Licinia Sirona, Princess of the Votadini

Sirona is the daughter of the King of the Votadini, a kingdom allied with Rome. Her family married into the line of the famed Marcus Statius Priscus Licinius Italicus, governor of multiple provinces, including Britain. They enjoy a profitable relationship with Rome—or did until the usurper Carausius claimed Britain as his own. The Votadini walked a fine line, trying to be friendly to both the new "emperor" and the emperors in Rome.

In an attempt to stop petty infighting with the neighbouring peoples, King Anextiomarus, Sirona's father, planned to wed her to Morcant, the King of the Damnonii. At the wedding, however, Morcant and his people betrayed the Votadini. In the chaos, Anextiomarus was slain, along with many others. Sirona managed to escape, along with her wounded brother Belenus, but the eldest, Vindonnus, was taken captive.

Letters to Carausius went unanswered, and it seemed that he was uninterested in helping, or had other things on his mind. There were also rumours that he supported Morcant. With no other allies nearby, Sirona, protected by some of her father's men who had also escaped, set off for Ephesus, where distant relations had settled.