Valens found the building easily enough. Outside he took a few deep breaths, and hitched his belt. Last night he had been a fool, but this morning he would make the best impression that he could.

The outer door gave onto a long corridor. It smelt of mice and long disuse. Motes of dust floated in the shafts of sunlight from the windows. A voice summoned him from a room at the far end.

Severus was standing with his back to the end wall of the sleeping quarters. Three men sat side by side on the lower tier of each of the bare wooden frames of the bunk beds on either side. To the right was Iudex. He grinned at Valens. His baby-like features looked unnaturally small set in his vast, hairless head. With him were Zabda and the other ruffian from the night before. They did not smile. To the left were three strangers.

‘This is Marcus Aelius Valens, second in command of the mission.’ Severus spoke without warmth.

None of the men said anything.

Valens remained standing.

Severus addressed him. ‘I understand that you have already made the acquaintance of Iudex, Zabda and Narses the Persian.’

Valens nodded, keeping his eyes on Severus.

‘These are Clemens the armourer, Quintus the navigator, and Aulus, our quartermaster.’

Valens glanced to his left. The eyes that met his held no warmth.

‘Decimus, the horse master, is guarding the animals and the baggage at the inn of Antiochus by the bridge, where we will meet tomorrow one hour before dawn. The last member of the squad has not reported. Do any of you know the whereabouts of Hairan?’

A great sadness passed across the face of Iudex. He shook his domed head with sorrow. ‘The man of Hatra is a slave to base appetites. Yesterday evening he went to waste the divine light, with which the Lord God entrusted him, on whores. Perhaps he is exhausted, perhaps he is dead.’

‘Humour is out of place,’ Severus snapped.

‘I was not joking,’ Iudex replied.

Severus stepped forward, dominating all the seated men and towering over Valens. ‘Listen to me, and mark my words. You are frumentarii. I do not trust you, and I do not like you. Frumentarii forget they are nothing but common soldiers. I am here to remind you of that fact. By the authority of our Emperor Publius Licinius Egnatius Gallienus Augustus, you are under my command. I have the power of life and death over each and every one of you. I will not hesitate to use it.’

Severus looked hard at first Valens, then the two easterners. ‘There will be no fighting under my command. In future, if there is, the punishment will be death.’

Valens felt the colour rushing to his cheeks. He nodded.

‘Do I make myself clear?’

Zabda and Narses dipped their heads in sullen acknowledgment.

‘If Hairan is not dead, he will be punished.’

Severus stepped back. The tension relaxed.