Chapter Six.
Queen Boudica leads the triumphant march back home. All the combatants fall in behind their hero. Here is idolatry at its most profound. Queen Boudica knows she had won the day, but she also knows the Romans will be back; but for now, they will savour the taste of victory.
When news of victory reaches Segontium, the women and children run to the outskirts of town to greet their heroes and search for their husbands and fathers.
It’s Wednesday afternoon, and the victory celebrations are about to begin on Tor Hill. The hill is black with bodies. A gentle breeze undulates in from the sea. Everybody awaits their goddess. At the back, there is a building that houses the intelligentsia of society. First to emerge are the priests and priestesses in their ritual garb. They take their seats, and everyone bows their heads. There is a roll of the drums and everyone prostates themselves on the ground. Then emerges the queen, dressed in her ceremonial regalia, with an aura that would stop a raging bull. She walks to center stage, raises her arms to the heavens and shouts, “Atonie, atonie, waterie, largarie.”
It seems that the whole area is imbued with a magical radiance. She lowers her arms, then turns to the orchestra and nods. Everyone rises to their feet, young, old, crippled and aged, to sing their national anthem, “The battle hymn of Avalon.”
In the late spring air, the cries of victory wafted far out to sea, to the shores of Rome itself. 'We may be bruised but never defeated."
Now commences the afternoon’s entertainment. A choir consisting of male and female voices sings the ancient hymns of their ancestors. Then come solos by sundry singers, including Rigana, who has a beautiful voice. This is followed by contributions from the Celts and the Picts. One that stands out is a Celt gentleman who graces the stage. He is built like the side of a house but has the voice of an angel. He sings three numbers, but the crowd isn’t be content until he sings three more. The Picts give a very commanding performance. They have a quartet, and sing three songs with howls for more.
This is followed by a dance troupe. Their performance is not so much a dance as it is a ballet depicting the battle just fought. A deadly silence befalls the hill as the spectators watch the dancers fight it out to the finish. To conclude the afternoon, there is a trio of Queen Boudica, Rigana and Lhiannon, who join forces to sing the Druids' holy songs. After three numbers ,the conductor turns to the audience and invites their participation. Ardanos the high priest gives the closing benediction and everyone moves to the victory feast.
The sad tidings are brought to Queen Boudica and her daughter Rigana, of the death of Gaius Macellius Severus during the battle. Rigana never recovers from the tragedy. The visitors stay for another five days, then leave with bags of gold, and some with Druid wives. Queen Boudica is loathe to part with her young ladies, as these are the backbone of the nation, but it is a bond between the countries, so what could she do but bless the unions? Peace settles on Britannia for the remainder of Queen Boudica’s reign. Rome’s authority is now being challenged in all quarters of the empire. The gold mine proves a very lucrative venture and adds to the immense wealth of the nation.
