James Mace - Isle of Mist: A Tale of Ireland and Rome

Isle of Mist

A Tale of Ireland and Rome

Prelude to the Artorian Dynasty

James Mace

Electronic Edition Copyright 2020 by James Mace

All rights reserved as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior permission of the publisher.

Characters and events portrayed in this book are based on actual persons and events but are used fictitiously.

Legionary Books

Meridian, Idaho 83642, USA

http://www.legionarybooks.net

First eBook Edition: 2020

Published in the United States of America

Legionary Books

Evil deeds return to the Evil doer.

- Ancient Irish aphorism

The Works of James Mace

Note: In each series or combination of series, all works are listed in chronological sequence

The Artorian Chronicles

Soldier of Rome: The Legionary

Soldier of Rome: The Sacrovir Revolt

Soldier of Rome: Heir to Rebellion

Soldier of Rome: The Centurion

*Empire Betrayed: The Fall of Sejanus

Soldier of Rome: Journey to Judea

Soldier of Rome: The Last Campaign

*Centurion Valens and the Empress of Death

*Slaves of Fear: A Land Unconquered

The Great Jewish Revolt and Year of the Four Emperors

Soldier of Rome: Rebellion in Judea

Soldier of Rome: Vespasians Fury

Soldier of Rome: Reign of the Tyrants

Soldier of Rome: Rise of the Flavians

Soldier of Rome: The Fall of Jerusalem

*Die by the Blade

The Artorian Dynasty

*Isle of Mist: A Tale of Ireland and Rome

Soldier of Rome: Empire of the North

Napoleonic Era

Forlorn Hope: The Storming of Badajoz

I Stood with Wellington

Courage, Marshal Ney

The Anglo-Zulu War

Brutal Valour: The Tragedy of Isandlwana

Crucible of Honour: The Battle of Rorkes Drift

Lost Souls: The Forgotten Heroes of Eshowe

Cruelty of Fate: The Fight for Khambula

Tears of the Dead: Requiem of the Zulu Kingdom

* Stand-alone novel or novella

Preface

O n the mist shrouded Isle of Hibernia, now known as Ireland, twenty-six years have passed since the murder of the high king, Fiacha Finnolach. The usurper Elim of Ulsters promises of peace and prosperity have come to naught, as drought and famine afflict the land. There are mutterings that Morrigan, Goddess of Fate, has punished the four Kingdoms of Hibernia for betraying their rightful sovereign.

Across the Irish Sea, the Roman Governor of Britannia, Julius Agricola, is met with an intriguing proposition. Fiachas son, Tuathal Techtmar, born when his pregnant mother fled into exile, has grown to manhood. He seeks the aid of Rome in avenging his father and becoming High King of Hibernia. Agricola sees the potential for trade across the sea, as well as securing an ally for Rome. With Emperor Titus prohibiting the use of imperial legionaries for this venture, Agricola selects an auxilia regiment, the Second Gallorum, to lead the expedition. Tuathals uncle, Lord Conn of the Novantae, in the western Britannia midlands, pledges to aid him in his cause.

The journey across the Irish Sea takes them into the unknown, as none within Agricolas force has ever set foot in Hibernia, not even Tuathal Techtmar, the high king in waiting.

Cast of Characters

R omans:

Titus Caesar Vespasianus Emperor of Rome

Julius Agricola Governor of Britannia, a highly experienced military officer and administrator

Decimus Junius Juvenal A young administrator and poet, assigned to Agricolas staff

Valerius Gratus Commanding Officer of the Second Gallorum Regiment

Hibernians:

Tuathal Techtmar Son of the late High King Fiacha Finnolach and Queen Eithne. Born and raised in Britannia after his pregnant mother was forced to flee, he enlists the aid of Agricola and the Romans to restore his familys dynasty as High Kings of Hibernia

Eithne Former High Queen of Hibernia and mother of Tuathal. She is also the daughter of the late king of the Novantae tribe in Caledonia.

Conn Brother of Eithne and a renowned chieftain within the Novantae

Cassan Former captain of the High Kings Guard and loyal friend to Queen Eithne

Elim mac Conrach King of Ulster who led the Subject Peoples Uprising and overthrew High King Finnolach.

Sanb King of Connacht

Foirbre King of Munster

Ainchenn King of Leinster

Eochaid mac Ainchenn Son of Ainchenn and heir of Leinster

Fiacha Cassan Friend of Tuathal and eldest son of Cassan of the Old Kings Guard. He is leader of resistance against the usurper, King Elim

Findmall Younger brother of Fiacha Cassan

Cathal Ulster warrior, chief adviser to High King Elim

Chapter I: Slayer of Kings