“What of this one?” asked the man behind me. His voice was deep, familiar. I remembered hearing it back in the Cotswolds, what felt like a thousand years ago. “She’s a bit skinny but I’ll warrant she’d fetch a couple hundred denarii at least. Once that’s split up it’d make a nice little bonus for the men. It’s been a long hunt and there’s still a journey back.”
Croser glanced at me, his eyes flicking over my face, dismissing me instantly.
“We’ve no time for distractions, Terrasidius. Kill her quick and leave her body for the foxes. We ride for Londinium immediately.”
Terrasidius sighed and removed the knife. He dragged my head back until I could see the stars above the clearing, glittering in the night sky. I was too stunned to fight. All I could think of was that it had been less than a day since we had left Annwn, that I would be seeing Arawn so soon.
Belis shrieked and I could hear her throwing herself around, hear the sound of blows and kicks landing. I felt tears trickling down my cheeks at her pain.
“No, no, do not touch her!” she cried.
I looked back and my eyes met those of the man who would kill me. They were a bright blue and surprisingly soft.
“If you’ve any last prayers to make, little Briton,” he said, “now would be the time.”
“Get on with it, Terrasidius,” said the centurion, gruffly.
My mind spiralled. I thought of calling the high fae, of cursing the Romans for rabid dogs, of simply screaming at the sky. In the end I could only think of one final word.
“Belis,” I whispered. Terrasidius nodded and raised his sword.
“Won’t hurt but a moment,” he said. I thought to close my eyes, but the world around me was so bright, so colourful, I wanted every last moment of this life.
“Wait!” shouted Belis. “My sister, my sister is alive!”
“Hold,” barked the centurion. Terrasidius paused, firelight playing off the blade of his sword.
His hand relaxed and I took a shuddering gasp of air.
“What do you mean? The two of you were seen staggering from the battlefield with your mother. One of the daughters was seen to be grievously injured. You’re clearly alive and well and if I know anything about your mother I’d say she took poison rather than risk capture. She may have been a raging barbarian bitch but she never lacked for spirit.”
He paused to spit into the dirt again. “But if you’re not injured then that means your sister was, and a wound like that, she wouldn’t have lasted the night. She’s dead. And you’re full of shit.” The centurion’s tone was sharp.
“She lives, I swear it. I swear it by my mother’s spear.” There was a muffled sound and then Belis spoke again, more clearly now. I craned my neck to see her. They’d taken the bag off but there was a bruise swelling on her cheek. I felt a wave of hate almost choke me – how dare they touch her.
Belis kept speaking, babbling the words out. “She survived the injury but couldn’t travel. I left to try and draw you away from her. Sympathisers from the Atrebates are guarding her, south of the Chalk. Only I know where. It’s a place that canonly be found by our people, and since you’ve killed almost all of them I’m your only hope.”
Croser crouched down, levering her chin up with his knife. “Why are you telling me this now?”
Belis stared back at him, rage burning in her eyes. “I will take you there, if you let my companion live.”
Silence filled the clearing. The Romans glanced at each other. I wondered if they would believe the half-truth.
“You would sell your sister, betray the blood of your blood for this?” the centurion asked, stinging contempt audible in his voice.
“I would. But she must live, live and go free. Let her go now and I will lead you to where my sister hides. You would return to the legion with both the Iceni girls, eradicating any last whisper of rebellion for generations.”
Croser laughed. “I’m not a total idiot, girl. I let her go now and you’ll suddenly lose all memory of this secret place.” He snorted. “You’re lying. Kill her!”
“No, wait!” Belis wrenched herself forward, blocking him as he turned away. “Keep her for now. Keep her alive and I’ll take you there, take us both, then when you find my sister you’ll let my friend go free.”
Terrasidius’s eyes flicked to his commander, the sword hovering in the air above me. I felt the moment hanging between life and death.
“Done,” the centurion snapped. “But if you’re lying to me…”
“I swear I will lead you to where my sister is,” Belis said. She stared at Croser, barely blinking. “Swear you will keep your promise. Vow by the Eagle of the Fourteenth.”
“I swear by the Eagle and by the legions that if you lead me to the capture of your sister I will release this girl, alive and reasonably unharmed.” The centurion paused and ground his teeth. He leaned forward. “But if you betray me, I will flay her alive before your eyes and make a cloak of her skin for you to wear as you are dragged back to Rome.”
