‘No. It’s just that the legate seemed to be in a hurry. I think he’s keen to get this inquiry sorted out as soon as possible and get after Caratacus. He’s got a reputation to save.’

‘Surely not? It wasn’t his fault that the cohort wasn’t in position in time to stop Caratacus crossing.’

‘True, but the cohort is from his legion. Some of the mud’s going to stick to the legate. You can be sure of that. It’s too good an opportunity for his rivals to waste.’

‘Rivals?’

‘Oh, come on, Cato! Don’t be so bloody thick. Vespasian’s made praetor, and it hasn’t been an easy route to reach that rank. Someone told me he got passed over the first time he went up for one of the aedile posts. Every step of the way there are more senators chasing fewer posts. That lot would stab their children in the eyes if it would help their chances of climbing the next rung. If someone on the general’s staff doesn’t try and pin this mess on the legate it’ll be a miracle. Which means -’ Macro looked sadly at Cato - ‘which means that Vespasian will look for any way he can find to fix the blame on someone else.’

‘Our cohort?’

‘Who else?’

‘Poor old Maximius.’

‘Maximius?’ Macro laughed bitterly.’What makes you think he’ll get the blame?’

Cato was surprised. ‘He said he would. He said it was his responsibility.’

‘And you believe him?’

‘Yes,’ Cato said seriously.’If he hadn’t gone after those raiders, he-’

‘No, you idiot. Do you believe that he would take the responsibility for it?’

Cato considered the situation for a moment. ‘He said he would. He seemed to be straight enough about that.’

‘And what makes you think that he won’t operate on the same basis as the legate? There’s a lot at stake for Maximius too, even though he’s not running for high office. He’s a senior centurion, right?’

Cato nodded.

‘Same thing applies to him as Vespasian. The next grade up for Maximius is an appointment to the First Cohort of the legion. Five jobs and nine applicants. Doesn’t take a genius to work out that there’s going to be a spot of competition from the other cohort commanders. If Maximius falls by the wayside, they’ll not shed too many tears. So, Maximius will be doing his level best to pass the blame on to someone else. And who do you think that’ll be?’

‘You?’

‘Spot on,’ Macro said gloomily.’The problem is, that’s where the chain of command ends. I don’t get the chance to pass the blame on. Unless, of course, I try and pin it on Caratacus, who shouldn’t have bloody well been there in the first place.’

‘You could try-’