They talked to each other for a bit, but Iquickly became more absorbed in consuming the roast boar, which wasexcellent, seasoned with some sort of herbs or spices that I hadnever tasted before. The sound was a dull roar, and honestly, itwas not much different than a night at the Dancing Faun back inUbiorum, although it was much louder because of the size of thecrowd. Somehow my cup was refilled, and before I had time to thinkabout it, I drained it, recognizing the sign that I was becomingintoxicated; the mead did not taste nearly as foul this time as thefirst cup. Cogidubnus, through Ivomagus, talked about the lastgreat battle that he had fought in, against the Brigantes, andwhile Ivomagus dutifully translated, I sensed a change somehow.
“What is it?” I asked him once he hadfinished. “Why did that bother you?”
At first, I did not think that he wouldanswer, but after a pause, he answered, “That battle took placeafter I was captured by the Iceni.”
Obviously Cogidubnus did not understandeverything, but he seemingly understood Ivomagus’ reference to theIceni, suddenly becoming very animated, waving his arms about whilepointing occasionally to his brother, yet for some reason, Ivomaguswas not translating. Instead, he sat there, stone-faced asCogidubnus continued, until without any warning, he turned and,while it was awkward, embraced Ivomagus. Who, I could see, wasdeeply affected, to the point where I saw the gleam of the tears inhis eyes, and for a brief moment, the two men were brothers andnothing more. And, I saw, that whatever tension or friction betweenthem, these two brothers loved each other deeply. Which was why Ireached for my cup that had already been refilled and drainedit.
The evening progressed, and there wasentertainment, beginning with a man singing a tune that, while itwas completely foreign to me, was quite pleasant and stirring. Thenthere were jugglers, followed by a man who could make thingsdisappear, only to “find” them in odd places; if it was usually afemale and the object was always tucked away in the area aroundtheir breasts, the women clearly did not mind and the men roaredwith approving laughter. My officers were clearly having a goodtime, as Herennius had switched to the other side of the table andwas engaged in activity with one of the women that he wouldnormally have to pay for, yet nobody around them took much notice,if only several of them were engaged in similar activity, albeit toa lesser degree. Indeed, Cogidubnus watched with amusement, sayingsomething occasionally, most of which Ivomagus translated, butsometimes he did not. The truth was that the mead had caught upwith me, and I felt a warm glow emanating from within me as I beganto contemplate the idea that, perhaps, I might be able to lead mymen home, to their families that, according to Rome, did not exist.We were so close, and I realized that I had refused to think beyondwhatever was the most immediate challenge of the moment, focusingonly on that instead of the larger goal.
“Centurion Pullus!”
It was not so much that Ivomagus had toshout it, but the inflection that told me while this was the firsttime I had heard my name, it was not the first time he had tried togain my attention. When I turned, he was leaning in my direction,smiling broadly, but what I noticed immediately was that the chairnext to mine was empty.
“Were you dreaming of home?” he askedwith a laugh. “Because you certainly were very faraway.”
“I was,” I admitted, and while Icannot say Ivomagus became angry, I sensed a great deal ofbitterness as he replied, “I know what that is like,Centurion.”
“I know you do,” I agreed, but thenthought to add, “although our ordeal is nothing compared to whatyou went through.” This was when I remembered something, and Ilowered my voice, “And I haven’t forgotten what you’d like to do toMalorix. If,” I tried to sound casual, “you were inclined to doanything about him, tonight would be the night. And,” I assuredhim, “even if he’s missing tomorrow, we’re leaving.”
He said nothing for a long moment, staringat me steadily, while I returned the gaze, or tried to; I wasreaching the point of intoxication where it was hard to focus,although there was still one of him.
Finally, he said, “I believe you are tellingthe truth, Centurion. That you would allow me to make Malorix payfor all of the things he did and allowed to happen, not only to me,but to the rest of my people who were on that cursed ship.”
“I am,” I assured him.
Ivomagus looked away from me to survey thehall, his head turning slowly, and I assumed he was looking for hisbrother. Quite abruptly, he stood, almost knocking the chair over,and when he looked down at me, I understood, or I thought Idid.
“I have some…matters to attend to,Centurion,” he said. “So I must offer my apology for leaving youalone like this.” Once again, he scanned the hall, saying as he didso, “I am not sure where Cogidubnus is, but I am certain he will beback shortly.” By the time he had said this, he was looking in mygeneral direction, except that his gaze was obviously over myshoulder, and he smiled. “Although I believe that you will not feellonely for long.”
It was the way he said this as much as whathe said that prompted me to glance over my shoulder to see thatBronwen was standing there, and she was smiling as well. Before Icould say anything, Ivomagus swept past, leaving me essentiallyalone at the table, but he was correct; I did not feel lonely atall.
“Centurion,” she spoke only afterIvomagus was safely out of earshot, “I know that you are leaving inthe morning, and I was wondering something.”
“Oh?” I asked, trying to ignore howonce again my heart was behaving as if I had just sprinted acrossthe hall. “And what is it that you’re
