The Legion

'Yes, sir.' Geminus cleared his throat. 'And the men, sir?'

'What?' Aurelius turned towards him.

'Shall I stand them down, sir?'

Aurelius looked back towards the fire and was silent for a moment before he replied, 'No. Not until we know for certain what is going on over there.'

Macro glanced at Cato and cocked an eyebrow. Cato ignored him and stared at the fire. It was clearly growing in intensity and looked as if it threatened to consume the entire fort. He made up his mind and approached Aurelius.

'Sir, I don't think we should wait for a report. We should send someone across the river to investigate at once. If it is the work of the enemy then we need to know immediately. Even if it is just an accident we need to know if the garrison requires any assistance.'

'Are you volunteering to cross the river and reconnoitre, Tribune?' asked Aurelius wryly. 'Or are you not too subtly volunteering a more junior officer?'

'I'll go, sir,' Cato replied. He was infuriated by his superior's insinuation. 'Better to send someone with experience.'

'In that case,' Macro intervened, 'I'd better go too, sir.'

Cato turned to him. 'It's not necessary. I can do the job by myself.'

Macro was about to speak, and then remembered that the days of fatherly advice had passed. He kept his mouth closed but looked at Cato imploringly. Cato shook his head.

'Not this time.'

'Why not?' asked Aurelius. 'Surely two sets of eyes are better than one? I'm sure the legion can spare you both for a few hours. Take Macro.' He looked at Cato and forced a solicitous expression. 'For my peace of mind, eh? Oh, and you can take Junius too, as he was so keen to sound the alarm. If it turns out to be a minor incident then perhaps spending a night grubbing around in the darkness might teach him to think twice before reacting so precipitately in future.'

'Is that an order, sir?' Cato asked flatly.

'It is. Report to me the moment you return.' Aurelius raised an arm to gather the attention of the other officers. 'I've seen enough. Come, back to headquarters. Geminus, pass the word to all formations that they are to stand to until further notice.'

'Yes, sir.'

With that, the legate turned away and led his entourage back towards the entrance to the temple complex. Cato shook his head.

'I'm sorry, sir,' said Junius. 'I didn't mean to cause unnecessary trouble. Will the men really hold it against me? Will they resent me?'

'Lad,' Macro smiled at him, 'you're a tribune, doubtless by virtue of family connections, like most who hold your rank. You have no prior military experience and once you have served your time in the legion, you'll be returning to some cushy job in Rome. Take it from me, the common soldiery will always resent you.'

'Oh, dear.' Junius looked crestfallen. 'I had hoped to win their respect at least.'

'You can still do that,' Macro nodded, 'when the time comes to face the Nubians.'

Cato gestured towards the fire. 'That may well happen rather sooner than you think.'

'Or not. Why would the enemy strike there?' asked Macro. 'It doesn't make sense. If they wanted to surprise us then why not go directly for the camp? Why take out an outpost and alert us to their presence? I tell you, it's a false alarm, and when I get my hands on the fool who caused that fire, I'll be sure to give him a roasting.'

A figure emerged from the ramp and hurried towards Cato. It was Hamedes.

'Sir, I overheard the exchange with the legate,' the priest said apologetically. 'I wish to go with you. If there is any trouble I will fight at your side. If you give me the chance.'

'No. I don't need you. I have enough men already. Go back to the camp and wait for us there.'

Hamedes looked hurt. 'Sir, I have sworn an oath to Osiris to serve at your side until you are victorious.'

'I'm sure Osiris will understand,' Cato replied placatingly. 'Now return to camp. That's an order.'

Hamedes frowned and then turned away and disappeared into the darkness.

'No question of it, the lad's keen,' Macro said in an amused tone. 'Even after a day's hard marching.'

'I have no quarrel with his attitude, as long as it doesn't start becoming irritating.' Cato strode over to the steps leading down to the wooden quay. 'Come on. Let's get on with it.'

'Well,' Macro shrugged, 'there's no pleasing some people.'

Cato pulled a section of legionaries from the First Cohort and boarded the nearest of the barges, shaking the crew out of their slumber as they lay on deck. The captain gave the order for his two crewmen to fend the barge off and into the current. He was about to raise the sail, but Cato stopped him.

'No. There's a chance that the sail might be seen. Use the oars.'

'It'll take longer,' the captain protested. 'And it'll be tiring work.'

'You'll use the oars,' Cato insisted, and went forward to sit just in front of the mast. Macro and Junius joined him and the legionaries sat on the deck, keeping clear of the two sailors who unshipped the long oars and began to stroke the barge out into the black water of the Nile. They rowed across the current and slowed down to creep forward once they approached the far bank. Ahead, the fire was starting to die down and an odd glow outlined the walls of the fort, dark and gaunt against the wavering light.

Cato turned and called softly back to the captain. 'Get your boat as close to it as you can. If we have to leave in a hurry, I don't want to run any further than I have to.'

The captain grumbled a sour reply and steered the barge along the riverbank. They passed a few small houses whose dwellers slept on, unaware. Once the barge was as near to level with the fort as Cato could judge in the darkness, he ordered the captain to steer in, aiming for a narrow stretch of earthen bank. Having seen one crocodile strike from the concealment of reeds, Cato was fearful of repeating the experience. The barge grounded softly and gently jolted the soldiers. Cato stood up, took off his sword belt and removed his helmet and scale vest.

Macro stared at him. 'And what do you think you're doing, sir?'

'We're not going into a fight, just scouting.' Cato picked up his sword belt and slipped the strap over his head. 'What are you waiting for?'

With a sigh Macro followed suit, and a moment later so did Junius. Cato turned to him. 'Not you.'

Junius paused. 'Sir?'

'You're staying here.'

'I was told to come with you, sir.'

'And I'm ordering you to remain here. I'm leaving you in charge of the boat. Make sure that the captain doesn't get cold feet. If we come running, I want the men ready to hold the bank until we reach the boat. Is that clear?'

'Yes, sir.'

Cato slipped over the side of the barge and splashed into the calf-deep water. He made his way ashore and up the bank to the edge of the long grass that grew there. Macro joined him a moment later and then they set off towards the fort, no more than half a mile away. They reached the edge of a wheat field and picked their way through the crop and then encountered a wide irrigation ditch, with reeds growing along each side. Cato paused, listening.

'What is it?' Macro whispered.

'I… nothing. Let's go.' Cato was about to climb down into the reeds when there was loud splash and something large rustled through the reeds a short distance to his left. At once Macro drew his sword. They both froze for a moment.

'What was that?' Macro asked.

'Without seeing it, I'd guess it was a crocodile. I think we should find a way round the ditch.'

'Crocodile?' Macro quietly put his sword away and muttered, 'Good idea.'

They followed the ditch for a quarter of a mile without finding its end, or any means of crossing it. Cato fumed at the time they had wasted and decided to double back. Perspiring freely in the warm air, they retraced their steps until they came across a narrow footbridge supported by a crude wooden trestle.