and looked at his aide with displeasure.

"What do you mean, we're going to be too early?"

The general's eyes narrowed as he regarded his new Praefectus Fabrum. "Is this barbarian woman really likely to keep me waiting if I arrive before the appointed hour?"

The Praefectus considered his reply carefully. The general was still smarting at what he considered a peremptory summons by the Catuvellauni Queen.

"Miranda may come as somewhat of a surprise, sir," he finally allowed. "From all accounts, she is more Roman than Celt, and a favourite of Governor Agricola."

The L. Legionis turned a sceptical eye towards his officer. "She's a barbarian. Whether she refrains from wearing feathers, or painting her face blue doesn't matter," he stated coldly.

The Praefectus regarded his commander curiously. There was certainly more at play here than the Queen's summons. Evidently, in spite of Agricola's directive, Corvinus had been lax in presenting his credentials to the Catu ruler.

Gazing down the road whilst shielding his eyes from the brilliant sunrise, the Praefectus came to his own conclusions about the general's surly behavior.

He's humiliated, thought the new aide. Humiliated that he's failed to protect a client state and its people from attacks by a pack of native brigands.

The Praefectus looked directly at the general now, eyes sunspotted. Yes, that's definitely it, he decided. More, it's killing him to admit that he's endangered the life of this barbarian queen.

"Well," snapped the general, breaking the adjutant's train of thought, "am I to wait in a public room, cooling my heels until this woman decides to see me?"

The Praefectus cleared his throat. "If I may suggest," he advised in a low voice, "there is an inn not far ahead."

"Perhaps it would be well to stop there and spend some time over a leisurely meal." The Praefectus looked meaningfully at the alae following close behind.

The general nodded curtly. "So be it." Wrapping the reins tightly around his fist, he kicked his horse smartly, sending it into an easy striding canter.

"To the inn, then."