“O Andraste, protector of our people, provider of all we possess, hear the prayer of your servant. Grant her the wisdom to see what is right and the courage to pursue it.”
Tlachtga stayed on her knees for the next thirty minutes, seeking the knowledge she so desperately sought.
Two weeks passed and Tlachtga sat in uneasy repose wondering what was taking Lhiannon so long when walked in her messenger.
“There you are! What news do you bring?”
“I explained the situation to Publius, and he warned not to do a thing until he arrives on Saturday.”
“Great, how did he sound?”
“I thought he sounded like something could be worked out between both our peoples.”
“Go and get Oroveso and Caratacus and the priests and priestesses, and bring them here.”
With that, Lhinnon disappeared out the door.
Within forty minutes the vanguard of the Druid people sat in solemn servitude to hear the proclamations from Londinium.
The first to speak was Oroveso. “So when are our oppressors taking over the mine?”
“Father, shut up and listen. Publius is coming on Saturday afternoon and from what Lhiannon tells me, there’s hope of a resolution.”
“Well, we’ll give him the benefit of the doubt."
“Caillean, what does the future hold for us; do you see war?”
“Dear Queen, from all we can divine ,we see no war with Rome, but we do see a dark cloud on the horizon. It looks ominous,” lamented Caillean.
Tlachtga squirmed in her seat. That was truly prophetic because she was that cloud. Their relationship had gone too far for too long to break it up. She would surely pay the price with her life. But for now her concern was for her people.
“Publius has advised me to do nothing at the mine until he comes. Let’s wait and see.”
“We are ill prepared for war; it would be our undoing,” lamented Caratacus.
They talked for another thirty minutes, then dispersed.
Saturday afternoon rolled around and the might of Rome pulled alongside the wharf. Here was grandeur at its most splendiferous. A chariot was waiting to usher them to the temple. Once inside and the lovers met, duty and responsibility were of little consequence.
“Lets go for a walk in the garden,” suggested Tlachtga.
The garden contained a gazebo. Tlachtga pushed Publius inside and off came their clothes. Weeks of separation were unleashed. They just couldn’t keep their hands off one another. Passions spent, they finally lay back to recuperate.
“Come on, get dressed and get out of here; you never know who might come by,” sighed Tlachtga.
They dressed and walked back as nonchalantly as possible. The company was waiting in eager anticipation. Oroveso eyed them both with an air of suspicion. He knew there was more to this than met the eye. But he kept his counsel. They sat down at the table that was furnished with sweets and drinks. Oroveso rose and addressed the audience.
“Dear Publius, you’re brought here in uncertain times. Our find could be a blessing or a curse. We’re at the dictates of Rome. The last thing we want is war, but if that is the price we must pay, then so be it.”
Then Publius rose. “What I’m about to say this afternoon are my own thoughts, and I pray they’ll go no further than these four wall. I agree with Oroveso. If Rome gets wind of this, they won’t stop ‘till they occupy the mine. Complete secrecy is your salvation. I’m prepared to keep my counsel on the matter. Those who work on the mine must swear complete secrecy on pain of death. Once Rome finds out, it’s out of my hands. Dear Queen, can you ensure such secrecy?”
