Eodan felt a dull pleasure. This was no decent way to hurt an enemy, yet what other way did he have? "So now your hopes for the consulate are broken," he said. "That much service have I done Rome." "Not so," Flavius told him. "For I allowed the divorce in an amicable way, not raising the charges of adultery I might. Thus her father is grateful to me." He nodded. "There are troublous years coming. The plebs riot and the patricians fall out with each other. I shall rise high enough in the confusion so that I will have power to proscribe your bastard." It had never occurred to Eodan before, to think about the by-blow of his women. He had set Hwicca's Othrik upon his knee and named him heir, but otherwise--Now, far down under the seething in him, he knew a tenderness. He could find no good reason for it; there was a Power here. He would have chanced Mithradates' wrath and broken the neck of Flavius, merely to save an unborn child, little and lonely in the dark, whom he would never see. But no, those guardsmen drilling beneath the walls would seize him before he finished the task. He asked in a sort of wonder: "Is this why you pursue me?" "I bear the commission of the Republic." "The king spoke truly--they are not that interested in one man. This decree is a gesture to please you, belike through your father-in-law. You are the one who has made it his life's work to destroy me." "Well, then, if you wish, I am revenging Cordelia," said Flavius. His eyes shifted with a curious unease. "I spared you at Arausio. And what was Cordelia to you, ever?" "So now you call up the past and whine for your life." "Oh, no," said Eodan softly. "I thank all the high gods that we meet again. For you killed my Hwicca." "_I_ did?" cried Flavius. His skin was chalky. "Now the gods would shatter you, did they exist!" "Your sword struck her down," said Eodan. "After you flung her upon it!" shrieked Flavius. "You are her murderer and none but you! I have heard enough of your filth!" He whirled and almost ran. Phryne, small and solitary at the gate, flinched aside from him. He vanished. Eodan stood for a while staring after the Roman. It came to him finally, like a voice from elsewhere: So that is why he must hate me. He also loved Hwicca, in his own way. Indeed the soul of man is a forest at night. He thought coldly, It is well. Now I can be certain that Flavius will never depart my track until one of us has died. Phryne joined him as he left. As they went mutely from the castle, Tjorr rushed up to them. "There are Romans come!" he bawled. "A dozen Roman soldiers in camp.... I'd swear I saw Flavius himself go by.... Phryne! _You_ are here!" "Have you any further information?" asked the girl sweetly. They walked toward Eodan's tent, and she explained to the Alan what had happened. Tjorr gripped his hammer. "By the thunder," he said, "it was well done of you! But what help did you think you could give us?"