This was quite a fun if challenging chapter to write and plan out and I thought it would take me much longer to write, but I'm happy I go to pump it out quickly. I hope you enjoy it also.

Tales of the Eternals Chapter 26. The Queen of the Iceni

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In the shelter of a cool forest glade, a large stone appears out of thin air. It stands incongruously among its surroundings, with no signs of moss or wear and it becomes even more alien when a bright portal opens in one side. Kiya and Shern’aath step out and both shiver.
“Ooh, quite cold isn’t it?” Shern’aath calls back to the ship.
Altallo followed him and looked around, with Asterion just behind him. He had started wearing his usual yellow and blue poncho, gold headdress and blue leggings. Shern’aath always thought Altallo looked quite impressive in these clothes. Asterion also had
“Its early summer, shouldn’t be that cold. You’re just not used to it,” he takes a deep breath in and exhales slowly. He didn’t really need to breathe, but he could still feel the sensations within. “Ah, wonderful fresh air. Just after a thunderstorm I think. Now why can’t you two be like Asterion over there?”
The massive bull was sniffing some nearby flowers and smiling down at them.
“I preferred that jungle in honesty.” Shern’aath grumbled.
“I wished we could have stayed in that villa on Rhodes.” Kiya said sadly.
Altallo and Asterion shared a sombre look. A year after they had returned from their voyage to save Altallo’s spacecraft, an invading army from another part of Greece had landed and they had to flee in the ship. They had then spent many years roaming the wilder regions of the world, although it felt much shorter due to the hibernation quarters onboard the ship. Altallo had been restocking his ship with new plant seeds and animals, telling Shern’aath that it had something about ‘genetic variety’, whatever that was thought the raptor. For Shern’aath though, it had been most welcomed. After the hustle and bustle of city life, it was refreshing to get back to the quiet of nature.
“Well, look on the bright side,” said Altallo trying to sound positive. “We’ve got a brand new slate to start over. Besides this looks like a nice place. Peaceful, quiet, a chance for us to relax and to do some more species evaluation!”
Kiya groans and rolls her eyes at this. Altallo’s attention was on a number of flowering bushes at the far end of the clearing. Although he was facing away from her, he calls over.
“You don’t have to come if you don’t want to!”
Shern’aath couldn’t help be chuckle. “I think we should follow him, to keep him out of trouble.”



Altallo was ambling around a forest trail, picking a few seeds from plants and putting them in a bag. He made sure not to take too much and as he would put it “Disrupt the natural order of things.” Behind him the others followed at a leisurely pace talking amongst each other. Eventually they reach an open glade covered in wild flowers. Altallo started gathering more seed, while the others sit down around a small clump of trees in the middle. Altallo soon joins them, his bag bulging full of seeds.
“You know Altallo, I think you have a point,” Kiya says sounding far more cheerful. “This place is peaceful. No rushing around, no loud obnoxious-”
But a shadow loomed over them and a harsh laugh drowns out her voice. A massive form leaps in front of them. Their assailant was a massive boar woman, clothed in leather and metal armour she wielded a large broadsword and carried an oblong shaped shield. Her beefy arms and fierce looking face were decorated with spirals painted in dark blue woad paint.
“Well well, what do we have here?” she sneers in a deep voice and she points to each of them. “A cow, a lizard, a weirdo and a princess!”
“I’m not a lizard!” Shern’aath snarls, while Asterion frowns.
“Did she just call me a weirdo?!” Altallo says sounding hurt.
“Princess?” Kiya in contrast sounded quite flattered. “Well I have heard some say I do have the grace of one-”
“SHUT UP!” the boar roared and the entire clearing became silent.
“Psst,” Shern’aath whispers to the others as the boar paces in front of them, swinging her sword menacingly. “She’s all alone and I have an idea.”
“Shern’aath.” Altallo breathes.
“We can take her, I’ll go for her sword.”
“Shern’aath.” Altallo whispers slightly louder now.
“Asterion, if you can punch her or something, then-”
“Shern’aath!” Altallo hisses loudly.
“Ugh, what is it Altallo?” Shern’aath snaps angrily, turning to him...then his face falls. Right behind him, an arrow head was pointed directly at his neck. Holding it was a sleekly built deer with rich red fur and a pair of new antlers growing from his head. Unlike his sister in arms, he was lightly armoured in a green rippled patterned cloak which helped him blend in with the dappled light of the woods. He carried a quiver of arrows, a small dagger and a beautifully polished bow made of yew.
“You talked so loudly I could have shot you in the dark, lizard.” he said, with a smug grin across his face.


The boar whistled and from the woods came more warriors similarly attired. Surrounded by a forest of swords and spears, the travellers have no choice but to follow their captors away from the glade. Altallo took a nervous glance back at the glade and the way back to the ship, nervous that he may lose it again. They were forced to trudge through the woods, up a grassy hill to a much larger forest clearing with a river running through it. In the centre of this plain was a strange mound, quite at odds with the wilderness being too symmetrical and neat looking to have been made by nature. It was in fact a hill fort, made from rammed earth and supported with stone and topped with wooden parapet to create a perimeter wall. Inside were several huts with thatch roofs and wooden or stone walls of varying sizes. Some were rounded and some rectangular. The largest and most spectacular was right at the heart of the fort, a large circular building mounted on top of a smaller hill fort with a wooden stairway leading to it. They were led into the settlement where they were stared at all sides by hostile faces. Once or twice someone would spit on the ground as they passed and hissed “Roman scum!”.
Shern’aath had no idea what a Roman was but his mind jumped to some sort of horrifying monster that was preying on these people. Kiya meanwhile was incensed by this.
“I’m not a Roman, whatever those are,” she sniffed. “I’m clearly an Egyptian, if these savages would just open their eyes for once-”
That earned a smack on the head from the boar who roared at her to keep quiet. Altallo meanwhile seemed impervious to the insults and instead seemed more interested in the sights and sounds around them, from a blacksmith mending weapons and shields, to women spinning out wool and cloth. Shern’aath and Asterion’s attentions were drawn to the sweet smells drifting from the open door of a large communal building, some sort of kitchen and their mouths began watering. Kiya in contrast looked utterly miserable through the trek and that wasn’t just because of the painful lump on her head where the boar had smacked her. She was judging the clothing of the passers by. Most of the men wore chequered trousers and either similarly patterned sleeveless shirts or bare chested. The women wore long flowing dresses and shawls, also chequered, fastened to the shoulder with a broach. It all felt so primitive and savage to her and she sniffed audibly when someone looked at her with curiosity and imperiously held her nose in the air.


The prisoners trudged up to second fort and the huge doors of the hall swing open to permit them. Inside, the chamber was shrouded in darkness. A hole in the roof directly under a massive firepit was the only source of light. The whole place smelled of woodsmoke. At the far end of the chamber, facing the door and sat on a throne made from animal skins and wood was a very tall, powerful looking human woman in her early thirties. Long tawny hair hung to her waist and her eyes were piercing, like the eyes of a hawk. Despite wearing a long, beautifully woven dress and jewellery, she had all the hallmarks of a warrior. At her sides were two younger women, no more than teenagers. These were Boudicca’s daughters, who’s names would be forgotten by history.


She stood up to her full height and glowered down at them as they were shoved in.
“What is the meaning of this?” she asks in a harsh, fiery voice.
Despite her size, the boar lady was shaking and obviously terrified.
“My queen Boudicca, we’ve captured these strangers in our lands. I fear they may be Roman spies.”
Boudicca strides towards them and examines at her captors. She was almost as tall as Asterion and he shuffled uncomfortably as she gazes intensely at his face. Kiya took hold of his hand and stiffened as she met Boudicca’s eyes. The queen sniffs.
“You look you could be Roman.”
Kiya glared at her. She wasn’t about to let some big savage boss her and Asterion around.
“Now look here, I’ll have you know that I’m actually from-”
“Egypt. I know.”
Kiya’s tirade at the queen dies in her throat and she is left stammering. She eventually managed to gasp “How?!”
The queen smirks. “The Romans brought many troops and mercenaries from around their empire, including Egyptians.”
She turns dismissively away from Kiya and instead fixes Shern’aath and Altallo with her intense stare.
“You though, I don’t recognise either of you. The Romans must be desperate to hire lizards and-”
“Look, what exactly are these Roman things you keep talking about? Some sort of monster.”
Boudicca genuinely looks surprised at this.
“You really don’t know? They are men of steel and lies. They invaded the lands of we Iceni after my husband, the king, died.” At this, she touches her necklace and casts her eyes skywards. Despite her hostile behaviour, Altallo could not help but feel a pang of sorrow for the queen.
“I’m sorry for your loss.” he said softly. Boudicca looked at him curiously and then nods her thanks.
“They had broken their promises, they said they would honour our ancestral lands and let us live in peace. After the invasion, they took me prisoner and thought I would break under their torture, but I will never break...in fact, your coming may be of some help. The Roman city of Camulodunum lies nearby. You will go there and report to me the strength of the forces there.”
“And what if we don’t want to?” Shern’aath demands. But Altallo nudges him and indicates all the warriors around them.
“Somehow I don’t think we have much of a choice Shern’aath.”
“Your golden friend is right, you have no choice. Una and Luc here will be your guards. I’d advise you not to escape, they don’t play nice.”



Una and Luc turned out to be the names of the boar and deer who had captured them. With smug grins, they push the crew to a small simply furnished hut and stand watch from outside. The next morning, they were rudely awoken by Una and Luc and shoved roughly to another hut with chests full of clothes. They were told to pick disguises and make up new names and backstories for themselves.
After trying a few one and combining others, they eventually settled on their choices. Shern’aath was now dressed in a fine toga of wealthy Romans and was now called Shujatus. Kiya had found some rather nice jewellery but kept her usual Egyptian clothing and would pose as Shujatus’ guest, the Lady Kiya of Memphis. Altallo had found some elegant Greek robes, white and decorated with an orange and black band, while Asterion had adopted a simple chiton. Both would pretend to be Shujatus’ slaves: Altallo had taken the name of Alcander, a philosopher and thinker and Asterion would be his bodyguard.
Una and Luc looked them up and down.
“Well, I think they’ll just about do.” Luc says turning to Una. The boar shrugs nonchalantly.
They were then shunted unceremoniously through the forest again until the reach a road made of stone passing through it. Una points somewhat unneeded to a massive city not too far away. Camulodunum had been the first city built by the Romans in Britain and seemed to be a statement that the Romans were here to stay. Like the Iceni, they had built their city on a raised mound of Earth. But instead of a rough wooden wall there were no defensive walls. The buildings were mainly luxurious houses with white washed walls, red tiled roofs, atriums, courtyards and gardens. In the middle, large and impressive temples stood proud or were under construction, with beautiful colourful murals and graceful columns, similar to those of Ancient Greece. Outside the walls of the city were rolling fields, smaller homes of farmers and other villas of land owners. Kiya was impressed by the city and looked far excited in sampling the city’s sights rather than go back to the savage Iceni.


“Shouldn’t we make a break for it now?” Shern’aath whispers to Altallo.
“I wish it were that easy Shern’aath,” Altallo replies. “I have a feeling Boudicca has posted lookouts all around the city, to make sure we do our job. Look over there.”
Shern’aath turned to the clump of bushes Altallo had indicated. He smelled the Iceni warriors before he saw them; the familiar scent of woodsmoke. Sighing, the raptor was now regretting leaving the ship.


As they approached the city walls and the main gate, they were surprised by the very low number of guards. These men looked very intimidating, with steel helmets and armour across their bodies, swords in sheaths and each carried a large, bright red rectangular shield. They also carried a pair of javelins called pilum with a long thin point. However, when they saw Shern’aath dressed as a Roman they simply bobbed their heads courteously and smiled warmly. Inside, the four make their way through cobblestone streets, marvelling at the sights. There were beautifully made statues of famous Romans, standing tall and proud. Emperors, generals and heroes stared down at them through painted eyes. As they explored, they noticed that quite a large number of the people in this city were elderly or had rather peaceful occupations such as artists and cooks. The number of soldiers was almost minimal. They eventually drifted over to a tavern overlooking a garden and ordered some food and drink. As their waiter, a sparrow, delivers their orders, Shern’aath asks him about the city. The sparrow, always excited to tell visitors of their proud city, explained that it was once a military fortress but given how quickly the Romans had expanded, it had now become a home for retired soldiers and other professions took over. As the sparrow bounces away, Shern’aath, Asterion and Altallo ponder this new information, while Kiya helps herself to a cup of pink wine.


“Well, I think we should tell Boudicca that this is pack full of soldiers and she should look elsewhere,” Shern’aath says eventually. “That way we can hopefully get away from them.”
“You really think so?” Altallo asks. “I doubt Boudicca will let us off just like that. She’s bound to get more spies, find the truth and then what will happen to us?”
Shern’aath frowns at this.
“I hadn’t thought of that. What do you think?” he asks to Asterion and Kiya. Asterion rubs his chin and then points to Altallo, indicating he agrees with the alien. Kiya meanwhile was gorging herself on grapes.
“I say lets forget her and her silly little tribe,” Kiya replies sloppily eating a bunch of grapes. “These Romans are far more cultured and they’ve really improved the place don’t you think?”
Both Shern’aath and Altallo sight audibly.
“If Boudicca decides to charge in, we’d be caught in the rampage if we stay,” Altallo reminds her pointedly. “I doubt she’d show much mercy on spies who turn against her.”
Kiya almost chokes on a grape at this and seemed very eager to leave as soon as possible.

However it was a few hours before they left the city, after noting down the full strength of the garrison and any other details. Eventually they leave and at the edge of the woodland, they find Una and Luc waiting for them.
“Ah, our little spies finally return,” Una sneers at them, ignoring the fact that Asterion towered over her. “So what have you learned? Is there a whole legion just waiting for us to-”
“Old retired men and artists.” Shern’aath replies bluntly. Both boar’s and deer’s faces fall at these words.
“What?”
“Camulodunum is home to retired soldiers and artists, hardly a prime target or threat to Boudicca,” Altallo says. “Unless if she wants to be remembered as a monster then-”
“WE’RE NOT MONSTERS!” Una bellows at Altallo, while looming over him. Altallo was startled but tried not to show it on his face. After breathing deeply and having Luc pat her shoulder, Una regains her composure. “Our queen is sure to spare the town then. She wants revenge, but there’s no honour in killing the innocent.”
Una sits down on a nearby rock sighing. Luc pats her on the shoulder again and then glowers at the travellers. “As soon as Una has recovered, you’re coming with us. And don’t even think about running away because if you do.”
The stag notches an arrow to his bow and aims it squarely at Shern’aath’s heart. The raptor gulped and all four stood as still as statues.


Soon, they were lead back to the Iceni hill fort and in Boudicca’s throne room. Altallo had told her about everything they had seen in great detail, possibly a bit too much detail Kiya thought but she also knew that he was trying to emphasise how pointless attacking the city would be. Boudicca and her daughters sat in silence all the while until Altallo had finished speaking, then the queen rose up from her throne.
“Thank you for telling me this,” Boudicca says with a nod. She paces the chamber, her daughters close behind her. Then she turns and address her council members. “Tomorrow, we march on Camulodunum! We’ll burn the city to the ground and destroy anyone who dares to stand in our way!”
This proclamation was met with roars of approval. Kiya, Altallo and Asterion were horrified by this but Shern’aath’s attention was fully focused on Luc and Una. Both deer and boar were also stunned and looked at each other with dread in their eyes.