'Yes, sir. Legate Petronius has provided most of the men you requested. We landed at Matala this morning. I rode ahead of the main force. The reinforcements will reach Gortyna by tomorrow night.'
'Good.'
'There are also warships and marines at Matala that we can call on. The reinforcements are under the command of First Spear Centurion Fulvius, of the Twenty-Second Legion.'
'Fulvius? Why not you, as I requested?'
'Legate Petronius decided I was too junior for such a command.
He appointed Fulvius to lead the column until the reinforcements reach Gortyna, and then you are to assume authority over them. I had thought that Macro would take charge, sir.'
'Yes, well, that is no longer possible. We shall need a new commander.' Sempronius look ed up.' Do you still have that document authorising you to act as tribune?'
'Yes, sir.' Cato reached for the thong around his neck, and pulled the leather tube out of his tunic and offered it to the governor. 'It's here, together with your ring.'
Sempronius took the tube, pulled off the cap and tipped the contents out on to the desk. He placed his family ring back on his finger and then picked up the roll of parchment and tapped it gently on the desk as he thought. 'Macro is no longer with us. Therefore the command passes to you, Cato.'
'Me?' Cato shook his head in astonishment.' Me? But, sir, I–I…'
Sempronius pushed the document across the table towards Cato.
'There. Your appointment still stands, which means that as tribune you outrank Fulvius. The command of the forces at Gortyna is yours.
That is my decision, and my order. When the reinforcements arrive, I want you to take command of them, find Ajax and destroy his army.
That is your priority, Cato. You are not to let any other considerations interfere with your orders.'
'Sir?'
'There will be no negotiations with the rebels. No deals with regard to hostages.' Sempronius swallowed.' Do I make myself clear?'
Cato nodded. 'And if, in carrying out your orders, the chance to effect a rescue of the hostages does occur…?'
Sempronius stared at him, eyes moist and lips trembling.
'Then you get my daughter back, you hear? And save your friend Macro.'
'I will do everything in my power to save them both,' Cato replied. 'I swear it, on my life.'
The patrols that had been sent out to find and follow the slave army reported back to Gortyna the following evening, just as Centurion Fulvius reached the city with his tired, dusty column of legionaries and auxiliaries. While the men were found billets in the city, Fulvius and the commanding officers of each cohort were summoned to the governor's quarters on the acropolis, where Cato and Sempronius awaited them.
As the legionary centurions and the auxiliary prefects eased themselves down on to the benches set before the governor's desk, orderlies passed amongst them with cups of water flavoured with pressed lemons. Once they were refreshed, Sempronius slapped his hand on the table to bring them to order.
'Gentlemen, I know you are tired, so I will be brief. You have been sent to Crete to destroy the slave rebellion led by the gladiator Ajax.
Our latest intelligence is that he is marching to the east of the island.
He is estimated to have some twenty thousand men with him under arms, and as many camp followers.'
The officers exchanged concerned expressions as they considered the odds. Sempronius coughed. 'That is not the whole story, however.
No more than a fraction of his men are properly armed and only a handful have any kind of military training, or fighting experience.
Your men will have little difficulty in defeating them, provided you can pin them down and force them to battle. Once they are defeated, any last vestige of rebellious spirit encountered in the slaves is to be crushed without mercy' He paused to let his words sink in. 'Any questions?'
Fulvius nodded.' Do we know why they lifted the siege and marched east?'
'Not yet.'
'Do we know where they might be headed?'
Sempronius shook his head.' No. I'm told there are no cities or major ports in their path. Just a quiet strip of coastline, near an abandoned town called Olous.'
'It's possible they may have arranged for some ships to meet them in the bay next to Olous,' Cato added, nodding towards a map of the island hanging on the far wall.
'Where would they find ships?' asked Fulvius. 'I thought most of them had been wrecked by the wave.'
'The slaves have looted plenty of gold, silver and other valuables,'
Cato replied. 'I doubt they will find it difficult to find some ship owners with more avarice than principle to serve their needs.
However, we have a squadron of warships waiting at Matala. If we send them to Olous we may well be able to catch the rebels between our ships and your soldiers. If we do, then they will have no choice but to turn and fight us.'
'All right, then.' Fulvius nodded. 'I'll send the order for the galleys to get moving. My men can begin the advance to Olous at first light.'
Sempronius cleared his throat and raised himself up in his chair.
That will not be necessary, Centurion. My senior officer can give the necessary orders.'
'What?' Fulvius looked surprised. 'But I understood that Macro had been taken prisoner.'
'Yes. That's why I have selected a replacement for him.'
Sempronius waved a hand at Cato.' The tribune is to take command of the local forces and your reinforcements.'
'Him?' Fulvius stared at Cato. 'Sir, I must protest.'
'Your orders are clear enough, Centurion. You are to hand over command to me the moment you reach Gortyna. And here you are.
I have chosen Tribune Cato to command our combined forces. You will serve as his second in command.'
Fulvius shook his head. 'Sir, with respect, the tribune is too young and too inexperienced to take command.'
'Really?' Sempronius leaned back in his chair, looking at Cato as he counted off on his fingers. 'Appointed optio in the Second Legion. Took part in the invasion of Britannia, where you were decorated for bravery. You and Macro rescued the family of General Plautius. You were involved in the capture of the enemy commander, Caratacus, and the subsequent defeat of the remnants of his army.
Then you served with the Ravenna fleet in the pursuit and destruction of a pirate squadron operating from the coast of Illyria.
After that you served in Judaea and put down a revolt. And then, when I first met you at Palmyra, you held the citadel until relieved and then went on to defeat the Parthians in a frontier battle.'
Sempronius looked straight at Cato.' Am I correct?'
'Yes, sir. But I cannot take the full credit for all that.'
Fulvius was looking at Cato with a frankly admiring expression, but then turned abruptly back to Sempronius. 'An impressive record, I'll admit, but given that Centurion Macro has been taken captive, I think I should refer this matter to my legate, sir.'
'Enough! You and Cato have your orders. There will be no further discussion of the matter. I charge you both with finding and defeating the rebels. The briefing is at an end. Tribune?'
Cato stiffened. 'Sir?'
'You have work to do. Carry on.' Sempronius rose from his chair, and all the officers hurriedly stood to attention as he strode towards the door. Once he had left the office, Cato stood at ease and there was an awkward silence as the other officers glanced from him to Fulvius. Cato cleared his throat. 'You are all aware of our situation, gentlemen. Have your men get a good night's rest. We face something of a challenge in the days to come.' He
