Tom left the guardhouse and went to relieve himself in the urinal behind the chariot enclosure. As Head Master of the Catti, he had a private chamber in the royal residence but rarely slept there. The girls 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 terms of the people he had come to live amongst. He was getting 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 from the Mediterranean had invaded the north. Tom won top grades at military college and had a passion for the history of war. He'd read Caesar's accounts of the conquest of Gaul and imagined himself in the position of the natives. Their personal weapons matched the Romans and they outnumbered them yet they were defeated. A chieftain with understanding could have outsmarted the invader.
Tom had imagined himself in that role. With the hindsight 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 numerous discussions on every aspect of his old realm, including military tactics.
She was aware of his sleeping arrangements and seemed to approve. Thunder said he was expected to sire an army of warriors by the hairy-legged amazons of the royal guard. Tom said he found them passionate but would prefer something more dainty. Thunder said he would be showing great disrespect if he challenged Her Majesty's choice of sleeping companions.
Two members of the guard 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 know who I am.'
'Standing orders require proof of identity.'
Tom pointed to the badge of office that secured his cloak. The girls 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.