Despite the pain in my side, I stand straight and confident, a poise considered healthy and respectable by the Romans. Within the wall, there is a great, stone fortress, not unlike those I have seen in Alemannia. My heart soars when the Dux is none other than Marcus Longinus Ursus himself! I begin to crack a smile but restrain myself immediately. Ursus approaches me and we clasp arms as kinsmen may after a successful hunt. "I never thought I would see you again," he says with a raspy growl. No doubt that voice has hollered many a command over the long years since we knew each other. I hope I still know him.

"It is good to see you, Ursus," I begin earnestly. "Our arrival here is obviously a great mistake. I have been a mercenary boatman in the northern seas, intercepting Pictish sea raiders and providing safe passage for Cornish merchants."

"I see," Ursus regards me with narrow eyes.

"The two women are my slaves - one a Pict, the other a Gael. Our destination was Ynys Manaw, our home, but we suffered the rage of a storm and came upon the shores of Brigantia. My Pictish girl here has family north of the wall who will give us a currach to return."

"Why should the Picts help you, one who holds one of their own as a slave?" Ursus asks quickly.

I reply even faster. "I saved her from drowning many years ago, a debt that she and her family have paid in her service to me. Her family is impoverished and offered her little in the way of a future. But they welcome me as one of them and will help us."

Ursus doesn't miss a thing. He paces back and forth, arms crossed in front of him, tapping his index finger against his lips. "So...would you say they are so impoverished that they would, say...come south of the wall?"

My heart quickens. "No, sir. They've no weapons."

"Do they not hunt?"

"They fish. With nets." I sense myself becoming impatient.

"I see." Ursus lets out a long sigh, and I know what's coming. I do know Marcus Longinus Ursus very well, after all. He is a Roman. And there is no friendship stronger than the embrace of Mother Rome. "I've no doubt that the Picts would give you a boat, my friend. But the problem appears to be that the woman which has secured your alliance with them is not actually a slave. And you know this."

I feel my throat tighten and my blood turn cold.

"Now, Amletus, you know well that I can send you anywhere in the world you wish to go. Unfortunately, there is no way I can allow the Pictish princess to accompany you."

As the Dux speaks, I silently attempt to plan my next move. He will free me, I have no doubt, but where will I go? Do I accept a ship to Ynys Manaw? I could trade my brooch for a currach, sail to Cean Tir and rally an army to save Verica. Obviously, it would have to be a clandestine affair. Her clan could by no means match the entire Legion of Caer Luel. But would there be enough time? Surely Ursus wouldn't allow her to live so long. And why ever would her people abide me? I cannot even speak their tongue. With no sword or shield, nothing would stop them from killing me at first sight.

As my thoughts race, Ursus stops in front of Valeria, regarding her with uncertainty. "Now, as to the Gael..."