Distant trumpets sounded the second watch of the night. There were not too many men left here at Zeugma, although there were plenty of women and children belonging to the legion which meant that some areas, like the big bath house, remained busy and boisterous, and still the trumpets sounded and all the rituals were performed. The men who were left included all those men good at working the system, at setting down such deep roots in any camp that they were far too indispensable to be sent on campaign, or kept with the eagles because disease or injury rendered them unfit while sentiment ensured that they were given light tasks. Men like that tended to be even stricter about the regulations and routine of the army’s day than everyone else. Neat, and brightly whitewashed stones now lined the parade ground, while anything visible that could be polished was polished with such vigour that they must be starting to wear away.

Hadrian enjoyed the relative peace of a half-empty principia, and had settled into the lavish praetorium, finding shelter in its calm after days spent in the basilica of the city itself. He should move on, for assizes were due elsewhere, and he was wondering how long the excuse of not wishing to pre-empt the formally appointed governor would last. A letter said that the new man expected to arrive in Antioch by the Kalends of July, given fair weather. It would be better to be there to meet him, for that was the custom, at least for properly appointed governors. Still, if the siege was not quite done, or there was a need to ensure that he took credit for its success or provided explanations for a failure, Hadrian could probably justify absence by the requirements of state. Crispinus had more than two months, and that ought to be enough one way or another. It would be hard indeed to keep his army supplied during the height of the summer, and long before then Trajan would be aware and able to intervene.

Hadrian considered what he had written so far, beginning with an explanation of the messages from Princess Azátē, and emphasising the precarious condition of Osrhoene, and the dangers posed should the king make close alliance with the Parthians.

Considering the security of the province, in this region where the Euphrates can be crossed with some ease, action to secure it against any possible threat seemed wise.

Hadrian toyed again with the idea of mentioning past invasions and the ease of the route to Antioch, before discarding them. The princeps was not only a shrewd soldier, but hated statements of the obvious.

Believing that this opportunity for assisting an ally, who is eager for our cause and hostile to that of the Parthians, was one that ought to be seized upon forthwith, I committed to aiding Azátē and despatched Legio VIIII Hispana supported by auxiliaries. Their commander, Atilius Crispinus, although fresh to his command, has experience and is eager to prove that he and his men are capable of performing any task in service to their princeps and the res publica.