has done me good, although I wouldn't have believed that last night.

Concentrating on WindDancer, making sure that his cuts are healing, caring for him, at least kept my mind from her. My Queen, Miranda.

Sitting in the corner of WindDancer's stall, watching as he devours his meal of oats, I have time to think about what I saw in her eyes last night. It's there, plain for anyone who cares to, to see. Miranda and the War Chief. The Queen and Aonghais. They love each other. And I cannot deny that their union would be good for the Catuvellauni.

As for me, that bears some thinking on. I've realised that perhaps there are other things I must learn before I am truly worthy to be a Catuvellauni warrior. My natural talents have always kept me in the forefront, my teachers praising me unstintingly.

What they did not tell me was how much I had to learn about real life. It is that which I want to learn now.

I want to know why the brigands didn't fight with honor. I want to know why those of lesser talent seem so much more able than I.

Most of all, I want to know why, when I love so much, that love is not returned. It seems it should be.

She has promised to talk with me. I must be ready.