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she still looked as bright and alert as ever.
    She greeted Rufius as though he were her son.  “Welcome Decurion.  How is my son?”
    “As ever, domina, he is well and sends his love and felicitations.” He turned and went to his saddlebags.  “I have letters for you and his lady.”
    She took them; gratitude written all over her face. She was nothing if not astute. “But Prefect Livius did not send a decurion all the way here with just a message, did he?”
    Rufius shook his head.  Ailis was said to be an acolyte of the Mother and had second sight.  She was certainly sharp for her age. “Can we talk?”
    “Come to my garden.”
    She linked Rufius’ arm and led him through a narrow gate into a walled garden. It was still filled with late summer flowers.  The fruit trees were laden with apples, pears and plums.  There was a carved seat next to the wall.  This was obviously a favoured spot. She smiled as Rufius sat next to her. “I like to come here.  It makes me closer to Gaius somehow and dear Uncle Gaelwyn.  You can speak openly here for no one can hear.”
    “I have been tasked by your son with two missions.  I am to return north with Felix and Wolf.” She nodded.  “And, first, I am to find out what is in the hearts of the Brigante. They have been quiet of late.”
    She frowned briefly and then gripped Rufius’ arm tightly.  “I believe my son has the second sight as I used to have.  There is something brewing amongst the Brigante.  Marcus is correct. No-one is speaking of war and yet warriors are practising the art of war. Many young warriors were missing from the villages for most of the summer. I believe they were being initiated.”
    “It is as we feared.”
    “Is that enough?  Can you return with just the information of an old woman?”
    Rufius laughed and kissed her on the top of her head. “You will never be old, domina.  But I will have to go into the camps of these Brigante warriors.  We need to know more of their plans.”
    “It is dangerous.” She patted his hand and then said, “Take Felix and Wolf.  The boy has grown much and reminds me of you when you were first a trooper.”
    “I had intended to.  Where would you suggest I begin?”
    “Not at Stanwyck that is for sure.  That is visited by the patrols from Morbium and Cataractonium on a regular basis.  They are greeted as friends and yet I know that the villagers there loathe the Romans. You were better to head west towards the land above Lavatris.”
    “We have a fort there also.”
    “It contains but half a century now and they maintain the road only. The peace has meant that the rest of the garrison was sent further north.” She chuckled, “I suspect they have an easy time and they bother no-one. Most of them have been in the province for some time and many are due to retire.”
    Rufius laughed, “You would make a good frumentari.”
    She feigned outrage, “You think I am a spy?”
    “No, domina but you give better intelligence than I could receive in Eboracum.” He looked up at the darkening sky.  “I had better leave if I am to find Felix.”
    “You will not stay with us?”
    “I mean no disrespect, domina, but I have my duty.”
    “I understand.  Call on the way back but, please, take one of our horses.  Yours is clearly Roman.  There is no point telling the Brigante who you are.”
    As she led him to the stables Rufius could not help reflecting on this remarkable woman who had survived slavery amongst the Picts, fought off raiders and rebels and yet was still able to function with such clarity of thought.
    Ailis insisted that he use one of their saddles and she took his spatha from him and gave him another.  “This was Uncle Gaelwyn’s.  It is a Brigante blade and it will arouse no suspicion.”
    “Thank you, domina.” He mounted the horse which was really a large pony.  “Does Drugi still live by the water?”
    She nodded, “He does but they will see you long before you see them. Take