‘Save your bright ideas for the real work, lad,’ he said with some fondness.

‘And we can all save our more savage instincts for the moment,’ Crispinus declared, bringing the meeting back to order. ‘I do not believe executions – or the adoption of body parts as missiles’—there was more laughter—‘to be useful at present. There is rarely utility in savagery for the mere sake of it, and as well as creating fear you can stiffen their resolve. I want all our prisoners treated well. And let’s make sure they are visible. Show the citizens that we can be very kind when we choose, even to people who have raised their hands against us. Later, then we shall see, but for the moment that is the message. We wish to be friends and allies, not enemies, and fight only because we have no other choice.’ Something made him search for Ferox’s face, expecting to find him offensively expressionless somewhere near the back. Then the legatus remembered that he had sent the Brigantes off on a special task. They would not return for a few days. Oddly enough, he was disappointed not to be annoyed by the man. Crispinus reached for his cup and drank. He liked his evening consilium to be a relaxed affair, feeling that more was done that way. The temperature would soon drop overnight, but in here, one of the few stone-walled rooms with a tent as roof, it was still stuffy because they needed plenty of lamps to see the maps, plans and tables in front of them. Rufus had even brought some models to show what they were constructing.

‘In addition, I want you to keep reminding your men that any citizens or others who come from the city unarmed and in peace are to be allowed through our lines. They may stay with us, if they wish – we can set up tents by the sutlers’ camp – or go on their way.’

Caecilius sucked in through his teeth. ‘That’s a fine judgement for a sentry to make on a dark night, sir. You see shapes out there and the instinct is to shoot.’

‘I understand and know the risks, primus. But this is important. These people are not rebels, and are enemies only because they do not yet have the sense to accept us as allies. I want them to come out and show the rest that they are safer out here than behind those walls. They need to trust us. My hope is that once they realise that, then more and more will come, especially the men of wealth and their families. So they must not be killed, molested or even robbed. We need them. Every one of them who leaves weakens the resolve of those inside. That may make the rest see sense, and even if it does not and we storm the place, then at least we have some well-disposed men to take over the reins of government in the aftermath. We need to make all ranks understand that.’ The legatus lifted his cup and drank some more of the wine, grimacing because it had not travelled well.