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your midday meal with him. He’s got the best chef north of Londinium.”
    Magnus smiled. “I’ll remember that. These natives never cease to amaze me.”
    “Clarus is a Roman citizen,” I pointed out.
    “But born here in province, I’m told. Related to Chief Bodvocus, so perhaps he can help me deal with him.” He flashed me his charming smile. “I say, could we have some more of this excellent wine?”
    They stayed for another jug, and very good company they were. They were intelligent and well-travelled, and we talked about everything from snail farming to the temples of Egypt. Vividus was quick-witted and charming, and Magnus had a dry sense of humour which compensated for his somewhat grumpy manner. By the time they left, they seemed like old friends I’d known for years instead of just a few hours.
    After they’d gone, I went to congratulate Secundus on the sale, and asked what he thought of Magnus.
    “A tough one, that,” was all he’d say. “I’d not like to get on the wrong side of him.”
    Later I wandered over to see Timaeus, but he was taking a nap, and I told Phokas and Spurius not to wake him. “He’s having a busy time, let him sleep when he can. I suppose that means there’s no change in Belinus?” I asked the apprentice.
    “There is, Mistress, but it’s for the worse, I’m afraid. The master says we’ll definitely have to amputate the left leg tomorrow if things don’t improve.”
    “I’m sorry to hear that. You had a case of toothache this morning, I gather?”
    He grinned. “We did, yes, one of the new settlers. Fancied himself a hard man, and said he didn’t need anyone to hold him steady while the master pulled the tooth out.”
    “He was very brave,” Spurius put in. “He never made a sound. Mostly they yell, or at least swear a bit. But he said afterwards it was the worst pain he’d ever had. He gave father a gold piece, and us each a copper one. So he must have been pleased really.”
    “How about Coriu? Did Timaeus set the broken arm all right?”
    Phokas nodded. “It was quite a bad break, but it’ll heal properly. It took two of us to stretch his arm out straight. If you don’t do that it’ll set crooked. We splinted it, and he’ll have to keep it straight by his side for a month or so, which he wasn’t too pleased about. He’s gone home already, he said he had to get straight back to Chief Bodvocus.”
    “And was he brave too?” I couldn’t help asking Spurius.
    “He didn’t yell, but he swore like anything.” The boy giggled. “I’d never heard some of the words before. I expect they’re very bad.”
    “Don’t let the Master catch you using them,” Phokas warned.
    By late afternoon it was raining, and the bar-room was almost empty. The horse-boy Malchus rode in, soaking wet but pleased with himself, having delivered my message for Lucius safely into the hands of Petreius. I gave him a beaker of wine and a small tip, and listened to him enthuse about the fortress at Eburacum, and how wonderful a soldier’s life must be. He’d watched a batch of new recruits practising throwing their javelins, and then battering at fence-posts with sticks as part of their sword training. It sounded pretty dull to me. If I’ve got to watch soldiers training, I prefer cavalry exercises, at least there’s the occasional good laugh when somebody falls off. But Malchus had been thrilled, and I made a mental note that yet another of our lads might be off into the army soon.
    We had just two overnight guests, a lead mining engineer, who had a bona fide government travel permit, and his lady companion, who didn’t, but we take private travellers too, and they were no trouble. They weren’t looking for company, being wrapped up in one another, and they retired as soon as they’d eaten.
    The bar was very quiet, and I was tired, so I took the chance to have an early night.

Chapter IV
    A loud hammering on my bedroom door woke me up when it was barely light.
    I called,