‘Aren’t you forgetting something? I doubt the fort was even built when Narcissus sent us on our way. And your predecessor died shortly before that. There’s no way the news could have reached Rome before we set out.’

‘It doesn’t matter. The specifics are of little account. My guess is that after Pallas learned that we were bound for Britannia he sent a message to one of his agents here with orders to make sure we were put in harm’s way. My guess is that Pallas has a man inside the governor’s staff, if not the governor himself. They would see to it that we were sent somewhere there is a good chance we’ll be killed off. Bruccium fits the bill nicely and the death of the previous prefect meant there was no need to get him reassigned to a new posting. So far it’s worked out well for Pallas.’

‘If that’s what is going on,’ Macro said doubtfully. ‘But frankly, Cato, I think you’re jumping at shadows. Our being sent to Bruccium is just the luck of the draw.’

Cato looked at him. ‘You really think so? After all the scheming we’ve witnessed over the last few years? You know how things work inside the palace.’

They were interrupted by Decimus as he returned with the optio. They stepped into the mess room and the optio closed the door behind him before saluting his superiors. ‘Optio Manlius Acer, sir. You wanted to see me.’

Cato nodded. ‘At ease, Optio. Take a seat.’

The optio looked briefly surprised at the informality shown to him by someone as senior as a prefect and then sat on the bench opposite.

‘This is the last outpost before the fort at Bruccium, right? There’s nothing beyond here. Not even a signal post.’

The optio nodded.

‘The thing is, there’s been no report from Bruccium in over a month. Have you heard anything?’

‘Heard, no. But I saw a patrol towards the head of the valley ten days ago, sir. A squadron of Thracian cavalry. They looked on for a moment and then disappeared into the trees.’

‘But no message? No request for supplies?’

The optio shook his head.

‘Peculiar, don’t you think?’ Cato pressed him.

‘Peculiar doesn’t begin to describe it, sir. Before Quertus took command the prefect used to send two squadrons and two centuries of legionaries back to the depot to escort the supply convoy up to the fort every ten days, regular as anything. After the prefect died the routine continued for a while, then many days would go by between supply runs. Eventually the resupply requests and the escort stopped coming.’

Macro looked at the optio. ‘Why didn’t you send a patrol to investigate?’

‘Not my job, sir. My orders are to guard this side of the pass and report back to Glevum on any sightings of the enemy.’