‘Don’t take it too hard, boy. That’s just the way life is. These rebels are like any other men. They have their price, and I can afford to pay it.’ He lowered his voice to a whisper that only Marcus would hear. ‘It’s too bad for everyone else. Especially you. A few more years’ training and you would have been one of the heroes of the arena. Another little boost for Caesar’s reputation. He was right to buy you from Porcino’s school. He’s as shrewd a man as ever put on a senator’s toga. He may turn out to be one of the greatest Romans who ever lived.’

‘So why have you been plotting to kill him? You’re a Roman. If Rome needs men like him, then why kill him?’

‘Because I think Caesar believes that Rome needs hin> more than he needs Rome. That makes such men very dangerous. In any case, my political beliefs happen to coincide with an opportunity to do business with Crassus.’

‘Business?’

‘I am a businessman, young Marcus. I do what I do for money. That is why I work for Crassus. He rewards me with tax-collecting contracts. That’s how a man gets rich in this world. In return I provide Crassus with the services of my employees who have the skills needed to remove obstacles in the path of his ambition. Over the years I have recruited a few men who have proved very useful indeed.’

‘Men like Thermon?’ Marcus interrupted bitterly. ‘Murderers.’

‘Murder is such a harsh word. I prefer to think of it as providing a special service at a premium price.’

‘I take it that you and your men did not join Caesar’s army to buy slaves then?’

‘Why not? Might as well make a little extra on the side.’

‘But you were sent to kill him, weren’t you?’

‘If the opportunity presented itself. I had thought to blackmail that young tribune over there to help one of my men get close to Caesar, but now I have more pressing concerns. I need to strike a deal with these rebel scum and buy my freedom.’

A gust of wind moaned over the sheep pen. Marcus glanced up at the sky and noticed a band of cloud to the north. There would be more snow before the dawn came. But that was of little concern to him. If he was to die, then there was one thing he had to know. One last comforting thought to cling to.

‘Decimus, there’s something you must tell me.’

‘You want to know if your mother still lives?’

‘Yes.’