‘These Druids. In black, you say?’

‘Yes, sir.’

‘Any other distinctive features, or insignia?’

‘It was getting dark, sir.’

‘But there was a fire.’

‘I know, sir. I was watching it…’

‘All right.’ Vespasian could understand that, but it was disappointing that a veteran centurion could lose his attention to the important details so readily. He turned to Verica. ‘I’ve read about the Druids’ human sacrifices, but there must be more to this. A warning of the fate waiting for those who side with Rome, perhaps?’

‘Perhaps.’ Verica nodded. ‘Nearly every one of the Druid cults has gone over to Caratacus. And now, it seems, even the Lodge of the Dark Moon.’

‘The Dark Moon?’ Vespasian frowned for an instant, before the memory of the prisoner compound outside Camulodunum resolved into a vivid image in his mind. ‘These Druids bear a dark crescent on their foreheads, don’t they? A kind of tattoo. A black moon.’

‘You know of them?’ Verica’s eyebrows rose.

‘I’ve met some.’ Vespasian smiled. ‘Guests of General Plautius. We took them prisoner after Caratacus was defeated outside Camulodunum. Now I think of it, they were the only Druids we took prisoner. The others were all dead, mostly by their own hand.’

‘I’m not surprised. You Romans are not renowned for your tolerance of Druids.’

‘Depends on who is Emperor at the time,’ Vespasian responded irritably. ‘But if Druids prefer death to capture, why did the Dark Moon allow themselves to be taken?’

“They believe they are the chosen ones. They are not allowed to take their own lives. They’re the servants of Cruach — the night-bringer. In time, so the legend goes, he will rise and smite the day into a thousand pieces and will rule a world of night and shadow forever.’

‘Sounds nasty.’ Vespasian smiled. ‘Can’t say I care to meet this Cruach.’

‘His servants are terrible enough, as Albinus has discovered.’

‘Indeed. I wonder why the tribes of this island tolerate them.’

‘Fear,’ Verica admitted readily. ‘If Cruach ever comes, the suffering of those who worship him will be as nothing to the eternal torments of those who have abused his servants and made light of his name.’

‘I see. And where do you stand on this, sire?’

‘I believe what it is important for my people to think I believe. So I offer prayers to Cruach, along with the other gods, as often as I need to. But his priests, these Druids, are a different matter. As long as they raid my villages and slaughter my people I can portray them as extremists. Perverted fanatics worshipping the most terrible of our gods. I doubt if many of the Atrebates, or any other tribe, would shed any tears over the ruthless suppression of this particular lodge of Druids.’ He looked away from Vespasian, into the heart of the glowing fire. ‘I hope Rome will see to it as soon as possible.’