Her future explained.

Her conqueror barked a short laugh, then leaned forward to stare into her face. "I have no intention of executing you. You are too valuable for that. You will be taken back to Rome, where you will be paraded in chains behind my chariot as evidence of the fate that befalls all rebels. You will be a proud part of my triumph, and a stepping stone for my career."

The Roman leaned back and made a gesture at the other three women. "As to them, I have not yet decided. Perhaps they will also be taken to Rome, as decorative accessories to the centrepiece of my captives. You should be a pretty sight; naked and in chains, paraded through the streets for the pleasure of the mob and the glory of the Empire."

"And then?" Agrona asked, her voice a feral hiss.

"And then you will be presented to the Emperor for his pleasure to dispose of. Perhaps he will keep you for himself, or gift you to a favoured noble. But our Emperor has....tastes. You may find yourself in the arena, naked and unarmed, battling wild beasts. Or perhaps you will become one of his Imperial majesties torches."

"Torches?" she asked, trying to keep the quaver out of her voice.

"Crucified, then burned alive in front of him as he reads poetry. As I said, he has....tastes."

"And you call us barbarians! We would give you a clean ****, not this kind of horror."

"Spare me your outrage. I saw the towns your warriors sacked. Roman citizens beheaded, the women ****, the children enslaved. You made your war. Now I have won it and re-established peace."

"You Roman dogs make the land a desert, then call it 'peace'" Agrona spat. "Give me a blade and my hands free and I will show you how a Celtic queen dies."

Her conqueror gave a short barking laugh. "You will take the fate that is proclaimed for you." He turned to his aides. "Take this so called queen and bind her to post in my tent. Take these three and make them ready. Prepare a bath for me, I have need of restoration. These three will attend me." He stood up, signalling the end of the audience.

"And the other captives? What shall we do with them, Legate?"

The Romanlooked over at the huddled group of captive women, then gave a curt order.

"Share them out among the men most deserving of reward. They are theirs for the night."

He turned and strode to his tent, Agrona starting impotent hatred at his back as the wailing of women rose behind her.