A man came running out of the woods on the far side of the road.

‘Help! Help!’ he shouted, waving his arms. ‘Please help me!’ The carriage was fifty paces away and no one seemed to be paying any attention to the man.

‘They’re not going to stop,’ the warrior hissed. ‘Why in Hercules’ name should they?’

‘They will,’ Sosius whispered. ‘She’s a kind lady.’

‘If you think so much of her why are you selling her to me?’

‘Business,’ Sosius said. ‘Only business.’ They had been lucky to come across Sosius, the freedman of a rich Roman who acted as his agent inside and well beyond the province. He traded in luxuries, favours and information, and for the right price it was said that he could find anything someone wanted. The truth of that rumour was about to be tested.

The driver shouted something and a woman they could not see replied from inside the raeda. Hauling hard on the reins, the team slowed from trot to walk and then halted. Sosius and the warrior slid back down in the ditch so that they could not be seen, even by the driver and the boy sitting on top of the carriage.

‘Thank you, lords, thank you,’ the man who had called to them said. ‘May Minerva and Vesta bless you and your families.’ They heard a scrabbling sound as he went down into the ditch and came up on the road.

‘Ask him what this is about?’ a woman’s voice said. It was a nice voice, refined and yet caring, and if the warrior had still had a conscience he might have felt a doubt. Instead he waited for the right moment, trusting his men to follow the plan.

‘What do you want, fellow?’ the driver shouted.

‘Protection, sir and noble lady. I was set upon by bandits, beaten up and robbed of money, most of my clothes and my donkey. My friend is hurt far worse, and I wish to go and find help so that I can return to him. Are we near an inn or village? We got lost, you see, and no longer know where we are. There would be someone who might help if you would carry me that far, I am sure of it. I beg you to help.’

‘Lady, he wants a ride,’ the coachman shouted. ‘But I don’t believe him. Bandits often tell such tall tales. We should have waited for the cavalry to reach us, as I said.’

‘Never speak to me like that!’ The kind voice was shrieking, and the warrior half smiled. Good luck to Catualda bringing this one into his hall. ‘Don’t you dare!’

‘Hoy! Let go of that harness!’ The coachman ignored her and was yelling. His long whip cracked and there was a yelp. ‘I said let go, you mongrel!’

‘Now!’ the warrior shouted and began to push up the side of the ditch. Something hit him hard on the leg, knocking it from under him and he slid down the muddy bank. Sosius was over him, and his cudgel struck again, striking the warrior on the wrist so that he dropped his sword. He tried to get up and this time the blow was on his head and knocked him flat again.