Revenge

A strong theme that emerges in “The Lantern Bearers” is one of revenge. It is a theme that appears throughout the story and in a number of different storylines in this British-Saxon tale of adventure, intrigue and warfare. Aquila, the protagonist, is a Roman soldier whose post is in the British Isles. He lives with his father, Flavian, and his younger sister, Flavia, on a large farmstead on the coast of Britain. The family is attacked by Saxons one evening leaving Flavian dead, the farm destroyed, Flavia kidnapped and Aquila filled with a burning desire for revenge that cannot be sated until there is a large increase in Saxon body count. Everything had been taken from Aquila and he has a single-minded goal of avenging his losses.

Ambrosius is the true King of Britain but his rightful place on the throne has been stripped from him...