‘Oh, dear.’ Junius looked crestfallen. ‘I had hoped to win their respect at least.’

‘You can still do that,’ Macro nodded, ‘when the time comes to face the Nubians.’

Cato gestured towards the fire. ‘That may well happen rather sooner than you think.’

‘Or not. Why would the enemy strike there?’ asked Macro. ‘It doesn’t make sense. If they wanted to surprise us then why not go directly for the camp? Why take out an outpost and alert us to their presence? I tell you, it’s a false alarm, and when I get my hands on the fool who caused that fire, I’ll be sure to give him a roasting.’

A figure emerged from the ramp and hurried towards Cato. It was Hamedes.

‘Sir, I overheard the exchange with the legate,’ the priest said apologetically. ‘I wish to go with you. If there is any trouble I will fight at your side. If you give me the chance.’

‘No. I don’t need you. I have enough men already. Go back to the camp and wait for us there.’

Hamedes looked hurt. ‘Sir, I have sworn an oath to Osiris to serve at your side until you are victorious.’

‘I’m sure Osiris will understand,’ Cato replied placatingly. ‘Now return to camp. That’s an order.’

Hamedes frowned and then turned away and disappeared into the darkness.

‘No question of it, the lad’s keen,’ Macro said in an amused tone. ‘Even after a day’s hard marching.’

‘I have no quarrel with his attitude, as long as it doesn’t start becoming irritating.’ Cato strode over to the steps leading down to the wooden quay. ‘Come on. Let’s get on with it.’

‘Well,’ Macro shrugged, ‘there’s no pleasing some people.’

Cato pulled a section of legionaries from the First Cohort and boarded the nearest of the barges, shaking the crew out of their slumber as they lay on deck. The captain gave the order for his two crewmen to fend the barge off and into the current. He was about to raise the sail, but Cato stopped him.

‘No. There’s a chance that the sail might be seen. Use the oars.’

‘It’ll take longer,’ the captain protested. ‘And it’ll be tiring work.’

‘You’ll use the oars,’ Cato insisted, and went forward to sit just in front of the mast. Macro and Junius joined him and the legionaries sat on the deck, keeping clear of the two sailors who unshipped the long oars and began to stroke the barge out into the black water of the Nile. They rowed across the current and slowed down to creep forward once they approached the far bank. Ahead, the fire was starting to die down and an odd glow outlined the walls of the fort, dark and gaunt against the wavering light.