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stood and Ulpius realised she was as tall as he was and, despite being middle aged moved with an easy athletic grace.  She nodded, the decision quickly made. “Go to your men we will be there shortly.” She looked at Vellocatus. “Prepare my chariot and take my valuables with you. Have my bodyguards mounted. You, Alerix, despatch the prisoners.”  Finally she took the old man by the hand. “Gerantium I leave the defence of Stanwyck to you. I believe they will follow me rather than attack this place but I know you will defend it as you defended me all of my life and for the Emperor before that. I know that you will protect everything that is precious to me old friend.” She paused and her lowered voice told of a tenderness and affection beyond that of mistress and servant, it was more of a family member talking to a favourite uncle. “Had I time I would take you and them with me.”
    “My Queen, ride and I will protect you and your family as long as there is life in this tired old body. I will serve you in death as I did in life.”
    “If you take refuge in the inner fort you should have enough men to hold them off.”
    The ex-legionary bowed to the Queen and gave a nod of thanks to Ulpius.
    Marcus, even though he was eager to escape before the vengeful Venutius arrived, had been surprised by both the speed of the Queen’s decision and her ruthlessness in having unarmed prisoners murdered.  She would bear watching. He glanced towards his men who had snatched some food and drink; more importantly the horses had been fed a little and watered. They had been rubbed down. If they were surprised now they should be able to pull away from the inferior native horses; even so it was not certain that they could evade the enemy. He turned as he saw first one rider and then another emerged from the woods.  From their mounts he knew they were Roman and from their speed he knew that Venutius was not far behind.  “Saddle up and be quick you idle buggers. They’re coming.”
    Even as he spoke Ulpius erupted from the hall. He nodded in acknowledgement to Marcus letting his chosen man know he had acted well. “I take it you have seen our men.” Marcus pointed South to where the riders were racing. “Mount.”
    The Romans were astride their beasts in a heartbeat.  Ulpius led them out of the gateway so that the Queen and her entourage could make a quicker exit. Lentius reined his horse in. “Brigante scouts are just the other side of that wood.  They will be with us soon.” The unspoken wish was for his commander to lead them to safety.
    “How many?”
    “About a hundred, on those ponies of theirs but we could make out the main army five miles behind.”
    Ulpius grunted in answer. “Get your mounts watered. I don’t want to lose any more mounts than I have to.” He heard a commotion behind and screams from the bowels of the fortress. The prisoners had obviously died. The Queen emerged in her chariot with Vellocatus at the reins.  Two warriors ran from a roundhouse wielding long swords they were obviously intent upon murder.
    “Murderer. You Roman lover!”
    “Traitorous bitch! Whore!”
    Before either Ulpius or Vellocatus could react the Queen pulled a magnificent sword from a scabbard inside the chariot. She swept the weapon effortlessly, slashing one of the warriors across the neck almost severing the head. She then held the sword in both hands and brought it down onto the skull of the other. It split like a ripe fruit showering those around him with blood and brains. Wiping the blood from the weapon she turned to Ulpius. “What are you waiting for Roman? Have you never seen blood before?”
    “Marcus, take the lead. Head towards Drusus. Gaius you come with me we’ll take the rear. “The column moved eastwards at a steady trot. The land sloped away and helped the chariot to gain momentum. Ulpius and Gaius waited as the chariot passed by and the twenty bodyguards all riding, Ulpius noted with some