‘Forget them,’ Cato muttered. ‘Worry about me. If I don’t get through it then the whole point of the exercise is lost.’

‘You’ll do. Tough as old boots, that’s what you are, thanks to everything I’ve taught you.’

‘I’d hate to disappoint you.’

‘And I’d hate to have to use my vine cane on your back if you begin to falter.’ Macro looked down at the short, knotted staff he carried instead of a javelin, the same as the rest of the drill instructors who would be marching with the column. ‘Those were your orders, sir. No special treatment for officers.’

Cato nodded. ‘Though you might consider taking the sting out of the blow if you can, in my case.’

‘Ah, if I did it for you then I’d feel obliged to do it for some of those fat fucks standing over there as well.’ Macro gestured to the officers taking up their positions. ‘And speaking of slackers, where’s Hamedes got to?’

Cato turned and looked towards the temple. ‘There he is.’

The priest walked quickly towards them and stopped close by with a nervous grin. ‘Do you Romans always march loaded down like mules, sir?’

‘You’ll be silent, unless spoken to,’ Macro replied harshly. ‘You’re in the army now, lad. Until this is over you can forget being a priest.’

Hamedes had also been issued with full kit and Macro looked him over to ensure that everything was in place and correctly fastened. ‘Not bad,’ he mused. ‘The armour fits well. Did you get some help putting it on?’

Hamedes hesitated before he nodded. ‘One of the supply clerks showed me, sir.’

‘Very well. Fall in with the officers, where I can keep an eye on you.’

‘Yes, sir.’ Hamedes smiled, then thought better of it, and turned and strode off, taking up position a respectful distance behind the rest of the officers.

Cato nodded at him. ‘For a priest he has a pleasing disposition towards soldiering.’

‘That he does,’ Macro agreed. ‘And he’ll be tested to the full in the days to come.’

The last of the legionaries came trotting across to join their centuries and when they were in place Macro hefted his yoke on to his shoulder and strode down the column. He breathed in deeply and began to address the column.

‘Today’s jaunt will take us eight miles down the Nile and back. Nothing that should present a challenge to real soldiers. I am delighted to see my brother officers joining us today.’

A few men laughed in the ranks and there was a brief catcall before one of the optios standing beside the column turned to try and spot the perpetrator. Failing, he roared out, ‘Keep your fucking mouths shut, or I’ll ’ave you on a charge.’