Chapter 1: Illyria

Illyria watched her father and stepmother greet a man as he emerged from is carriage flanked by roman legionnaires, this was the man her stepmother Desdemona had selected for her sister Laudine to marry. She stared down at her stepmother in contempt, she had never warmed to Desdemona and never would, she had despised her from the moment she'd got her claws into her father, he had been at his weakest after her mothers sudden passing and Desdemona had been there instantly, she cared only for money and status, something she and Illyria's other older sister Laudine both bonded over. Illyria's father had been a sarmatian knight, he had come to England during a war and met her mother Helaine, a woad, they married and had their three daughters, her father had been praised for his contribution to the roman expansion and was rewarded greatly for it. Illyria was the youngest of the three daughters, the eldest Evaine had married a sarmatian knight who was the son of one of her fathers friends, they had two sons together before he was killed in battle, now Evaine and her sons, Anthony was seven and Egan three, lived back with the rest of the family, Evaine still mourned her husbands passing, Evaine was kind hearted and preferred a simple life but she had a deep loathing for the Romans and their war that had stolen her husband. Laudine lived like a roman, she dressed in the newest roman fashions, and did nothing all day preferring to gossip with her friends, Laudine was what could only be described as high maintenance, she was a diva and she loved it, Illyria considered her more a spoilt brat. Illyria was different to both her siblings, she had always been more active, she loved horse riding and play fighting as a child, after constant nagging her mother had taught her archery and her father taught her to read and write, something he was proud of since neither of her sisters had ever shown interest, he had called her wise beyond her years. As she watched she couldn't help feeling angry it was as though Desdemona had sucked all the youth out of him, she remembered her father being the man who had taught her how to use a sword and would play fight with her, a man who loved his life and his family now he just seemed as though he was waiting for death to relieve him.

That night the entire house celebrated the engagement of Laudine and her roman senator husband Marius, Desdemona and Laudine were deep in conversation about dresses and flowers, Marius was talking animatedly to a group of soldiers who had accompanied him, Illyria hated these occasions and it must have shown on her face, she excused herself and went out into the warm night for some air, she was soon joined by her father,

' You always did hate fancy parties' she turned and smiled at him, offering her arm to her aging father as the two began to walk round the garden,

' Just like your mother' he continued smiling,

' She hated these functions as well, but of course you know that' Illyria smiled at her father, she was the only one he ever reminisced about her mother with,

' You're so like her Illyria, more than just appearance wise, you sound like her, you're strong like her, and you're free spirited like her' he was smiling at her, he'd said this to her many times before but she sensed something new in his voice, as though he was building up to something, not one to waste time Illyria stopped and looked at him,

' What is it father?' her voice held a firmness to it and by the expression on her face she knew she wasn't going to like this,

' Your stepmother thinks now Laudine is to be married we must start finding you a husband' Illyria's jaw dropped, she knew this would be coming but she thought they'd wait longer,

' And what do you think?' she couldn't help the anger in her tone, she was seething with rage at Desdemona,

' I didn't see the need to rush, but she says roman men want young wives, so after your sisters is married she's going to find a husband and when she has an engagement will be announced'

' Why does it have to be a roman man, why not a sarmatian like Evaine?'

' Most eligible sarmatian men are knights and I don't want you to go through what Evaine's been through' her fathers voice broke towards the end, he had suffered so much loss in his life, Illyria couldn't bear to cause him more pain,

' If it's what you want and it will make you happy then fine' she was quiet as she spoke, unhappiness tingeing her voice,

' I want you to be safe and secure, but overall I want you to be happy Illyria, would you be happy' before she could answer the shrill voice of Desdemona called out,

' Drystan, Illyria come now' Illyria despised being spoken to like a dog but followed her father in after he gave her an almost pleading look to keep her temper at bay.

She was glad the night was over, though she had had to endure one last humiliation at the hands of her sisters betrothed,

' Illyria come bid goodnight to my husband to be' Laudine was in her element at having all the attention, Illyria moved forward and Marius took her hand placing his dry lips to it,

' You are very beautiful Illyria I have a friend who would adore you, perhaps I should contact him and he could meet you at the wedding and decide if he'll have you'

Illyria gritted her teeth and smiled at her over inebriated future brother in law,

' Thank you senator' he gave her a slimy smile before moving on.

She sat on her bed and watched as Flora, her handmaiden tidied up the room, Flora had been with the family years, she had delivered Illyria and her sisters and Illyria saw her as more of a mother than Desdemona,

' What's troubling you Illyria?'

' The prospect of a marriage to a roman senator'

' Ahh I see your stepmothers getting ready to move you out of here soon as well'

' It would seem so, she could at least wait until Laudine's married and gone, its not like I'm ancient and in danger of becoming an unmarried hag'

' Well I'm sorry to be the one that breaks this to you but 18 isn't young anymore, most girls in roman society are married off from 14 onwards' Flora watched Illyria closely,

' You know your mother always used to say you would never accept an arranged marriage' Illyria raised her head and met Flora's eyes, they were twinkling mischievously,

' What are you suggesting Flora?' Illyria understood perfectly what Flora was edging towards,

' I'm just telling you what your mother said, she said you'd take your chances in the wild before you were pushed into anything you didn't want, even you father agreed with her'

' Are you suggesting I run, I couldn't do that it would crush father?'

' We both know you're the only one who could and Evaine and the boys would still be here for your father, all I'm saying is think about it' Flora left the room smiling, knowing she planted an idea in Illyria's head.