Brixus and Mandracus exchanged a brief glance before Brixus continued. ‘The son of Spartacus.’

Though Lupus had heard the rumours across Rome, he didn’t think anyone was foolish enough to raise a rebellion on such a notion. But he was careful not to show his true feelings in front of the two men.

‘Then where is he?’ Lupus asked. ‘Who is he?’ He was still confused about his own role in this discussion.

‘Before I tell you, Lupus, there are a few details you must know so that you believe me when I tell you his name. I met the boy at a gladiator school near Capua, less than two years ago. He thought himself the son of a retired Roman army officer and the slave woman that the officer had bought, freed and married. Except this woman had been the wife of Spartacus and she was carrying his child in her womb when she was taken by the officer. After his birth she branded the child with the mark of Spartacus, a secret mark that only Spartacus and those closest to him carried. A mark like this.’

Brixus stood up and pulled the cloak and tunic from his arm to reveal the muscle of his shoulder. There at the top of his shoulder blade was a scar, a brand in the shape of a wolf’s head pierced by a gladiator’s sword. Brixus let him see it for a moment, then shrugged the cloak back over his skin and sat down.

‘Mandracus has the same mark, and the heating iron that made it was kept by Spartacus’s wife — the same one she used on her child.’

Lupus winced as he imagined the mother branding her own baby. ‘Why would she do such a thing?’

Brixus pursed his lips. ‘My guess is she loved Spartacus, and all that he stood for, and intended that his son would continue his work one day. The brand served to remind her of this, and would prove his identity to others who had followed Spartacus.’

Lupus frowned. He suddenly realized that he had encountered the brand before, recently. ‘I know that mark! I’ve seen it myself.’

‘If reports are to be believed, then I imagine that you have.’ Brixus smiled. ‘And now that I have explained about the boy who bears the mark, you will know who he is.’

Lupus felt a little dizzy as the realization hit home like a hammer blow. He let out a gasp and whispered, ‘Marcus..

‘Yes. Marcus. I know that he is with Caesar. We must find him, and bring him here to fulfil his destiny. Once we have Marcus, there will be a rebellion like none the world has ever seen. Roman blood will flow like a river and slaves will be free.’