Artax walked over to Cato, and threw the stave down at the centurion’s feet with a sneer. Cato kept his face expressionless as Artax looked him up and down, and spoke in words that dripped contempt.

‘It’s no wonder that Romans give toys to their men when their officers are little more than boys themselves.’

Cato felt his pulse quicken and he couldn’t help smiling. ‘Then I’d like to see how well you can handle that toy, if you think you’re man enough.’

Artax laughed and leaned forward to pat Cato on the shoulder. But Cato was too quick for him and, stepping back, he unfastened the clasp and handed his scarlet cloak to Tincommius. Then he stooped down, picked up the training sword and hefted it in the palm of his sword hand. Artax’s expression turned into a sneer once again and then he too slipped off his cloak, and snatched another stave from the nearest recruit. Those around them backed away to give the two men sufficient space and Cato crouched lower, ready to fight.

Artax immediately hurled himself forward with a wild cry and rained a succession of blows at Cato’s head. At once, the Atrebatans gave full throat to their cheers of support for Artax as he steadily drove Cato back, step by step. Cato coolly blocked every blow, gritting his teeth as the shock of the impacts travelled down his arm. Then, having roughly gauged the speed of his opponent’s reactions Cato waited for Artax to raise his arm for the next flurry of blows. This time Cato feinted towards the man’s throat. Artax jerked his head back and his midriff came forward to compensate. The centurion dropped the tip of his stave and thrust it hard into Artax’s stomach. There was solid muscle behind the hairy gut, but even so, the Briton gasped at the pain of the blow, staggering back from Cato.

The centurion lowered his sword arm, his point made. Or so he thought. With a howl of rage Artax threw himself back at Cato, swinging his weapon ferociously. This time Cato knew the man intended him serious harm. And everyone else knew it too. The Atrebatans roared their support for Artax, and Cato heard his instructors shouting encouragement. To one side Verica and Tincommius watched in silence.