‘Lady!’ Vepoc’s shout was harsh. ‘Stop, lady!’

Ferox turned, fearing some treachery, only to see that the Brigantian was pointing to where the lady’s cloak had snagged on the upright top of the ladder. He bounded over and freed the material, for she was carrying her cauldron, had the ladle tucked under one arm and was using the other to hold the ladder.

‘Thank you,’ she said, giving him a dazzling smile and then vanishing down through the open trapdoor.

Vepoc nodded. ‘We thank you, noble lady,’ he said softly, even though Lepidina had already gone.

‘Well done,’ Ferox said, but the Brigantian ignored him and simply went back to his place at the front of the tower.

There was still no sign of anyone apart from the picket to their front. Light was growing, giving the mist something of a milky quality, but it remained so thick that he could not see far. Inside the fort the shouting had died away as everyone got into position, and Ferox could hear nothing from the east gate. That ought to be a good sign, for a real attack ought to make a lot of noise if the defenders put up even the mildest of struggles. Still, it was hard to wait, unable to see and not knowing what was happening.

A horse came pounding across the grit pressed into the earth of the intervallum and skidded to a halt below the tower. One mounted messenger was stationed at each gate for this purpose.

‘Bolanus’ compliments, sir!’ the rider shouted up when Ferox appeared at the rail above him. ‘Dacians have shot arrows at us. One of the picket is wounded, but they have all come in. Still shooting at us, but no sign of any more.’ The man spoke the words as one well rehearsed. Bolanus was the other optio from I Minervia and a solid, very thorough soldier, which was why Ferox had put him in charge at the gate.

‘Tell Bolanus well done, and to keep me informed!’ Ferox called, and in a moment the cavalryman galloped back the way he had come.

There was some puffing and Sabinus appeared through the trapdoor. ‘Phew, what a climb. Must be getting old, eh, Julius,’ he said to one of the veterans from his legion who was on the platform.

‘I’ve got a son as old as you, sir,’ Julius replied with only a little exaggeration.

‘Tell him not to join the army,’ the centurion said, ‘it’s too much like hard work.’

‘Too late for that, sir. Hear he’s building some great bridge.’

‘That’s what I said, hard work.’ Sabinus came across to join Ferox.

‘You heard the report?’ Ferox asked.

‘Yes. You were right then – about the attack.’

‘We’ll see. It’s not a real attack yet.’

‘Dacians shot at them, sir?’

‘Yes, although I doubt that they saw any of them well enough to know who they were. Might have been naked nymphs and cupids for all they could tell in this damned mist.’