Centurion Parmenion had not wasted any time since they had left in pursuit of Bannus. The enemy camp had been completely razed and only two mounds were left, marking the mass graves of the peasants that Bannus had led to their deaths. The gatehouse was almost rebuilt and the sentry in the tower challenged them correctly as they approached, even though he could hardly contain his surprise that the two officers had returned from their quest alive. Beyond the gate some of the barrack blocks had been rebuilt, and the prefect’s house had been made habitable, if no longer luxurious.The other fire-damaged buildings had been demolished and swaths of the fort stood bare and blackened.

In the headquarters building they found Centurion Parmenion in the commander’s office, surrounded by clerks and dictating orders. As soon as he had got over the surprise of seeing his commanding officer and Cato, Parmenion offered to give up his office with a rueful smile.

‘Can’t say I’d be sorry to be shot of all this paperwork, sir.’

‘You seem to be doing a fine job. You can carry on with it until tomorrow.’

‘Yes, sir.’

‘Is there anything I should know before I get some sleep?’

Parmenion nodded.’The hostages have been returned to the villages, as you ordered, and there’s a dispatch from Governor Longinus. It arrived yesterday, addressed to the prefect, in confidence. I didn’t think I should open it.’

‘You’re the acting commanding officer, Parmenion.’

‘I know that, sir. I just thought that I should wait. Until we heard something.’

‘Where is it?’

‘Just a moment, sir.’ Parmenion crossed to the desk and opened a cabinet under the table. He took out a sealed package and handed it to Macro.

‘I’ll read this in my quarters. You’d better come with me, Cato.’

As they were leaving the office a thought struck Cato and he turned back to Parmenion. ‘Centurion Postumus - what happened to him?’

‘No one knows. After the battle I sent a patrol to look for him. We found his men, all dead, shot down with arrows. But no sign of him. Strange that.’

‘Yes,’ Cato said uneasily. ‘Very strange.’

‘I’m sure he’ll turn up.’

‘I imagine he will,’ Cato replied as he left the office and strode off to catch up with Macro.

Macro opened the package as soon as they reached his quarters. The message was brief enough and he handed the document to Cato. It was an order from the staff of the Governor. The Second Illyrian Cohort was ordered to prepare to quit the fort at Bushir.They were instructed to proceed to Syria to join the army concentrating to counter the latest threat from Parthia.

Cato smiled. ‘Seems that Longinus wants to keep a close eye on us.’