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Chapters (43)
  1. Title Page
  2. Copyright Page
  3. By Simon Scarrow
  4. Dedication
  5. Acknowledgements
  6. CHAPTER ONE
  7. CHAPTER TWO
  8. CHAPTER THREE
  9. CHAPTER FOUR
  10. CHAPTER FIVE
  11. CHAPTER SIX
  12. CHAPTER SEVEN
  13. CHAPTER EIGHT
  14. CHAPTER NINE
  15. CHAPTER TEN
  16. CHAPTER ELEVEN
  17. CHAPTER TWELVE
  18. CHAPTER THIRTEEN
  19. CHAPTER FOURTEEN
  20. CHAPTER FIFTEEN
  21. CHAPTER SIXTEEN
  22. CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
  23. CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
  24. CHAPTER NINETEEN
  25. CHAPTER TWENTY
  26. CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
  27. CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
  28. CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
  29. CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
  30. CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
  31. CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
  32. CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
  33. CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
  34. CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
  35. CHAPTER THIRTY
  36. CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
  37. CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
  38. CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
  39. CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
  40. CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
  41. CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
  42. EPILOGUE
  43. AUTHOR’S NOTE

‘It ain’t as simple as that, sir,’ Macro responded. ‘We have good reason to believe that the Nubians have been joined by the fugitive slave that Prefect - Tribune Cato and I had been hunting before we were reassigned to the legion.’

‘Oh? And how did you come by this snippet of intelligence?’

‘We questioned the survivor of the ambush, sir. He told us that a gladiator led the attack and left a survivor to tell the tale.’

‘Nonsense,’ Aurelius said firmly. ‘The man is delirious. You heard the decurion say so earlier this morning.’

‘He seemed lucid enough when we spoke to him, sir,’ said Cato. ‘If Ajax serves with the Nubians then I think it is vital that we, who have faced Ajax before, and know his methods, should be involved in any plans that are made for the coming campaign.’

Aurelius shook his head. ‘I think the fact that you have failed to track down and capture this man is eloquent testimony of your failure to comprehend his methods, Tribune. Perhaps it is time a fresh mind was set to the task. Meanwhile I would like you, and Centurion Macro, to take care of the training. I want a full report on your training scheme, and an accurate projection of the number of men who will be fit to serve once the campaign begins. I would like that report on my desk as soon as possible.’ He offered them a brief smile. ‘I think you will soon see that we have the measure of our enemy, without the help of any advice you might care to offer. That is all, gentlemen.’

‘Yes, sir.’ Cato saluted, and after a brief hesitation Macro followed suit. They turned about and strode swiftly away from Aurelius and his staff.

‘Why the hell didn’t you say something, sir?’ asked Macro in an undertone.

‘I did, in case you missed it.’

‘How dare he dismiss us in such a fashion!’ Macro fumed. ‘You in particular. No commander of a legion ever ignores the advice of his senior tribune and his first spear centurion. Not if he’s any good.’

‘It is only common practice, Macro. He is under no obligation to consult us.’

Macro was silent, then he glanced at Cato. ‘Fuck, you were right, sir.’

‘I was? What about?’

‘The situation just got more dangerous.’

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY