‘There’s a dry irrigation ditch in that field.’ Canthus pointed to a vaguely delineated area of wheat a short distance from the wall. ‘You follow me and stay as low as you can. There are two Roman outposts about a hundred paces either side of the ditch. Once we get past them then the ditch joins a wider irrigation channel. There’s water in it, so we’ll have to go slowly. A quarter of a mile further on there’s a cavalry picquet. They were bedded down for the night when I passed them on the way into the temple. The horse line is a short distance from the channel and there are three sentries. If we are challenged, I’ll answer. I have the password for tonight. We’ll be on them before they realise what’s up. Then you take the horses and go, sir.’

‘You’re not coming?’

Canthus shook his head. ‘Provided I get back to the right side of the temple before I’m missed, I should be all right. My cover story’s worked well enough up to now. No reason to suppose they’ll discover who I really am. I may be of more service to you and our allies for a while yet.’ There was a dull gleam as the man grinned. ‘Best performance of my life, this. If only the other actors in Rome could see me now and give me due recognition.’

‘Recognition? Be glad they aren’t here.’ Ajax smiled back, then punched the spy’s shoulder lightly. ‘Let’s go.’

Canthus led the way as the string of dark figures crouched low to the ground and crept towards the edge of the field. Behind them the sounds of fighting from the far side of the temple began to die away as Hepithus recalled his men and retreated inside the temple. Entering the field, Ajax moved as stealthily as possible to avoid rustling through the stalks of wheat. They moved forward with painful slowness and all the time Ajax feared that dawn would be upon them before they were safely away from the enemy lines. At last Canthus edged down into the empty ditch and they began to make better progress. The sound of voices caused Ajax to stop, but then someone laughed and the conversation dropped into a low unconcerned tone and Ajax moved on. The ditch gradually deepened and then sloped down into a channel of water that stretched away before them. Canthus went first, easing himself into the water and then wading forward, taking care not to splash. The others followed his lead, staying close to the reeds that grew along the edge of the channel.