Cato tried not to show his alarm at the prospect of one of Macro’s drinking binges. Unlike his friend, who enjoyed a cast-iron constitution, and quickly recovered from any amount of drink, wine and beer went straight to Cato’s head, and he suffered the appalling consequences for days. Much as he was relieved to prove the surgeon wrong, there were other matters that required his attention.

‘Sir, we must make a report to the legate, and the general, at once. Then we have to join Verica tonight.’

‘Screw Verica. Let’s get drunk.’

‘We can’t do that,’ Cato continued patiently. ‘We dare not cause any offence. Vespasian’s orders were very firm about that.’

‘Bloody orders.’

Cato nodded sympathetically, and then tried to change the subject. ‘And we need to think about how the men performed at the river crossing.’

‘What’s there to think about? We kicked the stuffing out of the Durotrigans.’

‘This time, maybe. When we next face them we might not have the advantage of surprise.’

‘The lads did well enough,’ protested Macro. ‘Got stuck into the enemy like pros. Well, maybe not professionals - they’ll never match up to the legions.’

‘Quite. That’s what worries me. They’re overconfident. That can be a very dangerous thing. They need more training.’

‘Of course they do!’ Macro slapped him on the shoulder. ‘And we’re just the men to give them it. Why, we’ll drill ‘em into the ground, make them curse the day they were born. In the end they’ll be as good as any auxiliaries serving with the Eagles. Mark my words!’

‘I hope so.’ Cato forced himself to smile.

‘That’s the spirit! Now let’s get back to the depot and see if we can find a jar or two of wine.’

04 The Eagle and the Wolves

Chapter Thirteen

As soon as he left the celebrating crowd King Verica returned to the royal enclosure and summoned his council of advisors and the most trusted members of his family. He waited until the last of the kitchen slaves had left the chamber before he spoke. His audience was seated at a long table, watching their king with keen expectation. Each man had a drinking goblet, and several pitchers of wine had been left for them to share. Although Verica wanted sober heads to consider the situation, this was balanced with a need for each to speak his mind as honestly as possible, and wine, consumed in quantity, was generally a sound way to loosen tongues.

Besides his wise council, made up of the most ancient and respected of the Atrebatan nobles, the younger blades of nobility were represented by Tincommius, Artax and the captain of the royal bodyguard, Cadminius. Verica needed to sound out the broadest range of opinion in those upon whose loyalty his rule of the Atrebatans depended. The youngsters were looking excited and not a little awed to have been consulted in this manner.