Crispinus was not at the other sheds, and Ferox found himself walking around behind the two small southern forts and the picket line to reach the eastern camp. The sun was baking, but he preferred being on his own than in all that bustle. If Crispinus wanted him to stay in and around Nicopolis for a while, then he ought to make the most of what little solitude was possible, so he put up with the heat, exchanged the minimum of pleasantries with anyone he encountered and walked on, his own personal cloud of flies buzzing over his head. At least he had acquired a decent broad-brimmed hat – that was decent by his standards even if no doubt unable to meet Philo’s. Ferox wondered how the boy and his wife were doing, especially when the Brigantes were away. Vindex had had the sense to make sure that one or two of his warriors were always nearby and ready to accompany Indike if she went far on her own. The pretext would be a lame horse or horses, and as the rigours of the campaign grew, that was unlikely to be a pretence.

Ferox had not heard Rufus or anyone else saying anything about the city being convinced to surrender. The siege lines and the men in them had a purposeful air about them. That was necessary if the threat was to be convincing, but men readily fell in love with the works of their hands and wanted to know that they did what they were supposed to do. A lot had changed while he was away, and the most visible mark was the severed heads, all crawling with flies, facing the enemy walls. He had passed the prison compound as he rode in, and seen the subdued, dirty men sitting in what little shade had been provided, and wondered what the legatus might decide to do next to prove that his determination was to be feared.

By the time he reached the works on the eastern side, Crispinus had inspected and moved on, but Cerialis was as welcoming as ever, and Ferox was grateful for a short rest and even more for a long drink of watered wine. He could see that Rufus had been right and the ramp this side was much higher. The redoubts, artillery platforms and ramparts to protect it were equally impressive.

‘They’re bound to try a sally here,’ Cerialis told him. ‘Surprised they haven’t already.’

‘Guess they want to wait and do more damage.’

‘Probably, but we’ll not make it easy for them. If you and your rogues aren’t needed elsewhere, I’ll be glad to have you over here again. When they do come out, I want to hit them so hard that they don’t try it again, and a few more Britons will help scare anybody!’

Ferox thanked him and went on his way. His flies, or possibly their relatives, found him again when he came out of the shelter of the tent and they all resumed their stroll. More than an hour later he at last caught up with Crispinus.