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A week later,a rider came from Mydils, breathless and wide-eyed as he reported on the Roman ship that had arrived in port carrying General Aulus Plautius, his attendants, and a large party of armed Roman soldiers.

The general had been greeted at Mydils by Chieftain Brennan, who was escorting the man from the port to Rigodonum.

Despite Corva’s and Conall’s suggestion that I greet the Roman general with my entire army amassed, I did no such thing. I did not call in my banners. I did not assemble mytroops. I did nothing but select my most fetching dark blue gown trimmed with stones that shone like stars, affixed my hair beautifully, and had my kitchens prepare a sumptuous meal for my guests.

And I banned Fabius to the kitchens and out of sight, at least until his beard grew out.

For how many years had I played fidchell against Verbia?

I learned that there was no benefit to showing your strategy all at once.

The sound of a horn indicated that the Roman general and his men had finally arrived at the gates of the lower fort. Sitting in the great hall, I listened as horn upon horn sounded, indicating the general’s path northward through the city.

“Are you sure you do not wish to meet him in the courtyard?” Corva asked me for the hundredth time.

I shook my head. “No. Let him come to me.”

I listened to the voices outside. My guards stood straighter and made ready.

Finally, the great hall doors swung open, revealing a metal-bedecked man wearing a red cape, his helmet tucked under his arm.

Bellnorix, be with me.

I rolled my shoulders back and smiled placidly as the hulking man with shaggy brown hair was led into the room.

“General Aulus Plautius,” the footman called.

The general looked me over, a somewhat surprised reaction on his face, then set his hand on his stomach and bowed to me.

“Queen Cartimandua,” he said. “Thank you for your invitation.”

“You are welcome in Rigodonum, General Plautius.”

He smirked. “I believe that is the first genuine welcome I have received since landing here.”

“That tends to happen when one shows up with twenty thousand unexpected guests.”

“That is a very accurate number.”

“I am very adept at mathematics.”

At that, I held the general’s gaze and was pleased to see him chuckle.

The general turned to the man beside him. “My secretary, Narcissus,” he said, gesturing to the dark-skinned man. “Marcus Celerus, Legate, and Titus Carassius, a…friend of our emperor.”

“Priestess Corva,” I said, introducing her. “And Conall, chief of my household guard,” I added, motioning to him.

The general’s gaze shifted to the empty seat beside me. “I must offer my condolences for your recent loss, Queen Cartimandua. Your king consort, Cormag of the Votadini, recently passed.”

“That is correct.”

He nodded in sympathy. “I understand that it was the lead conspirator in the uprising that resulted in your husband’s death who met me at the gate—at least, what is left of her.”

“Like a strawman in a field, General.”

General Plautius held my gaze and then smiled. “Indeed.”

“Will you have some food and wine?” I asked, gesturing to the table. “You and your men have traveled far. Come, rest, and tell me about your journey across Ocean.”