‘I see.’ General Plautius scratched his cheek as he weighed up the legate’s plan. ‘Make sure he understands the need to be as cruel as possible.’

Vespasian smiled. ‘Given the mood he and his men are in, I doubt I’ll have much persuading to do. I should think he’ll be only too keen to take it out on the natives.’

‘Very well then.’ Plautius stood back from the table and stretched his back. ‘I’ll have my staff draft the orders immediately.’

05 The Eagles Prey

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

‘Batavians?’ Figulus looked towards the crest of the ridge, as if expecting their pursuers to ride into sight at any moment. He turned back to his breathless centurion. ‘How many of them did you see, sir?’

Cato gulped for air before he could reply. ‘No more . . . no more than a squadron . . . less . . . coming this way. Get the men under cover.’

Figulus took a last glance back up the track and then turned to issue the orders, calling out to the legionaries in a low voice, as if the Batavians might hear him even now. The men hurried from the track, scattering a small distance into the long grass and stunted bushes that grew on either side. Crouching down, they drew their swords and daggers and held them in clenched fists. On the track only Cato and Figulus remained, the centurion bent over as he fought to catch his breath.

‘Are we going to take them on?’ asked Figulus.

Cato glanced up at the optio as if the man were mad. ‘No! Not unless we have to. It’s not worth the risk.’

‘We outnumber them, sir.’

‘They’re better armed, and they’re mounted. We wouldn’t stand a chance.’

Figulus shrugged. ‘We might, if we caught them on this track. And we could use those horses to carry some of the men.’

‘They’d be more trouble than they’re worth in these marshes.’

‘In that case, sir,’ Figulus smiled, ‘we could always eat them.’

Cato shook his head in despair. Here they were, on the verge of being found and hunted down, and his optio was thinking about food. He drew a last deep breath and straightened up.

‘We’ll avoid a fight if we can. Understand?’

‘Yes, sir.’

‘I’ll go with the men on this side of the track. You’re on the other. You keep ‘em down and keep ‘em silent until you hear from me.’

‘And if we’re spotted, sir?’

‘You do nothing unless I give the order. Nothing at all.’