‘So?’

‘I simply don’t know enough about it to voice an opinion that would be useful to you, sir.’

So, that line of enquiry was stalled, Vespasian realised. A more indirect approach was needed, one that would absolve the centurion of responsibility for what he said.

‘What are the men saying about it?’

‘The men, sir? Well, some of them are worried, quite naturally — none of us likes to be any nearer to water than the next drink. Anything could happen at sea. And then there’s stories about the dangers waiting for us.’

‘You’re not afraid of their army?’

‘Not afraid as such, sir. Only concerned, as much as any man facing a new kind of enemy should be. It’s, well, more to do with the druids, sir. Them and their kind.’

‘What about the druids?’

‘The men have heard that they have the power to summon up demons.’

‘And you believe this?’

‘Of course not, sir.’ Macro was offended. ‘Anyone with half a mind can see it’s a load of bollocks. But you know what the men are like with their superstitions.’

‘Not so long ago I believe you were one of the men.’

‘Yes, sir.’

‘But you’re not superstitious? Like them?’

‘No, sir. I gave most of that up when I became a centurion. A centurion hasn’t much time for that sort of stuff.’

‘Where did your men hear about these druids?’

‘Some of our foragers ran into men from the main camp yesterday, sir. They told them about the druids, then they let on about the mutiny.’

‘They called it a mutiny?’ asked Vespasian. ‘Be quite sure about that.’

‘Well, no, sir. They said they were still loyal to the Emperor and that the invasion must be some crackpot scheme of Narcissus’s that no sane man would pursue. Call it what you like, it’s still mutiny to me, sir.’

‘And the other men feel as you do about this?’

‘As far as I can tell, sir.’

‘Very good, Centurion. Very good.’ Vespasian eased himself back in his chair. So far so good. For the moment at least the Legion was loyal. But, unless Narcissus’s little scheme worked its magic, then it would only be a matter of time before the Second Legion was riven by the same contagion that had hit the other units. However, as long as the officers like Macro acted their part, the spread of the mutiny might be contained for a few weeks at least.

Under The Eagle

Chapter Thirty

While the men of the Sixth century watched the rest of the Legion settle in around them, Cato left the tent lines and hurried between the mass of men, animals and transport wagons to the area allocated for the legate’s quarters. The headquarters staff and the wagons allotted to Vespasian’s household were just entering the area set aside for vehicles behind the tent site. Since summer was fast approaching and the Legion would only be encamped for two months at most prior to the invasion, the army staff officers had marked the camp out for tents rather than wooden barracks.