‘Because I willed it,’ Caratacus replied imperiously, stiffening his back and staring down his nose at Cato. Then he relaxed and smiled. ‘Are you Romans so accustomed to asking impertinent questions?’

‘No.’

‘I thought not. From what I’ve heard, your emperors don’t take kindly to being addressed directly by the common folk.’

‘No.’

‘But we’re not in Rome now, Cato. So speak freely. More freely than you might amongst your own.’

Cato bowed his head. ‘I will try to.’

‘Good. I’m curious to know exactly what you and your comrades were doing camped in the marsh. If you had been armed legionaries I would have had you killed at once. But for your appalling appearance and handful of weapons you would be dead. So tell me, Roman, who are you? Deserters?’ He looked at Cato hopefully.

Cato shook his head. ‘No. We are condemned men. Unjustly condemned.’

‘Condemned for what?’

‘For letting you and your men here fight their way over the river crossing.’

Caratacus’ eyebrows rose a fraction. ‘You were with those men on the far bank?’

‘Yes.’

‘Then it was you who trapped my army. By Lud! Those men on the island fought us like devils. So few, but so deadly. Hundreds of my warriors fell to them. Were you there, Roman?’

‘Not on the island. That unit was commanded by a friend of mine. I was with the main body on the far bank.’

Caratacus seemed to stare right through Cato as he recalled the battle. ‘You almost had us. If you had held your ground a little longer we’d have been caught and crushed.’

‘Yes.’

‘But how could you hold against an army? You held us for as long as you could. No commander could ask for more of his men. Surely your General Plautius did not condemn you for failing to achieve the impossible?’

Cato shrugged.’The legions will brook no failure. Someone had to be called to account.’

‘You and those others then? That’s bad luck. What was your fate?’

‘We were condemned to be beaten to death.’

‘Beaten to death? That’s harsh . . . though perhaps no harsher than the fate in store for you as my prisoner.’

Cato swallowed. ‘And what fate would that be?’

‘I haven’t decided. My druids need to prepare a blood sacrifice before we return to the fight. A few of your men should appease our gods of war nicely. But, as I said, I haven’t decided yet. Right now, I just wanted to see what you men of the legions are like. To understand my enemy better.’

‘I’ll tell you nothing,’ Cato said firmly. ‘You must know that.’