Eagle of Seneca: The Seneca Series, #2

By Corrina Lawson

In a North America where the Roman Empire survived until 900 A.D., the independent colony of Manhatos and the Lenape tribes struggle to survive…

Ceti, Manhatos' chief engineer, built a hang-glider to prove that man could fly. On his first test flight, he soars high but crash lands into a tree near a Lenape settlement.

Sky, heir to the Wolf Clan of the Lenape tribe, is fascinated by the man who literally falls at her feet. She views his arrival as a sign from the gods to forge a lasting peace between Manhatos and her people.

Ceti is instantly infatuated by the woman who understands his craving to fly. Sky comes to love the man who believes all things are possible.

The arrival of an Imperial fleet bent on reclaiming the breakaway Roman colony gives Ceti and Sky a common enemy. But can their love be enough to save their people?

Note: This is a revised and updated version of a novel originally published in 2012.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Corrina Lawson
• Release date: May 31, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386321316

Corrina Lawson

Corrina Lawson is an award-winning former newspaper reporter with a degree in journalism from Boston University. A mom of four, she now writes fiction in a variety of genres, from steampunk to superhero romance to alternate history. She's also written an award-winning erotic paranormal romance. She's currently a freelance journalist who has covered everything from movies to comics to television shows like Wynonna Earp and Snowpiercer and has been a panelist at conventions of all sizes, from Comic-Con in San Diego to her local con, Connecticon, in Hartford, Connecticut.

Book preview

Chapter 1

So many ships.

Masts as far as the eyes could see. Decks teaming with activity. From her perch on the hunting platform of the great oak, Sky of the Wolf Clan of the Lenape could view the entire Roman fleet that occupied the cove. Ships that carried soldiers, soldiers who might lay waste to their villages.

Sky hissed in a breath. This is worse than Nighhawk said.

Next to her, her mother, Lake Wolf, the leader of the Lenape Wolf clan, only narrowed her eyes. It is certain he did not underestimate the threat.

Those below called for them to come down and allow the other elders to see. Having observed enough, Sky and Lake Wolf climbed down as others took their place. With the platform only holding two at a time and the elders numbering five times that, it would likely take a half-day before everyone had a view of this threat.

Two sunsets ago, Nighthawk, the clan’s storyteller, had spotted the ships sailing into the crescent-shaped cove and raised the alarm among the Lenape, which included Lake Wolf and Sky, his wife and daughter.

They’ve dropped their anchors and furled their sails. They mean to stay a while, Sky said.

Yes. Lake Wolf’s terse answer told Sky how much this angered her mother.

During the half day’s walk to the cove, Sky had been lost in thought about how to handle this Roman fleet. Past battles had taught her tribe that the Romans had weapons they could not match. But neither did she want to run and hide from them. At some point, they must take a stand. The Lenape had lived for several generations in the shadow of the threat from the Roman colony on Mannahatta. And now, she guessed, this fleet meant full-out war.

Something must be done.

What do you know? Sky asked Quiet Dog, the leader of the Turkey clan’s warriors. He had assigned men to watch the fleet this morning.

The experienced warrior leaned on his spear with a sigh. They sent out an armed party at dawn but all they retrieved was fresh water from the river. If they plan to come ashore in force, they are taking their time. I’m torn between hoping for battle and wishing they would pull up their anchors, sail away, and solve our problem.

Years ago, Quiet Dog’s little brother had been stolen by Romans and was never seen again. He hated them. But his desire for revenge was muted by the worry for his clan.

They came to do something, not sail away, Sky said.

Quiet Wolf snorted. Likely. They are Romans. Where did they get these new ships? Did they build them in Mannahatta or Seneca?

Nighthawk said they came from over the ocean, not the direction of Mannahatta, or from upriver, where Seneca is. But it’s strange they’re here and not in the Roman port, Sky said.

Worrisome. Perhaps we should assault them in the middle of the night, burn their vessels, and kill as many as we can now, before they know they’re seen.

Sky pondered Quiet Dog’s suggestion. A sneak attack might be the best way. But some of her people would likely be killed in the assault. It fell to her, as her mother’s heir, to preserve their people, all of them.

They’re here in secrecy from the other Romans. Her father, Nighthawk, joined them. Reasons unknown. Though Romans are known to fight with each other.

A contentious people, Quiet Dog agreed.

Sky walked away to stare into the clear blue of today’s sky. A gorgeous day, perhaps the best since the winter’s frost had receded. Often, she stared at the sky in the hopes it would provide answers. On her birth day, a great fire had raced across the top of the world. The Wolf clan shaman had foreseen great things for the new babe, and named her She Who Was Burn Under Fire In the Sky.

Have the spirits sent you any signs, Sky? Nighthawk came up behind her.

Sky stared at the ground, avoiding her father’s gaze, frustrated that everyone believed she possessed answers when she had nothing to offer. She was destined for great things, so the shaman had said. But, so far, her life had been ordinary, her destiny unclear.

Lake Wolf’s voice carried from the discussion of the elders. Then it is decided to speak to these Romans?

No, Sky thought, and rejoined their discussion. Would we not be safer if they did not know we exist?

Lake Wolf frowned. They know the lands are inhabited. And I will always choose knowledge over ignorance, daughter, as should you.

Sky flushed to be so corrected by her mother in front of the others.

There’s no reason to belittle her, Lake Wolf, Nighthawk said. As it happens, I agree. Let’s leave the Romans alone and see what happens.

I want advice based on insights, not fear, from both of you.

It is right to fear the Romans. We’ve seen what they can do, Nighthawk said.

Once again, her father took her side against her mother. Her parents had fought all during her childhood, though Nighthawk’s travels as storyteller helped to mitigate their tension. Lately, they’d been fighting over her. Not a development that was comfortable for anyone, least of all Sky.

If we gain knowledge about the Romans, won’t they gain knowledge about us, Mother? Sky asked.

Her mother nodded, acknowledging the point. Yes, but we can see what they are. They will not see all we are.

The other elders nodded.

Fear is why we have gathered together. Fear is why we worry about the Romans, Lake Wolf said, eyeing her husband, but ignorance is not a plan. Hiding is not a plan either, as we know from dealing with the Romans on Mannahatta. It was only when the Turtle Clan living on the island parlayed with the Romans that they earned respect and the slaving stopped.

For now, Nighthawk said.

For now. Lake Wolf conceded the point.

There was more discussion, this time including Quiet Dog and the other clan warriors. Quiet Dog pushed his plan for a night assault.

Sky spoke against endangering their warriors with such a risky attack. Finally, Lake Wolf’s suggestion that Quiet Dog and Nighthawk camp on the beach, in full view of the Romans, and watch and wait to see what those on the ships would do was agreed on.

Be careful, Sky told her father once the elders began to make camp.

Her father shrugged. "You mother has never worried about my safety."

Gah. Would this resentment never end? Why agree to do it then?

Because I’m the storyteller. I must be at the first meeting with these Romans. Would you rather have a hot-tempered warrior do it? At least I can prevent Quiet Dog’s desire to act as if war has already been declared.

I could go instead. You’ve trained me in the rhythm of storytelling. It was time she did something.

You’re too important to the future of the clan. I’m expendable. Nighthawk stalked away, bitterness lacing his tongue.

He longed to do more than keep the tales of the clan. He longed to matter, Sky thought, and she understood because it’s what she wanted to do as well. But so long as her mother dismissed her ideas, Sky would never be able to lead.

A day passed while Quiet Dog and Nighthawk camped on the beach. The clan leaders remained hidden in the woods. More warriors arrived but Sky doubted they would be enough to fight all the Romans aboard all those ships. At night, Sky slept on the platform built on the great oak to keep watch over her father. The Romans could attack from a distance with their arrows or their metal cannons that spat iron. Her father wasn’t safe on the beach.

But as the sun’s rays crept over the trees the second morning, a small boat launched from one of the Roman ships. Sky counted six, no, seven men aboard. One wearing a tunic with a great eagle sigil who sat while the others rowed. The leader bore the sigil, she guessed. Romans valued eagles above all other birds. The five manning the oars wore Roman military uniforms like the soldiers in Mannahatta or stationed at Seneca, the smaller Roman colony upriver. It took her a moment to spot the last man, who was dressed in a loose-fitting brown tunic and standing in the shadow of the leader. Not a soldier, not a sailor. What purpose did he serve?

We need to protect my father and Quiet Dog, Sky said, watching the boat draw closer and closer to where Nighthawk and Quiet Dog awaited their arrival.

Lake Wolf shook her head. Wait. If the Romans wanted to kill them, they would have come in force. She pursed her lips. The lines around her eyes creased in worry. "I want to know how much of a threat they are."

The ships loaded with cannons already proved that they’re a horrible threat, Sky thought, and decided that was unhelpful. Her father knew the Roman language, having picked it up from some of the Turtle clan of Mannahatta, who traded food for goods. He was the best choice to greet these Romans, she conceded.

The boat scraped against the shore. The leader with the Eagle on his breast leapt from the vessel, his men after him. Sky drew in a breath. The leader was a head taller than his men, as large as one of the Viking warriors of Seneca. The Roman’s powerful shoulders, arms, and legs proclaimed his prowess in battle. At his side hung a sword in a long black scabbard, rather than the usual Roman gladius. His skin was the color of tree bark, the same as one of his soldiers, and Sky was reminded again that the Romans seemed to be made of many peoples. That’s because the Romans had conquered many lands and absorbed the tribes, according to Nighthawk.

Not a fate any of the Lenape wanted.

The Roman leader smiled at Nighthawk and Quiet Dog, showing a full row of white teeth through a neatly trimmed beard. Sky should be used to beards—she’d seen them on Romans before. But beards covered the face, making it easier to lie.

The leader’s belt was trimmed with a shiny, beautiful metal, and jewelry hanging from his ear winked in the sun. His face was carefully blank, no sign of worry, but the soldiers around him shifted uneasily, their hands on their swords. Their metal breastplates gleamed in the sun.

The small man in brown, who’d been hiding in his leader’s shadow, was the person who spoke to Nighthawk and Quiet Dog. A translator, perhaps? But these Romans were new arrivals to her world. They should not know her language. Yet, somehow, they did. That meant they knew they’d have to deal with the clans.

After speaking for some time with the translator, Nighthawk and Quiet Dog walked to the edge of the woods. That was the signal for the elders of Turkey, Wolf, and Turtle clans to come speak to the Romans. As a precaution, the warriors remained in the shadows of the woods.

The elders arranged themselves in a half-circle, regarding the Romans. Sky stood slightly behind and to the left of her mother, focused on the quiet man. Something about him, something of the way he put words together, struck her as wrong. Not with his manner of speaking but the tone underneath. Contempt perhaps? And if the translator hated them, there could be no peace.

I am Ahala Servilianus. The legate will speak, and I will translate for you.

Ahala. Odd name. His words were smooth but his eyes sized them up with a glance, almost dismissive. I do not like him, Sky thought. And she had learned to trust that instinct.

Speak then, Ahala, Lake Wolf ordered. Her father stood at her mother’s elbow. The Romans did not know he could understand him. Good. They might give something away while talking between themselves.

Legate is a Roman word for war leader, her father whispered to Sky.

The Roman war leader tapped his chest. Makki el-Andulasi. Makki had a deep voice, undisturbed by the tension of this meeting. He spoke in an unhurried manner but in short, quick words. Like the warrior he was, Sky thought. Oddly, she found herself respecting him. He carried himself as a leader. His voice held none of Ahala’s contempt.

"The legate thanks you for allowing this meeting. He would like to protect you," Ahala said.

From what? His ships are full of warriors that menace us, Lake Wolf said.

They can be your guardians, Ahala said.

Lake Wolf snorted. We don’t need guardians.

We need to know why you are here, Sky added.

For an odd reason, Ahala focused on her. Sky held his gaze. Let him know the Wolf Clan would not be intimidated.

After a pause, Ahala translated her question to Makki. The leader nodded. He spoke again, longer than before.

Makki is the personal representative of the Roman Emperor, Ahala translated. He has come because the Romans who live in Manhatos are in open rebellion against their emperor. He knows they have treated your people poorly. He wants to protect you from them.

Why would he do that? Lake Wolf asked.

Many local tribes have flourished under Roman protection, Ahala said, without translating to Makki.

Ah, so your protection does not mean protection at all. It means allowing the Romans to be in charge, Sky said.

Ahala grimaced. We did not come here for you. The legate is here to demand their obedience and to collect the taxes in Manhatos.

Taxes? Lake Wolf asked.

Wealth due to the Roman Emperor for their safety and protection, Ahala said.

Lake Wolf raised an eyebrow. You seem to wish to protect everyone.

All thrive under the glory of Rome, Ahala said.

A few in the elder circle laughed, including Quiet Dog. Sky kept her focus on Ahala and caught the quick flash of fury on his face.

You are hiding your fleet from your fellow Romans in Manhatos and Seneca because you plan to attack them, Sky said.

Not hiding. Resting from a perilous voyage across the ocean, Ahala said.

Makki stared at Lake Wolf. Then he shifted his gaze left, and his eyes met Sky’s, as Ahala had, making Sky wonder if the legate could speak their language but chose not to do so. Sky tensed, watching his ships for activity. Perhaps this was a trap. Ahala seemed clever enough and his words already dripped with deception.

We could kill you now, then we would not have to worry about your war, said Quiet Dog.

If the legate is harmed, our soldiers will attack and avenge him. Can you stand against us? I think not, else you would not have wanted to parley, Ahala replied

Enough. You brought warships. You intend to fight, Lake Wolf said.

Yes, if Sky was sure of anything, it was that Ahala wanted a fight.

Ahala frowned and translated what Lake Wolf said. Makki spoke to him. Ahala nodded.

We anticipate a battle to take control of Manhatos, yes. But once the legate has victory against his foes, Manhatos will be under his control, Ahala said. He can and will order the Roman colonists to remain only on Manhatos. They will not be allowed to threaten your farmlands or your forests. You would be able to live without fear of attack.

Trust a warrior who’d just won one battle to avoid a second one? Hah, Sky thought.

And what would the legate want in exchange for leaving us alone? Lake Wolf asked.

Nothing, Ahala said. We wish to live in peace with the Lenape.

Again, derisive laughter from Quiet Dog.

Makki spoke in a low tone to Ahala.

The legate only comes for Manhatos. He wishes to continue to anchor his fleet here in this cove. He would like his men to gather fresh water and food without being molested. And he would like no word of the fleet to be sent to Manhatos. If these things will be done, your villages will be safe from us.

Angry shouts greeted that announcement. That was what Makki truly wanted. Their cooperation in hiding from the other Romans.

We leave you alone and you promise not to kill us? Sky asked.

Just so, Ahala answered. Again, he caught her gaze. Again, Sky felt something personal about his attention.

Enough! Lake Wolf held up her hand. And how many soldiers will gather these supplies, Roman?

Only a few. But if we are attacked, many.

You want us to tolerate a fleet anchored close to the shore. You want us to keep that fleet secret from your enemies, Lake Wolf said. And you wish us to be grateful that you threaten, rather than simply kill us.

Sky knew that tone. Her mother used it when she was angry. She wondered if Makki and Ahala would notice the rage under the surface.

We wish you to pretend we are not here, Ahala answered.

Would that you were not, Sky said.

Lake Wolf looked around the circle of elders, obviously hoping to gain a silent consensus. For now, we will not attack you, unless you attack first. And you should be grateful that we do so. As for the rest, we will ponder it.

Makki frowned, sensing the distrust in Lake Wolf’s answer. He said something to Ahala.

The legate wishes to know if you will approach the Romans in Manhatos, Ahala said.

We have no dealings with what you call Manhatos, her mother said.

When that was translated, Makki, spoke more deliberately.

You equivocate. That is fine, Ahala said. But the legate says to take care not to equivocate too long, least you lose any advantage you have with us.

Lake Wolf and the others scowled. Makki gestured and his party clambered aboard their boat and pushed off. Ahala’s last warning and the contempt in it rang in Sky’s ears long after she could hear the oars of the boat.

The clan representatives retreated from the beach and gathered at a clearing that had long been used for meetings. Here, protected by the giant treetops, and screened from Roman sight, they could speak freely again.

Father, did Makki say anything interesting that Ahala did not translate? Sky asked.

He was impatient that his time was taken in dealing with us. He mentioned that he’d wished to ignore us but it seemed Ahala talked him into the meeting, Nighthawk said.

Makki would not be the first to listen to an advisor against his better judgement, Lake Wolf said and that, Sky knew, was directed at her father.

I did exactly as you asked, Nighthawk said.

This time, Lake Wolf said.

Used to the bickering, apparently, the other elders fell into conversation. Sky let the words wash over her while she pondered.

She hated Ahala for the way he looked at her. From the silent communication between Ahala and Makki, the legate disliked his translator. What was Ahala, then, that he could make this legate listen to him? Also, if Makki had wanted to ignore them, that meant he felt there would be little danger of her people warning the Romans of Manhatos.

Which meant this could be exactly what they should do.

Her mother had taken command of the discussion again. What these Romans need is a safe place to hide his ships from the Romans on Mannahatta. Given what Nighthawk heard from Makki, they would like to ignore us as much as we’d like to ignore them.

"But that is what he wants, Sky protested. They won’t stay peaceful forever. Ahala went to the trouble to learn our language. They know more of us that they showed in that one meeting."

That, I also find troubling, Quiet Dog agreed. They will attack, it’s only a matter of time. We should attack at night, as I said.

We have too few warriors gathered to fight them, Lake Wolf said.

We can get more. We need to send out messages to all the clan villages and ask them to prepare for war.

Let Romans kills Romans for now, Lake Wolf said.

I cannot disagree with that, Nighthawk said.

It is about time you pair agreed on something, Sky said, earning that look from both her parents. Fine, they were already angry. She would not remain silent. Won’t Makki be more powerful after a victory? We cannot just give into what they want.

"It what we want that matters, daughter. We want to avoid war. Or have you forgotten how the Mahicans were nearly destroyed in their struggle for Seneca?"

The others stated agreement with her mother. Their disapproval pressed in on her.

Let it go, Sky, her father whispered in her ear.

She shook him off. Makki wishes his fleet to remain a secret. That’s exactly why we should tell the other Romans.

Lake Wolf nearly hissed at her. "We do not ally with Romans. We wish to be rid of them."

The wolf at the door is more familiar than the new pack who arrives with ill intentions. We tamed the wolf at the door once and now we have dogs who aid us.

Some of the elders smiled at her analogy.

We tried to welcome the new arrivals once before, daughter, with the Vikings. We allowed them to become part of us. They married into our clan. But the gods showed disapproval when the sickness came to their village, Lake Wolf said.

And after the Wolf clan banished the Vikings, they sailed upriver, allied with the Romans, and helped to save Seneca from a Mahican attack. I know my stories, mother. This one does not support your point.

Romans stole my little brother, Quiet Dog said into the din that followed Sky’s answer.

I remember. But that was before the truce, before their new leader was appointed. Sky set her hand on the warrior’s shoulder. He carried his grief with him, always. We know what these Romans here can do. We know their limits. We may not have seen what Makki el-Andulasi can do.

Which is why we should avoid angering him, Nighthawk said.

Sky shrugged. Angry or not, he’s a problem we have to solve, and we can’t do it alone. We must speak to the wolf at the door. Let them take the first blow, yes, but perhaps together we can defeat this fleet.

Hmm…and after both are depleted and dispirited, destroy them? That is the tactic the Mahicans used in Seneca. They allied with the Vikings against the Romans, then turned on the Vikings. Nearly had the victory too, if the Vikings hadn’t turned to the Romans in turn. Quiet Dog rubbed his chin.

We can’t decide in one afternoon to suddenly trust the Romans in Manhatos. Lake Wolf said. With your permission, elders, this is what we should do. Gather our warriors, prepare for the worst. Sky, you will take your father to the Turtle clan village on Mannahatta, north of the Roman settlement. They have had dealings with the Romans already. If anyone knows whether the wolf at the door can be trusted, it’s them.

You accept my idea? Sky said. Her mother had listened to her, for once!

I accept it must be explored. I won’t have us bickering and divided, not among our family, and not among our clan. She paused. The Mahicans fought among themselves when Roman first founded Seneca. By the time they banded together, it was too late. We must be united at this newest threat or we will lose everything.

The last words were directed at Nighthawk. Sky suspected he was being sent away by Lake Wolf as much as being sent to help his daughter.

The elders, each in term, stated their agreement, said farewell, and departed to their villages to prepare for war. Only Sky, Nighthawk, Lake Wolf, Quiet Dog, and his handful of warriors remained. Sky spoke to Quiet Dog for a time, hoping to judge his mood about her idea. He’d been the happiest of friends, once, known then as Laughing Wolf. But the laughter had vanished along with his little brother. Sky knew Quiet Dog sometimes hunted lone Romans who dared cross from Mannahatta. But that did not seem to assuage his grief.

What if I could promise that what happened to your brother would never happen again? Would you accept an alliance with Manhatos then?

You cannot promise that, Sky. We both know that.

Sky sighed as Quiet Dog trudged to the platform to do his duty.

Daughter?

Sky turned to face her mother. No, her clan leader. Yes?

"You are She Who Was Born Under Fire in the Sky. The prophecies from that night say you are linked to both fire and air. Those are warlike elements. Perhaps your destiny is about to arrive as war surely