Sisters and daughters

Titus saw a flicker of concern cross Agrona's haughty face as he gave the order, the expression quickly submerged by her glare of hatred.

Soldiers led the two women forward, both of them trembling in fear, with tears shining on their cheeks. They dropped to their knees without being told, looking at Titus with fearful eyes and trembling lips. They were young, he realised. In the first bloom of womanhood, but both ripe and nubile. While not identical they were clearly sisters.

"Who are these?" he asked Agrona, nodding at the two girls.

She pressed her lips together for a moment before answering. "They are the twin daughters of my husband from his first wife. My step daughters. They are innocent of all your filthy charges. They were bound to follow their father's orders and then mine. And they are barely more than children. They have only eighteen summers."

"They are rebels in revolt against legal authority. They are guilty and are condemned," Titus said casually, as though the words meant nothing. Agrona glared, then spat on the ground in front of her.

"I am the rebel you seek!" she snarled. "The barbarian queen, as you call me. I led my warriors against your legion! Execute me, as you intend, but let my people live."