I looked up at him. ‘I have no horse, lord.’
‘Do you not?’ said Claudia, looking beyond the column of troops.
The horizon, previously empty, was suddenly filled with horsemen cresting a hill who then flooded the valley we were in and rode towards us. I saw a great white banner sporting a red design and then a rider with flowing blonde hair holding the reins of a white stallion that galloped beside her and a wave of pure joy swept through me. The riders slowed their horses to a trot and then halted as Gallia walked Epona and Remus through the parting ranks and brought my horse to me.
The tears came again as she gave me a dazzling smile, jumped down and threw herself into my arms.
‘You did not think I would leave you, my love, did you?’
‘Never,’ I answered, my heart full of gladness.
I cupped her young face in my hands and stared into her blue eyes.
‘Was it all a dream?’
‘Life and death are but fleeting dreams, my love, but love is eternal.’
I hoisted myself into the saddle and once again felt the powerful frame of Remus beneath me. He snorted and flicked his tail and I leaned forward and patted his neck. Gallia mounted Epona and then we followed Spartacus and Claudia as they trotted forward beside his marching army. The other horsemen fell in behind us: Vagharsh carrying my banner, the grinning Nergal beside Praxima and Gafarn and Diana joining us with the mail-clad Amazons behind them. I shook hands with them all as we rode on.
Spartacus slowed his horse as we neared a man wearing a white transverse crest atop his helmet who was barking orders to the soldiers marching beside him. He struck one with his cane.
‘No talking in the ranks. You’re no longer slaves but soldiers, so act like it.’
Spartacus rode alongside him. ‘Pacorus has joined us, Domitus.’
My friend turned and raised his cane to me. ‘About time. We need someone to keep your horse boys under control.’ He gave me a grin. ‘We’ll talk later, my old friend.’
Spartacus shook his head and smiled. ‘Well, Pacorus, we must make haste if we are to get home.’
‘Home, lord?’
Spartacus nodded. ‘Yes, Pacorus, our objective. A land of peace. And freedom.’