Having journeyed to the very underworld itself, Aulus returns to the Roman camp – his purpose renewed. But while he may think his insight into the Druids’ world will seal his victory, the Druids view him with strange amusement. At the Cantii citadel, Phelan’s attendance is requested by Ania – the Regni princess who was captured as a hostage during the illfated wedding ceremony. She announces to him that she is in fact an incarnation of the goddess of war, and has her own prophecy to fulfil. While sceptical, Phelan is very accommodating to his role in this prophecy. Cait, meanwhile, having parted ways with Divid under acrimonious circumstances and only just surviving an encounter with a pack of wolves, is finally able to track down her father, Sawyer. Now a prisoner of the Roman army, she arrives in time to see him brutally mutilated by Aulus’ righthand man, Lucius, for attacking a Roman centurion. She plans a rescue, but she can’t do it alone.