Marcus said nothing. He knew the proconsul needed the rebels to surrender at once. If forced to starve the rebels out, he would lose valuable time. Marcus had known Caesar long enough to believe that he would order an immediate attack on the camp. It would cost many lives and would fail, and Caesar would still be forced to starve the rebels out of their stronghold. In that ease he would show no mercy to any who survived.

Brixus was gazing towards the Roman lines, and the cluster of officers waiting beyond. ‘This guarantee of yours, does it include us all?’

Marcus nodded. ‘Everyone. Even you and Mandracus.’

The latter snorted with derision. ‘It’s a lie. The Romans will want to make an example of those who led the rebellion. We’ll go the same way as Spartacus and his comrades: hanging from a cross outside the gates of Rome. Don’t be a fool, Brixus. You knew from the start that only two paths are open to us — liberty or death. Either we hold our ground as long as possible, or we cut our way through the Roman lines to escape. We could find a new camp, raise another army and continue the struggle.’

The rebel leader glanced at the silent body of men filling the gorge. ‘If we defend the camp, we are doomed in the long run. To escape, we must abandon all the others in the camp: the old, the women, the children.’

‘Then that is the price we pay to keep the dream of Spartacus alive.’

Marcus cleared his throat. ‘Spartacus, my father, dreamed of putting an end to the suffering of slaves, not making it worse for them.’

Mandracus rounded on him angrily. ‘Still your tongue, traitor, before I cut it out!’

‘Enough!’ Brixus snapped. His eyes blazed at Mandracus until the man backed off a step. ‘The boy is right. We are trapped. We are dead whether we stay or flee. You and I and many of the others would prefer death to slavery, but we cannot make that choice for everyone in the camp. It is better that they live. Having tasted freedom they will never forget it, and in time there may be a better opportunity to rebel. But if they are butchered now, such a hope will die with them, and in the hearts of all others who are still slaves. We must accept Caesar’s terms.’

Marcus felt a surge of relief wash through his body.

‘You would give in without a fight?’ asked Mandracus.

‘We have fought for as long as we can, my friend. Now we must accept defeat.’

Marcus saw the anguish in Mandracus’s face as he struggled to accept his leader’s decision. ‘This is your will? Your command?’

Brixus nodded slowly. ‘It is.’