He swallowed, cleared his throat and began. ‘At ease!’

The sound echoed through the hall, as loud as if it had been bellowed across a parade-ground. But the men instantly relaxed their posture and the senior officers resumed their seats. Then all of them looked to him expectantly.

‘Right then, I know there’s been some wild speculation so I’ll make the situation clear at the outset. Gaius Scrofa has been removed from command of the cohort. Lucius Postumus is no longer centurion and adjutant. That post has been filled by Centurion Cato, while I am now the prefect. This action has been taken according to the power conferred on me by Emperor Claudius.’ Macro raised the document, and unrolled it, holding it up so that all the men gathered in the hall could clearly see the imperial seal fixed to the bottom of the parchment. ‘This authority is without limit. Any doubters are welcome to have a look at it once the briefing is over.’

Macro lowered the scroll to the table and stared at his officers for a moment before continuing. ‘As your new commander, I’d like to begin by saying that this cohort is one of the most piss-poor excuses for a unit that I have ever come across.’

Cato winced. Macro had only just taken command of the Second Illyrian and already he was going all out to offend the very men he needed to win over.

‘That’s right.’ Macro glared at them.’Piss-poor is what I said. And the reason for it has very little to do with all the men out there. They’re as good as I could expect a cohort to be, posted out here at the arse-end of the Empire. But you lot?’ Macro shook his head. ‘You’re supposed to lead by example. And what a fine bloody example you’ve been setting. Half of you have been busy toadying up to Scrofa, so you could take your cut of the racket he was running. The rest of you are little better. Take Centurion Parmenion there. He knew what was going on. What did he do about it? Nothing. Just sat on his arse and pretended to ignore it.’

Cato’s gaze flickered towards the old officer and he saw Parmenion lower his head and stare at the ground between his boots.