‘Then why are you here? Why has Prasutagus accepted the invitation to the gathering of the tribes?’

‘Invitation?’ Boudica let out a bitter laugh. ‘A summons is more the term I would use. As a master summons his slave, or his lapdog. We are here because the cost of not being here would earn the Iceni the further displeasure of your governor. I would imagine it is the same for the other tribes who are fortunate enough to be allies of Rome.’

‘He seeks peace,’ Cato insisted. ‘Ostorius wants to put an end to the conflict in this province.’

She rounded on him with a glare. ‘Don’t you understand? I’ve just told you what peace means to those tribes already under the Roman yoke. And if that is, by some perversion of the meaning of the word, peace, then tell me, Cato, would you welcome it, if you were a native of this island?’

CHAPTER EIGHT

As dusk gathered at the end of the third day’s ride, the small company of Romans and Iceni left the road to Durocornovium and approached the outpost at Cunetio, some five miles from the sacred rings, where the gathering of the tribes was to take place. The small garrison comprised a half century of Gauls under the command of an optio who made his meagre quarters available for the governor while the rest of his men were ordered out of their barrack blocks to make way for the other visitors. The soldiers would be obliged to spend the night in the storerooms, or in the open. The optio had been briefed about the gathering and told to remain in the outpost and avoid any contact with any passing natives. Ostorius was leaving little to chance in his pursuit of an alternative to yet another season of bitter campaigning.

‘We’ve done as ordered, sir,’ the optio confirmed. ‘The men haven’t been out of the gates for the last five days.’

‘Good. Have you seen any of the tribal delegations passing by?’

‘Yes, sir. Plenty of ’em. And some of them as might be Druids.’

‘You can tell?’ Macro queried.

The optio thought briefly and nodded. ‘The tribesmen wore bright colours. The others were in plain cloaks. Not many of ’em, mind. But they looked different, and kept themselves apart from anyone else on the road.’

Macro turned to Cato. ‘Druids? Can’t say I’m pleased at the prospect of another run-in with their kind.’

Ostorius rounded on them. ‘There will be no run-in with the Druids, or anyone else. Is that clear? All who attend have been given free passage to and from the rings at Avibarius for a period of ten days. I’ll have the head of anyone who causes any trouble for the duration of the truce.’

‘Yes, sir.’ Macro bowed his head in acknowledgement. ‘But what if the other side doesn’t abide by the arrangement? What are the rules of engagement?’

‘None of our weapons are to be drawn except in self-defence, and only then if they draw theirs first,’ Ostorius said firmly, staring round at all his officers. The Iceni had already occupied the barracks allotted to them and only a handful stood outside, looking on in silence as the governor addressed his men. ‘If it should become necessary for us to fight then you will await my order before acting. The gods help any man who fails to obey my orders on this.’