‘We wait for them to make another attack.’

‘What makes you think they will?’

‘What choice have they got?’ Ajax replied simply. ‘They are here to hunt us down. They must attack, and soon.’

‘Why?’

‘Because they fear that we may escape them again.’

Karim took a sip of water from his canteen and cleared his throat. ‘Then why don’t we escape? Now, while they hesitate.’

‘Because we are evenly matched. They have no more men than we do. We can kill these Romans and leave their bones to rot in the swamp. Are all the preparations complete?’

Karim nodded. ‘Canthus has concealed the stakes in the grass and his men are ready.’

‘Then let the Romans attack.’ Ajax smiled grimly as he stared at the enemy.

Karim watched him closely for a moment before he spoke again. ‘There is another reason why you choose to stand and fight, isn’t there?’

Ajax nodded. ‘So you heard him too?’

‘I did.’

‘Then you will know why I must stand my ground and seize the chance to kill that Roman officer. Unfortunately, I did not see the other one with him.’

‘Centurion Macro.’

Ajax nodded and clenched his fists. ‘To think that I had Macro at my mercy for so many days back on Crete. I could have killed him at any time. I was a fool, Karim. I should have taken justice when it was offered, rather than indulge my desire to torment my enemy.’

Karim shrugged. ‘It is always easy to be wise after the event, General.’

Ajax frowned briefly. ‘True . . . All the more reason why I cannot endure the thought of losing this chance to have vengeance. For being sold into slavery, and for the death of my father.’ Ajax’s tone was ice cold. ‘As long as Prefect Cato and Centurion Macro still live, I’ll not be able to rest, not be able to be content.’

‘You shall never have those things while there is still a Rome,’ Karim responded wearily. ‘What do you think to achieve, my friend? Is your heart set on killing every Roman in the world?’

‘If that were possible, then yes.’

‘But it is not possible.’

Ajax turned to him and flashed a smile. ‘Give me the time to do it and we shall see. Besides, do you think that we are alone in our hatred of Rome? Remember what we got out of that fat captain of the last cargo ship? That the Nubians were poised to invade the south of the province.’

‘I remember.’

‘Then perhaps we should consider throwing in our lot with the Nubians.’

‘Perhaps. But Nubians are an unknown quantity,’ Karim reflected. ‘It might not be wise to join them, even if they hate Rome as we do. I would not make that decision lightly.’

‘Nor would I.’