Summary

After a year, Aquila has returned to the family farm. He’s on leave from Rutupiae where he is a commander of a Rhenus Horse-Auxiliary Cavalry. The Pict War had changed everything. The countryside has never been the same since Theodosius swept through Britain – houses were burned, slaves revolted and large estates were destroyed. It was the bad time, the Killing Time. Aquila is aware how easily his family estate could have been obliterated.

Aquila’s sister, Flavia, runs to him scolding him for not waiting for her. Her pique passes quickly; she is happy to have him home again. She looks at the dolphin tattoo on his shoulder which is depiction of the family symbol. He tells her that it isn’t the best in craftsmanship but it will identify him if he’s away for many years, twenty years like Odysseus...