Nine

"Since when have you befriended the locals, Longinus," Diana asked in a fit of rage.

"That girl would have been ruling this land with a Roman prince right now instead of you," he ambiguously replied. "I show respect to those who deserve it."

"How does that little rat deserve your respect?"

"She has spirit the likes of which I can never know," he stated, "She has a strength and will that no one will break. In her is the knowledge of her entire tribe. A knowledge that may be useful in my quest for the Spear."

"She's worthless to us," Diana retorted. "Her path is with those who fight against us. You stated that yourself. Her knowledge will not be shared with you or I."

"Perhaps not you, but she trusts me," countered Longinus. "It is that trust that will get me the knowledge in her head."

"You over-estimate this child's knowledge and power."

"No, you, my Queen, under-estimate her knowledge and power and mine as well. If she knows of the Spear, she'll tell me . . . for the right price, that is."

"What do you mean?" Diana's eyes narrowed as she listened for an answer.

"She wants an answer to who murdered her cherished husband," he pronounced. "For that information, I will get all of her knowledge of the Spear."

"And if she knows nothing at all?"

Longinus considered it a moment. It was a scenario he hadn't thought of before. "She will still get her answers," he replied. "I owe her that much."