Chapter 2: Beltane
It had been 1 year since Cocidius had married Edana and now he had to fight for her against the other six 14-year old boys in the raft. Cocidius was never really a very strong or tall child and he was a little bit scared because of the other boys that were very strong and very tall.
"Don't think otherwise Cocidius, don't win this for your father, win this for Edana and your future child" he thought to himself determinedly.
The raft came to a gentle halt at the small dock of Glastonbury. The Pagan priest came to the boat and waited for the boys as they came out of the boat. He took the boys with him and explained what they had to do in order to win the prize which was conceiving the child with the virgin huntress.
"Lads, you are very lucky for you are the 6 strongest and noblest boys in our kingdom. Remember to be in this event is a great honour so even if you don't win you will be remembered. Good luck to all of you and may the goddess be with you" said the priest.
Along with the other boys Cocidius grabbed a spear and was led by another priest to one of the many entrances to the forest. He heard the horn blow meaning it was time for him to spear down the great stag of the forest. The hunt had begun.
Edana was taken to the to maidens at the entrance of the cave where she was to conceive the child that would soon become her son or daughter. She went to the bed that the maidens instructed her to go to and they said to her to make herself ready for the Beltane hunter. Once the maidens blessed the cave and left in her mind Edana was praying to the goddess to let the hunter be her husband Cocidius whom she loved dearly. All of a sudden the reality of this ritual came to her. On this night she would conceive her child and have it nine months later. On this night she was no longer going to be a virgin.
After what seemed like an hour she heard footsteps coming from outside the cave. Within seconds a young boy came racing to the bed. The boy removed his mask and to her everlasting joy it was her beloved Cocidius. Without hesitation he made his way to the bed and got on it. He began to kiss his young wife and so the conceivement of their first born child had begun