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“But you did not ride south. That tells me you want something. What is it, Cartimandua, that you want from Rome?” Legate Celerus asked.

“QueenCartimandua,” I replied, then looked at Aulus. “Is his mouth always so free?”

“Marcus is a soldier at heart. You must forgive his brashness,” Aulus replied, giving the legate a silencing look.

I rose and then gestured for Aulus Plautius to come with me. He waved for his men to remain where they were. I did the same with Corva, who frowned at me.

“That woman… Is she one of your druids?” Aulus asked.

“You will find no druids in Brigantes territory, General.”

“Meddling sort, aren’t they?”

“They have their own ways. I prefer to make my own choices.”

“No doubt you do.”

We left the great hall, adjourning to one of the small meeting chambers where we were seated.

“It seems you know quite a bit about me, Queen Cartimandua,” Aulus said then looked about the room. “I learned a peculiar story about your family. The tale featured an uncle, a mother, a very compelling skit performed in your hall, and a blood stain on the floor that will not wash away.”

“Is that so?” I asked with a grin. It was not the first time I’d heard the folktale that my mother’s blood forever stained the floors of Rigodonum, a symbol of her guilt. “Perhaps it’s just wine and poor housekeeping.”

Aulus chuckled, then leaned forward and said, “Queen Cartimandua, very soon, Emperor Claudius will arrive in Britannia. When he does, he will summon the kings and queens of this island to meet him and pledge allegiance. As thanks for staying their hands from the conflict, the emperor has authorized me to gift you thirty thousand gold pieces.”

I stared at the general.

“As thanks, of course, for your support of King Verica and Aedd Mawr’s heirs, and to show Rome’s friendship.”

I did not respond.

“Fifty thousand?”

At that, I could not help but laugh. “General, even if you spin that noose from gold and stud it with diamonds, I will not stick my neck within. Were the others stupid enough to agree?”

At that, General Plautius laughed.

“Of course, King Ruith was. How much did you take him for?”

“Ten.”

“Probably could have gotten him for five.”

“I should have asked you before I made the offer. In fairness, you have left him destitute and desperate.”

“True.”

Aulus nodded slowly. “Very well. Come south, Queen Cartimandua, of your own free will. Meet our emperor. When you do, he will know who and what you are.”

“And what am I, exactly, General?”

“You are the stone wall blocking Rome to the north.”

“There, you are mistaken.”

“Am I?”

“I am the stone wallholding backthe north. Behind me, General, are dozens of tribes whose names you have never heard and warriors whose ferocity will make your men quake with fear. I am the dam that prevents that tide from flowing south. Make no mistake, twenty thousand Roman soldiers would never be enough to stop that flood. That said, I have no interest in the doings of Rome. As long as Rome remains south, we can trade, talk, and be…atpeace.”