Maniacs like Centurion Maximius, who was grinning at him now. ‘I tell you, Macro, it’s all working out very nicely indeed. Soon the locals won’t even be able to take a shit without wondering how we’ll react. They’ll hate us more than they’ve hated anything before in their miserable lives. If they find Cato and the others before we do, then you can be sure they’ll show those bastards even less mercy than we will.’

‘Yes, sir.’ Macro cleared his throat uneasily. ‘As you say, it’s working out well.’

‘And once Cato’s been seen to, we can attend to Caratacus.’

Macro struggled to hide his astonishment. Tracking down a few pathetic fugitives was one thing. Taking on the likes of Caratacus was just this side of lunacy. A nasty thought abruptly intruded on his surprise, and he looked more closely at his commander and attended his words with a heightened concentration.

Maximius smiled. ‘If we can deliver Caratacus to the general, then we’ll be allowed to rejoin the legion. We’ll be the legate’s blue-eyed boys. You and me.’

‘What about the others? Tullius, Felix and Antonius?’

‘Tullius is an old woman,’ Maximius sneered. ‘And the others are young fools. Thank the gods they lacked the guile and treachery of that bastard Cato. You’re the only one I ever had any confidence in, Macro. Only you.’

‘Uh . . .’ Macro flushed. ‘Thank you, sir. I’m sure your confidence in me has not been misplaced. But I think you judge the other officers too harshly. They’re good men.’

‘You think so?’ Maximius frowned.’I doubt it. I’m surprised you can’t see their faults too, unless . . . unless you’re on their side.’

Macro made himself laugh. ‘We’re all on the same side, sir.’

Maximius did not respond, and there was a tense pause as the cohort commander scrutinised his subordinate. Then he relaxed a little.’Of course you’re right, Macro. Pardon me. I just had to be sure of your loyalty. Now then, on to other business, the real reason you were assigned to lead that patrol. Did you speak to anybody? Did you discover anything about the traitor who freed Cato?’

‘Not really, sir. From what I heard it could have been any of the men. No one is particularly happy to be hunting down their comrades, especially when they don’t believe they should have been condemned in the first place. Sorry, sir.’ Macro shrugged. ‘That’s all.’

‘That’s all,’ Maximius repeated mockingly. ‘That is not all, Centurion. Not by a long way.’

Macro felt the familiar chill of anxiety, and tried not to let his guilt show. ‘Sir?’