‘You talk too much,’ Symeon replied quietly, then thrust at his opponent’s head, flicking his wrist at the last moment so the blade cut over Bannus’ blocking move and sliced towards his temple. Bannus had no choice but to duck and stagger back to avoid the blow and Symeon launched a series of attacks, which Bannus just managed to ward off in a rapid chorus of ringing blades. At the last moment, as Bannus was pressed towards the Bedu at the edge of the clearing, he powered forward, inside the arc of Symeon’s blade, and crashed into his chest, sending Symeon spinning backwards. As they broke contact, Bannus sliced his blade past the other man’s side and its finely sharpened edge cut through the folds of Symeon’s tunic and laid open a long cut on his chest.

Symeon grunted with pain and clapped his spare hand to the wound, raising it up red and dripping a moment later.

Macro winced and turned his head carefully towards Cato. ‘Not good.’

Keeping his eyes fixed on Symeon, Bannus called out mockingly, ‘Romans! Your friend is too old, too slow. It will be over soon. Better take your leave of each other now.’

Symeon appeared to sway a little and Cato swallowed nervously. Then with what seemed an effort, Symeon lowered himself into a fighting crouch again and gestured to Bannus to come at him.’If you think you can beat me.’

‘Only too happy to oblige.’ Now Bannus moved in to attack in a neatly worked sequence that Symeon met with an equally accomplished series of parries and blocks, but at the end of the attack, as Bannus drew off, Symeon was breathing heavily and blinking his eyes. Cato felt a sick sense of resignation as he saw the blood flowing freely from Symeon’s wound and dropping to the ground to soak into the red sand.

‘How much longer can you last, old friend?’ Bannus moved his blade from side to side, keeping his distance from Symeon as he continued his taunts.’You’re bleeding to death, steadily weakening. I just have to bide my time, make a few more cuts, and then it is over.You’re dead, and Yusef is mine. Just as I defeat you, so I will defeat Rome one day.’

‘No!’ Symeon roared, and lumbered forward, his blade flashing yellow and red in the firelight as he slashed at his enemy’s head. There was little finesse in his attack, just sheer brute force as he beat away at Bannus’ sword. Bannus, grim-faced, nimbly warded off the blows and stepped lightly aside, scrambling back as Symeon paused for breath, panting hoarsely.