‘Your Tungrians will be to the left of the Batavians, held back a little. You will face the fort, but your job at first will be to guard the flank of Cerialis’ men against any charge. Once they have driven off the warriors in the pass, you will mount a combined assault on the ramparts. I shall give the order when it is time.’

‘Sir.’

‘The remainder of the infantry of the Vardulli along with Aelius Brocchus and the ala Petriana will act as a formed reserve, following at two hundred paces behind the main line. If we can sweep them out of this pass, then there ought to be good hunting for the cavalry. However, unless the enemy come down from their position you are not to attempt a charge without my express orders. Everyone clear about the part they are to play?’ The tribune’s fingers kept drumming against his thigh as the officers assured him that they understood. ‘Ferox, you will stay by my side as I may need you.’

‘Yes, sir.’

‘Good. The Tribune Flaccus informs me that the main column will be driving up the valley, forcing the enemy towards us. That may mean that we will face very large numbers for a while, but we will be relieved.’

‘I must also urge haste,’ Flaccus cut in, prompting a brief flash of anger from Crispinus. ‘I fear it took me much longer to reach you than we expected. I do trust that you will attack quickly.’

‘We shall obey our orders and do the thing properly.’ Crispinus spoke in a clipped and dismissive tone. ‘If things have worked out, the eastern column from Coria is already further north and closing in on the enemy from that direction.’

Ferox was dubious, and thought that the chances of the three columns meeting up on time and as planned were slim. Best to forget the eastern column. That larger force would have moved at reasonable speed along the road for some distance, but as soon as they left it to march cross-country he suspected that they would crawl along, even if there was little or no opposition. Give them another day or two and they might be coming down behind the enemy, but he doubted that they would be there any earlier. They should count themselves fortunate that Crispinus’ small force was approaching Quadratus and the main column in the west. Now all they had to do was to fight their way through to join up.