Feeling a sense of unease, Chara frowned. “What of Der-wydd? How will he take the proselytizing of his people?”
Decimus sat down on the couch, pulling her down with him. “You know, I think he doesn’t mind. I’m not sure why—maybe it’s an answer to prayer—but Der-wydd seems relieved that many of his people no longer request sacrifices to tell their futures or plan their lives.”
“And what of Cadwaladyr?”
He shrugged. “Cadwaladyr has left the village. He has followed Galla back to the Trinovantes, though I’m not sure why.”
Chara looked alarmed. “Will he try to hurt Galla?”
Decimus pressed his lips together. “I don’t know, but I’m betting Galla can take care of himself. Remember, he has God on his side.”
Bending his head, Decimus began to nibble on Chara’s neck. Giggling, she pulled away. “Cadvan might come.”
Decimus slowly shook his head, his blue eyes gleaming. “He is staying the night with a friend. They want to start early on a hunt.”
As he bent to her again, she pushed him away. “Eudemia might come.”
Again he slowly shook his head. “She plans to go with Cadvan in the morning, so she has decided to stay with Kolin’s family, also.” He raised an eyebrow. “Any more objections?”
Shaking her head, she grinned, nibbling his chin. “None, my love.”
❧
Isolated as they were from the other tribes, news took weeks—sometimes months— to reach their village. One day, a rider rode in from the outside and informed them that Nero was dead. A ripple of voices could be heard from the gathered crowd. No one knew what this would mean for Britannia.
“How did he die?” Decimus asked, pulling Chara close to his side.
“Committed suicide,” the rider told them. “His army turned against him.”
“Who is in charge now?”
“General Galba. You know of him?” he asked Decimus.
Decimus nodded his head. “He’s an old man, but I heard he was a wise general. God only knows how he’ll be as Caesar.”
On their way home, Chara commented softly to her husband, “It’s hard to believe he’s dead.”
Decimus shook his head. “What a wasted life. I would not want to be Nero when he stands before God’s throne.”
Remembering Agrippina and Antipus, Chara agreed. Then she cupped her abdomen with her hands and smiled. The first green fingers of spring were beginning to shoot their way up through the thawing ground. Geese flew over, hinting at an early spring. All around, life was blooming—and soon another life would spring forth. Chara’s face took on a glow that soon had the village women talking.
Chara was a favorite among the village people. She was so shy and sweet that she attracted people like bees to honey. Everywhere she went, she tried to help the people who most needed it. Sometimes she gave food, sometimes she helped with housework, sometimes she cared for children so a tired mother had some time to rest. Because of her help, many were willing to listen when she talked to them of her God, which she did tirelessly.
Decimus smiled as he watched his wife. His sister, too, had succumbed to her charm. As Chara’s pregnancy progressed, so did Eudemia’s mothering.
He had to admit, though, his own heart was filled with dread for the pain he knew Chara would have to bear. He continually prayed that God would keep her safe.
❧
The trees were in full bloom and summer was full upon them when Galla rode into the village. Heads turned as he walked his horse through the village and headed it up the hill without stopping.
Eudemia saw him coming before anyone else. Throwing down the rag she was using to wipe the table, she ran outside and met him as his horse came to a stop.
“Galla.”
He slid from his horse. He stood there a long time, his hands curling and uncurling at his sides.
Decimus came running from the fields behind the house where he was tending the crops. Throwing his arms around Galla, he hugged him hard. “We’ve missed you, you old horse. Come on in, come on in.”
Galla followed him inside, intensely aware of Eudemia only three steps behind him.
“Chara!” Decimus bellowed. “Come see!”
Chara hurried from the back of the house, her brows lifting in surprise. Her eyes sparkled with delight as she threw her arms around Galla’s neck.
He smiled wryly, noticing her gently rounded stomach. “You seem to have grown a bit since I last saw you.”
Blushing, she threw him a pretend pout. “What a thing to say to a woman. Are you becoming a barbarian, Galla?”
He grinned fully. “I always have been.”
The news Galla brought them was not good. “I foresee much bloodshed,” he told them, his face grim.
“And what of you, did you accomplish what you set out to do?”
Although Chara asked the question, Galla was watching Eudemia. “I resigned my commission in the army. I know General Galba, so I’m confident my resignation will be accepted.”
“Did you find your people?”
He nodded at Decimus. “Cadwaladyr caught up with me and led me home.”
Eudemia frowned. “Where is Cadwaladyr?”
Galla sighed heavily. “He decided to stay with the Trinovantes for the time being. They are arming themselves for battle, and it seems they will be the first to attack.”
Eudemia’s soft voice penetrated the silence that followed his words. “And then we will follow.”
Shrugging, Galla got to his feet. “Maybe. Maybe not. Let’s not borrow trouble. God has worked miracles before. No matter what happens, my trust is in the Lord.”
Decimus rose to his feet, also. “We have some good news for you, my friend.”
Galla looked at Chara. “So I see.”
Chara blushed. “Not that good news.” Turning, she took Eudemia’s hand. “Eudemia has accepted Christ as her Savior. She and Cadvan both.”
Since Eudemia was looking down, she didn’t see the joy that filled Galla’s eyes. “I’m pleased,” he said softly. The tone of his voice brought Eudemia’s eyes flying to his.
Exchanging glances, Decimus and Chara excused themselves. Galla watched them walk away. When he turned back to Eudemia, she had already turned from him.
Taking her by the arms, he turned her back to face him. She looked in his eyes, and her breath caught in her throat. Such love shone from their dark brown depths that tears sprang to her eyes.
“I need to explain,” he told her softly.
She shook her head. “No. Chara explained it to me. You could not marry an unbeliever.”
He nodded. “That is so, but as a centurion in Rome’s army, I was forbidden to marry, also.”
She looked in his eyes, her own full of questions.
“If you still love me, Eudemia, I would like you to marry me.”
A slow smile spread across her face. Her eyes began to glow, and Galla pulled her close. Burying his face in her hair, he thanked God for all He had done. What the apostle Paul had said was true. Everything had worked together for their good.
Cadvan burst through the door, halting on the threshold. His eyes rapidly searched the room, landing at last on Galla. With a cry, he threw himself into Galla’s arms.
Eudemia smiled, tears misting her eyes. Looking up, she caught Galla’s tender look. A knot formed in her throat. Nodding her head, she smiled.
“We’ll be glad to marry you, Galla.”
Epilogue
The Romans first invaded Britannia in 55 BC, and they conquered Gaul the same year. The Celts lived on both sides of the English Channel, and Druidism was practiced in Gaul as well as Britannia. The Romans especially hated the Druids and tried to eliminate them; the Druids, however, continued to keep a hold on the people for almost two hundred years.
Although the Romans tried to annihilate the Druids and their religion, no amount of force could accomplish this. What the Roman army with all their might was not able to achieve, a carpenter fr
om Galilee did.
As Christianity spread slowly through the region, many of the polytheistic religions died. Christians fleeing the persecution of Rome headed for Britannia where Rome’s army was not as powerful. As they flowed over the countryside, God’s love went with them.
This story transpires from AD 67 through AD 68. After Nero died, Rome had a difficult time. Over the next thirty years, they had six caesars, which caused much chaos in the empire. Troops were recalled from the outer regions of the empire to reinforce and protect Rome’s emperor.
Although Rome eventually conquered all of Britannia, only God could conquer the Druids.
About the Author
As an avid reader of romance, when I became a Christian in 1979, I noticed that there was a severe lack of Christian romance books. I was frustrated that there wasn’t something to replace the romances that I used to read that had become so ungodly. One day, I happened upon a Heartsong Presents special in our local Christian bookstore. I was so excited that I immediately bought several and then decided that maybe they could use more authors. (Boy, was I gullible!)
My love for history inspired the books that I wrote, and homeschooling my children helped me to find the inspiration for the stories as we studied. Now, my son is grown and proudly serving in the air force, and my daughter is married to a fine marine with two beautiful children. With the departure of my children, my husband, Allen, and I found ourselves with a lot of time on our hands. Nowadays I spend my time as part-time secretary of our church and working on the crafts that I love.
I will always be thankful to Barbour Publishing for giving me the chance to write. I love to hear from my readers, so please let me know if you enjoyed reading these stories as much as I enjoyed writing them.
God Bless,
Darlene Mindrup
Dedication
To my children, Dena and Devon, who have given my life focus.
May God always hold them in the palm of His hand.
And to Anita Johnson,
who has taught me the true meaning of friendship.
Edge of Destiny Page 17