To taunt her

Agrona smothered a wince as the Roman gave the order, forcing an expression of disdain and hatred onto her face.

Soldiers led the two girls forward, both of them trembling with tears shining on their cheeks. They dropped to their knees without being told, looking at the Roman with fearful eyes and trembling lips.

"Who are these?" the Roman asked Agrona, nodding at them.

She pressed her lips together for a moment before answering. "They are the twin daughters of my husband by 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," he said casually, as though the words meant nothing. She 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."