Cato smiled coldly at him. ‘By the gods, you would make a fine actor. No doubt that is why Ajax picked you for the task. Turns out to have been a good choice. After all, it was you who saved him from the temple, and later the tomb. And it was you who pushed the legate into the pit.’

‘No!’ Hamedes shook his head. ‘I didn’t do that. It was an accident. Centurion, you were there. You saw him fall.’

‘I saw him fall,’ Macro agreed quietly. ‘But he could have been pushed.’

Hamedes looked at him with a horrified expression. ‘You think I did it?’

‘I . . . I don’t know.’ Macro shook his head slowly. ‘Fuck, I really don’t know.’

‘Well, I do,’ said Cato. ‘There’s more than enough evidence that points the finger of guilt at this man. After Ajax’s escape from the temple, we know that someone in the army has been helping him. It was the escape from the tomb that confirmed my suspicions. This is our spy.’ Cato paused. ‘And there is only one punishment fit for a spy.’

Hamedes’ eyes widened in terror. ‘None of this is true! I’m innocent. By the gods, I swear it!’

Cato ignored him and turned his attention to the optio. ‘Take him away.’

‘What will you do to him?’ asked Macro.

‘We’ll have him crucified at dawn, then send his head to the enemy. If Ajax has found his way back to the side of Prince Talmis, it will let him know what fate he and his men have awaiting them.’

The optio strode forward and grasped Hamedes by the arm. ‘Come on, lad.’

Hamedes stood his ground, and the optio yanked him round harshly and steered him towards the door and out into the corridor.

‘You’re making a mistake!’ Hamedes wailed. ‘I’m not a spy. I’m innocent!’

Macro and Cato heard the sounds of a scuffle as the optio dragged him away. Then there was a shout.

‘Oi, you bastard! Stop!’

Macro sprang up from his chair and ran to the door. Along the colonnade he saw Hamedes sprinting towards the exit. The optio had been knocked to the floor, but he recovered quickly, and drew his dagger as he rose to his feet. With a well-practised hand he flicked the dagger over so that he held the blade, then took quick aim, drew his arm back and threw the small blade as hard as he could after the fleeing figure. Macro saw the blade spin through the air before it struck Hamedes hard, just below his neck. His legs instantly collapsed under him and he fell, rolled over once like a child’s doll and then lay still.

‘What’s happened?’ Cato asked as he emerged behind Macro. ‘Oh . . .’