You should be, Briana thought, but did not utter the words.
Adara saw the hard look in the Briton’s eyes, but said nothing as she tied her hair back and sat to eat with Phoebus and Calliope.
Weeks passed and routines set in for Adara and the children, Briana and Einion, who all adjusted to a new life.
The days lengthened and warmed after nights of cool mist, and all the while, Lucius’ family remained within the walls of the principia. Their world had shrunk. It was muddy and grey, and saw the constant comings and goings of army messengers carrying orders to Lucius and his cavalry.
The Roman offensive had begun in earnest after a week in the Dragon’s Lair, and now the nights rang not only with the howl of wolves in the distant pine forests, but also with the cries of wounded men as they
