Without much surprise, Gaius recognized Cynric.
“Join me for a cup of wine?” He gestured towards the wine shop where they had met before.
Cynric shook his head. “Thank you; I think I had better not. I’d rather that you could say that you haven’t seen me. As a matter of fact it would be much better for you if you could say that you don’t know too much about my comings and goings. That way I won’t have to ask you to lie.”
Gaius lifted one eyebrow. “Are you joking?”
“I wish I were. I shouldn’t even stand about talking to you like this; though you can honestly say you encountered me by chance.”
“Don’t worry,” said Gaius, looking around him. A gust of wind sent raindrops spattering across the road, sending up little puffs of dust as they fell. “All the good Romans are safe under cover, and won’t care about two fools standing out in the rain! Listen, Cynric, I need to talk to you about Eilan . . .”
Cynric grimaced. “I beg of you, don’t speak of that. That was quite the biggest mistake I’ve made this year; Lhiannon was furious with me. No real harm was done, but don’t try to see my foster sister again.” He looked nervously around him. “Even if you can afford it, I should not be seen talking to an officer of the Legions in full uniform. In fact, you’d better pretend you don’t know me if we meet by accident again.”
He added, “I won’t be offended. Somebody finally figured out that I was still working for the Ravens, and it occurred to them that serving with the auxiliaries put me in a prime position to make trouble when the time comes. So they’ve proscribed me, and if I’m spotted within twenty miles of the Roman town, I could be sentenced to the mines – or to something worse – if there is anything worse. Farewell!” Cynric turned away.
Gaius blinked, realizing suddenly that Cynric no longer wore the insignia of Rome. .That must be why he was willing to speak so plainly. He was still trying to think of something to say as his friend slid into a side street and disappeared, leaving him alone with the rain. Gaius checked the impulse to follow him. If Cynric were truly an enemy of Rome, even a quick death would be better than sending him to the Mendip lead mines.
“Don’t try to see my foster sister again.”
Cynric’s words echoed in his head. Was this, then, the end to his hope of contact with Eilan? No doubt Cynric and his father were right. But as he pulled the garnet-colored folds of his military cloak over his head and started down the street, the moisture on his cheeks was not entirely from the rain.
Caillean paused in the doorway of the main hall, wincing as the cackle smote her ears. After more then two moons alone, she had forgotten how much noise women could make when they were all cooped up together. For a moment she wanted to turn and flee back to the solitude of her hut in the forest.
“So, you’re back,” commented Dieda, finally noticing her. “I wonder why, after the way Lhiannon has treated you. Having got free of us, I should think you would have kept going!”
“And why are you still here?” stung, Caillean replied. “The man you loved is away in the North with the Eagles after him. Is your place then not by his side?”
For a moment anger flared in the younger woman’s face, to be replaced in a moment by something closer to despair.
“Don’t you think I would have been away in a moment if he had asked me?” she said bitterly. “But his loyalty is given to the Lady of Ravens, and if I cannot be first with the man I love I will take the final vows of a priestess and not have one at all!” Her voice faltered as the other women turned, and Caillean gazed at her with reluctant pity, grateful that she had never been tempted to love.
“Caillean —” Eilidh hurried towards her. “I was hoping you would return today. Lhiannon is in her rooms. Go to her now. She never complains, but I know that she has missed you.”