Prasutagus understood, and with straining arms he began to raise the Greek up the stake that penetrated deep into his body. There was a wet sucking sound from the wound, then a muffled grating of bone. Diomedes threw his head back and shrieked to the heavens.

‘Shit! Be careful, you fool!’

With a heave Prasutagus lifted the Greek clear of the point and gently set him down on the altar. A dark gush of blood spilled out of the gaping wound where Diomedes’s anus had once been and Cato winced at the sight. The Greek trembled fitfully and his eyes rolled in their sockets as he fought the terrible, mortal agony. He was very close to death.

Macro leaned close to the Greek’s ear. ‘Diomedes. You’re dying. Nothing can stop that. But you can help us. Help us get back at the bastards who did this to you.’

‘Druids,’ Diomedes gasped. ‘Tried to… make them pay… Tried to find them.’

‘You found ‘em all right.’

‘No… Caught me first… Brought me here… and did this.’

‘Did you see any of the other prisoners?’

A spasm of pain twisted his features. When it subsided a little, he nodded. ‘The general’s family…’

‘Yes! You saw them?’

Diomedes clenched his teeth. ‘They were… here.’

‘Where are they now? Where have they been taken?’

‘They’ve gone… Heard someone say… they’d take shelter in… the Great Fortress. They call it Mai Dun… Only safe place… once they found out they’d been… betrayed by a Druid.’

‘The Great Fortress?’ Macro frowned. ‘When was this?’

‘This morning… I think,’ Diomedes whispered. His strength was fading fast as his blood pumped from the open wound. He convulsed as another spasm of agony ripped through his body. One of his hands grabbed the centurion’s tunic.

‘For pity’s sake… kill me… now,’ he hissed through his teeth.

Macro stared down into the wild eyes for a moment and then replied gently, ‘All right. I’ll make it quick.’

Diomedes nodded his gratitude and clenched his eyes shut.

‘Hold the torch,’ Macro ordered and passed it to Cato. Then he lifted the Greek’s left arm to one side, exposing the armpit, and looked into Diomedes’s face.

‘Know this, Diomedes. I swear by all the gods that I’ll get revenge for you and your family. The Druids will pay for all they’ve done.’