2020/124: Island of Ghosts -- Gillian Bradshaw

2020/124: Island of Ghosts -- Gillian Bradshaw

We mutinied when we reached the ocean. [opening line]

Ariantes is a Sarmatian warrior, one of three prince-commanders who, defeated in battle, have sworn service to the Roman Emperor. Together with fifteen hundred heavy cavalry -- most of the surviving young Sarmatian noblemen of this generation -- they are en route to Britain. Their Roman minder, Marcus Flavius Facilis, is embittered by the loss of his son in battle, and (rightly) mistrusts the Sarmatians: they're not 'nice safe conquered barbarians', he insists, citing Arshak, the preeminent of the prince-commanders, who decorates himself and his horse with Roman scalps. (“Those tassels on the bridles?” said the procurator. “Those are scalps? I thought…”) 

( no spoilers )