Llewei’s cheery smile upward burst,
‘How’s your Mam taking this priestly curse?’
Ceretic groaned, hands to head,
‘Wishing her son would drop dead –
that’s not even the worst of it:
all my crew’s included in it.’
‘I’m still hugely faith confused;
what is it they’re doing to you?’
‘Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. They’re
ignoring me completely;
will not even catch my eye –
cold silence communication.
Conspire in my exclusion.’
Palmyredes poured another drink,
‘Come to table, we need to think;
has your host assembled, can
you carry out your function?’
Ceretic chair slumped, swept hair,
‘Hard to be a commander when
no one listens to your orders.
Can I go hang with the pagan lads
on the east side of the island?’
‘As we have urgent need for action
I’ll make such an accommodation.
Another key consideration:
the complete lack of communication.’
Thoughtful looked Cunedda:
‘Anyone had a post from Penda?
Another break in the regular…
Usually all receive one post each week
chock full of normal Anglian cheek.’
Llewei nodded, face disturbed,
‘I’ve quite missed my weekly flirt.’
Palymredes refilled drinks,
‘Are there any more opinions?’
Heads shook in unison. ‘Then
here are your marching orders:
Cunedda takes the right flank,
Ceretic and Angharad the left.
I’ll command the centre host,
Llewei will take the scouts.’
Gwair raised hand, nod response,
‘Arcani will be fine with Llewei,
I’m sure, I’ll brief, but -’
‘Gwair, you’ll be going far ahead,
special mission for you. Make speed
for Dinas Arcani, make contact
with Bwrs, re-establish comms;
spread the new recruits as recce.
‘As we proceed towards the south,
bring the comms network back on up.
Get all the Lans connected again.
Find the source of interference.
‘I want every outpost searched, secured;
all mansios brought back safe online.’
(‘Whoah, hang on now, I’ve got questions.
Why’s there so much Roman military crap
littering the landscape? What’s with
all the walls and centuries of stand-off?’
Great question, there, Coyote,
Why couldn’t the mighty
“Great Glory that was Rome”
not do in the entire Ynys?)