He had a set of new clothes, fashioned from the finest cloth and put together by the queen's own seamstress. He swept his cloak about his shoulders and fastened it with the brooch. While its main emblem was an eagle, a ring of skulls around the border identified him as the new Head Master of the Catti.
The office was of a mainly ceremonial nature. The queen had been at pains to explain that his real role was to act as adviser to the council of chieftains on military matters, drawing on his experience in his former realm.
He left his room in the royal apartments and headed for the council chamber. The Chariot Master was waiting for him on the steps, ready to introduce him to the clan chieftains. A dozen or so flamboyantly dressed individuals returned his salute when he entered and stared at him suspiciously.
Their coolness contrasted with the enthusiastic reception he received from the ordinary people. Tom guessed that the chieftains felt threatened by him. He looked from one heavily moustached personage to another and decided to adopt a low posture. A dimly lit corner beckoned. He retreated into it, forced his huge bulk onto a narrow bench and tried to look as inconspicuous as possible.
A girl of the guard thumped her spear on the flagstones. The chieftains rose and the queen hobbled in. The old woman looked more pained than usual. She bade them return to their seats and announced the convening of a war council. Holding her head high, she gave a summary of events: starting with Morgon's appointment as War Master of Gorm and ending with the Augury Master's prediction that Morgon was planning a major offensive against her people.
From the looks on the chieftains' faces, Tom concluded that most believed the information came from intelligence operations and had nothing to do with sticking swords into criminals and watching their death throes.
She turned to Tom.
'For the benefit of our new Head Master, I must explain that Morgon is an officer in the Imperial army. He is commander of the thirteenth legion. He is a southerner whose real name is Morgio DeBolino.'
Tom rose and bowed.
'I believe, Majesty, that I met some of Morgon's men when I visited the sanctuary of the Duideth. I killed two before I was able to make my escape, using the Grand Master to protect my rear.'
A chuckle spread through the chamber and Tom felt he had done something to make himself more acceptable to the chieftains. The old woman nodded in his direction.
'Aye. Morgon has men stationed in the sanctuary. They're there to protect the priests.'