Chapter Three.
The country had never known such peace. Each side was on strict orders to avoid engagement at all costs. Tlachtga and Publius continued their clandestine rendezvous. It was only with the help of Lhiannon, the queen’s first lady in waiting, that the facade was possible. She was the intermediary between the two. God help us if she was ever caught! The two lovers concocted problems that involved the two of them meeting to resolve. Publius had nothing to worry about, but Tlachtga’s life was hanging in the balance. A couple of times she thought she was pregnant and was gripped with abject fear. Lhiannon had just returned from one of her escapades, and was relating the contents to Tlachtga.
“Well, how did your meeting go?” asked Tlachtga eagerly.
“O, I was wined and dined like a queen. God, if I’m ever caught. I’ll swing.”
“Lhiannon, I love the man, I can’t live without him.”
“Well, for both our sakes, I hope you can get away with it. It’s your father I worry about. I’m surprised he hasn’t caught on before now.”
“So, when are we going to next meet?”
“The Gods are shining on you Tlachtga. Publius is coming to sign a trade agreement with you. He arrives this Friday afternoon.”
“I wonder if Rome knows the half of this.”
What really worried Tlachtga was her temple priestesses who were trained in divination. They could look into a person’s soul. Did any of them realize what was afoot?
“Lhiannon, go fetch my father. He’ll want to know what has transpired.”
Within thirty minutes, Lhiannon returned with Oroveso and two of the temple priestess. He was always skeptical of the Romans, no matter what they proposed. In his mind the only good Roman was a dead one.
“I believe you have something to tell me?”
“Yes, I do, and I’m sure it will make you happy. Publius is coming on Friday to sign a trade agreement. Nothing but good can come from it.”
“You’re gullible! I wouldn’t trust that man as far as I could throw a team of horses.”
“I would rather trade goods than cross swords. Anyway, he’s coming on Friday so try to be nice.”
“I’ll do my duty.”
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Tell me a tale when babes sucked on mothers’ breasts.
Mothers nourished the future heroes of Avalon.
When Avalon was awash with the joy of young men that prevailed against the might of Rome.
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