It was a dark and stormy night at the camp. The rain was pouring down, drenching the Roman soldiers which had to stand outside to guard the camp.
Barbarians, mostly Celtic tribes had been attacking them for days already - killing soldiers in the forests and stealing horses, food, and weapons if they could.
However, this time they could celebrate a small win. They captured the princess of a nearby tribe and brought her straight to their Centurion, who was leading them against the Barbarians.
His tent was the biggest one in the camp, with carpets, chairs, a table with wine and a bowl piled with fruits. Everything was in a dark red colour and a fireplace in the middle of the tent gave off heat.
A wooden pillar near the fire was for special guests, for chaining up and questioning them mostly.
Even a big bed was there, where he quite regularly had some fun with his mistresses. Some even came with the Romans from Italy to this new country, called Britannia.
It was cold and not as sunny as his home, but he would go back as soon as he managed to make the barbarians bow to their new ruler, the Roman Caesar.
Two soldiers were needed to bring the prisoner, who was wriggling madly, to their Centurion. She was screaming and kicking, her long hair all over her face.
The Centurion turned over when he heard them entering with the prisoner. He has studied some maps to think of possibilities for attacking, but this could wait now. Walking over slowly, looking at the wild wriggling creature he said: "Chained her up at the pillar, I will question her with my methods."
Like Nemesis, the Greek goddess of revenge, she stared and him with her intense glowing dark eyes and then spit on his shiny breastplate, which was decorated with the golden head of a lion.
He wasn't surprised. Barbarians didn't know how to behave at all. All that they would learn as soon as people like him could show them the right Roman way of living.
He quite enjoyed it when his prisoners were a bit stubborn. It would be a lot of fun to make her talk.
If she was even able to speak his language. Even if not, she was pretty. And somehow special. He didn't know what to make of her, but he would find out soon. He was intrigued.
Another mistress for him maybe. A wild one he could tame like a stallion, just in his bed.
Her face has been painted with symbols, but the colour was nearly gone because of the rain. The Celts did this to praise their gods. It was for good luck and to frighten their enemies.
"Take off her armour, then chain her up."
His soldiers did what he commanded them. It was very difficult as she was defending herself quite impressively. To help his men the Centurion stepped forward and held a dagger to her throat. "Keep calm, I just want to ask you a few questions". Still staring at him in a rage, she stopped moving. They removed all she was wearing except a knee long cotton tunic which was soaked from the rain.
After chaining her to the pillar, the men left, leaving her alone with their leader.
Her name Ailís, which meant the generous one. Still, for a female barbarian, she was attractive. Without the colour on her face being nearly washed away and her armour gone, he could see that her body was nicely shaped and her face far prettier than he would have thought it to be for a foreign tribe living in the woods of such a godforsaken place.
Her curves were at the right places, apple-like breasts, moving up and down while she was breathing heavily, her heart still beating quickly from her fight with the soldiers. Frail-looking wrists and ankles, although he knew she was capable of fighting like a wild cat. Especially with sword and shield. Firm thighs leading promisingly to the area between her legs.
His eyes were glowing and looking forward to experiencing her body.
The Centurion turned around and went back to his desk, studying plans, eating an apple.
After a while, he asked: "When will your people attack next?"
She kept staring at him but in her eyes, he seemed to see an understanding. Not as stupid as the others he had caught and questioned, she seemed to understand him.
"So, I assume it will be soon. They might want to try to save you but we will give them a nice welcome. More soldiers are coming with ships in a few days to conquer this country and either kill off your kind or make them slaves. Or, if some of you are a good example, try to adapt to the progressive Roman way of living."
He came closer to her, kneeled down. His hand grabbed her chin, taking a closer look at her delicate jaw bones and dark eyes. He seemed to lose himself for a while whilst looking at her...
She didn't move but his eyes watched her.
They were grey, with sprinkles of gold and brown.
