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Touardhouse and went to relieve himself in the urinal behind the chariot enclosure As Head Master of the Catti, he had a private chairls of the guard yearned for his company and he was reluctant to deny their wishes

Four weeks had passed since his arrival in the royal village In the reckoning of his new realm that was one moon Tom preferred to think in the ter a feel for their way of life and felt at home in their company

His new realm reminded him of his old two thousand years earlier In those far-off days, southerners frorades at e and had a passion for the history of war He'd read Caesar's accounts of the conquest of Gaul and iined himself in the position of the natives Their personal weapons matched the Romans and they outnumbered the could have outsined hiht of history it was easy to see where the northerners had gone wrong They lacked political cohesion and didn't have a standing army Once these obstacles were overcome, they would be invincible He adjusted his sword harness He had an audience with the queen and was anxious to discuss strategy with her

He'd fallen under the old woman's spell She was the mother he'd never had His real mother could never cope with his wild antics The queen treated him like a son and they'd had nu ements and seemed to approve Thunder said he was expected to sire an aruard To reat disrespect if he challenged Her Majesty's choice of sleeping couard confronted him when he arrived at the royal apartments They stood on either side of the door with spears and short stabbing swords The spears flicked out to block his way

'Who goes there?'

'Sky Warrior Head Master of the Catti'

Tom barked out his name and title

'Proof of identity'

'You knoho I a orders require proof of identity'

Toirls glanced at it and said they would have to conduct a body search Hands undid straps and he was beginning to think he was not being treated with the respect due to his office when a voice called out