‘Since you seem to approve…’ Boudica joined Prasutagus and poured herself a goblet, filling it to the brim. ‘To a safe return.’

She raised the goblet to her lips and drank until the last drop had been drained, then thumped the goblet down. Boudica grinned at the scandalised expressions of the general and his legate. This was a world away from the prim codes of behaviour they were used to among the better class of Roman women.

Prasutagus muttered something and nudged Boudica to translate.

‘He says the wine’s not bad.’

Vespasian gave a tight-lipped smile and sat down.

‘Well then, enough of the formalities. We haven’t much time. Centurion, I will brief your team as fully as I can, and then you need to rest. I’ll have some horses, provisions and weapons made ready so that you can leave the camp before dawn. It’s important that your party is not seen leaving the legion. You’ll be travelling by night mostly, and laying up during the day. If you happen to run into anyone you’ll need a cover story. Your best chance is to pretend to be travelling entertainers. Prasutagus will play the part of a wrestler, offering to take on all-comers, for a fee. She will pose as his wife. You two are going to be a pair of Greek slaves, ex-soldiers bought to provide protection in this wild land. The southern tribes of Britain are used to the comings and goings of merchants, traders and entertainers.’

An image of the slaughtered victims of the burned village flickered into Cato’s mind. ‘Excuse me, sir, given the way they treat the Atrebates, what makes you think they won’t just kill us out of hand?’

‘It’s a tribal convention; you don’t piss on your own doorstep. By all means raid other tribes, but you don’t want to discourage trade from outside. That’s how it works with all the tribes on the edges of the empire. However, you’re right to be cautious. The Druids are an unknown element in this. We don’t know what the Durotriges will do under their influence. Prasutagus is best placed to deal with any situations you encounter. Watch him carefully, and follow his lead.’

‘I’ll be watching carefully right enough,’ Macro said quietly.

‘You really think that’ll work, sir?’ asked Cato. ‘Aren’t the Durotriges going to be just a little suspicious of strangers, now that there’s a Roman army camping on their doorstep?’