‘No,’ Postumus replied firmly. As the raiders charged in towards the caravan, the Roman cavalry column stood still. ‘For the moment, we’re going to do precisely nothing.’

07 The Eagle In the Sand

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

The settlement of Heshaba was the first village on Centurion Parmenion’s patrol route, and the column of Roman cavalry and infantry descended the slope from the main track late in the morning. The blackened remains of Miriam’s house were clearly visible and once again Cato felt consumed with guilt that this woman had been so cruelly rewarded for saving his life. As the column approached the village, Parmenion led them in a wide circuit round its periphery. He did not halt the column but kept them marching down the wadi, away from Heshaba.

‘I thought we were supposed to stop there.’ Cato spoke quietly to the veteran as they rode side by side at the head of the cavalry squadron.

‘They’ve had enough of us for the moment,’ Parmenion replied. ‘We’re coming back the same way, so we can let them know the score then.’

Cato looked at him shrewdly. ‘Still out to win their friendship?’

Parmenion glanced back at him. ‘Perhaps I’m just trying not to lose whatever good will remains between us. If we go in hard today, it might just be the final straw for those people. Then they’ll go over to Bannus. And if the people of Heshaba turn against us, then what hope have we with the rest of the province? Strictly between us, Cato, there are times when I doubt that there’s anything more the prefect could do to stir up bad will amongst the people in this area. It’s almost as if he wants to goad them into open rebellion.’

‘And why would he want that?’ Cato responded evenly.

Parmenion thought it over for a moment and shook his head. ‘I don’t know. I really don’t. Doesn’t make sense at all. The man must be mad. Quite mad.’

‘Does he strike you as mad?’

‘No. I suppose not.’ Parmenion sounded confused, and glanced round at Cato again. ‘What do you think? There has to be more to it. Any fool could see where these orders will lead. They are going to provoke a rebellion, or at least drive far more men into Bannus’ clutches. I just don’t get it.’

Cato shrugged, then stared back towards the village. He reined his horse in, steering it out of the path of the following column as his mind turned over the wanton injustice that Miriam had suffered. He made a decision, and spurred his mount back alongside Parmenion.

‘Where are we camping tonight?’

‘There’s a spring and some trees halfway along the wadi. About another four miles from here. Why?’

‘I’ll join you there at dusk,’ Cato replied, before he urged his horse back along the column and headed for the village.