When we left the Ninth Legion, centurion Lucius was planning to track down the source of the Caledonians’ power on the Island of Death. “If we manage to unravel its mystery”, he explains, “we’ll undoubtedly gain the upper hand over our adversaries” (p. 32).
After a fierce mêlée (pp. 33–34), a scouting party manages to capture the warrior Cirig (p. 35), and seeing that he and his existing prisoner Leta share a fondness (p. 36), Lucius orders him to be hung on a cross to force Leta’s compliance in brokering a deal with her people (p. 37). Off she runs to the dark broch (p. 38) where she delivers the Roman message, but Cirig’s rival, the dark-haired Fel, shouts angrily, “Our people have no need of an invader to dictate their conduct” (p. 39).
The sacrifice
Despujol’s beautiful graphics depict the dim broch interior, with its drystone walls and intramural galleries and blazing central hearth. It is easy to miss the ominously large skull amongst the collection of antlers on the wall. What kind of creature does it belong to?The old crone, Isla, reveals that Leta’s young brother, Mil, was sacrificed in order to summon the hell-hounds (p. 40) — the hell-hounds that we saw attacking the Roman fort by night in Part Two. Leta is furious and blames Fel, claiming that, unable to win her heart from Cirig, he has spitefully arranged for her brother’s death.
Worse than that, Mil has died in vain, since Leta was obliged to send the hell-hounds back in order to save her own life. She tells the old chieftain that she must return to the Romans with a deal to save Cirig’s life, but Galam replies, “Such a deal is impossible. You know that” (p. 42).
“But the Romans are here. They’ll never leave,” she says. “You have to negotiate. Or we’ll disappear” (p. 43). Meanwhile, centurion Lucius is apprehensive that his men have started to mistrust him (p. 44), when Leta returns with news that her father wishes to conclude an honorable treaty with the Romans (really?): “You will meet him at the new moon” (p. 45).
Legion on the march
Centurion Lucius arrives at the headquarters camp of the Ninth Legion, where the overweight, fur-clad legate Deodatus Faustus is having another cup of wine. He complains that, every time someone lifts the flap of his tent, they let the cold wind in, “And without fail, it never brings good news” (p. 46).Lucius proposes that he can negotiate a treaty with Galam, and if Faustus entrusts him with the entire Ninth Legion, he can deter the Caledonians from any aggression (p. 47).
And so, Lucius sets off with his pessimistic optio beside him: “You’re rushing headlong into another trap”, he grumbles, “but this time, you’re dragging everyone along with you” (pp. 48–49). Lucius is undeterred. “This show of force is solely intended to ensure the meeting proceeds smoothly,” he explains (pp. 50–51).
The horror from the woods
The scene is a snowy plain bounded by dense forest. Lucius is convinced that his plan will work. The entire region seems quiet (p. 52).Spotting Leta on a rock in the midst of the plain, Lucius rides over to her (p. 53). She seems defiant. “My father won’t appreciate you gathering so many soldiers for a simple meeting”, she scowls. “So many thousands of armoured men against a handful of naked warriors. Are you afraid, Roman?”
Meanwhile, the thin line of Caledonians along the forest edge doesn’t move. The crone Isla shakes her magical talisman and the forest starts to crack and groan (p. 54). Lucius’ eyes start from his head. His horse shies. “The shapes in the woods!” he cries. “Yes, Lucius”, laughs Leta. “Your eyes do not deceive you” (p. 55).
Too late, the Romans see the gigantic antlered figures with six-foot blades, lumbering from the forest (hinted at on the book cover — see Caledonia, land of cold and rain (première partie)). “I have betrayed you”, screams Leta. “This plain will soon be littered with corpses. Caledonia will be your grave!” (p. 56). Thus is the Ninth Legion doomed.
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