‘Then I wish you well,’ Cato replied. ‘Though I’ll be honest. Any movement that seeks to change the world by peaceful persuasion has got its work cut out. Chances are you will fail.’

‘Maybe,’ Miriam said. ‘But we have to try. Or my son will have died for nothing.’ She turned to Symeon.’What about you? Are you still playing the great adventurer?’

Symeon indicated his bandaged arm. ‘Those days are over, Miriam. There’ll be no more fighting for me now.’

She nodded. ‘No fighting perhaps. But you could always join us. We could use a man like you. One with your connections.’

‘I’ll think about it.’

‘My son believed in you, Symeon.’

Symeon glanced quickly at Macro and Cato, but they remained expressionless. His guilty secret had died with Bannus and neither Cato nor Macro saw any reason to reawaken old wounds now. Not least on this day when Yusef had been restored to Miriam.

Symeon took her hand. ‘We can talk about it later.’

‘Very well.’ Miriam turned to Macro and Cato. ‘You’ve had a long ride. Can I offer you something to eat and drink? Some shelter?’

Macro shook his head. ‘No. Thank you for the offer, but I have to return to Bushir. It’s been too long since Cato and I were with our men. We have to return to duty, now that Bannus has gone. Maybe we’ll see you later, before you and your people quit Heshaba.’

‘Yes, Prefect. We’d be honoured.’

Macro smiled briefly and turned to Cato. ‘Come on, we have to go.’

They clasped arms with Symeon for the last time and Cato laughed.’You’ll have to show me that trick with the knife some day. Next time I’ll keep my eyes open.’

Symeon shook his head.’I've had enough of weapons. Enough of death. That’s all behind me now.’

‘Really?’ Macro looked disappointed. ‘A pity.’

The two officers untethered their mounts and swung themselves up into the saddles. As they rode out of the village Miriam, Symeon and Yusef stood in the middle of the square for a while and watched them trot up the track that led out of the wadi. Miriam had the casket clutched tightly beneath her arm. Then Symeon placed his good arm about her shoulder and Yusef put his arm round her from the other side and they turned to walk towards the shelter that had been erected to serve as Miriam’s temporary home.