They emerged from the forest as dusk fell. The shadows and dark ancient trees fell behind and Cato’s spirits lifted a little. Before them the ground dipped gently into a band of wetlands bestride a river that snaked away to the horizon on either side. A few sheep dotted the meadows, busily feeding on the green shoots exposed by the melting snow. The track wound down and away to the right. A mile away a thin column of smoke rose from a large round hut set to the back of a stockade. Prasutagus pointed it out and said a few words to Boudica.

‘That’s where we’ll spend the night. There’s a ford not much further on where we can cross the river in the morning. We should be safe enough for the night. Prasutagus knew the farmer a few years ago.’

A few years ago?’ said Macro. ‘Things can change in a few years.’

‘Maybe. But I don’t want to spend the night in the open before I really have to.’

As Boudica’s mount stepped forward, Macro leaned from his saddle and held her shoulder.

‘Wait a moment. We have to talk sometime.’

‘Sometime.’ Boudica nodded. ‘But not now.’

‘When?’

‘I don’t know. When the time’s right. Now, let go of me please, you’re hurting me.’

Macro searched her eyes for some sign of the affection and lightness of spirit he had once known, but Boudica’s expression was weary and empty of any emotion. His hand fell away and with a quick kick Boudica urged her horse on.

‘Bloody women,’ Macro muttered. ‘Cato, my lad, a word of advice. Don’t ever get too closely involved with them. They can do funny things to a man’s heart.’

‘I know they can, sir.’

‘Of course. Sorry, I forgot.’

Reluctant to dwell on the painful memory of Lavinia, Cato tugged the reins of his pony and headed down the track towards the distant farm. The leaden skies grew ever darker in the failing light and the landscape faded into hazy shades of grey. The stockade and the hut became indistinct, except for a brilliant pinprick of orange showing through the doorframe of the hut, which beckoned to them with a promise of warmth and shelter against the chill of night.