We have worked together . Farewell ! Farewell ! Farewell ! '' ` Now , that was my Emperor 's last letter . ' -LRB- The children heard the parchment crackle as Parnesius returned it to its place . -RRB- ' `` I was mistaken , '' said Amal . `` The servants of such a man will sell nothing except over the sword . I am glad of it . '' He held out his hand to me . ' `` But Maximus has given you your dismissal , '' said an elder . `` You are certainly free to serve -- or to rule -- whom you please . Join -- do not follow -- join us ! '' ' `` We thank you , '' said Pertinax . `` But Maximus tells us to give you such messages as -- pardon me , but I use his words -- your thick heads can understand . '' He pointed through the door to the foot of a catapult wound up . ' `` We understand , '' said an elder . `` The Wall must be won at a price ? '' ' `` It grieves me , '' said Pertinax , laughing , `` but so it must be won , '' and he gave them of our best Southern wine . ` They drank , and wiped their yellow beards in silence till they rose to go .
` Said XXXXX , stretching himself -LRB- for they were barbarians -RRB- : `` We be a goodly company ; I wonder what the ravens and the dogfish will make of some of us before this snow melts . '' '
Amal Emperor Maximus Parnesius Pertinax Southern dismissal messages sword wound