‘Yes, sir.’ Vespasian quickly collected his thoughts. As things stood, the Second was to redirect its thrust into the heart of the Durotriges’ territory rather than support the main campaign north of the Tamesis. Vespasian’s troubled mind was plagued by the perils this posed for himself and his men, two of whom he must now send to an almost certain death. A death, moreover, at the hands of the Druids, who would be sure to extract every last measure of torment in the process.

‘Centurion, you will recall the death of the fleet prefect, Valerius Maxentius, some days back.’

‘Yes, sir.’

‘You may remember the demands he was forced to make before he was murdered.’

‘Yes, sir,’ Macro repeated, and Cato nodded, vividly recalling the scene.

‘The hostages he mentioned, the ones who were offered in exchange for the Druids we took at Camulodunum, they’re the wife and children of General Plautius.’

Both Cato and Macro were astonished and could not help shifting their gaze to the general. He sat staring into his lap, quite motionless. Cato saw the weary stoop of the man’s shoulders and his troubled expression. For a moment Cato felt pity for the general, until the shamefulness of that emotion embarrassed him. When Aulus Plautius looked up and caught his eye, it was as if he sensed that he had revealed more of himself than he should have. The general straightened his shoulders and concentrated on the legate’s briefing with a stern and alert expression.

‘General Plautius has authorised me to send a small party out into the territory of the Durotriges to search for and, if the opportunity presents itself, to rescue his family, Lady Pomponia and the two children, Julia and Aelius. He recalls the discreet manner with which you two retrieved that pay chest of Caesar’s last year and I agree with his choice for the job.’ Vespasian allowed a moment for his words to sink in. ‘Centurion, I know your worth, and the optio here has no more need to prove himself to me. I won’t deceive you; this task is more dangerous than anything you’ve ever been asked to do before. I will not order you to go, but I can think of no two men in the legion more likely to succeed in this mission. The decision is yours. But, if you do succeed, the general and I will be sure to reward you generously. Isn’t that right, sir?’

General Plautius nodded.

Macro frowned. ‘Like we were rewarded after we got that pay chest back —’

‘You mentioned a small party, sir,’ Cato quickly interrupted. ‘I take it the centurion and I won’t be alone in this.’

‘No. There are two others, Britons, who know the area. They’ll act as your guides.’

‘I see.’