Chapter 8
After the final snows had fallen and the days were growing longer and sunnier, Brennus and Cyprian took to going for long walks. Once they even returned to their cave. The dried fish were gone, along with the animal skins and the firewood, no doubt taken by the blue people, which was more than a fair trade for all the help they had given them. All that remained was the stone circle of their fireplace and the ashes within, the pot they’d found, and a few bones.
“Not so welcoming now, is it?” said Cyprian.
They took one last look, then strolled back to the village.
* * * *
During the winter, Brennus had learned a few words of Pictish and could now communicate with the blue people in a rudimentary fashion. With nothing better to do, he’d pick up words and phrases simply by list
