As always Ferox feared some undertone suggesting that Hadrian knew the truth about the youngest boy.

‘He has three does he not?’

‘I believe so, sir.’

‘And a daughter too, while his wife is a clarissima femina. Yes, that is a man hoping to rise.’

‘He’s a fine soldier, sir.’

‘Good, because I have asked that he be sent to my legion as narrow stripe tribune and it is tiresome to have to manage a fool in such a post. As I say, the lady will say nothing, while your wife is eager to have her accession as queen made formal. That means that we can count on her discretion. Of the others who were there – well, who would believe any of them or listen to what they say? Which just leaves you.’

‘There are the tribune’s reports, sir?’

‘These?’ Hadrian picked up two of the tablets. ‘Yes, of course, I was forgetting. All written and dated after he had died so bravely.’ He stood up and went over to the brazier, before tossing the tablets in. The coals were hot and in a moment the wooden pages began to burn. ‘Ah, there we are, problem solved.’ Hadrian rubbed his hands together as if cleaning them. ‘And so we return to you.

‘Crispinus, among others, told me that you have a mulish obsession with telling the truth. In this case that would be unwise and unhelpful. Surely you do not want scandal surrounding your dear wife? Least of all when her hopes are so close to fulfilment and she may truly become queen and perhaps even bequeath the title to one of your children?’

Ferox said nothing.

Hadrian sighed. ‘Then let us consider the problem from another angle, as one of my tutors was fond of saying – ugly old goat that he was.

‘Now that the record shows that the tribune fell so bravely, from that moment you were once again senior officer at Piroboridava. Yet you abandoned your post, sneaking away through the enemy lines in company with a known deserter and leaving your command to its fate.’

‘I was ordered, sir.’

‘By a dead man whose written instructions are turning into ashes as we speak.’ The wax on the tablets gave off a strong scent as they burned. ‘And let us cast our eyes back on your record.

‘On the day you arrived at Piroboridava you slaughtered several of your own officers and let others desert. Then and before the desertion rate among the Brigantes placed under your charge was appallingly high. In the days that followed there were several attempts on your life, which you survived but speak of very poor discipline. And you did not prevent the murder of a centurion – of my legion, blast your eyes – by one of your men. Then when the time came and your fort was under attack, you let the enemy overrun its walls and the remnant you abandoned was only saved by a miracle – and the prompt actions of a worthy legatus.’ Hadrian gave a studied cough. ‘All in all, it is not a pretty picture, and given your already chequered past, surely demands severe punishment.’