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strain of the desperate hours of the. previous night, and the following day’s shifts bailing the water from the hold, the crew slumped down and rested.
    ‘What do we do now?’ asked Julia.
    ‘We?’ Macro turned to her. ‘I want you to stay here, miss. You and the rest of the crew and passengers. Meanwhile, Cato, your father and I are going into Matala to check on the lie of the land. ‘
    ‘I’m coming with you. ‘
    ‘With respect, miss, you aren’t. Not until we are sure that it’s safe. ‘ Julia frowned and then looked up at Cato. ‘Take me with you. ‘
    ‘I can’t, ‘ Cato replied. ‘Macro is the ranking officer. If he says you stay, then you stay’
    ‘But Cato’
    ‘He’s right, my dear, ‘ Sempronius intervened. ‘You have to stay here. Just for now. We’ll be back soon. I promise. ‘
    Julia met her father’s gaze and after a moment, nodded. ‘All right. But don’t take any risks. ‘
    ‘We won’t, miss, ‘ said Macro.’ Come on, Cato. Let’s get our kit from the cabin. ‘
    ‘Kit?’
    ‘Most of it survived, I checked, ‘ Macro explained. ‘If what you said earlier is anything to go by, I’d be happier if we went armed. ‘
    A short time later, the two centurions and the senator splashed down into the shallows from the end of the boarding plank that had been lowered from the bows. T h e mate of the
Horus
had ordered two men to take the main anchor and carry it a short distance up the shingle before wedging its flukes into the beach. He was testing that the anchor was securely fixed as the Romans came ashore and made their way up the shingle to firmer ground.
    ‘All done?’ Macro asked.
    The mate nodded. ‘The ship’s as safe and secure as she can be. At least she can’t sink. ‘
    ‘Good. You’ve done well. Your captain would have been proud of you. ‘
    The mate bowed his head. ‘I hope so. He was a good man, sir. Best captain I have sailed with. ‘
    ‘A sad loss, ‘ Macro responded flatly. ‘Now then, we’re heading into the port, or what’s left of it, to see what the situation is. Meanwhile, you’re to remain here. Make sure the crew stays close to the ship and don’t let anyone come aboard. ‘
    ‘Why?’
    ‘Just do as I say, all right? Hopefully someone has restored some kind of order to Matala. But if they haven’t… then I’d rather you made sure that you looked after your people, and the senator’s daughter. Understand?’
    ‘Yes, sir. ‘ The mate nodded solemnly ‘We have a few weapons in the stern locker. In case of pirates. ‘
    ‘Let’s hope you don’t need to use them. ‘ Cato smiled thinly. ‘But use your judgement. If there’s any sign of trouble, then get everyone back on board and pull up the boarding plank. ‘
    ‘Yes, sir. Good luck. ‘
    ‘Luck?’ Macro patted the sword hanging at his side. ‘I make my own luck. ‘
    The two centurions and the senator set off along the shingle towards the port. Cato glanced back over his shoulder and saw Julia following their progress from the foredeck. She waved her hand hesitantly as she saw him looking back and he resisted the urge to wave back. He was thinking like a soldier again and was already closely watching the cliffs to their left for any sign of danger as they trudged along the top of the shingle. It was only a quarter of a mile to the port, and as they approached, the debris that had been carried on the backwash of the wave increased in intensity. Then they came across the first bodies. Twisted figures in sodden clothing mingled with the remains of houses, boats and goods from the warehouses. The wave had struck its victims down indiscriminately and the three Romans stepped over the corpses of old and young alike. Cato felt a stab of pity as he saw a young woman on her side, an infant still strapped to her chest by a sling, both of them quite dead. He stopped a moment to stare down at the bodies.
    Macro paused at his side. ‘Poor devils. Didn’t stand a chance. ‘ Cato nodded