Nate's answer, alas, only spawned a hundred more questions in Samo's mind. The other side? There was a world, across the sea? Unknown to Rome. Unknown to the Gaul, at least. And yet Nate knew of Rome.

Did he know of their customs, too? Did he recognize the brand on his face? No. No, he could not. Or perhaps he did, and only hid that knowledge to use against him later. No—no. Elk Charm had said he was a good man, and Samo saw nothing to interfere with that assessment.

Something he must consider later. For now Samo did not wish to interrupt the flow of conversation, eyes flicking quietly between Nate and Elk Charm. He was tired, he was realizing, and looked forward to laying his head down somewhere. Sleep never came easily to him. He doubted it would today, with all these new revelations milling about his head, but perhaps his limbs would be weary enough to drag him into something resembling quiet. He needed it.