‘The general’s family were never here, sir. The Druids must have guessed we’d attempt a rescue, and wanted to divert us from where they’re really keeping the prisoners. So they spread a rumour that the captives were being held in this village. Prasutagus got word of it, and here we are. They set us up.’

‘And we fell for it,’ Macro replied, the instant relief he had felt at not finding bodies now turned just as quickly to an icy dread. ‘We have to get out of here.’

‘What about the others?’

‘We can signal them when we get back to the hummock.’

‘And if the Durotriges discover the bodies of their men before we can show the signal?’

‘Then that’s too bad.’

Macro pushed Cato out of the cabin, shut the door and hurriedly replaced the locking bar. Keeping low, they ran round the back of the hut and slithered down the bank to the river. Cato retrieved his wineskin float from the reeds at the water’s edge and waded in, gritting his teeth as the freezing water rose up his bare chest. Then he was kicking out, desperately trying to keep up with his centurion. The return crossing seemed to take longer. Cato listened for the first shouts indicating that the enemy had discovered the bodies, but mercifully the cheering from the village gate continued unabated and at last, numb with cold, he waded after Macro into the reeds on the far bank.

Moments later they were sitting by their equipment and clothing, each with their heavy wool cloaks clenched tightly about their shivering bodies. Macro turned towards the village where Prasutagus and his latest challenger were locked in an awkward stumbling hold. To one side, halfway up the rampart, stood Boudica.

‘She’s there. Make the signal,’ Macro ordered. ‘Quick as you can.’

Cato grabbed the holly bough and held it upright in the soft ground just below the top of the hummock. ‘Has she seen it, sir?’

‘I don’t know… No. Oh shit.’

‘What’s happening, sir?’

‘Someone’s come back into the compound.’

As Macro watched, the black-cloaked figure passed the cabin without a glance and strode down the line of practise posts before turning into one of the smaller huts and disappearing from sight. Macro breathed deeply with relief, then turned his gaze back to the village gate. Boudica remained still, as if she was watching the fight. When Prasutagus brought his foe crashing to the ground, Boudica still did not react. Then suddenly she raised her hand to her hood and lifted it.

‘She’s seen it! Get that thing down now!’