‘Where is he?’

The Temple of Albanus was empty. Not a single soul was left alive. There were plenty of dead bodies strewn about the shrine, but no-one still breathed apart, that is, from the men - and women – who had fought their way on Aureliana’s behalf into the holy place of Albion. Many had marvelled at what they saw inside the building: the high ceiling, the ornate decorations, the rich and varied statues all around the outer walls and the massive pillars that held the structure in place. Above all, the huge effigy of Albanus himself at the far end of the basilica made the invading army stop in its tracks and look up at the holy martyr’s face. The glowing eyes stared down as if to admonish those who sought to defile this holy place. Smoke spewed forth from Alban’s...

Please subscribe to keep reading.