The Bedu warriors moved away from them and Macro and Cato hurried across to Symeon, who was swaying now. They eased him down on to the sand and Cato tore strips from Bannus’ tunic. The wounds looked clean by the light of the fire and the Romans bound Symeon’s wounds. Yusef watched from his original position, still shaken by what he had just witnessed, and all that he had endured over the days since he had been taken from his people. As soon as he had finished bandaging Symeon, Cato took the bedroll from Bannus’ saddle and wrapped it round the boy’s shoulders.

Now that their entertainment was done, the Bedu largely ignored them and set about preparing their camp for the night. They cooked a meal over the fire and the leader beckoned the others to join them and share their food. Symeon was given pride of place and the Bedu warriors talked animatedly to him about the fight until he was too weak to continue, and begged them to let him sleep. Cato made up his bedroll and helped Symeon down and then covered him with a cloak to keep him warm once the fire died down. He did the same for the boy and then sat with Macro staring across the flames at the Bedu warriors.

For a long time Macro said nothing, and then he finally muttered,’That was close. Closest I’ve ever come to thinking I’d actually die.’ He turned to his friend. ‘Don’t mind telling you, it scared the shit out of me.’

‘You scared?’ Cato chuckled. ‘I don’t believe it.’

‘It’s no joke, Cato. Seriously, no joke.’ He turned to look at Symeon. Yusef had shuffled his bedroll closer to the wounded man and was resting his head against Symeon’s uninjured side. ‘That Symeon’s a bloody marvel. Must have taken nerves of steel to wait for his chance like that. The problem of course is that he saved our lives.’

Cato could not hide his astonishment. ‘That’s a problem?’

‘Oh yes. It means that now I owe him a favour.’