I knew he was trying to sound casual, but Iknow Gnaeus too well, which prompted me to ask suspiciously, “Takecare of what? What do you need to do before we leave?”
“Oh, it’s nothing.” Hegave me a careless wave, but he was not looking at me. Before Icould press him, he turned away and called over his shoulder, “I’llbe back as soon as I can.”
Now that I know what this “something” thatGnaeus wanted to take care of was, he was wise not to let me knowabout it, because I might have called on Marcellus and the othermen to tackle him and drag him aboard ship.
We rode at a hard canter to the hall,which I remember not at all because my mind was racing with what Ihad planned. I had certainly thought it through beforehand, severaltimes, but now that Alex was here, there was an urgency to it thatadded a new dimension. I told Alex the truth when I said thatCogidubnus had gone hunting, but I also knew he was not fooled bymy vague talk of needing to do “something” before we left. This wasa time when, even if he had tried to talk me out of it, I would nothave listened, and I preferred the idea of asking his forgivenessafter the act. Ivomagus had mentioned that Cogidubnus wanted tohold another feast, which was supposedly why he was out hunting,where he would announce his decision, but just as I knew I had notfooled Alex, I could tell that Ivomagus understood he had notfooled me into thinking that there was any possibility hiscunnus of a brother would not takeevery single coin of my ransom. Of course, there was also what hadhappened the last time the King of the Parisii had held a feast inmy honor, and I was almost certain that, even if Cogidubnus did nothave anything planned, Berdic did. Unfortunately, I could not thinkof any other way to arrange matters that would allow me to achievemy goal without acquiescing to the idea of that feast. Even beforewe arrived at the hall, we could see by the number of horses andchariots that Cogidubnus had already returned, and my stomach beganto tighten at the prospect of having to face the arrogant bastardcelebrating his enrichment at the expense of my family.
Keep your mind on the goal, Gnaeus, Ireminded myself as I slid off the horse, but it was Gorteryn whowent rushing into the hall first, undoubtedly to be the one tobring the news to his king. And, even before I reached the doorway,there was a roar of male voices shouting in triumph that cut me sodeeply I almost turned around, mounted the horse, and wentgalloping back to Petuar. Somehow, though, I forced myself toenter, stopping to let my eyes adjust to the dimmer lighting, anddoing my absolute best to keep my face a mask. After severalheartbeats, I saw at the back of the hall, just in front of thewooden partition, a cluster of figures standing around the tablethat I suppose had been more or less permanently placed there aslong as Cogidubnus was present. While most of their backs wereturned to me, it was easy to see what they were doing, trying tooutdo each other in congratulating Cogidubnus, of whom I caught aglimpse sitting on the other side of the table. And, of course itwas Berdic who noticed me first, glancing over his shoulder to seeme standing there, and he called out to Cogidubnus. Whatever it wasthat he said the others thought quite funny, because they roaredwith laughter, but I noticed that when Cogidubnus stood, since hewas looking in my direction, he looked acutely uncomfortable. Mostsurprisingly, however, was when he snapped something at the others,although he was looking directly at Berdic when he said it, and Isaw that the black-bearded warrior clearly did not care forwhatever the king had said. Cogidubnus made a shooing motion, andthe other men moved out of the way so that I had a clear path towalk up to the table, which I did, ignoring everyone but the king.Ivomagus was nowhere to be seen, so I had no idea how we weresupposed to communicate; fortunately, he came hurrying out frombehind the partition with Gorteryn behind him.
“Centurion Pullus,” Ivomagus addressedme formally, which was appropriate, “I was just informed byGorteryn that your slave has returned.”
I had to bite the inside of my cheek, and Isilently asked Alex for forgiveness as I only said tersely, “Yes,Alex has returned.”
“And?” Ivomagus pressed, “Is whatGorteryn says true? That he has brought the ransom?”
“Yes.”
My response seemed to irritate Ivomagus, butalthough he opened his mouth, I believe that he saw my expressionand understood how tightly I was reining in my temper, so he turnedto his brother instead, presumably to confirm that he was about tobecome even wealthier. Cogidubnus listened to Ivomagus, then turnedto me and, in a complete surprise, offered me a grave bow as hesaid something.
A glance at Ivomagus was all I needed,but I suppose his cunnusbrother felt the need to observe the formalities, becauseIvomagus spoke, completely avoiding my eyes, “My brother wants meto inform you that, while he gave it a great deal of thought, heregrets that he cannot honor my request that your ransom beforgiven, even with your actions that helped save Petuar…and savedmy life.” There was something in the way Ivomagus hesitated beforehe mentioned himself that indicated to me that he was adding thison his own, not that it mattered. “The reason is…”
“The reason is because he’s agreedy cunnus,” Iinterrupted. “That’s the only reason that matters.”
Ivomagus flushed, and I could see hewas angered, although I did not know whether it was because Icalled his brother a cunnusor I was speaking the truth. Cogidubnus was watching, and Isaw his eyes narrow in suspicion, making me wonder if Ivomagus hadtold him what cunnusmeant.
“The reason,” Ivomagus repeated, and
