Quintillus could not answer, and was angry for letting himself fall into such an obvious rhetorical trap. He had been trained by the most expensive tutors his father could afford, and felt ashamed. Damn King Verica. Damn this wizened old man. He had made a mess of things and now Rome must sort it out. Always Rome.

‘My lord,’ the tribune responded quietly. ‘I appreciate that ruling a kingdom is not a precise science. But you have a problem. Your people are divided, and some are hostile to Rome. That makes it our problem too. You must find a solution, for the good of your people.’

‘Or else?’

‘Or else Rome will have to solve the problem.’

There was a silence, and the tribune was aware that Cadminius had straightened up in his chair and had bunched one hand into a fist. At the other end of the table Verica leaned back and pressed his hands together, resting his lips on the fingertips as he watched Quintillus through narrowed eyes.

‘Are you threatening me?’

‘No. Of course not. But let me describe the options for your people as I see it, if I may?’

‘Go ahead, young man.’

‘The Atrebatans must remain allies of Rome. We need to be sure that our supplies can pass safely through your lands. As long as you can guarantee that then you will find us a grateful and valuable friend. And, as long as whoever eventually succeeds you pursues the same policy, Rome shall be content to let the Atrebatans run their own affairs - as long as we do not perceive any developments that might endanger our interests.’

‘And if you do?’

‘Then we would have to help you administer your kingdom.’

‘You mean annex us? Turn us into a province.’

‘Of course I hope that it would never come to that.’

There was a tense pause before Verica continued speaking. ‘I see. And if our “policy” changes?’

‘Then we will be forced to crush any forces operating against Rome. All weapons will be confiscated. Your lands and those of your nobles who oppose us will be forfeit, and any prisoners we take will be sold into slavery. That is the fate of those who break faith with Rome.’

Verica stared at the tribune for a moment, then his eyes flicked over to the captain of his bodyguard. Cadminius was having difficulty containing his rage at the naked threat posed by the Roman envoy.

‘You don’t leave me and my people much choice for our future.’

‘No, my lord. None.’

04 The Eagle and the Wolves

Chapter Twenty

Two days after the tribune’s arrival King Verica announced that he was going to hold a hunt. One of the forests several miles from Calleva was a royal hunting ground and farmers living nearby were forbidden to hunt any animals within its leafy boundary.