“And your mother, I think,” Alera said. “Whatever Sextus may have thought of her personally, he knew that Septimus loved her. It carried weight with him.”

Tavi sighed and closed his eyes. “I wish I’d known him better. I wish he were here now.”

“As do I,” Alera said quietly. “I’ve taught you all that I can in a limited time—and you’ve been an able pupil. But...”

“But I’m not ready for this,” Tavi said.

Alera said nothing for a long moment. Then she said, “I think he would be proud of what you have done. I think he would have been proud of you.”

Tavi closed his eyes quickly against a sudden irritating heat that flowed into them.

“You should rest, young Gaius. Regain your strength.” Alera walked close and touched his shoulder lightly with one hand. “You will need it all in the days to come.”

CHAPTER 31

CHAPTER 30

Amara eyed the Knight standing guard outside the Princeps’ command tent, and said, “I don’t understand why you can’t at least go in and ask.”

The young man stared coldly over Amara’s head at the Marat clan-head, and said, “No barbarians.”

Amara fought down her irritation and remained expressionless, neutral. Doroga, for his part, returned the young man’s stare steadily, leaning one elbow on the head of his cudgel. The massively muscled Marat showed no reaction at all to the half dozen very interested legionares commanded by the young Knight. He exuded a sense of patient confidence and let Amara do the talking—thank goodness.

“Was that your specific order, Sir...”

“Ceregus,” the young Knight spat.

“Sir Ceregus,” Amara said politely. “I must inquire if you are acting on a specific order from your lawful superiors.”

The young Knight smiled woodenly. “If you recall what happened to the last Princeps who came into the presence of the barbarians in this valley, Countess, you’ll find all the reason you need.”

Doroga grunted. “Gave him a ride on a gargant and saved him and his people from being eaten by the Herdbane. Then your First Lord, old Sextus, gave me this shirt.” Doroga plucked at the fine but worn old Aleran tunic, with its radical alterations to fit his frame.

Ceregus narrowed his eyes and began to speak.

“The good clan-head forgets to mention the retreat from Riva,” Amara cut in, interrupting the young Knight. “At which time, Doroga and the other members of his clan saved the lives of tens of thousands of fleeing civilians and prevented a division of forces, which might have killed hundreds or thousands of legionares.”

“You dare to suggest that the Legions—” the young Knight began.

“I suggest, Sir Ceregus, that you are going to be sorely disappointed in your officers’ reactions to your decision, and I advise you to seek their advice before you find yourself in an unpleasant situation.”