‘Good.’ Cato turned away and saw that the Ibis was mooring directly astern. The gangway was already run out and Macro scrambled on to the jetty and made his way alongside the Sobek to wait for Cato.

‘Remember what I said,’ Cato warned the trierarch, and then turned away to go ashore. As soon as he stepped on to the paved surface, it seemed to Cato that the land was shifting unsteadily beneath his boots. He struggled to adjust his sense of balance and Macro winked at him.

‘Now that is a strange feeling.’

‘Quite,’ Cato agreed. ‘Come on.’

They set off along the jetty, the heat beating off the stones beneath them. Ahead, at the gate leading from the jetty towards the palace buildings, a party of legionaries stood waiting, a centurion standing in front of them, vine cane held across his thighs as he stood with his feet apart.

‘Didn’t take long to send out a reception committee,’ Macro remarked. ‘Someone was quick off the mark in calling out an honour guard.’

‘Yes.’ Cato frowned. ‘But how could they know?’

‘Perhaps you’re not the only one with good eyesight,’ Macro suggested mildly. ‘Still, full marks to the officer in charge of the watch.’

They continued, as steadily and with as much dignity as their sea legs allowed, towards the waiting soldiers. As they approached the gate, the centurion stepped forward and raised his right hand in a salute.

‘Are you Prefect Quintus Licinius Cato, sir?’

‘Yes.’

‘And you, Centurion Lucius Cornelius Macro?’

Macro nodded. ‘I take it you’re here to escort us to your commander?’

The centurion looked mildly surprised.

Cato shook his head. ‘There’s no time for formalities. I have to see the governor, at once.’

‘Formalities?’ The centurion gestured to his waiting men. ‘I think you misunderstand, sir. We’ve not been sent to greet you. I’ve been ordered to place you under arrest. Both of you.’

‘Arrest?’ Macro glared. ‘What the bloody hell are you talking about. Arrest?’

‘Wait!’ Cato held up his hand. ‘Whose order is this?’

‘Comes straight from the governor, sir. Soon as he had word that the ships were entering the harbour. You’re to be taken to the watchroom and held there until further orders are issued. If you’ll follow me, sir?’

‘Why?’ Cato stood his ground. ‘What are the charges?’

The centurion stared at them. ‘I should have thought that’s obvious, sir. Murder, and piracy.’

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FOUR

They were left alone in the watchroom. The door remained open and four sentries stood guard outside. The room itself was well-proportioned with high ceilings and ventilated by large windows high up on the walls. The distant sounds of the city outside the palace merged into a constant low drone.

Cato was sitting at a table, drinking a cup of water, savouring the fact that he no longer had to limit himself to a small ration.