‘I ought to learn as much as I can about how the army does things,’ he said. ‘And I cannot do that sitting in the principia reading endless lists and reports.’

‘Endless lists and reports are what the army does best,’ Ferox told him.

‘Why Syracuse?’ The tribune swept an arm to encompass the little courtyard of the wooden outpost. ‘I cannot say that I see a resemblance.’ His horse was drinking from the trough, while the tribune was drinking posca from a dark, locally made cup. He grimaced at the taste, but drained it and held his cup out for more. Philo, immaculate as ever, took great pleasure in tending to such an important visitor.

‘Why not Syracuse?’ Ferox replied mildly.

Crispinus shook his head, but let the matter drop. ‘We were told that some deserters had been seen in the area. It would be good to find that Briton – the one from the tower.’

‘As long as he is in a state to talk.’

‘Have you heard anything in the last few days?’ The tribune lowered his voice.

‘Not much,’ Ferox said. ‘Venutius’ men are lifting herds from far and wide, so we should get paid in full. Apart from that people are talking more about the Stallion and his great power. It seems he was up a mountain in a trance receiving messages from the gods while the fighting was going on.’

‘He must have been so disappointed when he heard.’

‘Gutted, I’m sure. But they are saying that one of his foals went in his place, so that must be the one in the headdress, the one I killed. But people aren’t telling it that way. They are saying that he died along with all his band after falling on the Romans at night and slaying ten times their number. He is supposed to have broken his sword from hewing through Roman necks. The last he killed was the Roman commander. With his sword gone, the pupil of the great priest rent the Roman apart with his bare hands.’

Crispinus looked down at himself and then used his free hand to pat his other arm and his chest. ‘Seems to have worn off. So this was the fellow skulking in the darkness who had the misfortune to run into you?’

‘The same, but people will believe anything else quicker than the truth.’ When Crispinus raised an eyebrow, Ferox explained. ‘That is a saying of my people.’

‘Of the Silures, you mean – you are a Roman after all.’

Ferox let that pass. ‘It’s taken a while to learn, and come in whispers and hints, but it seems that the Great Stallion has six foals – well, five now: followers who learn from him and are mighty in their own right.’

‘Do the people you meet like him and his men?’