‘Good. Then all that matters is what I decide to do with you two.’ Vespasian leaned back in his chair and regarded them without expression for a moment. Cato felt the sweat break out on the palms of his hands as he balled them into tight fists behind his back.

‘Once again, you have performed a valuable service for your comrades, and the Emperor,’ Vespasian began. ‘I think it’s fair to say that your action in blocking the enemy’s route from the marsh sealed the fate of Caratacus. And your capture of their commander alone is enough to win the highest of military decorations. Not to mention a promotion.’

Macro beamed at Cato, but Cato sensed this was merely the preamble to something a lot less laudatory.

Vespasian paused briefly before he continued. ‘However, I have to say that you, Cato, are still under sentence of death, and you, Macro, are guilty of insubordination and mutiny, which also means a death sentence. If the testimony of one of the other surviving officers of the Third Cohort is to be believed, the pair of you might have a hand in the killing of Centurion Maximius.’

‘Cordus!’ Macro spat. ‘It’s that bastard, Cordus. If he-’

‘Wait!’ Vespasian snapped. He raised a hand as Macro opened his mouth to continue his protest. An unaccustomed moment of discretion forestalled any further protest from passing Macro’s lips.

‘As you know, there’s no proof to back up his allegations. That aside, I cannot ignore the fact that rumours about the death of Maximius are rife throughout the legion. So you two present me with something of a quandary. I can’t hold you to account for the murder of another officer, not without solid evidence of your involvement. Of course, I’m sure I could get the general’s authority for a summary punishment . . .’

He paused to let the threat sink in.

‘The problem is that you two have become heroes to the men of this legion. If you’re executed after all that you have achieved, the morale of this unit would be severely damaged for some time to come. General Plautius cannot afford to have that additional burden placed on his shoulders. Equally, I cannot allow you to continue to serve in this legion with the other men aware of your possible complicity in the murder of another officer. That would be an appalling threat to the discipline needed to run the legion. I can’t have my senior centurions going around watching their backs all the time in case some disgruntled legionary, or gods forbid, another officer, takes it into their head to settle an old score. You cannot be allowed to set such a precedent. You see my difficulty?’

Macro responded first. ‘What are you suggesting, sir? Are you going to discharge us?’