‘The bastards set a line of sharpened stakes from the dyke to the village,’ Rufus told his superior. ‘They were hidden in the long grass. First we knew about it was when one of the men stumbled on to one. The fool couldn’t keep his mouth shut and I wasn’t close enough to see what had happened, so I gave the order to charge, while there was still some chance of surprising them.’ He winced. ‘Before I knew it we had run right into the stakes. I got one in the leg almost at once. By the time the men stopped, most of us had been injured. That’s when they hit us with arrows.’ Rufus paused briefly and shook his head. ‘There was nothing we could do, sir. Some men tried to get out of the way of the arrows, and ran into more stakes. I told the boys to stay put and shelter behind their shields as best they could. I figured our best chance was to wait for the enemy to cease shooting and then work our way out of the stakes.’

Cato frowned, furious with himself for underestimating Ajax. Rufus misinterpreted his expression.

‘There was nothing else I could do, sir. I swear it.’

‘I understand.’ Cato quickly ran a hand through the matted locks of his hair. ‘What is the butcher’s bill?’

‘Eight dead, and sixteen wounded. Three of those won’t last the night. Eight are walking wounded. The others will need to be carried out of here.’

Cato looked down at his boots to hide his face. He had led his men into the trap. He had been too keen to get to grips with the enemy. Men were dead because of him and he felt shame at their loss.

‘Very well,’ he said quietly as he composed himself and looked up. ‘Make sure you have that leg wound properly seen to. Then have the village searched for food and water. The men can eat their fill and rest. We’ll continue the pursuit at first light.’

‘Yes, sir. And what about the wounded? We can’t leave them here.’

‘I’ll detail some of the men to bring them up behind us. Hamedes here can help out. That’s all for now, Rufus.’

It was a curt dismissal and Cato sensed the man’s resentment as he saluted and turned to limp back to join the rest of his men. Cato looked at Hamedes. ‘Ajax killed the people of this village. Are there any rites that you need to perform for the dead?’

Hamedes stared blankly back at Cato. ‘Sir?’

‘You’re a priest. Do what is necessary for them. Once you’ve finished treating the injured.’

‘Yes, sir.’ Hamedes bowed his head. ‘I’ll offer the prayers. There’s no time for the full funeral rites. But we must burn the dead.’

‘I thought you people believed in burial.’