‘Very good, sir.’ Centurion Hortensius nodded, and turned back to the Atrebatan prince, lowering the tip of the spear towards Tincommius’ buttocks. The legate strode out of the redoubt, making a great effort not to walk too fast in case the centurion and the tribune guessed that he was acutely discomforted by the scene. As soon as Vespasian and Quintillus were outside the redoubt they heard a hiss followed by an inhuman shriek that split the air like a knife. Vespasian strode off towards one of the king’s store sheds, which he had made his temporary headquarters, forcing Quintillus to quicken his step to keep up.

‘Well sir, what do you think?’

‘I’m wondering if Centurion Cato wasn’t right to be so cautious after all.’

Quintillus looked at him anxiously. ‘You can’t be serious, sir. Caratacus coming here? It’s not possible. The general’s got him pegged to the other side of the river.’

Another scream pursued them, and Vespasian jerked his thumb over his shoulder. ‘Well, he believes it sure enough.’

‘It’s like you said earlier, sir, he’s just trying to put the frighteners on us.’

‘Not much point in that now, if it’s not true.’

‘Maybe,’ Quintillus conceded reluctantly. ‘Then perhaps he was lied to in turn.’

Vespasian stopped, and turned towards the tribune. ‘Just why are you so keen to keep us here? Nothing to do with you wanting to be the first Roman governor of the Atrebatans, I suppose?’

The tribune did not reply.

‘Thought so,’ Vespasian sneered. ‘There’s a little more than your career at stake, Quintillus. Bear that in mind.’

The tribune shrugged, but stayed silent. Vespasian sighed with bitter frustration at the man’s inability to acknowledge the potential peril of their situation.

‘Tribune, if anything happens to me, you will be the senior officer here, understand?’

‘Yes, sir.’

‘And your duty will be to carry out my last orders. In which case you must see to the safety of the men under your command. You will take no risks with their lives. If that means abandoning Calleva you will do it.’

‘As you wish, sir.’

‘As I command.’

‘Yes, sir.’

Vespasian stared at the tribune to reinforce the gravity of the order, before he continued, ‘I want you to tell the cohort commanders to have their men ready to move first thing tomorrow. Go.’