Ferox did not hide the druid’s attempt to win him over to their cause, and then he came to Galla and he talked at length about her message, while skimming over everything else. It was clear that Vindex’s imagination readily filled in the rest, no doubt in the most lurid way. Even Crispinus was jealous.

‘From all you tell me, by rights it should have been me greeting so fair and important a visitor.’

Ferox shrugged. ‘She could not speak your language, and you cannot speak hers.’

‘Curse my parents for neglecting my education so shamefully. Well, that is past remedy – at least for the moment. What matters is that she claims Tincommius wants peace. Do you believe her?’

Ferox weighed his answer. ‘Yes he does, because the stakes are too high for him to want to risk war with Rome. He wants recognition, friendship and help.’

Crispinus was pleased. ‘Not too high a price for removing the most powerful of our enemies, since you say that the Stallion and his followers are set on war.’

‘He is, and there are bound to be a good number who follow him. If he wins even a few little victories that number will grow rapidly.’

‘Then all the more reason for us to befriend Tincommius and tilt the balance more in our favour.’ The tribune frowned. ‘I do not understand your caution.’

‘We make Tincommius stronger, then in a few years he may not be so friendly.’

‘A few years is a long time, and not our problem,’ Crispinus declared. ‘I may be envious of your good fortune last night, but you should not doubt my satisfaction with your conduct, centurion.’

Later in the day, the wind dropped and the Romans took a stroll around the high king’s stronghold. People stared at them, but were generally friendly and obliging. Children, too young to remember the days when the Romans were here, followed them about, curious to see these strange creatures from the south. Ferox heard a little girl explaining to a younger brother that a Roman was made from stone fashioned to look like a man and that is why they were happy around stone and lived in high stone towers that reached up to the sky. He whispered an explanation to the tribune. The boy did not seem convinced, but was a bold lad and crept up behind Crispinus. Vindex nudged Ferox and they watched as the child took a big swing and kicked the tribune on the ankle. To his credit the aristocrat did not react, save to turn very slowly around as if his whole body were stiff. The boy scampered away howling in fear.