‘Come on!’ It was Sabinus, leading the lone auxiliary, and perhaps that made up his mind, for Ivonercus turned and fled, calling to his companion to follow. Ferox pelted towards them, desperate to close the distance before he made his one throw. They were still forty paces away, and slowed as the horses turned. He gained just a little, left arm out straight to help, aiming at Ivonercus who was closest as well as the one who really mattered.

Then just as he threw, his hobnailed boots slipped on ice and his feet flew from under him. The hasta went high, almost straight up, as Ferox hit the ground hard.

Vindex cackled, trying to sit up, until the laughter grew too strong and he lay back down. Sabinus was waving Ferox’s sword high as he reached them.

‘Are you hurt, sir?’ he asked, his face a mix of concern and obvious excitement.

Ferox sighed. ‘Only my pride – and I’ve never had much of that.’

‘Shall I get them to muster a patrol to go after them?’

Ferox pushed himself up, brushing off some of the snow as he stood. The two Brigantians were in plain sight, although he doubted that there was any chance of catching them by the time pursuit was organised. The cheeky devils had even stopped to catch the two riderless horses. ‘No harm in trying,’ he said.

Sabinus sent the auxiliary running back to the fort with the message, as Vindex came over to join them. ‘Reckon we’ll see ’em again?’ Ferox’s expression made an answer unnecessary. ‘Aye, that oath.’

‘Oath?’ Sabinus asked.

‘To kill us both or give their lives in the attempt,’ Vindex explained. He bared his big teeth. ‘The centurion has a knack of making friends wherever he goes.’

‘This has happened before?’ Sabinus was struggling to keep pace.

‘Only a couple of times. Most just mutter among themselves, and probably not more than fifty have taken the oath.’

‘Fifty?’

‘Give or take,’ Vindex conceded. ‘And three less now.’ Taking pity on the shocked officer, he decided to explain. ‘They’re Brigantes and we killed their high king. Made his men a bit angry, you might say.’

‘He was a rebel and we were acting under orders,’ Ferox spoke for the first time.

‘Oh aye,’ Vindex allowed. ‘Still their king though.’

‘Not anymore.’

‘Well, there is that.’

Ferox gestured towards his sword and Sabinus was surprised at feeling a moment of reluctance before handing it over.

‘Let’s go then,’ Ferox said and set off up the slope to the fort. There were dozens of men on the ramparts, watching them, so the alarm had been given, but he doubted that a patrol would be ready before the hour was out. He walked quickly, leaving the others behind.

‘’Course,’ Vindex began to explain, ‘many of the other lads may want to kill the centurion on account of his sunny disposition. As I say, he has a way with people.’

II

Rome

The same day