‘See anything?’ Bran crawled up beside him. Vindex was with the other group, a little further back so that he could see what happened and decide whether or not to join in.

Ferox gave a slight nod towards the wood to their right and kept watching.

‘Guess it’s the obvious spot,’ Bran agreed. The wood was a mix of pines and firs, none of them very high, but tended by the local farmers because they needed timber. ‘Don’t see anyone though.’

‘You’re not supposed to. But can you see the ground from there back to the hills?’

Bran stared for a while. ‘Yes,’ he conceded with the tone of someone suspicious of the question. He waited, for he was used to Ferox after all these years. After a long silence, he gave in. ‘Afraid I don’t see anything.’

‘Again, that’s the point.’ Ferox turned and saw Bran frowning. ‘It’s been swept with branches. Someone’s come through, then cleared up behind them. See how it’s different to the land either side?’

‘Not really. Looks the same to me, but then I am not one of the Silures, am I.’

‘It’s an old Sarmatian trick. Too wet in my country to be worthwhile! But I’ve seen the Roxolani do it, and the Iasyges. They tell me that some of the finest warriors serving Parthian noblemen are Dahae and Saka, and the Sarmatians see them as kin. Maybe this prince or whoever is out there has some of those lads with him. Not too many, I hope, otherwise we’re in real trouble.

‘Look – there we go!’ Ferox hissed, keeping low, but pointing past the convoy to a ridge on the far side. A couple of horsemen were silhouetted on top, and a moment later dozens more rode up to join them. ‘Show ’em one threat first – then another!’ A second band of horse archers had appeared on another low rise, nearer the rear of the column this time and further back. ‘Make ’em look in the wrong direction.’

‘You sound pleased,’ Bran whispered.

‘You sound like my wife,’ Ferox replied before he could stop himself.

The younger man tapped him on the shoulder. ‘You really have been on your own too long!’

‘And you should spend less time with Vindex. There!’ He gestured. ‘Another band, although smaller I’ll warrant.’ This group was even more distant, and all Bran could see were a few horsemen and a dust cloud behind them.

‘More branches dragged behind horses?’

‘That would be my guess. Good, you are learning. Exoratus’ men are watching.’ He could see the prefect galloping across to his outposts on the far side of the column. ‘He’s got the sense not to stop, not yet, but he’ll start shifting men to face that way in a moment.’ A dozen or so archers from the first group galloped towards the nearest pairs of riders from the flank screen. ‘That’s right, tease them.’ Arrows flew, but the range was long and the auxiliaries dodged out of the way and cantered back towards their supports.