Belis puts her hands down and tries to calm her heart.
“My apologies. I seem to have become separated from my companions. They were headed to meet Governor Gallus. Do you know where they might have gone?”
The woman nods and Belis realises she is older than she had first thought, late twenties at least. Her skin is olive-toned and her hair is an inky black. She’s pretty and Belis flushes a little at her smile, feeling gawky and awkward and fourteen all at once.
“Of course I do. My husband is a centurion in the Twentieth, he is accompanying the governor with a few cohorts as he attends to business in the city. I can take you to him now ifyou like.”
Relief floods through Belis and she smiles shakily. “Yes, please.”
The woman shifts the babe to the other hip and holds out a hand in greeting. “My name is Echo. This is my youngest, Claudia. Named for the old emperor.”
Belis takes her hand and introduces herself. The woman picks up her basket of purchases and sets off through the market, moving through the crowds as if they weren’t there. She chatters as she goes and when she pauses for breath Belis has a chance to address her.
“You speak excellent Brittonic. How long have you been here?”
“Oh, four years or so? I came over from southern Gaul where Croser, that’s my husband, had left me. I was born in Rome, but I’ve been all over.” Echo tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
Belis feels very young and naïve.
“I’ve never been further than Camulodunum before,” she confesses. “It must be wonderful to have travelled so much.”
Echo smiles at her. “Oh, well, home’s the best place of all. When Croser retires we’ll be heading back to Rome, get a little wine shop and watch the grandchildren grow.”
They have left the market and are walking up to a huge house, built from carved blocks of limestone. A pair of legionaries guard the door but at a nod from Echo they step aside and let the women pass.
Belis steps into a wide atrium, supported by smooth, narrow pillars. In the centre is a square pond, an impluvium, with a slightly blurred image of a dog set into the floor. Cushions are scattered on couches that line the richly painted walls. Her father is there, talking to a tall man in a soldier’s uniform, his horsehair helmet tucked under one arm. The other man glances up and sees Echo. For a moment his face softens, and Belis can tell instantly that this is her centurion husband. Then his eyes flick to her and he nods towards her father.
The king turns and his whole body sags with relief.
“Beliscena,” he cries, hurrying forward. “I told you not to wander off.” He turns to Echo and inclines his head.
“You have my gratitude, lady, for helping my daughter.”
Echo flushes to the roots and the centurion comes over and winks at Belis. He is craggily handsome and there is kindness in his face when he looks at Echo and Claudia.
“This is my wife, sir. I am sure we are very happy to be of service.” The king kisses Echo’s hand and gently pinches the baby’s cheek.
“Ah, well, that explains it. I see you too have a beautiful daughter. I hope that one day I may return the favour.”
He smiles at them both and then the centurion whisks him away to speak with the governor. Echo waves goodbye, collects her basket and is gone. Belis sits on the edge of one of the couches and watches as rain begins to fall on the impluvium.
Chapter 7
The outline of the island appeared on the horizon like the wide back of a whale. From my position at the helm of the little boat I could see clouds of seabirds rippling above it and then dispersing as they dived into the water. I turned back to Belis who was taking a breather, leaning forward heavily across the oars.
“Look.” I pointed behind me. “That’s the island of Grassholm. We’re almost there.”
Belis looked up and squinted into the distance. Her face did not adopt the look of stunned awe I had expected from a human seeing Caer Sidi for the first time.
“Are you sure? It doesn’t look like much. I thought you said there was a castle.” I nodded, impatient.
“Completely sure. You can’t see the castle from the sea. Only those who land and know how to look for it can find it.” I grinned. “And there are no living folk who know where to look. Except me. No one knows the way to Annwn until they die.”
Belis shrugged and stretched out her arms then resumed rowing, cutting the oars through the dark water. She had pulled off her cloak and rolled up the sleeves of her tunic and I could see the strong muscles of her forearms flexing and tensing.
“I don’t suppose your wisdom extends to knowing which sideof the island we should land on? I’d rather not capsize the boat onto the rocks and have to swim for it. My arms are weak as a babe’s from all this rowing.”
I considered this, though I doubted arms that strong could really be as tired as she said. I had always just run straight across the water and climbed up the cliffs on the east of the island. I wasn’t totally sure what made an area suitable for boats.
