Quintillus looked offended. For a man who appeared to have drunk quite freely earlier that evening, he was surprisingly serious, thought Cato. Then he realised that the tribune had been putting on an act for the benefit of the Atrebatan nobles. No, Cato smiled, it was for the benefit of the tribune himself: wine and easy company loosened some tongues far more effectively than any amount of intrigue or torture.

‘Are we in danger, my lord, from your people?’ asked Cato. ‘Are you in danger?’

‘No!’ Tincommius protested. ‘Your people revere you, my lord.’

Verica smiled fondly at his nephew. ‘You may still hold some affection for me, as might Artax there, but you are in no position to speak for the rest of my people.’

‘They feel as I do, my lord.’

‘Maybe, but I hope they don’t think as little as you do.’

Tincommius’ mouth opened in shock at the rebuke, then he looked down with an ashamed expression.

Verica shook his head sadly. ‘Tincommius . . . Tincommius . . . don’t feel angry with me. Truly, I value such loyalty. But you mustn’t be blinded by it. You must look up and see the world as it really is. And plan accordingly. I know that there are some nobles who question my alliance with Rome. I know that they say I should never have been permitted to regain my kingdom. I know that they would dearly love to throw their lot in with Caratacus and go to war against Rome. I know all this, as does any man with the sense to see and hear what goes on in Calleva. But this is foolishness of the worst order.’ Verica raised his eyes to the heavens again before continuing, ‘We are a little people caught between two great forces. You remember how I was thrown out of my kingdom?’

‘I was young, my lord, but I remember. When the Catuvellaunians crossed the Tamesis?’

‘Aye. They are truly a greedy nation. First the Trinovantans, then the Cantiians, and then they demanded our unconditional loyalty, or our lands. So I had to quit Calleva and leave the kingdom in the hands of Caratacus’ place man. There was no choice. I had to bear the indignity and shame of exile to spare my people far worse at the hands of Caratacus. You see, that’s the true burden of being a king. You must rule for your people, not for yourself, whatever the cost. Do you understand me?’

‘Yes, my lord.’

‘Good. Then you will know how that shame was redoubled when the legions landed and returned my kingdom to me at the point of their swords. Whether it is me, or any other, who rules in Calleva, we do so at the whim of greater powers than the Atrebatans. All we can do is survive as best we can. And that means throwing ourselves at the mercy of the strongest force.’