‘Put like that, none at all.’ Cato was pleased. It was one of those rare moments in all the time he had known Macro that the veteran centurion had allowed logic to triumph over bullish pride. Better still, in some neatly discreet way Macro had got one over the preening artistocrat, as the ruffled haughtiness of the tribune’s parting words clearly revealed. ‘That was nicely done.’

‘Course it was. I eat cunts like that for breakfast.’

‘Must be something in the porridge.’

Macro glanced at him, and roared with laughter. At the sound, one of the hunting dogs snapped upright, ears pricked up and nose pointing at the two centurions. His owner raised his head, scowled at the Romans and gave his hound a kick.

Macro slapped Cato on the back. ‘You’re all right, lad! You’re all right.’

Back in the royal enclosure the business of preparing for the hunt continued in the boiling heat, and the two centurions were pushing their way through the heavily laden servants when Cato heard someone call his name. Looking through the crowd, he saw Tincommius. The Atrebatan prince frantically waved a hand and pushed towards the centurions, his expression wrought with anxiety.

Cato pulled on his friend’s arm. ‘There’s Tincommius. Something’s wrong.’

‘Eh?’ Macro tried to peer over the shoulders of the men around him. Then Tincommius was before them, breathless and desperate.

‘Sir! Please, come with me at once!’

‘What’s happened?’ Macro snapped. ‘Make your report!’

‘It’s Bedriacus, sir. He’s been stabbed.’

04 The Eagle and the Wolves

Chapter Twenty-One

‘What happened exactly?’

‘Come now, sir!’ Tincommius pleaded.

‘Tell me what happened?’ Macro replied harshly.

‘I don’t know. I found him inside the headquarters building. He was lying on the floor in the corridor. There was blood everywhere.’

‘Is he still alive?’

‘Yes, sir. Just.’

‘Who’s looking after him?’

‘Artax. He was in the corridor just after I found Bedriacus.’

Cato grabbed Tincommius’ arm. ‘You left him with Artax? Alone?’

Tincommius nodded. ‘I sent a man for the surgeon before I came to find you.’

‘Why the hurry?’ asked Macro.

Tincommius glanced round before he leaned closer. ‘He was losing consciousness. He called out Cato’s name and said something about Verica being in danger.’

‘Verica?’ Macro said loudly. ‘What kind of danger?’

‘Keep it down!’ Cato warned, as one of the stewards looked in their direction. ‘Want everyone to hear?’

For a moment Macro was startled by the vehemence of Cato’s tone. Cato turned back to Tincommius and spoke quietly. ‘What exactly did Bedriacus say?’

‘He had to see you. Had something important to say; he’d overheard someone talking about the king. About killing him . . . That’s all I got out of him before Artax found us.’

‘Artax heard him say all that?’

Tincommius nodded. ‘Then he sent me to find you.’