‘Do you think we are in danger here?’ Cato asked quietly.

‘There was a patrol ambushed not far from here several days ago, sir. Lost half their men before they could reach the nearest outpost. In any case, the enemy has become more bold recently. The Silurians have raided the frontier zone as far as the Severnus on several occasions.’

‘Well, if they’ve set an ambush here once, they’d be foolish to do it again, where it might be expected. We should be safe.’

The decurion looked at him. ‘I hope you’re right, sir.’

Cato shrugged off the other man’s fears. ‘How much further to Bruccium, do you think?’

‘Half a day’s ride to the last outpost. Then another day should see us over the pass leading down into the valley. A few miles on from there is where you’ll find the fort.’

‘That’s good.’

Trebellius smiled faintly. ‘Good enough for me. I can’t wait to get out of these accursed mountains and back to the arms of my woman in Glevum.’

‘Oh? Lucky man.’

‘I suppose. She’s not some classy bit from Italy. Not even from Gaul. Garwhenna’s a local girl, half Silurian. Not much to look at but strong and loyal. And she’s taught me some of their tongue. Comes in useful when I’m trading with the locals for feed.’

‘I can imagine.’

They fell silent for a moment before the decurion pointed to a bend in the track a quarter of a mile ahead, where a rocky cliff pushed out from the side of the valley. ‘There’s a fortlet just beyond there, sir. We’ll stop to rest the mounts and I’ll pick up the optio’s report on his strength and supply situation.’

‘Very well,’ Cato responded absently. The rain had subsided into a misty drizzle and he was looking forward to enjoying a little shelter and warmth before they resumed their march. Then he heard a muffled noise above the sound of the hoofs clopping over the stony track. He was alert in an instant, straining his ears. For a moment he wondered if he was imagining it. The decurion’s anxiety was starting to rub off on him. But better safe than sorry. Cato tugged on his reins and threw his right hand up.

‘Halt!’

Beside him the decurion reined in and the rest of the column lumbered to a stop and the quiet of the surrounding landscape closed in around them. Macro edged his mount forward to join his friend and the decurion.

‘What is it?’

‘I heard something. Up ahead.’

Macro listened intently then shook his head. ‘I don’t h—’

Then it came again. The long deep blast of a horn, muffled by the drizzle and the mass of the cliff rising up in front of them. It had been a long time since Cato had last heard the sound, but it was quite unmistakable. The brassy blare came from a Celtic war horn.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

‘It’s an ambush!’ Trebellius said, eyes wide with fear as he scrutinised the treeline on either side of the track, well within the throw of a javelin. ‘We have to get out of here!’