The Romans ride up and declare that everyone head to the Black Sea to fight Mithridates. The Thracians discuss how they can still catch up to the Getae if they leave now. The next morning, Drenis has a hangover as everyone wakes up. Drenis says to relax, and reveals that he stole the Sesti Wine while no one was looking. He remarks that Glaber is dangerous because he's a fool with a title people listen to him and doom themselves. He orders her to return to Capua and boasts that when she next sees him, he will be a colossus towering above the enemies of Rome.Īs the pair return to their part of the camp, our protagonist complains about Glaber mocking their report. Glaber tells Ilithyia that he couldn't care less about the Getae, and if he wastes time protecting the Thracian villages, he will be too late to defeat Mithridates before Cotta can. Our protagonist urges him to listen, but Glaber angrily roars that they are dismissed and they reluctantly leave. Glaber rolls his eyes and declares that they are obviously incompetent at scouting, and he will send Roman scouts in the morning to properly assess the situation. The pair return and report their findings to Glaber, urging him to take their troops to intercept the barbarians, as the Thracian villages' food, supplies, women, and children are at risk. In horror, they discover that the Getae are heading west, in the direction of their villages. They have sex.ĭrenis and our protagonist crawl along the mountains and spot the Getae. Ilithyia lets her fur coat drop and reveals that she's wearing absolutely nothing underneath (and is a natural blonde). She asks that he hurry back so he can watch the gladiator games with her. That way, Glaber will get the glory, a promotion, and her father will be proud of him. Ilithyia suggests that Glaber and his army beat Cotta to the Black Sea and defeat Mithridates himself. He complains that he just found out that Mithridates has been spotted near the Black Sea and Legatus Cotta was assigned to take him down, while he's stuck in Thrace battling insignificant barbarians. She offers him some Sesti Wine and asks how his campaign is going. She adds that she dislikes living in Capua because it is too hot and it hasn't rained in ages. She retorts that her father is too busy in the Senate to realize that she has left Capua. Glaber asks if she's gone crazy as women are forbidden on the battlefield and her father would be furious. She jokingly scolds him for how easy it was to sneak up on him, saying that if she had been an assassin, he would be dead. A figure in a fur coat enters and grabs him from behind. In his tent, Glaber studies a map, using figurines to represent his and the enemy troops. Some Roman soldiers break up the fight and order the two to scout ahead and determine the enemy's movements. Drenis continues to complain and mock him until words come to blows and they brawl. Drenis mocks his outdated sense of honor. He proposes that they abandon this campaign, but our protagonist reminds everyone that they promised to work together, and he has no intention of breaking his word. Food is passed out, and Drenis complains that the Romans keep the good meat for themselves while giving the Thracians bones and guts. A Thracian named Drenis complains about the Romans being late.īoth armies set up camp for the night. The Getae retreat, disappearing into the night. A Getae warrior attempts to fire an arrow at our protagonist, but he throws his sword at him just in time. The Elder is eventually killed after slaying several Getae. One warrior demands to know where the Romans are.
The Thracian army furiously battles the Getae in the snowy mountains. Sura declares, "Kill them all." He joins the rest of the Thracian army. As a token to remember him by, he ties a ribbon around her right thigh. He declares that he gave his word that he would fight. He assures her that it was just a dream the Getae worship wolves, not snakes. She is afraid this means he will die in the war. She had a dream that he was kneeling before a red serpent, his life draining away. The Thracian walks up and asks what is wrong. The next morning, Sura worriedly paces outside. He solemnly promises that after this war, he will give up the sword and raise crops, goats, and children with her. He and his comrades leave at first light. The Thracian returns to his home and tells his wife Sura the news.
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