Epilogue

EPILOGUE

“There’s one alive over here,” came the words into the ears of the prone Roman soldier, his body in the mud and brush at the edge of the forest.

Hoof beats rang out loud in his ears. The horses and men speaking were very close. The soldier heard a voice command with force. “Turn him over for me and tell them to stop trying to put out the fires of Eboracum. May as well let it all burn down.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Bloody Picts, they ravaged and burnt it beyond our ability to recover.”

Hands flipped the horizontal soldier over. “Yes, he’s breathing, sir. First one we’ve found in the territory.”

The hoof beats stopped nearby, but the eyes of the soldier didn’t open. “By the gods, look at him, covered in blood and filth, his shield broken and no sword.”

Many hands shook him. “Come on, soldier.”

A voice commanded, “State your name and rank, soldier.”

Eyes blinked, and the parched mouth opened, but gave no sound.

The officer on horseback ordered, “Give him wine. Loosen that tongue u