Chapter 7

The legion moved fast, as might be expected. I was rushing to Dondron Hill with our growing band.

“Hail Caesar!” shouted General Domus

“As you say.” I replied “Drink? It is not poisoned, I assure you. We do not want the legion to run amok without you.”

We sat in a tent, three advisers on each side. On my side was Chieftain Bogatrix, Manubis – an Egyptian gladiator of impressive mind, and Virtua. This last was a surprise to many, but she was clever, multi-lingual and could write. She made notes as we talked. The advisers on each side could only talk to their diplomat, it made the conversation simpler.

“You are all traitors and will be wiped from the earth for your treachery.” A robust start from the general, but no less than I expected from his reputation. This was a straight talking military man. At least it meant that he would stick to what he said, he was no politician with slimey, weedly, Janus-faced words. “Some of you will find that death particularly unpleasant.” He looked at Bogatrix for some reason. Perhaps slaves were expected to resent their owners, but the locals should have realised the benefits of Roman rule?

“That is one perspective. We have defeated one Roman army, and support has grown as a result. We have Roman weapons as well as our own. Already your legion is surrounded. I know your reputation, and the prowess of the Roman soldier; I do not underestimate it; but do not make the mistake of underestimating us either. But then you are under orders to abandon Britannia soon, are you not? Perhaps we are just pre-empting the inevitable? The east coast has suffered many attacks and the army has done little. If you truly intended to destroy us, then you would have attacked already. You may wish us all dead, but will you risk your army for that?”

He smiled “This wine is rather good, you’ll miss this after we have gone.”

“Will you eat with us? I have had prepared some bread and cheese. Simple fare for a soldier. I hope you approve. I have heard of your history. It is impressive.”

“You flatter me.”

“Not at all. I mean it. Truly. Here, try this, it is from the ... my ... our estate.” He saw me stumble over the words, for good reason. I was the leader on the estate, but not the owner. I had to be clear on that. “May I speak frankly? Why destroy your army, or weaken it anyway. We have no particular quarrel with you. Why not continue your march south and take ship to Gaul as you have been requested. ‘As soon as practical’ I think the term was? Ah, yes, slaves have long been allowed to see messages because they have no means to pass them on. Now that information is useful, I think. If you fight us, you will have to fight all the way to the coast. If you pass peacefully you will pass unscathed.”

“Unscathed and dishonoured. You have murdered Romans. You personally killed the son of your master in cold blood.” All three of my advisers strained to speak, they had all witnessed the fight. I held up my hand and they stayed silent. I truly was a leader, Domus could see that.

“Romans have been killed, Romans have died. Some, I think deserved a better death than they got. Some got precisely what they deserved. As for me, I did not kill Grantus in cold blood. Set your spies to ask around for you. I will not defend myself further, you may discover the truth, or not. It is your choice.”

And that was the end of the first day of talks. Our armies faced each other over a mile apart. Hot heads on both sides advocated a pre-emptive attack. Cooler heads prevailed. It had taken careful, mistrustful negotiations to even arrange that first meeting; but the ice was broken and we were to resume tomorrow. Would he use this as a ruse for an attack? I sensed he would not but I had been wrong about people before.

That night I went into my tent, and left by the back, went through another tent and finally arrived at Virtua’s. She was surprised to see me “I thought your harem was all you wanted now.”

“I hope we may still be friends? I think it safer not to sleep in my tent tonight, just in case Domus decides to improve the odds by eradicating a leader or two. Yours is a tent I trust. And yours is still a cunt I dream about. But it must be voluntary, not compulsory. You are free, like me.” She drew me to her, unbuckled my sword, removed my clothing and freed my other sword.

“It is still unconscionably large, but I will sleep with you. As to the sex, we’ll see if you can repeat your patience as you did on that first night.”

Perhaps having sex all night is not the best way to prepare for negotiations, but at least I arrived happy, if not well-slept.

Domus arrived, saluted, but did not shout “Hail Caesar.” this time. “I misjudged you, I am sorry. You risked much fighting him man to man. You are not whole, and I understand he had some experience.” I did not tell him about the drugged wine for Grantus’s fights. “A third of our slaves have run away. I do not expect you will return them? No, I thought not. But, more importantly, forty three soldiers want to stay, they near retirement and have families – though they should not have yet. If we leave, will they be safe?”