‘To be left alone, sir,’ Cato replied flatly. ‘It is through no fault of my own that I have an enemy in the palace. Since I joined the army I have never wanted to do anything more than be a good soldier. I managed it for some years, before I, and my friend, Centurion Macro, were forced to undertake some tasks for one of the imperial secretaries. Now, for the first time in years, we had hoped to be free of his influence, and to return to soldiering. And we’re good soldiers. Experienced soldiers. We don’t deserve to be played like pieces in some game. It’s a waste of our talent, and our loyalty to Rome. I don’t want to live my life worrying if someone is going to stick a knife in my back.’ Cato paused a moment. ‘So this is my plea. You have played your part. You have done the favour asked of you by someone in Rome. You don’t owe them anything else. That being the case, give me your word that you will not try to harm me, or Macro. I have no objection to being placed in danger’s way. That is the duty of a soldier. Leave us be, and we will serve Rome, and you, loyally. And you will have cause to thank us. If you plot against us, then it is not only dishonourable, it is something worse. It is a waste of good men.’

When Cato concluded, there was a silence in the room before Quintatus cleared his throat. ‘Is that the deal you offer me?’

‘It’s not a deal, sir. What would be the point of that? I have nothing to bargain with. As I said, it’s simply a plea. If you give me your word that you will treat us as soldiers then that is good enough for me.’

‘And you would trust my word?’

‘Yes. What choice do I have? You, however, do have a choice, sir. You can choose to be a man of honour, a professional soldier, or you can choose to be no better than the rest of that nest of vipers back in Rome.’ Cato forced himself to stand up straight and meet the legate’s gaze head on. ‘Do I have your word?’

Quintatus scratched his chin thoughtfully. ‘Very well. I give you my word that I will treat you no differently to any other man under my command. Is that good enough for you?’

Cato reflected a moment and nodded. ‘I don’t think there’s anything else to be said, sir. May I go and find that bed you mentioned?’

‘Be my guest.’

Cato bowed his head and turned to half walk, half stumble from the room. The legate watched him go and was silent for a moment before he shook his head and muttered to himself, ‘What a remarkable young man . . . A pity he has earned himself such powerful enemies.’

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX