Crispinus took over, telling them that the provincial legate was on his way to govern the province, but that he might not arrive until the winter was well under way. In the meantime the governor had sent word authorising the acting governor, the Legate Julius Quadratus, commander of II Augusta, to carry out active operations here in the north before the weather rendered them too difficult. Quadratus was at Luguvallium, ready to take the field in person with a column drawn from the forces concentrated there over the summer, including detachments from his own and other legions as well as auxiliaries. They would advance along the Western Road as far as it took them. A second column was to advance from Coria along the Eastern Road.

‘We shall form a third, smaller column, staying between the two to ensure that they can communicate, and acting boldly on our own if the opportunity permits. I shall command this force – although I shall of course readily take advice from more experienced men. There is no need to remind you that the emperor will look with great kindness and generosity on those who serve him well in the field, and that a victory, even a small one, will resound to our credit.’

They took that in, all looking eager. There had been few chances for senior officers to make names for themselves in Britannia in the last few years. Yet Ferox was puzzled that no one had asked the obvious question.

‘Where are we going, sir?’

Crispinus smiled. ‘Of course, I am remiss. Several chieftains of the Selgovae need to be reminded of the power of Rome. Claudius Super can give more details.’

The senior centurio regionarius battled with his headache to explain the situation. He mentioned several leaders and clans who had failed to deliver the cattle and grain due to the empire. Ferox got the impression that Claudius Super was one of the main advocates of an aggressive response.

‘Give them time,’ Ferox argued. ‘I am sure that they will pay eventually.’ None of the leaders mentioned struck him as especially militant. ‘If we get it by the end of this month then that will be soon enough.’

‘They are late.’ Claudius Super implied that this alone demanded retribution.

‘It gives us a pretext at least for a display of power,’ Crispinus told them. ‘And it may well be that no harm is meant and they will deliver what is owed to us without the need for any unpleasantness. If so then all to the good. The campaign is intended to be short and to show that we will strike hard if we are provoked in any way. Now, let us attend to the details.’