‘We shall do our best,’ Brocchus said, and took his men forward. By the time Ferox rejoined the tribune, Titus Annius was there. Crispinus ordered the Tungrians to hold the fort and guard the pass. He expected that the whole column would cross and join up with the main force in the next valley, but would ride to find out the legate’s intentions. Nothing was said, but it was clear everyone expected the combined force to march back to its bases before their supplies ran out.

‘Ferox, come with me.’ Crispinus went to see Cerialis and told him to form his infantry on the slope and remount his cavalry. They were to wait for the rest of the column to catch up and then be ready to move at short notice. In the meantime, he was to send a messenger to Rufinus to bring the baggage and rearguard up.

Ferox was again told to follow – something Vindex did without being asked – and Crispinus headed down into the big valley to search for the Legate Quadratus and further instructions.

‘I cannot help being disappointed in the courage of our opponents,’ the aristocrat said. ‘They had the advantage of ground and could have put up a stern fight.’

‘And been slaughtered when they were trapped by the legate’s column?’ Ferox spoke bluntly. ‘They did what anyone would do. It’s not about courage, but sense.’

Crispinus did not appear to be listening. ‘Even so it was victory, albeit unfashionably bloodless.’

‘Shame we did not attack sooner,’ Flaccus said.

When they found him, the Legate Julius Quadratus evidently felt the same way. ‘You were late,’ he said. He was a squat man with a creased forehead and the belligerent expression of a caged bear. ‘You should have come through that pass three or four hours ago.’

‘We would,’ Crispinus said, as a senator’s son able to speak freely to a man even of such high rank. ‘We would indeed, had we received orders to do so in time.’

Quadratus turned to the tribune from VIIII Hispana and glared at him, his little eyes red-rimmed and angry. ‘What do you have to say, Flaccus? Was it your fault?’

‘I carried the message as fast as was possible. We lost one dead and another trooper wounded getting past the Brittunculi. I cannot carry the responsibility for other delays.’

The legate looked at each man in turn, wondering which was most at fault. ‘Well, then. No matter. What is done is done and the world moves on. We have taught the clans not to despise our power.’ He swept his arm along the valley, showing the burning houses. ‘We will press on for another couple of miles, kill or take any we can find and then camp for the night. You, Crispinus, will bring your men to join us. Tomorrow we can start home happy with what we have achieved.’