‘This isn’t a campaign, sir. It’s a simple rescue mission. I can ride ahead, scout the lie of the land and search for signs of Centurion Cato and the guide. If I see any sizeable enemy forces I’ll fall back and join you.’

Scrofa considered this for a moment and then nodded reluctantly. ‘Very well. You’re right. It would not be prudent to push on into what could easily be an ambush. Take two of the squadrons up ahead. Make sure you keep me informed of developments, understand?’

Macro nodded.

‘And take Centurion Postumus with you.’

‘Postumus? Why?’

‘I trust him. He’s reliable. He’ll make sure the men are looked after.’

Macro stared at the cohort commander. Clearly Scrofa did not trust him with his auxiliaries and Macro seethed as he forced himself to nod his acquiescence. He turned and looked round for Postumus and beckoned to him. The younger officer, his helmet still bedecked with a flowing crest, trotted up and Macro quickly briefed him. Shortly afterwards Scrofa stood aside as the two leading squadrons cantered ahead down the track. When they had drawn some distance away Scrofa waved the rest of the column forward and they continued at the same steady pace as before.

Macro did not look back as he rode along the track.Ahead of him he could see Bannus’ scouts wheel their mounts about and gallop away, keeping a safe margin between themselves and the Romans. Macro drove his men on, mile after mile, until they reached the junction where he had parted with Symeon and Cato. He plunged off the main route and followed the track until it descended into a long narrow wadi. There, a short distance ahead, lay the village that Symeon had mentioned, and Macro felt his heart quicken at the sight of scores of horses and men filling the open space in the heart of the settlement.

Macro reined his horse in and thrust his arm up to halt the two squadrons of mounted auxiliaries behind him.

‘Decurions! On me!’

The squadron commanders trotted up as Macro pointed towards the village. ‘That’s where we’re headed. The guide said he’d shelter there with Centurion Cato. Those brigand bastards are already on the scene. So we go in fast and drive ‘em out before we start searching for our men.You - Quintatus, wasn’t it?’

The decurion nodded.

‘Right. I’ll wager they’ll run for it the moment they see us. Take your squadron right through the village and keep chasing them until they’re well clear of the place. Then fall back and rejoin us. Who knows? By then, the prefect might even have caught up with us.’

The decurions grinned, and Macro kicked his heels in, urging his mount on towards the village. ‘Let’s go!’