‘Live?’ The surgeon looked up from his patient. ‘I doubt it. He’s lost a lot of blood, and some brain matter. It came away when I was removing the skull fragments. I’ve put in a brass plate and sewn the scalp up. However, I don’t hold out much hope. Anyway, even if he does survive, his brain is damaged beyond repair. He would be condemned to spend the rest of his days as a simpleton. Death would be a mercy for him now.’

Cato nodded. ‘I see. Then I’d be obliged if you would write up your conclusions and have them entered in the legion’s log book.’

The surgeon stood up and faced Cato. ‘Sir, I have a hospital full of wounded men following the actions of the previous two days. I have to devote my attention to them before I can deal with any reports.’

‘I understand,’ Cato replied gently. ‘However, you must do as I say. The legate, though alive, is no longer capable of performing his duties. Therefore authority over the legion, and the rest of the army, passes to the next officer in the chain of command.’

‘Namely you, sir.’

‘Precisely. There must be no doubt that I have followed the correct protocols in assuming command. I cannot afford to have my authority challenged. For the sake of the men.’

‘And to cover your back, in the event that the campaign does not end well for Rome, no doubt.’

‘You can think what you like. But I need your statement entered into the records.’ Cato spoke firmly. ‘At once, if you don’t mind.’

The surgeon hesitated. ‘And if I do mind?’

‘Then at once in any case. That is an order.’

‘Yes, sir.’

Cato turned to Macro. ‘Centurion, come. We need to talk.’

He turned and walked from the room set aside for the legate’s treatment. Macro followed him, falling into step with Cato as they emerged from the hospital. They made their way across the temple complex towards the southern entrance and the headquarters beyond.

‘That’s a pretty bold step,’ said Macro. ‘I’m not sure the governor is going to be happy that you’ve assumed command of the army. It’s all that stands between Prince Talmis and the lower Nile.’

‘The governor is far from the centre of operations,’ Cato responded. ‘He is in no position to judge what course of action should be taken. In any case, the latest reports we have are that the Nubians are no more than a day’s march from here. What would you have me do? Send a request to him asking for advice on how we should proceed, and then sit on my arse and wait for his response? By then we’ll have been overrun and Prince Talmis would be well on his way to Memphis and the delta region. It’d be a bloody disaster, and you know it.’