He backed away after a couple more minutes, and then, when he reached the doors, turned and went out into the night.
As he made his way up toward the high plateau of the hillfort, the outlines of the stable and barracks could be seen against the night sky, and beyond them the high roof of the hall.
The smell of food on the hearth fire reached his nostrils and he felt hungry immediately, but first he went into the stables. The wooden door creaked inward and Lucius stepped in to inhale the sweet scent of fresh straw mingled with the smell of the newly-cut beams, and manure. It had been a combination of smells that had given him comfort ever since he had become praefectus of the Sarmatian cavalry ala, the stables ever a place of peace and calm.
He walked slowly, checking on the stalls wher
