While he raised his arms, the soldier eased the armour off Cato’s shoulders and laid it on the deck. Cato nodded his thanks and then helped himself to a canteen, one of the waterskins and a haversack, hastily stuffed with hard bread and strips of dried beef. He slipped the strap over his shoulder and picked up a shield, then turned to Centurion Rufus. ‘How many men came forward?’

‘Fifty, sir. As you requested.’

‘All volunteers, I take it?’ Cato could not help a slight mocking tone.

‘You know how it is, sir. An officer asks for volunteers and woe betide any man who takes him at his word.’ Rufus grinned. ‘That said, they’re all good men. I picked the best.’

‘Then let’s go.’

As the burly centurion led the first section down the gangplank, Cato turned to the trierarch. ‘When Macro and his men get across the bay, tell him to come after us. I should think it’ll be easy enough to follow our path.’

‘Yes, sir.’

Cato thought for a moment before he continued. ‘Then take the fleet back to Alexandria and report to the governor. Inform him that I intend to pursue Ajax until I bring him to bay and finish him for good. Then we’ll make our way back to Alexandria. Got that?’

Phermon nodded. ‘I’ll tell him. And may the gods protect you, sir. I’ll pray that Fortuna favours you.’

‘I hope so. She’s proved to be a fickle bitch from the moment the hunt for Ajax began.’ Cato paused and looked at the trierarch gratefully. ‘Have a safe voyage home.’

He turned and took his place in the line of soldiers waiting their turn to descend the gangway. The wooden planks bowed under the boots of the men making their way down and Cato had to watch his balance carefully when his turn came. At the bottom of the gangway he stepped into the murky water, which rose up to his thighs, and felt his way towards the shore. Stunted trees sprouted from tangled clumps of roots that disappeared under the water and the stench of rotting vegetation filled the hot air. The legionaries ahead of him swirled through the water towards a small earth bank where reeds grew higher than a man. There was a muttered curse as one caught his boot in some of the roots and pitched forward with a splash. He rose up dripping and grumbling, picked up his kit and continued towards the reeds. Cato probed his way carefully towards the shore and emerged from the cloudy water. Centurion Rufus nodded to him and then bellowed past Cato towards the remaining men.

‘Come on, you lazy bastards! Pick it up!’ He turned to Cato. ‘I sent the first section on ahead, sir. Told ’em to try and keep up with Ajax’s men but not to engage them.’