...with a sense of satisfaction. The conversation with Tuccianus had gone rather easier than he had expected, although there had been moments of genuine rancor.

Can't complain, he thought wryly, since we gained far more than we had hoped. Either I'm getting a lot better at my game, or Tuccianus is growing worse at his.

Rhys raised his cup in a salute to the Roman Councilman. Tuccianus raised his own cup with a noticeable lack of enthusiasm. The obligatory toast over with, he set the cup heavily on the table and bowed his head.

At length, Tuccianus looked up, brow furrowed, and voiced his real concern. "You know that this is not going to be an easy sell to the Council?" Sighing tiredly, he raised his head and looked to the warmth of the fire, as if the crackling flames could dispel the icy feeling in his belly.

"You and I might have an agreement, Rhys," he continued at last. "But, I can't guarantee that you'll get all you want from the Council." Watching Rhys's face harden, the Roman hastened to reassure the Catuvellauni Headman. "I have influence, to be sure, and I'll twist arms and call in favours." He looked at the burly man wearily. "I just have to be honest with you. There's always the chance that I won't succeed." A short, bitter laugh escaped the leader of the Verulamium Ordo. "I'm not one of the Gods, Rhys. I don't always get my way. You know how the Council is divided."

Rhys nodded. He knew that as the number of men in the Ordo increased, the power of its leader to reach accord amongst all members must necessarily dwindle. "Do your best, Tuccianus. That's more than enough for me, and will be for the Queen as well. We do know what you're up against."

Thinking rapidly, the big ex-soldier busied himself with sweeping breadcrumbs from his place at the table onto the floor. What should I do? he wondered as he pondered the idea that had occurred to him. Will Miranda support me? Will we gain more than we lose, and above all, will I be able to deliver on my promise?

Mind made up, he looked solemnly at his Roman counterpart. "I know you'll make every effort to get these concessions through, Tuccianus." Rhys's mouth crooked into a semblence of a smile. "For my part, when we have our men in the Council, I'll do my best to see that you can count on their... support."

Tuccianus peered intently at Rhys's face, finding no artifice, only a steadfast promise of assistance. Mind whirling, realising the import of what he was hearing, he allowed himself a relieved smile.

This time it was the High Councilor who raised his cup for a salute. "Done, Rhys!" he grinned, knowing the Catuvellauni had just handed him the solution to his problems. "By all the gods, I say YES!"