Today we feature
DEREK BIRKS
| The Saxon by Derek Birks |
Southern Britain, the frontier between the Belgae and the Atrebates AD 471
When escape means more than just running for your life...
trailer/animation by Jean Gill (A.I. generated)
cover graphics by www.avalongraphics.org
(some stories have an adult content others a 'you will need tissues' warning)
Fifteen short stories about Courage
featuring authors:
The Sentry - Noricum AD 395
The Saxon - Southern Britain AD 471
The Phoenix - a fictional country circa AD 900
Siflede - London 1066
Daisy Chain - England 1141
Stepping Between - England 1308
Confronting Plague - England 1361
Kate’s Letter - Transylvania 1478
The Portrait’s Secret - Paris 1536
Legacy - England 1558
Darkness Rising - Venezia 1923
A Taleteller’s Tale - The Caribbean 1709
The Gate - London 1900
A Sack of Potatoes - The Netherlands 1954
Grumpy Old Grandfather – Anywhere, Present-day
and an introduction by
 |
| About Derek's story |
The Saxon
When I agreed to write a short story for the Courage anthology, I had a couple of ideas in mind.
At the time, I was writing a new book to continue my Last of the Romans series, set in fifth century Britain. In that book, there are several new characters, and I thought that two of them might benefit from a little more ‘exposure.’ So, my story, though entitled The Saxon, features a pair of young Britons called Medoc and Cara.
The story takes place in post-Roman Britain, around 471 AD, and by that time, the land has fragmented, to some extent, along pre-Roman tribal boundaries. By then, Saxons mercenaries had been in Britain for a long time, certainly for many decades. The story is set in the southern part of Britain, in the lands of two neighbouring British tribes, the Belgae and the Atrebates.
When devising the character of the Saxon himself, I envisaged a grumpy and battered old warrior, who is tired of life, until he encounters the two young British strays. The story essentially turns upon the interaction of this grizzled old reprobate, with two people for whom life has scarcely begun.
While the Saxon believes he has no future, the young people, trapped in their dangerous present, can only focus upon what their future might offer them.
Each of these characters, in their own different ways, will need to display a great deal of courage if they are to survive.
 |
| read a snippet from The Saxon by Derek Birks |
Southern Britain, the frontier between the Belgae and the Atrebates AD 471
When escape means more than just running for your life
Nothing warmed young Medoc more than the smile of a pretty girl, but he didn't expect to find one deep in the forest in the middle of the night.
He was the youngest Belgae forester to be accorded the honour of night watch, and for the first few evenings, he'd watched with hawk eyes for any hint of an incursion by their northern neighbours, the Atrebates. But after six nights of unrelenting rain, the privilege of his post was wearing thin.
Though his final night on watch was dry, the ground was still damp, and the branches dripping. Yet in the nocturnal woodland, he found a certain peace, with the gentle, familiar sounds of scratching rodents, hooting owls, and the occasional grunt of a foraging boar. But so far, no unwelcome intruders, man or beast.
About Derek
Derek writes character-driven, action-packed fiction. His debut historical novel, Feud, is the first of a series of eight books and one novella, entitled The Wars of the Roses. which follows the fortunes of the fictional Elder family.
He has also written the Amazon bestselling series, The Last of The Romans, which focuses on the real fifth century Romano-British character of Ambrosius Aurelianus.
His first non-fiction book is: A Guide to the Wars of the Roses. Under the pen name Tom Hadley, he has also written the Liv Fisher modern thriller series, which begins with Eyes Like Blades.
Derek has written and produced over 40 podcasts on the Wars of the Roses, and now co-hosts the podcast series, A Slice of Medieval, with historian, Sharon Bennett Connolly.
Website: https://derekbirks.com/
Amazon author page:
Try one of Derek's books...
(available via Kindle Unlimited)
 |
publication date: 17th June 2026 e-book pre-order |
.jpg)
You might also like books written by
Helen Hollick
cosy mystery series
nautical supernatural adventure
historical fiction:
King Arthur / 1066 era
non-fiction:
Ghost Encounters
Pirates /smugglers
Say thank you...
leave a comment on Amazon or Goodreads etc
I love discovering how stories begin, especially stories like The Saxon. As I read, I found myself not only immersed in an unfamiliar world but also drawn into one that raises questions demanding answers. A compelling read.
ReplyDeleteI agree - and this is where and why short stories can be such a springboard to new adventures and reading pleasures!
DeleteThanks, Patricia.
DeleteGreat adventure story, with some heart-thumping moments, and I loved finding out more about a period in Britain I know little about. Made me think about what 'tribes' and 'tribal' mean - still relevant today!
ReplyDeleteGood point about 'tribes' Jean!
DeleteYes, post-Roman Britain was an inherently tribal lanscape.
DeleteThose very human emotions of hope, fear, and longing connect us through the centuries. Derek's characters are wonderfully familiar in an unknown world. I especially liked the play on aging and youth, and how courage surpasses boundaries.
ReplyDeleteOf course, I want to know what happened next... :-)
DeleteWriting an ageing Saxon warrior was great fun.
DeleteA fascinating period to read (and write) about.
ReplyDeleteThe 'Dark Ages' is a gift for writers because there is so little definite fact - leaves everything wide open for imagination!
DeleteI especially liked the tension when Medoc has to decide to go back and help 'the Saxon' or continue on with Cara.
ReplyDeleteMedoc is a young man I wouldn't mind meeting again in a novel! (The Saxon too, come to that. He must have a really interesting past!)
DeleteI think you can be confident sales for the next book will be great!
ReplyDeleteAgreed!
Delete