As the auxiliaries re-formed the caravan, Macro waited for the rest of his men and the escorts to return. Over the next hour they came back singly or in small groups, tired but jubilant at their swift and thorough defeat of the desert raiders. The men returned to the caravan and rested their horses before feeding and watering them. Symeon and his friends were the last to appear, riding down from the ridge in a compact group, talking and laughing as they came. Adul’s arm had been slashed and roughly bound up, but such was his good humour that he seemed oblivious of the pain. Symeon grinned as he rode up to Macro.

‘Took your time,’ Macro said evenly.

Symeon ignored the brusque tone and spoke excitedly. ‘We got them all, save one, as you ordered. We cut off his nose and set him back on a horse. I told him to warn the other desert people of the fate that awaits those who dare to raid the caravan route passing through the Roman province.’

‘Good. Let’s hope they heed the warning.’

Tabor edged his horse towards Macro and, with a bow of his head, began speaking in a formal tone.

‘Wait! Wait!’ Macro raised his hands, and turned to Symeon. ‘What’s he going on about?’

Symeon translated. ‘Tabor wants to thank you for this victory over the vermin that have been preying on the route to Decapolis. He says that he, and every caravan cartel in Petra, are in your debt, Centurion.’

‘Oh, right.’ Macro shrugged wearily. ‘Tell him . . .’ He frowned, not sure how to respond in the right manner. ‘Tell him that from now on the Roman garrison at Bushir will guarantee the safety of this route. There’ll be no more corruption. I hope that goes some way to restoring good relations between Rome and Nabataea.’

Tabor nodded graciously as Symeon relayed Macro’s words, then spoke again.

‘Remember, Centurion, if ever you need his help, you have but to send a message to the house of Tabor in Petra.’

‘Yes. Good.Very kind of him.’ Macro gestured to the caravan. ‘Meanwhile, we’ll see this lot as far as Philadelphia. After that I’m heading back to the fort. Now we’ve got this flank covered it’s time to concentrate on Bannus.’ He looked at Symeon. ‘I won’t pretend that it’s going to be easy. There’ll be more fighting ahead. I could use a good man like you. Interested?’

‘Centurion, it would be an honour.’