‘. . . Or be killed in the attempt.’ The general’s smile had disappeared and there was no mistaking the serious tenor their conversation had taken on. Quintillus took a sip and lowered his cup, watching his superior intently.

‘You have something of a reputation as a smooth operator, Quintillus. That is precisely the skill I need for this task. I hope your reputation has been fully earned.’

The tribune nodded modestly.

‘Good. You only arrived a few days ago, I recall.’

‘Ten days ago, sir.’

‘Ten days. Not much time to familiarise yourself with our operations, then?’

‘No, sir,’ Quintillus admitted.

‘Well, never mind. Narcissus speaks highly of you.’

‘That’s uncommonly generous of him.’

‘Yes . . . very uncommon. That’s why I’ve chosen you. I need a good pair of eyes and ears on the ground in Calleva. Centurion Macro is understandably reticent in expressing his concern about the firmness of King Verica’s grip on his people. He’s enjoying his independent command and doesn’t want senior officers breathing down his neck. To be fair, he’s doing an excellent job. He’s raised a scratch force of Atrebatans, and they’ve already scored a victory over the Durotrigans. Quite an achievement.’

‘Yes, sir. Sounds like it.’ The tribune nodded at Macro’s report. ‘Must be a good officer, and the men he’s trained sound formidable, as natives go.’

The general fixed him with a cold stare. ‘Condescension is a dangerous luxury. That’s a hard lesson I’ve had to learn from these Britons.’

‘If you say so, sir.’

‘I do. And you should profit from my experience.’

‘But of course, sir.’ Quintillus bowed his head.

‘Very wise . . . Macro’s success has put me in something of a difficult situation. You see, King Verica is an old man. I doubt he’ll live through another winter. So far he’s managed to carry his people with him in making a treaty with Rome. But there are some in his tribe who are not so well disposed towards us.’

‘Ain’t that always the way?’

‘Sadly. The trouble is that these discontents are quite influential, and they might just put forward a candidate when the tribe’s council of elders meets to choose a successor to Verica. If that man is successful . . .’

‘Then we’d be in the ordure, sir.’

‘Right up to our necks. Not only will we have a hostile tribe to our rear, but Centurion Macro will have provided them with the wherewithal to cause a lot of damage to our supply lines.’

‘Did he exceed his orders in training and arming these cohorts, sir?’

‘Not at all. He was acting on Legate Vespasian’s orders.’

‘Then the legate is responsible.’

‘No, he sought and received my approval for the formation of the cohorts.’

‘I see,’ the tribune responded tactfully.

‘The trouble is that Centurion Macro has not been very forthcoming about the divided loyalties of our Atrebatan friends.’