Captain of Rome. John Stack

man’s shoulder, a simple request for him to be seated once more. ‘Tell me what happened.’

      ‘We were en route to Taras when we were attacked,’ Camillus began.

      ‘Attacked?’ Atticus said.

      ‘By pirates, Atticus,’ Septimus said, nodding towards Camillus. ‘He has already filled me in on some of the details.’

      Atticus sat back against the table in the centre of the cabin, his mind flooded with questions. ‘Where did the attack take place?’ he asked of Camillus.

      ‘We were a day’s sailing south of Naples, just short of Centola.’

      ‘And the pirate ship?’

      ‘She was a bireme, sailing under a banner of Egyptus. She was travelling north and as she crossed our bows, she suddenly changed course and swept out starboard oars.’ Camillus fell silent for a moment. ‘I’d never seen a galley move so fast,’ he muttered, shaking his head, his disbelief an unconscious absolution for him and his crewmates having been caught unawares.