Valens did not know who shouted. He saw Severus, face in the dirt, not moving. Sheathing his unbloodied weapon, he slung a leg over the horns of his saddle. He staggered as he hit the ground, dropped the shield. Weary beyond belief, he tottered to his leader.

Gently, he turned Severus over. The officer’s eyes looked into his. Kneeling, Valens cradled the mortally injured man.

Severus was trying to speak.

Valens bent close.

The words never came.

With a gasp, Severus breathed his last.

Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

Mesopotamia

‘WE MUST GO BACK.’

Valens had been in command for less than twenty-four fours, and now he faced a mutiny.

At first things had not gone too badly. Although Severus was dead, no one else was even wounded. Apart from the officer’s horse, none of the animals had been lost or harmed. The baggage was secure. After the ambush, Valens had sent pickets out in all directions. Beyond some hoof prints, there was no further sign of the raiders. Before long, Hairan was spotted cantering back from the east. Scouting ahead, the Hatrene had been unaware of the fight. He had found a good site to camp. A wadi, sheltered from the wind, just off the track, no more than a mile ahead. Best of all, it was tucked out of sight.

They had retrieved their war gear from the mule train, put on their helmets and armour. Despite the heat and the discomfort, from now on they would travel ready for combat. The corpse of Severus was tied face down across one of the spare horses.

The campsite was everything that Hairan had claimed. They saw to the horses and mules, before burying their commanding officer in a hollow a short distance away. They had worked in relays. The labour was hard, the ground stony. Sharp splinters flew when they struck with their picks, the vibrations jarred their arms. Everyone except Narses had taken their turn. The Persian claimed it was against his religion. Valens had laboured with the rest. In the end, having gouged out only a shallow trench, they piled a cairn of rocks over the grave to prevent wild animals digging up the body. Valens had put a coin in the mouth of the dead man – Severus would be able to pay the ferryman. They did not want his shade walking the Earth. Denied Hades, the unhappy dead haunted the living.

It was dark when they had finally laid Severus to rest and muttered the perfunctory ritual. Dis Manibus. To the Gods Below.