I stood and swore, cursing my bad luck. Alicia, on the other hand, moved like greased lightning. She leaped into the stream, grabbed the sword and threw it to me, and I snatched it out of the air just in time to run the first Roman through his neck, he pretty much ran onto my sword. As I engaged more Romans, I was aware that Alicia had got hold of the first Roman’s sword, and was putting it to good use beside me. She’d killed another one while I was still fencing.
We had two advantages. The first was that the Romans had never fought a beautiful, naked, sword-wielding woman before, and didn’t really know what to make of her. That uncertainty was already proving fatal for them.
The second was that they had evidently been given strict instructions to take us alive, and that was hampering them somewhat.
They did have one tiny little thing going for them, however. They outnumbered us by at least twenty to one. And so things got rather exciting. It quickly became clear that our only chance of avoiding capture was to be killed. And I was determined not to do so before Alicia lay safely dead.
But Alicia was resolutely refusing to die. And, even though about five Romans lay dead or dying, we were quickly being surrounded.
I was far too busy to kill her myself. Things were not looking good.
I felt something whistle past my ear, and one of the Romans I was fighting fell dead, with an arrow through his right eye. Which was odd, given that we had no arrows.
The other Romans turned tail and fled, hotly pursued by about fifty shrieking warriors, and Alicia and I stood, panting for breath, and more than slightly bewildered.
“Well,” I panted. “Now I know how you felt this morning. I thought we’d had it there!”
She didn’t reply, but just stood looking gorgeous. She’d got a small cut on her right shoulder, apart from that she was unharmed.
“Well fought!” I added. She smiled and nodded. “Thank you!”
I took her in my arms and kissed her. Ye gods! This woman had captured my heart like none before her! I simply could not imagine living without her! She melted into me, and I felt myself becoming aroused again.
“Ahem!” said a slightly embarrassed voice behind me. I turned and looked at a tall, warpainted individual, who looked both very scary and rather important.
“Hello!” I said. “I’m Scaevola, and this is Alicia.”
“Delighted to meet you. I am Chief Jollyrei of the Leuni.”
I bowed to him, conscious that we were still naked, and that I now had a full blown erection, thanks to Alicia. “Do I have you to thank for saving our lives?”
“The Romans obviously don’t like you. Therefore, you must be our friend! Please! Come back to our village and eat! Stay the night!”
I decided that Jollyrei was a very nice chap. I figured that the Romans probably wouldn’t be back today, so as long as Alicia and I got moving first thing tomorrow, we should be OK. And food and a good night’s sleep would help, assuming that Alicia would allow me to sleep. I accepted with gratitude.
“But we’ll have to get moving tomorrow at first light, or we’ll bring half the Roman army down on you!”
“Doubt it. These woods are unlucky for the Romans!”
“So I see. Well maybe, but we could be unlucky for you. Um, do you mind if we put some clothes on?”
He looked at Alicia slightly wistfully, but nevertheless said, “Please, go ahead!”
We dressed quickly, and accompanied him to the village, which consisted of a good number of huts gathered within a pallisade fence. There was a rich smell of cooking, and women worked while children played. It seemed as though Jollyrei and his people lived a perfect rural life, the only problem being the Romans from the nearby city.
“How many people live here, Jollyrei?” asked Alicia.
“About 200, all told. I field about fifty fighting men.”
“I do hope there aren’t…. repercussions for your help today?” I wondered.
“Doubt it. We’ve been skirmishing with those buggers for years. They know they’re not welcome here.”
His troops gradually returned, having chased the Romans clean out of the forest. One, tall and lean, and the only one mounted, seemed to be in charge, answering only to Jollyrei. When she saw him as he dismounted, Alicia startled me.
“Bobinder!” She sprinted over to him and threw herself into his arms. I felt a pang of jealousy.
They hugged and kissed, evidently they’d known each other for years.
“Scaevola!” She called me over. “Come and meet Bobinder!”
I went over and greeted him.
“You’re her lover.” It was a statement of fact.
“We’ve had a very short but intense relationship.” I admitted.
“If you harm her,” he drew his sword part way out of its sheath, “I will kill you.”
“It is my life’s work, from now on, to protect her,” I assured him. “The Romans, unfortunately, have other plans. May I ask, what is she to you? You are clearly very fond of her.”
Alicia laughed. I realised, with a shock, that was the first time I’d ever heard her laugh. I rather liked it.
“Bobinder is my big brother!” she chortled. “No need for fisticuffs! Unless you mistreat me!” she winked. “We grew up in the city, as slaves. He got away, where I didn’t, and came to join Jollyrei. I haven’t seen him for nearly ten years!”
“I tried to find you…” he began.
“My master barely let me out of his sight. He used me as a sex toy.”
Bobinder looked furious. I can look after myself, but I eyed Bobinder with respect. I didn’t fancy my chances if I pissed him off. “Where is he? I will kill him!”
“You can’t,” I said. “Alicia already did. That’s why the Romans are after her.”
Bobinder digested this information, then picked Alicia up and swung her round and round. She giggled with delight, as did Bobinder. “That’s my girl!” he laughed.
So it was that we all relaxed, and we settled down to enjoy their hospitality. Jollyrei was an excellent host, and we spent the evening drinking and feasting, celebrating having given the Romans a bloody good hiding. When they heard how I’d single handedly rescued Alicia, I got some respect, but most of them had eyes only for Alicia. I kept her close by my side, though none of them had any more wish to fall foul of Bobinder than I had.
Eventually, we settled down for sleep. And, yes, before you ask, Alicia and I made love again, after which we fell into a deep, untroubled sleep in each other’s arms.
I awoke with a start. Bobinder was shaking me. It was barely dawn. “We’ve got trouble!”
I jumped out of bed, as did Alicia, and we threw our clothes on. “What’s up?” I asked.
“Romans!” He replied. “Hundreds and hundreds of them!”
To be continued
Oh, right, the Leuni. 
Bobinder! I am very, very cross!! Where is my sword?
