a boy he would say.

She would miss going there. That was where her father got his arrows and knife. It took him some of his best pelts and a good catch of fish. How it deepened her sadness to think of all the interesting things she would not see from there anymore, the different types of tunics sold, the many different livestock, her favorite the horses, and the seasoning from there made the food taste so much better. One time she remembered a man blew into a carved hollowed out stick with holes in it that made a beautiful sound, but there was no use in thinking about it.

That night she went to sleep, not afraid of the wolves.

Months went by and she rarely heard the wolves anymore. There were plenty of berries and she managed to catch some fish occasionally. With her knife worn on her waist and the quiver and bow on her back she decided to venture out. Climbing up the steep walk her father had made in the rocky landscape she warily went, careful not to make noise. When she reached near the top, she peeked over to see if anyone was on the path before setting forth. It was clear, and she would tread carefully, ready to hide if need be. The thick bushes that formed a wall of foliage on each side of the strait path would be easy to conceal in. The path led to a road that went to the hill-top people, but she would be careful not to get too close to the road. The green of the leaves were brilliant in the sunshine and there were many butterflies. Her spirit lifted a little as she looked at the beauty around her. There were many berries along the path so she nibbled on them as she meandered. Then a type of butterfly she had never seen before flew around her and fluttered away down the path further. She went after it to get a closer look. It landed up ahead. Stealthily she crept near it and saw it had big reddish brown wings with bright purple near the tips.

A loud snap sounded through the trees. She tensed and the butterfly flew away. Where was it coming from? She grabbed her knife and ducked into the brush off the path and listened with her heart pounding. What began as a murmur, became audible words as two people approached. Looking out in-between the branches she tried to make out their forms. She could see they were on a path from the north. It led to the path she and her father always used, the one she just came off of. She could see them clearer now. They were young, maybe a couple of years older than her. Two boys carrying smaller bows than the one she used. One of the boys she recognized from being with the people on the hill. His hair was very dark, almost black and wavy, and he stood a few inches taller than the other boy. The other boy had brown hair, and less wavy. He talked.

“Come, on Weyland y’ know it was m’arrow that got that Deer.” He said.

“I got him.”

“That happened a fort-night ago. Why are you still going on about it?”

“Because m’ Da and everyone thinks it was you and they all were praising you about it like you were one of the gods or something.”

“Oh, go..on.” He shoved the other boy’s shoulder.

“M’mom, keeps go’n on about you. Why can’t you be more like Brennus “, he mimicked his mother’s voice in a high scratchy pitch.

Brennus laughed then with a smile said. “Ah, you know why. They would like more help around the place. Let them see you do more o’that.”

“I suppose you’re right.” He lagged back a bit from Brennuses quick pace.

“Should we go to the village today or do you want to find a new place to hunt.” They were now passing out of sight on to the path she had just been on. She could hear there steps and the murmur of their voices as they headed away in the direction of the main road. She went back on the path and snuck quietly ahead to catch a glimpse of the backs of them before they disappeared. She wished that she was going with them and became more aware of her emptiness after they were gone.

That night she lay by the fire of the cave watching the golden light dance against the walls. Stirred by the day’s events she decided she would venture out a little more tomorrow.

The following days she made it a routine to go up to the path and almost daily she would see the same two boys coming from the same direction. She hid well in the woods and knew how to creep silently through the bushes. She would follow and listen to them as much as she could before they went too far for her comfort. It interested her to hear bits of news from their conversation. They spoke of a knowledgeable man named Dodvocus; they seemed to respect. They spoke of Gods. She wondered what they were. Her father never talked about them. She heard them use names for them and wondered if they were another tribe somewhere. They also seemed very interested in seeing a Roman Soldier. This piqued her interest; she would like to see one. Watching some of their antics amused her as well and she felt that she was getting to know them.

Today she followed them almost to the road that led to the hill top. Hiding behind a tree she very carefully watched as they walked down the path where it opened up to the road. They headed left on to the road toward the hill. In front of them was a man on a horse drawn cart. From the distance she was at, she could make out their gesture of greetings to him and saw them hop on the back of the cart and sit with their legs dangling.

Her desire to see the settlement on the hill increased, and she decided it was time to go there and try to make a trade. Although, it frightened her some, her curiosity outweighed the risk and her spirit lifted at the idea. She would take one of her wolf pelts and see what she could get for it tomorrow.

2 Friends

The morning promised a beautiful day as Aria looked out from the cave. Sunbeams shone through the trees and rested on the ground as tiny dust particles moved about in the light.

She averted her attention to examine her wolf pelts and decided the light grey one was the best. Placing the head of the pelt on top of her head she set off nervous but determined. She would follow the boys to the hill today and would feel safe near them. Soon she was at the path where the one they used, connected with the one she used, and hoped it was not a day that they would not show. Then she heard their familiar approach. She tensed. What would be their reaction? She wondered. Maybe, they won’t notice me, she hoped. Then she could just follow behind them quietly.

Brennus, always in good spirits, with his quick gate was ahead of his friend Weyland. He had been well into the routine of their walks to the hill that he was completely taken off guard when he saw a large furry creature looming. Frantically, he maneuvered his quiver to get an arrow out and poise his bow to aim. To his surprise, he heard the creature gasp and saw the whites of its very human eyes open wide as it stepped back.

“Oh…. What is this now? He said lowering his bow. He stepped a little closer, examining it.

Weyland did the same with a puzzled expression. “Who might you be?”

“I am Aria”. She said wanting to kick herself for telling them her name.

“Aria”? Brennus responded.

“Ario”. She said in a lower voice trying to sound like a boy giving them a more masculine name.

“I am Brennus and this is Weyland.”

“Where did you get that wolf fur?” Weyland spoke curiously.

“I shot the wolf m’self.” Aria responded trying to appear tough.

“Go…on. I don’t believe it…a little runt like you?” He smirked.

“I did”. She answered indignantly holding her head high and jutting her chin out.

Brennus laughed. “Don’t mind him. He doesn’t like it when anyone shoots better than him.”

“Nobody does shoot better than me.” He responded.

“See, he won’t face the truth.” Brennus mocked.

Aria smiled becoming a little more at ease. She understood they had a friendly competition with shooting arrows.

“So where are you from?” Brennus began curiously. “You do not look like any of the Dobunni people around here.”

“I come from the east.” She quickly thought up a vague response.

“Where are your folk?”

She avoided answering. “I want to trade my wolf skin. Are you going to the hill-top people?”

“You mean the Dobunni up on the hill…. aye.”

“M’dad wants me to walk with someone when I travel. Do you mind if I walk with you?”

“Well as long you don’t slow us down and don’t expect us to wait for you.” Weyland responded.

“Thank you.” She said with a huge smile of relief. “I won’t.”

They headed out together down the path.

She quickened her pace to keep up with the boys who already were paying no attention to her. They walked a ways chatting while she walked fast beside them silently until she heard Brennus mention the Roman Soldiers.

“Roman Soldier? What is a Roman Soldier?”

Both of the boys looked at each other with puzzlement and then at her, as though she suddenly appeared.

“Haven’t you heard about the Roman Soldiers?” Brennus asked her with a wondering expression.

“No.” She responded feeling uncomfortable at her ignorance.

“They are mighty warriors and they own vast land way far beyond the eye can see and beyond the waters. They build huge stone bridges. Dodvocus, the wisest man in the village who has travelled many places says more and more of them are coming. Soon they will rule everything.”

As they walked Brennus glanced down at the boy, Ario, and saw how he hung on every word he said with eyes wide open. It delighted him to impress the boy and he continued, “I’ve seen them on great steeds, riding in pairs, about ten of them. They didn’t stop at the hill. I was told they were going to talk to the kings of our lands…you should ov’ seen them. All had matching metal on their chests and their heads and they looked fierce. I bet nothing could take a Roman Soldier.”

They had now arrived at the main road and turned left heading to the hill.

“A Dobunni could easily.” Weyland spoke up proudly.

“Uh, nah, we don’t have any warriors to speak of.”

“What about the king’s men? They are very strong and good marks men are they not?"

“Aye, but, I didn’t think they were anything compared to the soldiers I seen and their weapons.” Brennus answered realistically.

They were so caught up in the conversation they didn’t notice the hooves pounding behind them.

“Get out of the way!” The rider yelled at them.

They all tried to jump away at once and ended up knocking Aria into the prickles. The rider did not slow down at all, but quickly vanished out of sight on a beautiful black horse.

“He thinks he is one of the Gods.” Weyland grumbled continuing down the road without looking back.

Aria was caught in the bushes and thankful to see Brennus stop to pick up the wolf fur she dropped on her flight from the horse. He brought it to her and laid it down in front of her, then noticed she was caught in the thorns. There was a sharp pain on her cheek and a large thorn imbedded. It pulled as she tried to come out of the bushes.

“Now, hold still.” He said gently as he carefully pulled it out from her cheek. “We’ll take you to Dodvocus. He knows what to do with wounds. Come on now.”

She smiled at his kindness and happily followed him, then, her expression dimmed when she noticed Weyland. His annoyance apparent as he waited for them.

When they got to the settlement she saw how much it had changed. There was now a large wall of posts all around the houses. As they entered through the front main gate she noticed that there were more people living there than before. Her eyes darted about trying to catch everything of interest as they led her to a tall older man, lean, with greying hair. He looked unusual from the other men because he did not have a beard. He also had an unusually long tunic, the colour of dark red. His warm brown eyes squinted as he smiled at them.

“Greetings m’fine lads and what have we here.” He looked at Aria.

“Good morning Dodvocus, this is Ario. You can see he is bleeding and I thought you wouldn’t mind tending to him.”

“A new young warrior who nobly fought and was wounded in battle no doubt.” He spoke whimsically grabbing her chin and moving her head to the side to look at the wound closer. “Well you did right to come to me. Follow me.” They followed him into his house.

Inside was warm with a pleasant aroma. There were many shelves with all kinds of bottles with what looked to be herbs in them. A woman sat near the fire by an interesting wooden object with many strings. She had long strait ebony hair with streaks of white. She looked to be about the same age as Dodvocus. Although, her face was slightly withered by age she still had an attractive appearance. Aria knew she must have been a great beauty in her youth with her perfectly shaped nose and oval face.

“Hello, my name is Lynn.” She said kindly looking at Aria while Dodvocus busied himself gathering supplies.

Aria not knowing proper formalities smiled and stared silently.

Brennus nudged her to get her to respond and she only looked puzzled. “This is Ario.” He said.

“Ahhh…. well very good to meet you Master Ario. You are not from around here are you?”

“No.”

“Have a seat over here.” Dodvocus said bringing a bowl of hot water and some small clean rags. “Now it might hurt a bit, but we should get it clean before I put the salve on it.” He began to gently dab the wounded area while Brennus watched intently. “Brennus, will you get me that small bowl, left on the lower shelf.” Brennus responded quickly happy to help.

Aria’s eyes watered while she tried not to flinch from the pain. She noticed Weyland was not there and figured he probably did not want to wait around for them.

Brennus handed Dodvocus the salve. “Vellocat nearly ran us over on the road with that big black horse of his. Ario ended up in the thorn bushes.”

Dodvocus shook his head. “That is just like him. I don’t need to tell you to watch out for that one. He would run over his own grandma if she got in the way. There’s a nasty line of blood that goes through his kin.”

“Isn’t he a relative of the king?” Brennus asked.

“Aye, but he is from a strain of their blood that has darkened their door since it was introduced.” He finished putting the salve on. “There, now it should heal better this way, but you may end up with a scar.”

“A Scar...” Brennus looked at his new found friend proudly and happy for him that he would have a mark to make him look tougher than his scrawny delicate features depicted. He patted Aria on the back to congratulate her.

She smiled politely at his kindness, but did not like the idea of having a permanent mark on her face. As Dodvocus busily put his supplies away Aria’s attention drew to the stringed item Lynn sat near.

“Ah… you seemed to like my harp.” Lynn spoke to her with a smile. “Would you like to hear it?”

Aria’s eyes lit up. “Please.”

“Delightful idea my dear.” Dodvocus said sitting down in the seat in front of her while Brennus sat in the long wooden bench with Aria.

The melodious sound from the strings was so sweet and surprising to Aria’s ears that her mouth dropped open.

It made Lynn happy to see the joy she brought to the child’s eyes and she radiantly grinned with all her white teeth gleaming.

When she was done Dodvocus and Brennus clapped. Aria looked at them both and understood the curious response was in appreciation to what they just heard and she copied them.

Lynn bowed her head to them.

“Have you seen any Roman Soldiers recently?” Brennus asked Dodvocus eagerly.

“No, I will tell you all about it when I do.” Dodvocus said amused at the boy’s enthusiasm.

“I guess I better find where Weyland went. Thanks for everything. See you later.”

Aria followed close behind and before walking out the door she turned and smiled at them both. “Thanks for everything.” She said so seriously with teary eyes, that both Dodvocus and Lynn knew that the boy was oddly very moved by the moment.

After they were gone Dodvocus turned to Lynn. “What a curious boy.”

“Aye, but you know it does my heart good to see the young ones come around since we do not have any of our own.”

“Aye, love.” He came to her placing a consoling hand on her shoulder. “I will keep searching for a way that we can.”

She smiled lovingly up at him and affectionately patted his hand on her shoulder.

Aria and Brennus caught up to Weyland who watched a man buy a sword with some Dobunni Coins.

“Maybe, it won’t be long before you can buy one of those swords. Winning a shooting match could help you.” Brennus spoke to Weyland.

“You think I’d be able to buy one of them with the winnings.” Weyland gestured with his eyes at the most impressive sword on display.

“If you save up.”

“Is that what you plan to do if you win something?”

“No, I want to get a horse.”

Weyland laughed. “Hah, you would have to be first for ten years in a row to get close. You sure have some high ideas.” He shook his head.

“Aye, but I know for sure I won’t get one if I don’t try.” Brennus responded smiling, unshaken by his dubious manner.

“What is the shooting match?” Aria asked.

“It is a target match with arrows they have every year. Everyone pays a coin to be in it and depending on how many attend, is how much winnings there are. I won in my age group last year and got three Dobunni coins. I also got to compete against the adults because I came first in my group. It is such a big event many come from the other kingdom to be a part of it. How come you never heard of it.?”

She shrugged her shoulders still not wanting to reveal too much about herself. They were now both staring at her curiously and she shifted around to find something to distract them all from the subject and she saw a man selling furs and decided to go talk to him.

“Do you think he would give me something for my wolf skin?” She asked enthusiastically.

“I Dunno maybe. Why don’t you go see.” Brennus responded interested to know what she would get.

“I will do it.” She leaped forward to go then stopped, suddenly appearing fearful. “You won’t leave here without me would you?” She said turning her head back at them.

Brennus saw the concern on his face. “Don’t worry I won’t leave here without you. He paused a moment before he spoke again and said, “I will come with you and see what you get for the wolf skin as well.” He was pleased that he took the role of his older brothers he looked up to. He understood that the younger boy found comfort and safety staying with them. It made him feel grown-up and important and the boy did seem to be a decent enough lad.

Weyland rolled his eyes up and decided to follow along.

She was delighted they were coming with her. With a big grin she went up to the man with the furs. “Would you give me anything for this Wolf skin?”

“Well lad, that is a nice pelt you have there.” The tradesman was an honest business man and new he could take advantage of the boy, but it wasn’t in his nature. “How about I give you this for it?” He offered four of the lessor worth Dobunni coins.

Aria looked at the coins intrigued by the craftsmanship and how they shined. “What do I do with these?”

They all looked curiously at her. “Why anything you want with them.” The tradesman responded.

“Like what.”

“You t'wit, you buy something with them. Don’t you know anything?” Weyland said annoyed.

She didn’t know what t'wit meant but she gathered it was something about lack of intelligence and his abrasive way of saying it hurt her. It made her afraid to ask anything else. She later learned the word was a shortened way of saying ‘not any wit’.

“I know what I would do with it. I would use one to get me in the match and then there would be a couple left over to get something else. If you save up enough of those coins you might be able to buy yourself a new tunic. A few of those coins would get you a good one.” Brennus said cheerfully.

“Aye, that sounds like a smart way to use the money m’lad.” The tradesman said encouragingly.

“Thank you.” She said looking shyly up at him. The words Weyland spoke still stung her.

“You are most welcome… a pleasure doing business with you.” He smiled and waved goodbye as they left. His friendliness was infectious and she returned the farewell.

After they saw all that was there, they travelled back down the road again. Weyland stared at the coins the boy held and thought about taking them if only Brennus was not there. The boy did not even know what to do with it. What would be the harm? He knew though, that Brennus would not like it. It annoyed him, but only a little bit because Brennus was his best friend-more kin to him than anyone in his family.

It was twilight and they came to where the two paths met.

“Thank you.” Aria smiled and waved to them before going down the path alone.

Brennus noticed a little bit of nervousness from the boy as he said good bye and sensed he wanted some assurance that they would walk with him again. “Bye Ario, we will see you.” He saw immediate relief in the boy's eyes before parting. “…Hmm, funny boy.” He muttered to Weyland when they were no longer in hearing distance.

Weyland did not care and only thought about what he would have to deal with when he got home.

Aria settled in her cave that night more aware of her loneliness than ever before. She lay there as she watched the flames and absorbed the heat as she recanted all the exciting things that happened to her. She would not even trade the scar she would permanently have on her face if it meant not having this day where she learned so much and met those interesting people. She would not be as fearful of going out anymore and even if she did not have Brennus and Weyland to walk with, she might even dare to go alone if she had to.

It comforted her to talk out loud to her father in the lonely place. She lay on her bed staring into the fire. She said, “Oh Dad, what a wonderful day I had, I wish you were here to tell it to. You would be so pleased. I got four coins. You should have met Brennus. He is so friendly and kind and there is his friend Weyland – a very good looking boy. Brennus said I can get in a shooting match with arrows, and win even more coins with them and get things with them. Maybe I will get new clothes or more arrow heads. Oh and you would have liked meeting Dodvocus he made my wound better. He and his woman are so nice and there was a beautiful thing called a har…..”

She fell asleep before she could hear nothing but the crackling embers to respond to her chatter.

3 The Match

The spring passed into summer and Aria filled her days by gathering food and shooting her arrows. She would head to the path frequently hoping to meet up with Brennus and Weyland. It always made her heart sink with disappointment every time they did not show, but when they did, they were always the best days for her. She wanted to be careful not to see them too often, to avoid becoming a pest. Weyland seemed easily annoyed by her. She tried not to ask too many questions around him. They were so important to her she wanted to make sure they welcomed her company so she would bring whatever morsels she had gathered and offered it to them on their treks. For the most part they had no problem with her following along.

One day the boys decided they would go hunting. Aria thought it would be fun to see how long she could follow them without them knowing. She crept far enough behind on the path and kept close to the brush to duck in if need be. They went as far as across the main road and through some trees before they came to a clearing. She saw them stop ahead where they could see a rabbit grazing some distance away. They crouched down to keep the rabbit from seeing them and pulled out their arrows. Weyland shot the first arrow. It soared behind the rabbit and landed with hardly a sound in the woods, so the rabbit continued to graze undisturbed. Brennus shot his arrow and it came close enough to the rabbit’s ears to startle it and it darted. To both Brennus and Weyland’s surprise they saw another arrow come from behind them and hit it directly in the chest.

Aria had a smirk on her face as she saw Brennus and Weyland look at each other with their mouths open. They turned to see where the arrow came from and she jumped at them.

“AHHH!” She yelled and to her delight she saw the whites of their eyes as both their bodies spasmed with fright. Weyland wildly moved his arms as if defending himself from something that was not there. She laughed hard at the hysterical display.

It took them a moment to calm after they realized it was Aria, and then Brennus joined in with her laughter. He said to Weyland. “You were going like this.” He flailed his arms about with a clownish expression of fear as he continued to laugh. This caused an additional outburst of laughter from Aria.

Weyland began to laugh a little too as his heart settled. When the laughter subsided he looked at Aria, “You, know you laugh like a little girl. Make sure you don’t laugh that way when we are around other people. You sound ridiculous.” He added.

“Oh, Weyland, he’s just a wee one yet. We have not got our man voice yet and we have less growing to do than him.” Brennus spoke up attempting to get Weyland to be more tolerant. “He sure can shoot well. That was an amazing shot of the rabbit. That was a moving target he hit.” Brennus said walking toward Aria. He mussed up her hair affectionately.

Probably a lucky shot and more like the rabbit ran into the arrow than that Ario aimed and hit it, Weyland thought, but he understood what Brennus tried to do. He would try to ease up on him; he just hoped the boy would not do anything to embarrass them around others. He was such an odd kid.

From that time on, Aria noticed that Weyland’s nature was not quite so abrasive with her. She still felt that she wanted to get in better favor with him so, she would spend a lot of her time thinking up ways of how to do this. Part of what seemed to help was if she acted tougher around him. Other times, while Brennus commended her on her hunting skills, she would look at Weyland for approval and see only indifference. This made her try harder to please Weyland.

Two days later the three of them went to the hill again. The match was fast approaching and it was the talk of the settlement. Everyone on the hill was involved in some way or another. Dodvocus was one of the planners and it was his idea to add a cross country race for those who had horses.

“A race would make the event all the better.” Brennus said enthusiastically to Dodvocus when he heard.

“I thought it would.”

“…how many more days?”

“It will be seven more.”

“Can I help you with anything?”

Dodvocus smiled at the lad. “Well, I got something important for you to do. You see this string.” Brennus nodded. “If you take this string and stake, I will get you to stretch it out to the full length from here and mark where it stops with the stake."

Aria watched Brennus eagerly run off with the string across the clearing. His excitement for the event affected her and she found herself growing in anticipation for it every day.

“Come on, Ario, looks like Brennus might be busy awhile.” Weyland said.

She followed happily surprised that he requested her to tag along. They passed by the different vendors disinterested, because they had already seen most of it.

“Weyland,” a musical young voice sounded out to him. Two girls approached him. They looked to be about Weyland’s age. The one that greeted Weyland was pretty with balanced features to her face. Aria observed she had the typical colouring of the Dobunni people, brown eyes and a wisp of wavy brown hair could be seen underneath her head covering. The other girl seemed withdrawn - her appearance not as attractive with a large nose and small chin, her head covering hid her hair.

The pretty one chatted incessantly to Weyland, while the other girl stood silently, ignored. Aria watched intrigued; the pretty girl seemed to be unnaturally giddy around him. He seemed pleased with himself over the affect he had on the girl. His large brown eyes reflected his amusement at the attention and a lock of his dark hair fell in front of his face. He moved his head back suddenly to flip his hair out of his way. Aria noticed he did this frequently and she liked how he did it, with a strong masculine jerk of his head. It made him appear tough. He must be about fourteen or fifteen Aria wondered, yet he appeared to be more mature physically then the other boys about his age.

Two more girls approached and a young man. “Hi Weyland …. hi Elvina, Cara.” The taller girl of the three that came spoke addressing the pretty chatty girl with Weyland as Elvina, and the other as Cara. The girl speaking was as pretty as Elvina, but with more refined features and larger brown eyes. She seemed to be around the same age. “Where has my brother gotten to?”

“He is helping Dodvocus.” Weyland answered.

Aria’s interest perked at the knowledge that this was Brennuses sister.

“Helping prepare the match, no doubt, that is all he talks about. Ahh…here he comes now.”

“Who brought you here Eileen. Is Dad here?” Brennus asked not noticing anyone else at that moment.

“Aye, he is trading some chickens and grain today. This is Vanora she motioned Brennus to look at her friend beside her. I just met her. She has just moved here from the south and this is her brother Verica.”

A tall lean man with stubbles on his chin stepped forward and nodded in greeting.

They were all looking at the newcomer’s sister now. She was incredibly beautiful, with thick long black wavy hair and blue eyes. The eyes triggered a memory in Aria she did not understand, for she could not really remember ever seeing eyes like that before, but somehow it seemed familiar.

Brennuses mouth was agape at the site of her and with wide eyes he stared. It took him a moment before he spoke. "Welcome to the hill. I hope you will be happy here.”

It bothered Aria to notice the interest peaked in Weyland’s expression also. There was a glint in his eye as he looked at Vanora.

“Thank you.” Vanora charmingly bowed her head toward him.

Elvina at this turn of the conversation was obviously getting annoyed at the attention averted from her.

“Weyland, I’ll be cheering for you to win the match this year.” She moved closer toward him coming in between him and everyone else.

“Thank you Elvina. I expect it to be a tough competition.”

A commotion broke out near a house where travellers were known to stay and have a drink. Their attention turned toward it and they walked closer to where they could see the commotion. A woman hung on to the leg of a man while he sat tall on a great black steed. Aria recognized him as Vellocat, the young man who nearly trampled them on the road the day she acquired her scar. The woman cried. He ignored her and rode away as she clung to his leg.

“Please, don’t leave me here.” She pleaded as she dragged beside his horse. “Vellocat!” She screamed and he kicked to release her grip and cantered off.

A much older man pulled her up by her arm. She resisted him and he struck her in the head. While she was stunned by the blow he pulled her to the house. “Get in; you shame me in front of everyone.” He said before giving her one last thrust into the house.

“…. such a cruel father.” Aria stood shocked by the whole event.

They all looked curiously at her as if she had not been there before. “That is not her father; she is one of his women.” Eileen responded appearing as concerned for the girl as she.

“One of his women…. how many does he have?”

“I believe it is about three at this time. His name is Commius. He has had his eye on me. He has asked m’dad if he could take me off his hands when I come of age, but I have a good Dad. He told him never, to my relief.”

“How did he get them?”

“He travels and somehow picks them up. He will leave with one and come back with another. Sometimes he sells them.” They all began to walk back where most of the trading took place.

"Dodvocus at one time was a Druid with Commius and they practiced many rituals together. They had a disagreement and now do not associate with each other. Dodvocus has warned me to stay away from him. He spoke of Commiuses practices as being of evil intent. Dodvocus is generally right about things so heed what he says.” Brennus spoke.

Eileen added. “There has been talk on the hill that some believe that Commius sacrifices babies to the Gods. Many of his women have been seen pregnant, but nobody has ever seen the babies around.” Eileen added and looked down at the younger one. “You are a curious boy, to be so concerned with such things. What is your name?”

“That is Ario, he is odd at that, but he is a fine marksman.” Weyland spoke.

Aria felt a rush of joy at his praise.

That evening alone in the cave again, Aria thought about how handsome Weyland was. She recanted the moment he praised her. What a wonderful day it had been.

The day of the match Aria could hardly contain herself. She was up at dawn inspecting her arrows and adjusting her bow to make sure it had just the right tension.

At the path where she joined up with Brennus and Weyland she paced back and forth anxiously. What was taking them so long she wondered and just as she was about to go out ahead of them they appeared. They both looked in good spirits with anticipation of the events.

Later, they neared the hill-top and saw many tents surrounded the hill and when they walked through the front gate of the fort they joined the noise and bustle of the crowd. At the entrance of the match they dropped their Dobunni coins in the pot, and were marked to indicate they were allowed to compete.

Vanora watched from outside the perimeter and Brennus tripped when he spotted her. Weyland glanced at her, appearing as though he did not notice her and walked proudly. Aria followed closely looking at the targets they would be hitting.

Aria was quickly directed away from Brennus and Weyland as they were designated into their age groups where they would watch and wait for their turn. The first group were four young ones that looked to be about seven or eight years old. The best out of three shots received a coin and joined the small group of three boys she was with.

“All boys ages ten to thirteen now line up.” The announcer shouted.

After they lined up Aria felt nervous as she felt people’s eyes on her. Her trembling increased her anxiety because she needed to be steady to shoot. She took a couple of deep breaths.

“When I drop my hand shoot!” The announcer yelled holding his hand up. He dropped his hand.

She shot and immediately felt disappointment because she knew it was a bad one. To her surprise only she and two other boys got their targets and hers was the closest to the center. Her confidence grew and what warmed her heart was to hear Brennus and Eileen cheer for her.

The next two shots were much better and she won by far. She was given a couple of coins for her winnings and was directed to join the much larger group where Weyland and Brennus were.

“I knew you would win.” Brennus told her cheerfully.

She smiled at him appreciatively and noticed for the first time that all the competitors were male. “Don’t the woman folk join in the match?” She asked puzzled.

Weyland and Brennus both laughed.

“Woman don’t hunt. Their work is at home looking after children and making tunics. They would be no good at this anyway.” Weyland answered.

“Why not?”

He appeared annoyed again and shook his head, “The way you go on sometimes Ario. It makes you seem a bit girly.”

Before she had time to respond to Weyland’s remark the announcer was calling them to position. Now she was more determined than ever to do well.

In the larger group, there were rows of them waiting in line to go next. As she waited Aria noticed the hen on Brennuses arrows were partially missing or completely missing.

“Brennus, your arrows.”

“I know; I didn’t have time to fix them. I don’t know what happened to them. They looked fine a couple of days ago.”

“I have lots to spare use mine.”

Brennus lit up. “Thank you.”

It was their turn now and Brennus, Aria and Weyland all hit the target. Brennuses was almost in the dead center. Aria’s close to the center. Weyland’s landed in the outer circle. Weyland appeared agitated. The ones that missed the target were out of the competition and motioned to walk out.

Once again they shot. Brennus again hit the center and Aria hit closer to the center than her last shot. Weyland hit the outer circle and Aria saw him curse something as he walked off with all the others that were so quickly eliminated. If the first two shots were not as good they would not be able to make the best out of three. It was now down to Brennus and Aria.

Weyland stomped over to the spectators. It frustrated him that even with replacing his worn arrows with Brennuses better ones, Brennus still out did him. It did not seem right. What did it matter to Brennus if he won extra money? Brennus did not have to do without in his home, and deal with the relentless nagging he did. If the boy had not given Brennus his good arrows he would have probably had a chance. He was beginning to resent the boy.

Brennus looked over at his new friend Ario. He studied Ario’s determined expression and a pang of pity hit him as he saw how weak and scrawny Ario was. His inner consciousness nudged him that there was something not quite right that he borrowed Ario's arrows and would win with them. I must be crazy. He thought as he decided that he was going to let Ario win.

They shot again and Aria hit the center. Brennus hit the outer circle. The crowd cheered and Aria beamed.

Brennus smiled at her. “You get to go against the older ones now.”

She was given the coins and left to go to the next group. She stood amongst them feeling very small among the young men. In this competition she did not last very long. The targets were moved back even further to make it more challenging, but it pleased her that she was not the first one to be eliminated.

She went to meet up with Brennus and Weyland and saw that Brennuses family had come to watch. He had a large family. She stood quietly to the side and watched them interact. His parents seemed so jolly and they were talking to two young men that must have been Brennuses older brothers. One of them she recognized as being in the match she was just in. The father and the oldest had their bows and arrows with them for the adult competition.

Some excitement sounded from the front gate of the Hill-fort. The crowds gathered at the edge of the road that went through the settlement to watch.

“It is the Roman Soldiers and the King from the North!”

“Roman Soldiers.” Brennus exclaimed excitedly as he dashed to get a good view. Aria tried to stay close behind. She heard the clop of the horses approaching and in-between people in the crowd she was able to catch site of the men with their shiny armor riding on smaller, but more beautiful horses then she had ever seen before. Behind the procession of eight soldiers was a wagon where she guessed the king was. Riding nearby was Vellocat wearing a helmut with horns on it. He rode with other men she presumed to be stewards of the king dressed in equally rich clothing. After they passed, Aria searched where Weyland was and her heart sank when she saw him talking to Vanora.

The last of the shooting match was extended to allow the new arrivals to compete against the best. Aria could pick up the comments from the crowd that it had been Vellocat that won every year. Some made dry comments that no one would dare win him for fear of the repercussions, but on observation Aria saw he was a skilled marksman. Then it came time for the deciding shot and Vellocat just barely hit the edge of the center circle. Two others shot outside the center, but one other hit dead in the center. The soldiers cheered the name of their comrade who won. “Antious! Antious!”

They gathered around him patting him on the back and led him to where there were drinks. Amongst them, congratulating them were the Dobunni. They seemed very happy that the foreigner won. One woman said, “Ahhh, it is good for Vellocat to know that he can’t have his way in everything.”

Aria curiously studied Vellocat’s appearance. He was almost as handsome as Weyland, except his eyes were not quite as large and his chin not as stern. His expression revealed that he brooded over the loss, but when he walked passed Elvina he smiled at her briefly. Elvina returned his attention with a bow and flashed a huge smile at him.