‘The evidence points towards Legio II Augusta, and hence your nephew.’ Ferox had little doubt that the legate had already made the connection. ‘He was there or at least nearby every time something happened, even when the Tungrians were left stranded on the day Titus Annius was cut down.’

‘He is a man who will always want to be on the winning side.’ Neratius Marcellus gave a thin smile as he quoted the centurion, and did not dismiss the suggestion. ‘It is harder to say whether he thinks the tide has turned against our princeps.’

‘My lord, would it change your actions if it proved to be him?’

‘Not for a moment.’ The face was now as hard and cold as the legate’s black eyes.

‘It may be him. I cannot be sure, not yet. But any tracker worth the name will tell you that it is not always wise to follow so obvious a trail. The Tribune Flaccus of the Ninth Hispana is also well placed to be our man, and he has been here in the north longer.’

‘I hear he is a fool?’

‘My people have a saying that a foolish man will never be lonely,’ Ferox said and heard Ovidius laugh from the far side of the room. ‘How clever does a traitor have to be? Especially if he is not alone.’

The legate came over to him and placed a hand on each shoulder. ‘Find out. Whoever it is I must know. Find out the truth and bring it to me. Will you do that, Flavius Ferox, centurion of Rome and Prince of the Silures?’

‘I will find him, my lord.’ Ferox meant it. No doubt men got away with far worse every day, but they did not do it on his patch.

‘Good.’ Marcellus smiled and stood back. ‘In the meantime we have a garrison to relieve and priests to hunt down. I need the rebels to fight me and fight me soon, and not fade into the hills and force me to chase them as the weather turns worse and my food runs out. What is the best way to make them risk battle?’

‘Give them a chance,’ Ferox said. ‘Make a mistake and let them scent victory.’

‘I am glad to see that honesty is becoming a habit in your speech with me. A mistake? Not too big a mistake, I assume.’ The legate’s eyes softened just a little. ‘I see we think alike. Well, let me explain that the force I plan to march north is not as big as it might be. Will that do the trick?’

‘Perhaps, my lord.’

‘A prudent answer, if not helpful. Well, like Caesar I plan to take fewer tents and pack the men in, while making our camps smaller than normal. That will make them think our numbers are even fewer.’

‘Perhaps, my lord.’

Neratius Marcellus grimaced. ‘Didn’t Caratacus tell you that Silures gave nothing away?’ he shouted to Ovidius.