‘Thought so.’ Macro nodded, and jerked a thumb at Cato. ‘We were there. Had to do some tidying up after them. Made a bit of a hash of it, chasing down some of the locals. Got lost in the marsh and pretty much cut to pieces. Ain’t that right, Cato?’

‘Er, yes. I suppose so.’ Cato was watching Maximius carefully and saw the cohort commander frown. ‘But they fought well enough.’

Macro turned to him with a surprised expression and Cato quickly shook his head.

‘They did fight well,’ Maximius growled. ‘They were a credit to their commander. Lost over half their number and Porcinus still kept them at it. As I said, they’re in good hands.’

‘Well,’ Macro sniffed. ‘If he’s a good commander, then why…?’

Cato was staring hard at his friend and finally Macro got the point. He paused, looked at Maximius quickly, and cleared his throat.

‘Why what?’ Maximius prompted him in a harsh tone.

‘Er, why . . . why didn’t the general honour him?’

‘You know the score, Macro. Some centurions just happen to get on the wrong side of our generals and legates. While some others -’ Maximius glanced towards Cato - ‘just seem to get everything handed to them on a plate. That’s the way of the world. Wouldn’t you agree, Centurion Cato?’

‘Yes, sir.’ Cato forced himself to smile. ‘Just one of the profession’s iniquities.’

‘Iniquities?’ Maximius repeated in a mocking tone. ‘Now there’s a fine word. Know any more like that, son?’

‘Sir?’

‘You got any other smart words you want to use on me?’

‘Sir, I didn’t mean-’

‘Rest easy!’ Maximius grinned, too widely, and raised his hand.’No harm done, lad, and no offence taken, eh? You can’t help it if you’ve spent most of your life with your nose stuck in a book, instead of doing proper soldiering, can you?’

Cato looked down to hide the anger flushing through his face. ‘No, sir. And I aim to make up for it.’

‘Of course you do, lad.’ Maximius winked at Antonius and Felix. ‘A boy’s got to learn, after all.’

‘After all what, sir?’ Cato looked round at his commander. Maximius smiled at the determined glint in the young officer’s eyes. He slapped Cato on the shoulder.

‘Figure of speech, son. That’s all it was.’

‘Fair enough, sir.’ Cato gave a small nod. ‘Might I get back to my men now?’

‘No need to sulk, Cato.’