‘That is for him to decide. When he returns.’

‘From where?’

‘That is for him to explain, if he wishes. Until Naulobates formally accepts you into our camp, you will stay around your tents. Your horses will be turned out with the herds. Food and drink will be sent, slave girls too. Do not pollute the running water of the river. That is a great crime with us. Use the pots provided. Slaves will empty them. The boy Sasan will come with me.’

‘No,’ Valens said. Without their mounts they were at the mercy of the tribesmen. If they no longer had the boy, the Heruli might have no further need of them.

‘My father instructed me to show Prince Sasan the hospitality due to a member of Shapur’s dynasty.’

‘We have taken an oath to defend him. He must stay with us. He can take my tent, and I will share with Decimus.’

Narses and Clemens moved to stand on either side of the boy.

The other Heruli looked to Andonnoballus.

It was the child that dispelled the tension. ‘Thank your father for his kindness. These men have suffered much for me. It is right that I do not leave them.’

Andonnoballus put his palm to his forehead. ‘My father wishes nothing but your safety and happiness. Sacred oaths are not to be broken.’

*

The summons came the next day.

Assiduous in all their duties, the slave girls had washed the best tunics of the Romans. After some debate, the men decided it would appear too untrusting to attend the feast in armour. Weapons were another matter. Even in Rome, the favoured officers dined with the Emperor wearing their swords.

The pavilion of Naulobates was at the centre of the camp. As the weather was wintry, the feasting would be done inside.

There were no guards at the entrance, although a couple of slaves were present. The latter made no attempt to disarm the guests, but wordlessly pulled back the hangings instead.

Some thirty guests sprawled on rugs and cushions in a rough circle. The hum of conversation dropped, but did not cease, when the Romans entered.

*

Naulobates sat on a plain wooden chair at the back of the tent. He was dressed in a snow-white tunic and toga. His tunic had the broad purple stripe of a Roman senator, and he wore the boots that were the symbol of that order. Embedded in the ground behind him were twelve axes bound with rods: the fasces of a consul of Rome.

Valens led Prince Sasan and the others to stand in front of the King.

Everyone in the party placed their right palm to their forehead.

Naulobates studied each of them in turn without speaking.