Rothlin

The wind lashed the sails as the ship set out from the harbour. Rothlin clung to the side and watched as the coastline of Gaul began to drift away. He knew that he could never return to his homeland, and he wondered if the price he had paid, the price his people had paid was worth anything after all. Then Talia came up from below decks, shielding her eyes from the sun, and smiled at him. Rothlin smiled back. Whatever the price, she was worth it.

Talia walked over to him at the rail, and joined him in staring back at the land they were leaving behind. She gripped his hand gently, and turned to look at him. "Do not blame yourself," she said, her voice gentle. "There was nothing anyone could have done." Rothlin bowed his head. She was right, there was nothing that he could have done. But he still felt responsible.

After the battle was lost, he had regrouped his forces and ordered them to disperse, disseminating themselves into other tribes. They had grimly acknowledged his order. The Nervii were no more, Caesar had defeated them again, and the best they could hope for was a new life, somewhere among the tribes. Then Rothlin had taken Talia and the people who could not bear to be parted with them, and had ridden for the coast. There they had found a captain willing to sail them away from Gaul, and across the water.

Rothlin turned away from his home for the last time and set his gaze ahead of the ship. On the horizon, looming closer as they sped before the wind, he could see the towering fastness of Ynes Prydein glinting under the sun. His resolve tightened. He and Talia, along with what was left of their people would start a new life here. It would be a long time before the Romans came here, to the final bastion of the Celts. Rothlin nodded slowly. It would indeed be a long time before Rome came to the island she called Britannia.


Caesar

"And so, glorious Caesar, it seems that what was left of their army has dispersed throughout the region. It would be impossible to find them all now. The tribe of the Nervii now no longer exists."

Caesar waved his hand in dismissal. "Thank you, captain. You may return to your men." The soldier bowed and left the tent. Caesar turned and raised an eyebrow at Brutus, sitting quietly in the corner of the tent. "Well, my friend, it seems that we have indeed accomplished what we came to achieve. Northern Gaul is again in Roman hands, and this time it shall remain so, with the tribes main forces being destroyed. We have done well all told, and I believe that they position in the Senate that I promised you will be waiting upon your return."

Brutus smiled his thanks. "I have done what I could for the Republic, my general. I live to serve her, and her victories are mine."

Caesar inwardly frowned at this, but turned his thoughts to more important matters. "I have heard tell that the commander of their armies, and the daughter of their old chieftain have escape across the channel, and have sailed to Britannia. Is this true?"

Brutus nodded. "Yes, Caesar. They were seen to leave the port several days hence, and the captain they sailed with was..... most cooperative." Caesar frowned, on the outside this time. "I don't like letting potential seeds of rebellion escape. Perhaps we will have to pursue them, some time in the future." He stood and walked out of his tent, and then faced north, shielding his eyes against the sun. The waters of the northern seas glittered in front of him, but his eyes were fixed upon the distant shores barely visible in the haze above them. "Yes," he whispered to himself. "Grow comfortable, young ones, for it will not be long before Caesar comes for you. One day, Rothlin and Talia, one day I will find you both again."