By the time they reached the fortified tower above the northern gate, the small column of horsemen was less than a mile from the fort and flashes of light glittered off polished armour and helmets. Cato shaded his eyes and squinted and made out the flicker of a scarlet standard above the head of the column. ‘They’re ours. Roman, at least.’

‘Then what the hell are they doing returning from that direction?’ Macro asked.

‘I don’t know.’

They watched in silence as the horsemen drew closer, and then at last the identity of the party became clear and Cato felt a chill in his guts as they reined in and walked their horses the short distance to the gates. At the head of the column rode a man in a burnished breastplate. He wore a red cloak and an ornate silvered helmet with a red plume.

‘It’s the Governor,’ Macro muttered.’Bloody Longinus in the flesh.’

‘Yes, and look who’s riding beside him.’

Macro’s eyes flickered to an officer on a horse a short distance to one side and slightly behind the Governor and he took a sharp intake of breath. ‘It’s that bastard Postumus.’

07 The Eagle In the Sand

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Cassius Longinus was shrewd enough to wait until they had reached the privacy of the prefect’s quarters before he turned on Macro. As the orderly closed the door, the Governor of the province of Syria crossed over to the desk and eased himself down into the chair. He looked up at Macro and Cato standing to one side of the room. Postumus had sidled across to the opposite side and perched on the window frame so that his shadow was thrown across the floor. Longinus regarded Macro for a moment before he spoke.

‘Centurion Postumus has told me that you have unlawfully taken control of this cohort. And that you threw him and Prefect Scrofa into a cell. Is this true?’

‘If that’s what he told you then Postumus is a damned liar, sir.’ Macro smiled. ‘Of course, now I wish I had actually thrown him bodily into the cell. Then he might not have been able to sneak off at the first opportunity.’

A smile flickered across Longinus’ face. ‘That’s not a very constructive attitude. If we’re going to get to the bottom of this then you’re going to need to be a bit more cooperative, Centurion Macro. I’ve been in the saddle for the last two days, and since I have a province to run, I’d like to sort out this situation and get back to my duties.’

‘I’m sure you would, sir.’

‘I hope I don’t detect a note of insolence in your voice.’

‘No, sir. It’s just my way. I’ve been a common soldier for too long.’