Our story takes us back some two millennia to the time of the Roman invasion of Britannia and the reign of Queen Boudica and her daughter Rigana. Queen Boudica is at the height of her powers, having kept the Romans at bay through her sorcery. She resides with her daughter and priests and priestesses on the isle of Mona.
The Druids have a standing army and navy that are the envy of all neighbouring tribes; they enjoy a measure of prosperity unequaled by any other peoples. An uneasy truce exits between the Druids and the Romans. The Druids are fierce fighters and would gladly sacrifice their lives to preserve their way of life – but even their military has no contest against the better-equipped and more disciplined Romans.
This is a highly cultured society. The Druids pay homage to their queen that bridges on hero worship and is returned in like manner. Everyone is duly employed – as fishermen, farmers, shipbuilders, and those who serve in the military. Even the ladies weave tapestry, make wine and produce arts; a fertile woman is prized above all else. The Druids possess a breed of horses unmatched throughout Britannia. Breeders come from far and near to bid on these animals at the yearly fair. At harvest time every able-bodied person is in the fields.
It is Monday morning on the Isle of Mona and everybody is going about their respective duties. When a Roman galley is spotted approaching the harbour, two priestesses jump on horseback, one to alert Queen Boudica and the other the army headquarters; everyone is on red alert.
A young Roman officer named Gaius Macellius Severus, son of Gaius Macellius Severus, the senior prefect Castrorum of the Adiutrix Legion at Deva and six naval officers disembark and ask to be driven to Queen Boudica. Within minutes, Gaius is in Queen Boudica’s abode.
“And to what do I owe this pleasure, Gaius?”
“Dear queen, it is my unfortunate duty to remind you that tax time will be here soon.”
“I’m all too aware of my responsibilities to Emperor Nero,” she replies crisply.
But collecting taxes is the least of Gaius’s worries. He is here on a more ambitious endeavour. “Where is Rigana today, may I ask, dear queen?”
“Why do you ask?”
“May I accompany her for a walk?”
Queen Boudica thinks for a minute. “I guess there’s no harm in that.” She turns to Lhiannon. “Go fetch Rigana and bring her here.”
“Yes, dear queen.”
Gaius and the queen make small talk until Rigana showed up.
“There you are! Gaius wishes to take you for a walk. Now remember, Gaius, nothing can ever come of this. Rigana is sworn to the sanctity of the priesthood.” The queen gives him a stern look.
“I know, dear queen.”
The queen takes one look at Rigana and thinks, I’ve more to fear from my daughter than Gaius. “Anyway enjoy your afternoon, and behave yourselves!"
“Don’t worry, dear queen,” replies Gaius.
