Alena by Rodine Dobeck

Author:Rodine Dobeck
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ellora's Cave Publishing Inc.
Published: 2012-04-03T00:00:00+00:00

That evening, the bonfire stretched its yellow-orange fingers toward the dark blue heavens, throwing off enough heat that Romans and Dumnonii alike kept a respectful distance from its blaze. Most sat cross legged on the ground in small clusters, talking quietly. Jago walked among the groups intoning the ancient sounds of a blessing.

Alena lost herself in the fire, the mystery and magic of it. How could people not worship it as a god? In winter people perished without it, in summer it rendered meat fit to consume. She was staring at the dancing flames and deep in thought when Titus sat beside her. He touched her and she jumped.

“I am sorry,” he said, “I had no idea you were concentrating so hard on the fire. Now I look at it more closely it is quite hypnotic, no wonder you are enthralled.”

She smiled. “I usually do not startle so easily. In particular I should not fear your touch.”

“Not so long ago you appeared to find my touch quite pleasing.” He pushed an errant strand of hair behind her ear. It was the kind of tender gesture he made often and she had grown used to it. These chaste, unobtrusive touches were all the sweeter when she thought of the passionate embraces they enjoyed when alone.

“It is this night. It affects everyone in a different way. Do you not feel the tension in the air? The spirits are definitely abroad tonight.”

“Now that you mention it there is something in the air, almost like the calm before a battle or a bad storm.” He cocked his head to one side and sniffed the air. “What is that I smell?”

“Jago has been crushing and spreading herbs all around us as he says his blessings. It attracts the gods to his incantation, draws their notice to our need of their attention.” As if on cue Jago approached and stood over them, arms raised to the heavens, a blessing on his lips. When he was finished Alena said, “Thank you, Jago.”

“Tomorrow at dawn we gather at the sacred grove for your marriage blessing and fertility ritual,” he informed them. “Titus, at this the beginning of a new year I offer you my services as advisor. Just as I am always available to Alena to assist her in ruling the Dumnonii, so also am I available to you.”

“Thank you, Jago, I appreciate that.” Alena thought Titus sounded wary and she knew he was still uncertain about Jago’s place in their lives and that of her people. “I understand you have been busy blessing us all.”

“Your skepticism is quite appropriate for you as a Roman Tribune, Titus, but incorrect for Alena’s husband and consort. I exhort you to keep an open mind, particularly on this night.” Jago moved on and Titus looked after him with a sardonic twist to his mouth.

“Please try to refrain from antagonizing Jago,” Alena said as gently as she could. “He is making every effort to establish a relationship with you.”

“And if I do

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