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about it.”
    “To be truthful, I wangled myself the assignment up here, because I’ve got—well let’s just say some surprising family news.”
    “Gods alive, you’re not getting married at long last?”
    “No fear. I’m like young Caster, I enjoy my freedom.”
    “What then?”
    “It’s good news, and it’s something you’d never guess. But I’d rather wait till the three of us are together. I said so to Albia, and I want to persuade you to come back with me today to her farm, so we can get together there. There’s really no point telling you and then having to tell Albia all over again.”
    “Of course there is. If you keep me in suspense, I’ll die of curiosity.”
    “Too bad. I haven’t time to organise your funeral.”
    His words brought me up short. “We shouldn’t joke about funerals, Lucius. Not today.”
    “You’re right, sorry. Tell me about Belinus.”
    I told him all I could. He nodded at Belinus’ comments on Voltacos’ men, and frowned over his idea that someone rich and powerful was organising their raids.
    “So,” he said when I’d finished, “the raiders got to poor Belinus. I suppose they must have found out somehow that he was working for me. As far as we know, this is the first time they’ve killed anyone. A murder makes the whole business much more serious, and in this case, more personal.”
    “Do you think they’re really looking for gold, as Belinus said? I don’t know of any hoard of gold in these parts…”
    He laughed. “I should hope you don’t—at least if you did, I hope you’d tell me where to find it. There’s King Caratacus’ gold, of course, they could be hunting for that.”
    “You’re not serious! You don’t believe that old story?”
    “Why not? I’ve always thought it was possible. Caratacus was a powerful warrior chief when Claudius Caesar conquered this province. He must have had plenty of gold…”
    “I’m sure he did, but what I don’t believe is that he hid some of it here in the north while he was running away from the Romans. It’s too far-fetched for words.”
    “Plenty of people believe it.”
    “Oh certainly, and they’ve all spent the last forty-some years looking for the hiding-place and not found a single aureus. So even if there is any gold, a boatload of Gauls aren’t going to discover it, are they?”
    He shrugged. “I suppose not. And anyway, whatever they say they’re up to, they’re spending their time attacking innocent people, and that’s got to be stopped.”
    “What worries me is that Albia and Candidus could be in danger.”
    “I know. Albia seemed happy enough yesterday, but Candidus told me he’s concerned, only not wanting to show it for fear of frightening Albia. He said he’d written to you.”
    I handed him Candidus’ note, and he scanned it quickly.
    “Yes, this is worrying, Relia. Have you replied yet?”
    “I’ve decided to visit them in person. I was all set to leave this morning when you got here.”
    “Really? Then we’ll go together.”
    “And on the way I’m going to take Belinus’ body home to his family. I thought I should, as he was working for you.”
    “Thanks, Sis. That was good of you.”
    “I wasn’t looking forward to it. It’ll be easier if you’re there to offer your condolences in person.”
    He nodded. “I can do more than that. I’ll make sure they’re all right for money.”
    “Good. If there’s nobody else on his farm who can do Belinus’ share of the work, his wife and children will be struggling. And we can try to find out more about how he was killed. What do you make of his story of some rich landowner trying to drive him off his farm?”
    “Unlikely, I’d say, though not completely impossible. There are only two landowners in that area who’d be powerful enough to try it. Ostorius Magnus, and the local chief, Bodvocus. I can’t really imagine either of them conspiring with a gang of outlaws.”
    “Belinus was so sure, though. If you could have