Mum brought me here, day before my Solstice.
What did she say?
You don't have to do everything Dad says.
Did Dad know that?
All men know that.
They just don't like to talk about it.
Oh, shit.
In a few hours' time,
400 ships will set sail for Britannia.
20,000 men.
Or, to be more precise, 19,996,
because you four didn't fancy it.
What was it, eh?
The weather?
Hear this, Pellenor!
I shit on the souls of your dead.
This war with the Regni will rage for generations,
thanks to you.
This place is at war with itself.
So what's the plan?
We find the weak points, and we push.
We push hard.
Father! Father!
No!
I'll take you as far as the river.
It's not about you.
It's about me.
Good.
My name is Veran.
You, Numidia...
you are going on a journey.
You must leave these islands.
Anybody else with a message from the underworld?
Speak now!
How was your journey?
Did you bring me back something?
You've done well, Numidian.
Now...
there's one more thing I want you to do.
Synced & corrected by -robtor- www.addic7ed.com
Morning!
Good morning.
Ugh, Phelan, what do you want?
Sorry to disturb you, my dear. Good morning, Cousin Lindon.
Just to say...
the Romans are here.
King Pellenor! At the gate, there's...
I know who's at my gate.
Fetch me my torc.
Where's our king?
He's not your king.
Your king's sleeping one off in Gaul.
Look, fuck off, will you?
I don't like this arrangement any more than you do.
Well, you could have fooled me.
Well, I'll say this.
He's fun to look at.
Brave too, to come alone.
He's come to parley.
He brings a message from his general.
Oh... I get it.
Is that what's going on?
See, I wouldn't know,
not knowing that much about them.
Isn't it obvious?
He hasn't exactly come to fight, has he?
No, I suppose not...
although with those arms, eh?
Well...
this is a big moment for you...
although I have to say, from up here,
I can't really see the resemblance.
I've listened to the elders,
you, my heart...
and my heart tells me this is not yet a war.
Well, I agree. There's still time.
Will you speak to them?
Mm.
I am Vitus Aurelius,
optio of the Eighth Legion,
servant of Emperor Claudius.
I am here
under the sacred protection of parley.
Fuck off back to Rome!
Now it's a war.
Time to get moving.
Some Romans just came through.
- Three of them. - Where?
They rode straight past.
If they'd seen me, I'd be dead.
You were lucky.
No, it wasn't luck. You did this.
You left this to protect me.
Oh, that.
No, no, no, that's not for you.
It protects me while I sleep.
Oh...
But it worked for you?
That's interesting.
Here. Eat these.
Ooh!
What the hell are they?
Dog berries.
They're disgusting.
I forgot to say, they taste like shit,
but they keep you going.
Chew! Chew!
Swallow.
Have you swallowed?
I'm not a child!
Or a woman.
Hey, maybe that's why they didn't see you.
Maybe you are invisible.
I hate you so much.
Don't mention it.
Seed.
Let's go.
Dillion!
It's me!
That's Morna. That's my wife!
Morna!
Are you safe?
Morna!
What's that racket?
Islene?
Has anyone seen Cait or Islene?
Pipe down!
Be quiet!
If one single soldier coming in or out of this camp
is harmed,
your menfolk will be executed!
I trust that's clear!
It's the wailers.
How many?
Twenty-odd.
Well, keep them quiet, but don't scare them off.
When things settle,
the men could use some female company.
Listen, I've been thinking.
The river... gives us a flank,
but it's too close.
Bowmen could lay fire on us without having to cross.
I see.
What's really the problem?
Come on, I've known you for too long.
He knew your forefather's name,
Tribune Numerious Plautius.
I bang on about that all the time.
He joined a month before we left Rome.
Oh, do spit it out.
He knew my history. What of it?
But why would he do that?
Sacrifice his life? It doesn't make sense.
You know, I take your point about our position,
but I like having the river close.
It's not the Tiber, but I like it.
Where are you going?
Bath time!
Legionary?
Take three men. Stay close to the General.
Aye, Praefectus.
We are going to die
so our general can wash his balls.
Oh, this is great.
Great way to die.
Where the fuck has he gone?
What?
Aw, shit.
You have been warned,
Aulus Plautius!
Make amends!
So you went mad,
and the Druids cast you out.
I didn't go mad.
The Druids don't cast you out for being mad.
Being mad in the Druids is practically a requirement.
So why did they throw you out?
Because I was possessed...
by a demon.
A demon?
His name is Pwykka.
Who's Pwykka?
He's one of the three Demon Kings.
He sounds important...
but then, you wouldn't be possessed
by any old demon, would you?
Have you seen the Druids?
Have you looked in their eyes?
To look a Druid in the eye
is to stare down into the abyss,
and the Druids are afraid of Pwykka...
so you never joke about Pwykka...
ever.
Why didn't the Druids just kill you?
You can't kill Pwykka.
Pwykka's immortal.
So... he's still inside you.
He's been asleep for a year now...
but with all these rumblings,
I feel him,
stirring in his sleep.
His nostrils can smell the blood and the flames...
but as long as he's in me, I'm safe from the Druids.
They can't touch me.
Only when Pwykka leaves me,
only then the Druids can have their revenge.
Then I'm really in trouble.
Then they can do to me what they want...
and they will.
So... here we are.
Romans this way, cave's that way.
You will be safe there.
Goodbye.
Where's the cave?
I said I'd take you as far as the river.
Well, where's the river?
Ten miles that way.
I'd take you myself,
but I'd be wasting really precious time.
I need to destroy the Romans.
The path wanders a lot.
You have to go through Little Demon Wood,
then east...
No, no, no, hold on. Stop.
Little Demon Wood?
It's the wood that's little...
not the demon.
Through Little Demon Wood.
That leads straight to Great Demon Wood.
A bit scary.
Climb down the cliffs to a waterfall.
Now, there are wolves near the waterfall,
but if you carry on for a few miles,
you'll see the cave.
Safe journey!
No, I'm not going to the cave.
I'm coming to find the Romans with you.
No, you're not.
Dad wasn't at home.
He could have been taken prisoner.
Listen, I didn't want to tell you this...
but your dad's dead.
I saw him get killed.
He died a warrior.
He was fighting?
So bravely.
You would have been proud.
No one brings weapons to Solstice.
It's forbidden.
He must have disarmed a Roman.
Was it a sword or spear?
A sword.
Which hand was he fighting with?
His...
sword hand.
Left or right?
Right.
You lying bastard!
All right, I made it up,
but you forced me to.
You're not mad!
You're just a bastard! A lying bastard!
I can't have you with me.
You slow me down!
You'll get me caught. That can't happen.
You're evil! You liar!
My mission is huge.
You don't see it!
I'll find the fucking Romans myself!
That's my path.
Not anymore!
Find another.
I knew that would work.
It's a mountain fortress.
Natural defenses, all flanks.
High perimeter for bowmen.
Main fortress is deep inside.
You could garrison 3,000, 4,000, minimum.
We take it over,
we'd command all the coastal tribes.
Crugdunon is our foothold in the south.
Bring me one of the children.
A boy.
The gods have chosen.
The first chance we get.
Agreed?
Agreed.
What's your name?
Innis.
What about your king, Innis? What's his name?
King Pellenor.
And is he an honourable king?
I only saw him once.
He was very old.
The Druids put runes on his face.
The runes?
It's the King's story.
And what is the story?
Only the Druids know.
What about me? Do you know who I am?
Mum says...
What does your mum say?
You can tell me.
Mum says you're a demon.
And is she here with you, your mum?
What about your father?
In the Underworld.
How did he die?
Your soldiers sent him there.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
A warrior.
A warrior?
And who will you fight?
The Regni.
Are they your enemy?
The Regni burned our home.
They killed my hound.
Now, Innis...
this Underworld...
has anyone ever been there and come back?
I mean, anybody you know?
Only the Druids can make that happen.
Can I go now?
Come here.
Closer.
Don't be afraid.
Now...
one more question, and then you can go.
Agreed?
Tell me...
about the Druids.
Educational?
Very.
Optio!
General.
Start crucifying the prisoners.
Two an hour, full show.
We need news to get to Pellenor fast.
Yes, sir.
Get yourself two outriders.
Saddle up.
There's some people I want you to visit.
No, no, no!
Take me! He can't work!
You want to come?
He's too old to work.
Then you come too.
What are they building?
No... No! No!
You're next.
They've started to execute the prisoners.
There's nothing I can do.
You can try and change his mind.
Father's mind is set.
He wants to do this like his forefathers did.
No parley.
Just out and out war.
Our home is full to bursting.
The children say
there are warriors asleep in the apple store.
Crugdunon serves its true purpose now.
And yet, now that Rome has returned,
should we not be wary of weakness...
within these walls?
Meaning?
Your daughter, Kerra...
I'm afraid...
Afraid what?
She keeps secrets from you.
What secrets?
I am Kerra,
daughter of Pellenor, King of the Cantii.
I've come to speak with your general.
First time?
I need your word, as a general of Rome,
that I have safe parley here.
You have it.
You come to occupy us?
We come to work with you,
to make both our worlds better.
How many crucifixions does that take?
Yesterday, I sent an envoy to parley with your father.
Today, he came back with a flea in his ear.
Now you're here.
What happened?
Did he change his mind?
Does he even know you're here?
Stop killing my people. Then I'll talk.
Forgive me, but about what?
I asked to speak with the King.
Much as I'd like to spend all afternoon talking to you,
it's not what the Emperor pays me for.
My father listens to me.
I see.
You have his ear, do you?
You influence him?
I do.
But he didn't send you here, did he?
No.
I thought not.
Not his style.
Not if I know old Pellenor.
Stop killing the prisoners.
And in return?
I will speak with my father.
Optio!
Aye, General.
Cease the executions.
Aye, General.
Thank you.
This morning,
a young boy from your tribe came here
and told me a story.
He said King Pellenor had a beautiful young wife...
and he loved her with all his heart.
Then one day, the Druids came and told him
his queen was cursed.
She had Roman blood.
Her grandfather had been a Roman soldier,
and she was part demon.
She would seek to destroy the King.
So Pellenor summoned his young wife...
and had her flayed alive.
I wonder what your Druids think about you...
so far.
Tantalizing, isn't it?
How long were you following me?
Since morning.
These men are Regni scouts.
There could be more around.
I know another path.
I can't take you any further.
I know.
I'll go back.
Will you tell him?
He's my king.
I can't stop you.
I just came back from a ride into the Roman area.
I saw their camp.
Their general gave the order to halt the crucifixions.
What made him do this?
I don't know.
That's mine.
Don't touch it.
These scrolls...
what are they?
I don't know.
Histories. Stories.
Roman stories.
Yes!
Yeah? How long have you had them?
Since I was a girl. Mother gave them to me.
Are you insane?
You share our mother's blood.
All texts are forbidden.
They are the work of devils.
Where were you today, mm?
Where have you been all day?
I went to the Roman camp.
I spoke with their general.
He agreed to stop the crucifixions.
Yeah? In return for what?
I just wanted to buy us more time,
and it worked.
You know, he was right.
You really are like our mother.
If he knew what you just told me,
and he knew that I've kept it a secret,
do you know what he would do to me?
Mm?
He'd do the same as he did to her.
Enemy approaching!
Move!
Hold, steady now!
Eyes front!
Hold!
Come on.
Ready ballista fire!
Loading!
Take him out!
Hold!
That's a range finder,
for the archers.
I said "hold."
That's the Praefectus, sir.
That's a parley pole.
Good old Lucius Validus.
They've come to talk.
General Aulus Plautius,
Commander of the Roman 9th Legatus Augusti,
here by decree of Emperor Claudius
and the Senate of Rome.
Queen Antedia of the Regni, daughter of...
Sit the fuck down, pretty boy.
You've done enough talking today.
You are welcome here, Queen.
I piss on this ground.
Cantii soil makes my arse itch.
I've got 20,000 warriors, 10,000 spears,
too many bowmen to count.
I have ore, lands, forges
and steel enough to fight a hundred years.
My fortress has springs, wheat field, and cattle sheds.
It's stocked and ready for a ten-year siege.
That's if you can get anywhere near it,
which I deeply doubt.
So, what are you offering us this time?
Emperor Claudius Tiberius Augustus
would like you to become citizens of Rome...
and in return for some modest taxation,
he'd like you to continue ruling your lands,
worshipping your gods,
and generally just carrying on, tax issues aside,
as fairly normal...
but, and this is the important part...
as Romans,
Emperor Claudius will become your protector.
Your enemies will be our enemies...
which is always bad for them
and good for you.
How does that sound?
Take your time.
Lots to think about.
I know my mind.
I have my own offer.
Show him.
You've seen such a wound...
your eunuchs...
but not on my son.
Not on my prince.
Well, that's not good, but...
I don't think even the Emperor can help you there.
Come here, my love.
Who did this abomination, Queen?
Two summers ago, the Druids came.
They said the ancestors wanted my boy
to be the union between Regni and Cantii...
my only son.
I refused.
I said the ancestors would have to tell me themselves.
So I went there.
I crossed over to the other place...
a harrowing trip...
I met with my dead.
They told me...
"Marry him.
Marry your son to our enemy."
I thought I'd sooner die,
but I felt the strength of my dead behind me.
So I conceded to them.
Kerra was his bride...
daughter of Pellenor.
On the night of their wedding,
in their bed,
she took my boy in her hand...
gentle,
with the sweetness a wife should...
until she had him hard,
and then, with her Cantii knife,
she cut out my future
at the root.
I heard his cries from our camp...
my boy,
bleeding his life into his wedding sheet.
How could the gods leave him so...
and she who did this be gone?
Had the gods forsaken me?
I could not understand...
but now I do.
You're here for my revenge.
They sent you.
The Regni will accept you here,
but only as allies against the Cantii scum,
if you will swear
to deliver Kerra,
daughter of Pellenor...
to me...
alive.
Make sure the men are fed.
We'll ride through the night.
We'll set up camp
within striking distance of Crugdunon by dawn.
You trust the Regni?
Hatred is far more reliable,
and by God, do these people hate.
I need you to lead the column.
Maintain a loaded march till dawn.
What?
What are you doing?
I'll meet you at the dawn camp.
You have the command.
Where are you going?
General!
There are strategic elements to this mission
I can't discuss,
not even with you.
You can't go out there on your own.
It's insane.
Go with the General.
Yes, sir.
Here we go again.
Look at us.
Cocks in hand, walking head of the column.
Well, let's do this guy now, like we said.
Did he say where he was going?
You know the General.
What are you waiting for?
I said I'd do it, all right?
If you don't have the balls, don't draw the straw.
Need to pick my moment.
Are you with us?
Aye.
So let's do it.
Sir...
we're not going any further.
Get back in line.
I don't think so.
Do it now.
For God's sake, man! Do it!
Are you sure you've thought this through?
Hold your positions!
Brutus!
Hold!
Get back here now!
Formation!
Let them come to us!
Steady. Steady.
With me! This way!
Move! Move!
Cowards!
Alive!
I want them alive.
Camp here.
If I'm not back by sunrise, you join the others.
You understand?
Yes, sir.
Fuck me.
You got my map, then.
You take a great risk in coming here.
You must be very brave.
Or foolish.
Then it better be worth it.
Are you sure you're ready, Rome?
Ready for what you'll find?
I'm ready.
Then let's begin.
He looks shiny,
like a newborn baby.
Our baby.
Returned from the underworld.
We have a general.
This man,
his weapon is not the sword.
His weapon is you.
We are the dead.
We are the dead!
You know Caesar's mistake?
You don't defeat these people by fighting their warriors.
It's their gods you've got to kill.
Synced & corrected by -robtor- www.addic7ed.com