‘I went in there. That’s why I’ve got this stuff all over me, sir.’

‘You went inside? Are you mad, Optio? Do you know what would have happened if you’d been caught?’

‘I have a pretty good idea, sir.’ Cato’s brow furrowed as he recalled the fate of Diomedes. ‘But I promised the Lady Pomponia that I would rescue her. I gave her my word, sir.’

‘Bit rash then, weren’t you?’

‘Yes, sir.’

‘Never mind. It’s my intention to storm the hill fort as soon as possible. We’ll get them back that way.’

‘Excuse me, Legate,’ Boudica interrupted. ‘Prasutagus knows the Druids. He tells me they will not let them live. If it looked like the legion was close to taking the place, they’ll have no reason to spare them.

‘Maybe, but if Plautius confirms his order for the execution of our Druid prisoners then they’re dead anyway. At least we might save them in the confusion of an attack.’

‘Sir?’

‘Yes, Optio?’

‘I’ve seen the layout inside the hill fort. You’ll be assaulting the main gate?’

‘Of course.’ Vespasian smiled. ‘I assume that meets with your approval?’

‘Sir, the Druid’s compound is at the other end of the hill fort. They’d see the game was up in plenty of time to get back to the compound and kill the hostages. We couldn’t hope to beat them to it, sir. Boudica’s right. The moment we take the main gate, they’ll be killed.’

‘I see.’ Vespasian contemplated a moment. ‘I don’t have a choice then. I have to wait for Plautius’s reply. If he’s rescinded the execution order, then we might still be able to negotiate some kind of a deal with the Druids.’

‘I wouldn’t pin your hopes on it,’ said Boudica.

Vespasian frowned at her, and then turned back to Cato.

‘Not looking very good then, is it?’

‘No, sir.’

‘What can you tell me about conditions inside the hill fort? How many are we facing? How are they armed?’

Cato had anticipated the question and had his answers ready. ‘No more than eight hundred warriors. Twice as many noncombatants, and maybe eighty Druids. They were working on something that looked like catapult frames, so we might be facing some pretty heavy fire when we go in, sir.’

‘We’ll match them at that game, and more,’ Vespasian said with satisfaction. ‘The general transferred the artillery from the Twentieth Legion to me. We’ll be able to bring more than enough down on their heads to keep them back while the assault cohorts close on the gate.’

‘I hope so, sir,’ Cato, replied. ‘The gate’s the only option. The ditches are heavily staked.’