“She says he bought her two days ago and that she lost her way this morning. Can you believe this nonsense?”

“Liar. You’re a runaway,” a guard said.

The girl panicked. “No, I swear on Zalmoxis, I got lost and─”

“What did you do to stink like this? Pee on your own face?”

Cotiso raised his voice. “Calm down, you’re scaring her.”

“Let me see who owns this cow.” The guard checked her collar. “What is this?” A moment later, he pushed close to her face. “That’s not someone’s seal, it’s a coin!”

Dardanos turned his head toward the ruckus when he heard this but he didn’t say anything and after a moment, he returned his gaze to the forest.

“Let me see that.” Cotiso examined the coin as well. “A Roman coin!”

“My Master gave it to me.”

“Lying filth.” The guard spat. “Your Master’s seal is Rome? He’s mad?”

“He has a death wish?”

“Or has friends in very high places,” Cotiso said from behind his palm.

The guards went silent

“Why does your cloak smell so bad? What happened to your clothes?” He turned to one of the guards. “Get me something to cover her with, quickly, she’s freezing.”




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