‘Can’t stay?’ Quintillus, at his commander’s shoulder, repeated with a slight smile. ‘Centurion Cato, the truth is we can’t afford to leave. Even you must be aware of the strategic situation? Verica will die soon. His warriors are nearly all dead. This kingdom will fall to the first enemy that passes through the gate you two saw fit to burn down. Only Rome can guarantee order here now.’

Cato placed his hand behind his back and clenched his fist, pressing his nails into the flesh of his palm. He was exhausted and angry, and needed his wits to be sharp.

‘Sir, if we lose these six cohorts and a legate, there won’t be a strategic situation to worry about, only a rout.’

‘Really!’ The tribune laughed and turned to Vespasian. ‘I think this young man has become physically and mentally exhausted over the last few days, sir. It’s only natural he might have an inflated fear of the enemy.’

This was too much for Macro. His bull neck swung forward. ‘Afraid? Cato afraid? It wasn’t Cato who ran off when they gave us that first pasting-’

Vespasian stepped between them and raised his hand, speaking in an urgent undertone. ‘That’s quite enough, gentlemen! I’ll not have my officers arguing in front of the men.’

‘Nevertheless,’ Quintillus continued quietly, ‘I will not stand for a common centurion inferring that I’m a coward. I was the one that rode for help.’

‘Quite,’ Macro smiled sweetly. ‘And I wasn’t inferring that you’re a coward . . . sir.’

‘Enough!’ said Vespasian. ‘Centurion Cato, given how things have turned out, I think we can discount anything Tincommius may have said. It wouldn’t be the first time he’s managed to fool a Roman officer.’

Quintillus tightened his lips.

Had he not been so weary Cato might have been a bit more circumspect in his approach to the commander of the Second Legion, but he had to press upon the legate the seriousness of their situation. ‘Sir, he said that Caratacus and his army would be arriving tomorrow. If we’re not well clear of Calleva by then-’

‘I’ve made my decision, Centurion. We stay. I’ll have the scouts out at first light. They can warn us of any approaching danger.’

‘It might be too late by then, sir.’

‘Look here, this Tincommius is a liar. He deceived you.’

‘He deceived all of us, sir.’

‘Quite. So why should we believe him now? How can you be sure he’s speaking the truth? Let’s accept that Tincommius wasn’t lying. I doubt Caratacus would have given General Plautius the slip. He’d be fighting a rearguard action all the way. He’d have more reason to worry about us than we about him. Look, it was probably no more than a simple ploy by Tincommius to get you to surrender. Surely you can see through that?’