In relief or disappointment? I do not know. At least I have not been thrown to the men. But I do not think it would be something this Roman would do: he looks stern, even merciless, but not randomly cruel.

Better to be freed with Amlaidh? Maybe we would have managed to do something from outside. Probably not, without weapons. It is a damn shame that now the Dux does not want to release Amlaidh anymore. However, free and alone he would have been even more at a disadvantage. Maybe do something stupid.

We must not do anything stupid now. At least, we are still all together, and I feel less inclined to get myself killed. A clean death is always desirable, of course, if compared to most of what my life is. But not now that I can still be useful.

I glance at Amlaidh and Verica, trying to convey to them my newfound determination. But damn it... Eboracum? I am tired of these Romans...

Where are my weapons now? I think it is too much to assume that they will bring them along. And my pouch? If they took it from me, they must have wondered about Grandpa's lar... it is not something a Gael would carry around. Could it come useful somehow?