When the two Romans were alone Macro eased himself back from the table and patted his stomach. A burp rumbled in his throat, causing Cato to look up with a frown.

‘What?’

‘It’s nothing, sir. Sorry.’

Macro sighed. ‘There’s that “sir” thing again. I thought you’d got over that.’

‘Creature of habit.’ Cato smiled weakly. ‘But I’ll work on it.’

‘You’d better.’

‘Meaning?’

‘Meaning you’ve been a bit drippy these last few days. If you’re going to help me train these Atrebatans so they can take on the enemy, you’re going to have to buck up your technique.’

‘I’ll try.’

‘Trying’s not good enough, lad. Training men for war’s a serious business. You have to be hard on them from day one. You have to punish them hard for every single mistake they make. Be as cruel and nasty as you can, because if you don’t, then you place them at a disadvantage when they face the enemy for real.’ Macro stared at him to make sure the point had got through. Then he smiled. ‘Besides, you don’t want them calling you a pansy wanker behind your back, do you?’

‘Probably not.’

‘That’s the spirit. Decisive as ever. Now then, weapons drill starts tomorrow. You’re in charge. I’ve got to catch up on some paperwork. Being a bloody garrison commander’s a right pain in the arse. I’ve got to sort out accommodation and provisioning for Verica’s boys. I’ll have them issued with tents. They can set them up along the inside of the rampart. Then I have to make sure the inventory is bang up to date before we start issuing tunics and boots to the natives. Otherwise some bloody clerk on the imperial general staff’s going to bill me for any discrepancies. Bloody auditors.’

Cato’s eyes lit up as the obvious thought occurred to him. ‘Would you prefer me to deal with the inventory? You can do the sword drill.’

‘No! Damn it, Cato, you’re a centurion now, so act like one. Besides, you know some of the lingo. Tomorrow, you’re going to go out there and stick it to ‘em. You can pick some men to help you, but you’re on your own now, lad . . . Right, I’m off. You’d best get some rest yourself.’

‘Yes. Soon as I’ve finished.’