‘Why not just sound a trumpet next time you want to attract some attention?’ Boudica chuckled. ‘I thought I must have discovered one of Claudius’s lost elephants.’

For a moment Cato just stared at Boudica’s outline, then with a nervous laugh he lowered his blade and took a deep breath.

‘Shit, Boudica, you scared me!’

‘You deserved it. Where’s my cousin?’

‘He’s fine. He’s keeping watch on the hill fort. Unless he’s gone hunting for pig farmers again.’

‘What? Never mind. Explain later. Now listen to me. There’s not much time, and I’ve got something really scary to tell you.’

When The Eagle Hunts

Chapter Thirty-One

The edge of the night sky was washed with the pale glow of dawn by the time Cato and Boudica reached the hollow where Prasutagus was waiting. They had left her horse tied to a tree in the silver workings, with a full bag of feed to keep it company. The two Iceni embraced warmly in greeting, each obviously relieved that the other was safe and well. Although safe was pushing it a bit, Cato reflected. Being camped in a forest barely a mile from their savage enemy was not so very safe at all.

Boudica gratefully accepted some cold pork, but sniffed suspiciously before taking a bite.

‘How old is this delightful morsel?’

‘Nearly three days. It should be all right to eat.’

‘Well, I’m hungry enough, so thanks.’ She tore off a strip off the grey meat and chewed. ‘Now then, my news. You’ll have to excuse me if I talk while I eat.’

‘Fine.’ Cato nodded impatiently.

‘I managed to reach an Atrebate village the night after I left you. They told me that a Roman army had passed through earlier in the day. Seemed quite awed by the experience. Anyway, I set off straight away and we caught up with Vespasian a few hours later. The Second Legion is making directly for the Great Fortress. Vespasian aims to knock it out of the campaign first, as an example to any Durotriges planning to hold him off in other hill forts.’

‘Makes sense,’ said Cato. ‘And he’ll go in hard. But how’s Macro?’

‘Macro was taken straight to the field hospital.’

‘He’s still alive?’

‘For the moment. The chief surgeon didn’t sound hopeful, but then I suppose they never do,’ she continued quickly when she saw the look on Cato’s face. ‘Vespasian was delighted to see the general’s daughter, but then showed me something that had been tied to an arrow and shot over the camp gate just after nightfall…’ Boudica paused.

‘Go on.’