In my novel I, Rhiannon (Book One: Sleeping with the Enemy) - which from Friday is on sale via Kindle for a special price - I write about Riannon's arranged marriage to a hideous old man who already has several hag-wives. The beautiful young virgin must marry Huw because he is rich and may help the tribe to fight the Roman enemy.
Here is an extract from the story, when the tribe, the Geveni, are walking alongthe river Draig (which means Dragon) to the place where the ceremony will be held:
A pair of red kites spiralled on the currents of
warm air over the Draig, circling each other ferociously, each trying to drive
the other from its territory. Occasionally they locked talons and twisted in a
crimson whirlpool in the blue sky, until one disentangled itself before
re-engaging minutes later. Summer had splashed the green hills with wildflowers
of every colour and even the air smelt flowery with their breath. But many of
the Geveni felt the season’s abundance was unseemly given the circumstances.
The Romans, they knew, were more at home in warmer climes and would be at an
advantage on firm, dry land. Was Mother Nature herself conspiring against them?
Crossing a small stream, most tossed coins into the
water, hoping for luck. They wouldn’t have wasted their money if they hadn’t
been worried. Mair herself tossed both silver and gold into the stream and
whispered: “May moon and sun shine on my daughter.” Even Dafydd parted with
some, only throwing it when he was sure nobody was looking.
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