‘They did it because they could,’ Ferox said, ‘and to show you that they could and so are men to be treated with respect. They could do it because men get tired and sleepy on guard, and if you take the time and know what you are about you can get past them.’ He had to keep reminding himself that none of these men had spent long in this part of the world, apart from Titus Annius, who did not ask foolish questions. ‘They’re not breaking the treaty. If they were doing that we’d be counting slit throats, not a couple of animals gone.’

‘Allies aren’t supposed to rob each other.’ Cerialis sounded genuinely offended.

‘They see it as up to us to look after our property. If we’re daft enough to let ourselves be robbed then that’s not their fault.’

Crispinus frowned. ‘This is a strange place,’ he said.

The column moved out in the usual order, save for the addition of twenty more Batavians to add to the tribune’s escort when he joined Ferox and the scouts. They headed westwards, as far as the land allowed, which at first was not much, so that they kept going north into the teeth of a cold wind. The aim was to move closer to the bigger force coming up the Western Road under the legate of II Augusta, and at noon they dropped into another valley taking them in that direction. They were sheltered from the wind, but the sky remained a resolute and unbroken field of grey.

In spite of the agreement with Egus and his people, there was little more sign of life. Farms were empty when they arrived, although now and again they saw flocks of sheep and clusters of brown cows in the far distance. Warriors riding ponies watched them, sometimes letting Vindex’s men come close enough to exchange greetings or joking insults.

Just before noon they left the territory of Egus’ people and entered the lands of another chief, a man named Venutius, who never looked anyone in the eye and was renowned as a great cattle thief.

‘You make that sound like a compliment,’ Crispinus said when Ferox described the man.

‘It is in these parts.’

‘Well, at least he ought to have enough hides to pay his tax.’

The valley was just as empty, but the sides were dotted with clusters of pine trees, straggling groups of alder, and thick heather.

Crispinus was beginning to learn. ‘I presume that we are being watched.’ Ferox just nodded.