‘Where by all that’s sacred have you been?’ the legatus shouted cheerfully. ‘Loafing somewhere, I suppose? What can you expect from a barbarian, eh?’

Vindex had been right, the aristocrat was certainly cheerful. The sight reminded Ferox very much of the restless, capable and highly conceited young tribune he had known all those years ago, a man in love with intrigue and with himself. Part of him was glad to see the change; the other part remembered just where the eager tribune’s schemes had tended to lead in the past.

Ferox had found the bulk of the legatus’ party waiting in the hollow by the entrance to the mine workings, only moments before the commander emerged, brushing non-existent dirt from the skirt of his tunic.

‘You’d think it would be cool down there, but it’s almost warmer than up here,’ Crispinus told them. ‘Splendid, splendid.’ He noticed a trail of dark earth spilled from one of the sacks carrying away the spoil. ‘We’ll have to switch to doing that only at night from now on. And take it further. No sign that the Nicopolitans know what we’re doing and it would be nice to keep it that way. Well, let’s be on our way.’ He gestured for Ferox to walk beside him. Caecilius showed surprise, but he and the others understood to drop back a little.

‘Any of your fellows know anything about mining?’ the legatus asked after a while. ‘Weren’t some sent to the mines?’

‘None of the ones left.’ Ferox knew that a couple of the former rebels had been condemned to hard labour, but thought that they had all worked on the salt beds and not underground. He did not like closed spaces, even caves, and had no wish to encourage the legatus to send any of his men there.

‘Only a thought. They are finding it very good going, so even though it is such a long, long way, it might be ready in time. Hopefully won’t need it, but should hate to decide that we do when it is too late. You should take a look – make a nice change to see you bent double when I can stride tall and straight! So did you find what you wanted?’ The question was abrupt, and that was also like the legatus’ younger self, always playing games and treating a conversation like a fencing bout.

‘Yes.’

‘You think it will work?’

‘One way or another, given luck.’

‘That means you don’t know. Still, for once your laconic thrift with words does save us all time, and there is so much to do. Alive would be better, but is not essential.’ Crispinus glanced back over his shoulder and raised his voice to call back, ‘Caecilius, consilium at the seventh hour. Let me see your calculations again and ponder whether we are making best use of all our men. And make sure the miners are on course. We have some numbers for you from their records.’

‘Sir.’

‘What’s that!’ Arrian shouted and was pointing. They were in front of the city, walking along the outpost line, so comfortably out of range. The great gateway was near them and something dark had been dropped on a rope from the right-hand tower.