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Synopsis
My new story is set first in ancient Rome, then in Britain in AD 43, when the Emperor Claudius mounted his invasion and defeated the rebel chief Caratacus at the Battle of the Medway in SE England. Claudius brought war elephants across the English Channel into Colchester, site of the rebel stronghold, a fascinating idea that gave me my starting point.
At the beginning of the story, Aoife, daughter of a high-ranking Druid and counsellor to Caratacus, is a slave in ancient Rome. When her master is killed, she escapes with her brother Madoc, and comes to the attention of the Emperor. Aoife has the ability to heal and communicate with animals, so finds herself employed as a keeper to one of the wildest of the Emperor’s beasts, an elephant that he plans to take to Britain, part of his menagerie, with which he will intimidate and impress the defeated natives.
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