‘True. But what we need are light troops, cavalry, that sort of thing. Not heavy infantry. Longinus should be able to spare some auxiliary forces. In any case, I think we might be able to call on help from other quarters.’ Cato turned back to Symeon, who had been sitting impatiently, watching the two centurions talking in their tongue. Cato switched back to Greek. ‘Symeon, you told us you that you have family in Nabataea? At Petra?’

‘That’s right.’

‘And they run mercenary caravan escorts down into Arabia?’

Symeon nodded.

‘Is there any chance that we might persuade them to help us against Bannus? After all, his men have been raiding the caravans between here and the Decapolis.’

Symeon sucked at his teeth.’Difficult to say.Thanks to Prefect Scrofa the Second Illyrian has earned itself quite a lot of bad feeling down in Petra. I’d imagine there’re plenty of merchants down there who’d be quite happy to see the garrison at Bushir destroyed.’

‘Then we have to win back their friendship.’

‘Easier said than done.’ Symeon smiled. ‘Words will not be enough, Centurion. They will need to be persuaded by deeds.’

‘Ah!’ Macro rubbed his hands together. ‘Then they can have their deeds. I’ve had an idea about those caravans, and how we can persuade the desert raiders to give them a wide berth from now on.’

Cato and Symeon turned to him expectantly.

‘Not so fast.’ Macro grinned. ‘Before that we have to deal with Prefect Scrofa. It’s time we had a word with him. I’ll have one of the guards send our message. But first, I need you to do something for us, Symeon. Listen here.’ Macro lowered his voice and began to outline his plan.

Postumus rapped on the door and from inside the prefect called out, ‘Enter!’

The latch lifted and the door swung open to admit Postumus, and behind him Centurions Macro and Cato. The three men approached the prefect’s desk and Postumus halted some distance before it, the others following his lead. Postumus patted his sword meaningfully as he met his superior’s gaze.

‘Macro and Cato, as requested, sir.’

‘Thank you, Postumus.’

‘There are four men just outside the door, sir.’

‘I’m confident they will not be needed, but, er, there’s no need to send them away now they’re here. Very well then, gentlemen.’ Scrofa drew himself up in his chair. ‘What is the meaning of this? What is this information that is so important for me to hear?’

Macro glanced at Cato and the latter gave the slightest nod towards the window that overlooked the courtyard. But outside the fort continued to bask quietly in the heat. Macro coughed to clear his throat. ‘We need to talk about the situation.’

‘What situation?’