XXVIIIThe victorious army took the road that lay along the coast, towards Venta Belgarum, on their way homewards. Artos ordered this, though many men had wanted to return to Londinium first, for there one might still find taverns and women and entertainment. But Artos set his face grimly and said with contempt, “No doubt they are lining the roads into Londinium now, expecting us, the coward dogs! They would not march with us before the battle and they shall not enjoy our spoils after the battle. I would see Londinium sacked and gutted before I would raise a finger to save her. She has made her bed and she must lie on it now.”
Towards Medrawt, he was just as stern for a while. He had not approved of the m******e at the place of the tumulus. He said openly that he would have withdrawn and h
