‘Oh, does he?’ Hortensius glared at the young optio, angered that so young and inexperienced a soldier should presume to understand the enemy’s intentions.

‘Otherwise, what would be the point of putting them to one side, sir?’

‘Who knows? Maybe it’s some kind of offering to their gods.’

‘I don’t think so,’ Cato responded quietly.

Hortensius frowned. ‘If you’ve got something to say, you say it properly, Optio,’ he snapped.

‘Yes, sir.’ Cato stood to attention. ‘I merely wished to suggest that it looks to me as if the raiders have put aside anything they can carry with them when they retreat back into the territory of the Durotriges. That’s all, sir. Other than the fact that they could pass back this way at any moment.’

‘Any moment, eh?’ Hortensius mocked him. ‘I doubt it. If they’ve any sense they’re already safely tucked up back where they came from.’

‘Even so, sir, the lad might have a point,’ said Macro. ‘We ought to post a watch on some high ground.’

‘Macro, I wasn’t born yesterday. It’s taken care of. The cavalry scouts are screening the approaches to the village. If anyone comes, they’ll be spotted long before they threaten us. Not that I believe the raiders are still out there.’

He had barely stopped speaking when a thrumming of hooves sounded in the dusk. The three officers turned, and moments later a scout galloped his horse into the centre of the settlement. He reined his beast in and slipped from its side. ‘Where’s Centurion Hortensius?’

‘Over here. Make your report!’

The man ran over, saluted and took a deep breath. ‘Column of men approaching, sir! Two miles off.’

‘Which direction?’

The scout turned and pointed towards the east, beyond a dip between two hills, where a track wound its way along the coast.

‘How many?’

‘Two hundred, maybe more.’

‘Right. What’s your decurion doing?’

‘He’s pulled the squadron back into the trees on the nearest hill. Except for two men, unmounted. They’re keeping an eye on the column.’

‘Good.’ Hortensius nodded with satisfaction and dismissed the scout. ‘Off you go. Tell the decurion to stay under cover. I’ll send a runner with orders as soon as I can.’

The scout ran back to his mount and Hortensius turned to his officers. He forced himself to smile slightly.

‘Well, young Cato. Seems you might be right. And if you are, then those Druids and their friends are in for a great big fucking surprise.’

When The Eagle Hunts

Chapter Eleven