"I do know! I've ridden all my life, you clod! No time. I'll nurse him to Bravo and change there. If I can reach Ebor, I'm safe. There are two of them out there . . . your genuine Britons. It would be singularly useful if they fell in the hole! Failing which: obstruct them even more officiously than you have me - or, Centurion, you may forget all idea of further promotion. Understood?"

"Perfectly, sir. Dea Fortuna go with you."

The traveller kicked his horse back into activity and vanished in the mist.

"Phew!" uttered Apricus in the aftermath. "So what was the seal?"

"Imperial. The kind only Consulars and the occasional personally appointed high-ups ever get. I've only seen one other."

Already there was a faint approach of fresh hoofbeats.

Just in time, Ursus got the men hidden, with lanterns shut, as two characters much like the first to look at arrived. These spotted the road trap only at the last moment, shouting to one another and milling their horses round hard.

An armed circle materialized from nowhere, shining lights.

At least these sounded like tribesmen ought - with accented, stilted Latin.

One of them was dark; one had hair and moustaches which showed up bright ginger when catching the lamplight.

Ursus made them dismount and had them thoroughly searched, confiscating their spears and daggers for the while. Grumbling, the newcomers brought out apparently valid travel permits. Ursus began nit-picking through them syllable by syllable. Apricus made a business of taking names and notes.

The Britons' story hinged on them joining a cousin-chieftain's household and being in trouble with him, if delayed. But they varied as to where this cousin might be - one saying vaguely "near Eboracuin", the other suggesting in rasping tones some obscure Celtic placename. Significantly, neither of them mentioned anything about anyone up ahead of them.

Though the army was at this time under strict orders not to risk provocation, Ursus dawdled, letting their horses chill and stiffen. When he could no longer reasonably hold them, he insisted they be escorted a full mile at walking pace "due to the dangerous state of the road", before finally letting them go.

"Now then - here's a mystery!" he brooded, afterwards, sharing Apricus' tent for reheated stew, a welcome flask of wine, and the use of a camp bed.

"What d'you reckon we ought to do, Cent?"

"Report the whole shebang to HQ. You do it, Sunshine best writing, eh? Don't worry," he added easily, "I'll back you."

They filled in the pit and finished the road without further incident.

The draft from II Nerviorum piled tents and equipment into its big baggage cart, slapped backs all round in farewell, and turned for home.

Optio Apricus sat his craftsmen in theirs, hopped on his mare and led them gladly down the main road to Eboracum.

In fort he submitted a comprehensive set of tablets to Principia and hoped, fervently, he wasn't about to go making Legio VI Victrix, whose Headquarters the fortress at Eboracum was, had it on good authority a new Governor was in Londinium - bent, very shortly, on undertaking a full dress tour of inspection throughout Britannia.

The buzz in the township which clung round the outside of the fortress walls was of sprucing the place to receive him: new build; new clothes; new trade. It was true the wine business direct from Gaul to the riverside quays - despite difficulties - was flourishing once more - and local merchants from among the Parisi were filling a demand for quality hides and leather goods in return.

Even the weather, as Spring advanced, and now that Optio L Valerianus Apricus was back in fort, showed signs of tardy optimism. He took advantage of a short interval between work schedules, to write home. He used an ink pen and some second quality Egyptian papyrus sheets, one of the advantages of being on the technical staff. After the usual preamble, addressing his father, he went on: . . . I'm sorry if I upset you, leaving home like that but I really couldn't stick the idea of being glued to a desk shuffling records all day long! It isn't as though I were your one and only, is it? But now I'm trained and posted, I thought you and Mother might not be too unhappy to see where I've got to and know I'm all right.

Briefly, after Basic Training, I did well enough to be recommended for army engineering. They sent me to Castra Peregrina for a year - we only shared a bit of that place because it is huge! Some of the rest of it is given over to the Frumentarili - maybe you know this? whom one steers well clear of if one has any sense at all! Secret agents and all that stuff. Well, I ended the course second top and won the runner-up prize from the Commandant, so I haven't disgraced you or the family. The prize was a laugh - a very handsome travelling sundial in a case with the provincial latitudes marked out - which of course is necessary and extremely useful, if one has sunshine - but (typical army thinking) they then posted me to VI Victrix in Britain, where it rains nine days out of ten in my experience so far! When we read the posting lists, everyone fell about laughing, and because of the sundial I've acquired my cognomen "Sunshine". Some twerp who was going out to Egypt smirked could he buy the thing off me, then? I told him where to put himself! We had a big party to celebrate qualifying, and because we're technical were all promoted optio (acting) before leaving. Not having done anything dire, I'm now almost due confirmation in the status, which means the pay rise to match the "paint brush" on my helmet.

The last thing we had before leaving was a crash course in equitation, which was sheer Hell! The instructor was the Frumentarii's senior one - a Gallic Decurion who didn't half fancy himself and tongue-lashed us day after day through what he called "Getting to Know Your Horse"! Naturally, the snoops came crowding out to applaud every time one of us fell off, since they pride themselves rotten on their riding skills. Anyway, I survived, and just as well since we had to travel the roads at speed all the way to Gesiacorum on the north coast of Gaul; hop a mail galley; then post from Dubris to Londinium and from there to here (Eboracum), which is a fair way north in Britannia. I can't think that I could be much further away from you all! I didn't get here alone, mind you, but in company with a centurion called Ursus - yes, he is rather bearlike: burly, hairy and dark of colouring - but a good superior to have. He is overseer of works - a kind of roving boss in the field - reporting direct to the legion's Architectus. There was also this character called Blandus who was far from smooth - a joke, you see, like me being "Sunshine" - who possessed the most vile grating voice I've ever had to listen to and, guess what, turned out to be a snoop into the bargain! At least he peeled off at Londinium. He was a dead show-off about working for the Procurator double-checking taxation rolls. Ursus and I took that with a pinch of salt but he was met by a pony cart labelled "OFFICIUM PROC. BRIT." in very large letters. Ursus and I agreed after he'd gone that we'd rather not find ourselves on the wrong side of his tally-sticks and abacus.

The chaps I mess with are a decent bunch, and our Legate (very swish) knows his soldiering. The centurion Architectus tries out the new boys like myself but once he sees you can do the stuff, he very much lets you get on with it, which is good. So far, I have helped refurbish buildings in two forts, done a drainage system - well half of one - measured out an exercise school for some cavalry - and have just completed making good an entire road, which has been my first job where I was in charge. Your little lad is thus proving useful! There is a lot needing done, actually - either because of depredations from a few years back when that idiot Clodius Albinus tried fighting the Emperor - or from sheer age and weathering of infrastructure. Since anything here worth mentioning came in with the Divine Hadrian, eighty-something years ago, it has all grown old together, so it's mend-and-make-do as fast as we can.

There's a funny atmosphere at this end of the province. You need to watch your back. The Parisi round us are all well settled and that, but the Brigantes upcountry and nearly all the tribes beyond are fermenting like beer in a tub. Plus: we have a brand new Governor just arrived: C. Valerius Pudens - know anything about him, Pa? Word is: the monies and agreements with which Governor Virius Lupus negotiated a while back, have gone like snow in the desert, and the tribes are looking round for more. Just about every Governor in turn has asked Emperor Severus for heavy military reinforcement, or even an Imperial visit, but so far no dice. The current Procurator, by the way, is none other than M. Oclatinius Adventus who, since he doubles as head of the Corps of Frumentarii, cannot be entirely without significance.

Please tell Mother I am fit and well, and finding my feet legionwise. Yes, Ma, they do feed us properly and I do change my underpants regularly! Give my best to the brothers. I append the proper location below should you now feel you can send me a line in return - which I'd like. A lot of chaps hear from home and it is a good day when the dispatch couriers come belting in. Must stop - I've filled two sheets and the clerks grouse like mad if you cadge too much too quickly!

Farewell, from your errant son, Lucius.

On an afterthought, he scribbled postscriptum up the margin: "You're in Archives, Pa, can you tell me if Albinus was killed for definite in battle at Lugdunuin? And would he have rated a Consular seal?"

Having skip-read his letter for errors, Apricus folded the written sheets down to quarter size, covering them with a third, blank one, which he secured with strong twine. The package was addressed to: M. Valerianus, Senior Clerks' Offices, Imperial Archives, Rome.

Apricus sealed it with wax and the impress of his smart new signet - a design of a tiny shining sun cut intaglio on a lozenge-shaped yellow gemstone.

The dispatch courier he gave it to was not one he'd seen before, but very affable. He took it with one hand while holding out the other for the usual kick-back regarding private post.

"Oh, yeah," he remarked cheerfully, glancing down as he slid the letter into his pouch, "Archives - eh? You'll be well in, likely!"

The Architectus decided on a rapid spring-clean of the fort, due to the impending tour of inspection, so that Apricus, along with several colleagues, spent most of a month on such work. Hardly had they begun to see the end of it, when a Governor's staff officer arrived in haste to see the Legate.

Every available man was summoned urgently to Principia, where mourning streamers in black and purple had been looped on the Legion's Standards in its Headquarters shrine, and it was announced with great regret the Governor would not be visiting Eboracum after all. Indeed, His Excellency wouldn't be going anywhere: C. Valerius Pudens was dead.

In response to a stir among the ranks and several queries, the Legate, looking grim, was unable to give any cause of death best to reckon on some unforeseen sickness. Yes, he understood messengers were already halfway to Rome; the Emperor would nominate a replacement, surely, the moment he knew. Meanwhile, the Procurator in Londinium would act as Governor and everyone must carry on. He need not stress that any loose speculation overheard among civilians should be firmly squashed; anyone thought to be "trying one on" out there must be reported for possible interrogation. Keep your ears open and your eyes peeled. The Legate stepped back on his tribunal dais - for the Primus Pilus to dismiss them.

Hard on the heels of the staff officer came a caucus of Frumentarii. They took over an entire barrack. They had the window shutters replaced with narrow iron bars and added security locks to every door - using their own workmen. Then they ruffled feathers among all Principia's clerks by initiating a trawl through tablets and paperwork right back to the year dot.

In the circumstances, Apricus was not too sorry to find himself redeployed.

Riding out upcountry with Ursus at the head of a bunch of skilled men, they had been told the job was to mend some Hispanic Cohort's Bath-house.

"Shouldn't take you long," the Architectus had said. "Ten days or so, I daresay . . . Get cracking or the poor souls'll start attracting flies!"

However, II Asturum Equitata were new to Britain and had been assigned to a fort which lay empty through the post-Albinus troubles, and had then been broken into. When VI Victrix's detachment reached Aesica, high in the craggy terrain of the centre of Hadrian's wall, it was to find the Spaniards gazing disconsolately at considerable despoliation. The only good thing was: there were plenty of them to get down off horseback and lend a hand.

Once Corstopitum sent materials, and they had finally been able to turn from securing and cleaning up the fort to its actual Bath-house system, the tanks and drains were found blocked with unbelievable rubbish - while a great deal of cooking seemed to have gone on at some point, in the middle of the main bath floor, damaging the waterproof concrete.

Ursus had to send a messenger back to Ebor with the news they'd be engaged on this one for some considerable time. It was almost mid-summer before they got back.

The Frumentarii were still there. An occasional wan face might be glimpsed peering out through window bars in their requisitioned barrack.

"Who are those?" Apricus asked Ursus.

The centurion shrugged.

"Little Brits, presumably . . . 'wanted for questioning' as that lot always say."

VI Victrix was informed from Londinium that one L. Alfenius Senecio had been appointed replacement Governor - and had actually arrived.

"Hum," said Ursus - the fount of all knowledge, "North African. A tough nut. Like the Emperor. Things're looking up."

Apricus, drawing pay in Principia, was told: "One for you, Sunshine - came with yesterday's courier," and found himself clutching a letter from home.

It appeared his father had forgiven him. Apricus picked open the letter and sprawled on his bunk in contubernia to read it. If the seal came away rather easily - he didn't notice.

. . . Lucius - dear boy. It was a great happiness to receive word of you and to know that you live and thrive. When I took the letter home, your mother alternately wept with relief and sang songs to herself in the kitchen for three days on end! It may be added that though I took what I felt was a correct stand with you about joining up the moment you turned eighteen, I have not been entirely popular with her since the day you and I so differed. However, enough of that. You have brothers - as you remark - and indeed I am pleased to relate that young Marcus has finished his schooling well enough to be taken on among the juniors here. So all is well.

By calculation - knowing the time-span for basic training, and allowing for what you tell us was a year at Castra P., then estimating a few months more for your equitation and travel, you must have reached Britain last autumn. Your mother wonders how you managed through the winter, and badgers me for money to send you a clothing parcel in advance of this winter coming: tunics, underwear and socks. She will not rest until this is organized, so look out for it in another few months!

We are very proud to hear that you have begun so well - prizewinner and everything - and do hope that by now you have had your status confirmed and receive the extra pay. The army certainly seems to be the great career nowadays, and surely, the Emperor had a huge task these several years reorganizing it all. Since you were so set on joining, it is well if you make the best possible fist of all you do.

With regard to your queries: I knew very little of Valerius Pudens, and now we have news here of his death - which makes your question redundant. I did ascertain he was regarded as a safe pair of hands for Britain, and that in the past he was a staunch opponent of Albinus. As regards the latter, I had difficulty in gaining permission to view the relevant scrolls. It was always assumed that he died at Lugdunum but there does not seem to be any record of a body or actual remains identified. That does not signify: the massacre was terrible and it is most unlikely he survived - or would have wished to. Nor, I am sure, has the Emperor ever ceased to be vigilant! Albinus would probably have had a Consular seal - was he not designated Caesar until even that lofty height grew insufficient for him? I do wonder why you ask.

I have written this in my noon break but now my colleagues come trooping back, so must close. Marcus, Tertius and Aemilius all send greetings to their best of brothers, and your mother, of course, her love. The gods be with you. Write when you can.

This from your no longer displeased father . . . M. Valerianus.

VI Victrix's domestic refurbishment was back on again, amidst renewed talk of high-powered visitors. Apricus was kept in fort supervising painting jobs - anything from clean white walls in barracks to smartening a suite of guest rooms attached to the Legate's house. He played safe on this - not trusting himself to be aesthetically original - getting the painters simply to go over existing decor. Once, the Legate looked in, grunted, "Same again, eh?", grinned and went away.

He had more time off-duty to explore the town and found his way to a taverna called "The Full Amphora" where the wine was decent and there was food as well. The place was popular among the optionate and more junior centurions. Apricus stood his rounds; diced without incurring heavy debt, and eyed a pretty girl who worked there called Candida.

"Aw . . . you'll never get her, Sunshine," his friends joshed, "she's the stepdaughter. The old man keeps a tight rein . . ."

He had written home again - family gossip - remarking only in passing that there had been a strange incident early in the year with a traveller using a Consular seal, that was all.

He couldn't see anything would come of it. He went on to mention, obliquely, the girl at the "Amphora", whose late father he had discovered, had been a VI Victrix legionary from Etruria called Candidus. ". . as everyone knows, serving soldiers cannot marry, so Mother needn't have the hab-dabs about her. There is quite a movement growing in the army to petition for removal of this regulation, though I don't suppose for one moment Emperor Septimius Severus sees it that way . . ."

Returning to barracks one rose-and-gold summer evening just as the fortress prepared to close for the night, he had to jump aside until persons Senatorial were swept through the great gates in a blare of curled copper trumpets, jingle and glitter spilling off the escorting cavalry.

A night or two later, turned in on his bunk and thinking of Candida, Apricus became aware of the gritty tramp of marching boots advancing steadily his way along the barrack pavement outside. When they stopped, his door crashed open. A black figure loomed in silhouette against the moon-hung sky, throwing dark shadow in over the threshold and across various protesting mess-mates.

"L. Valerianus Apricus - Optio?" demanded a Frumentarius heading a small section of night guard.

"Yes . . .?"

"Under arrest! Surrender your weapons and follow me!"

They took him to their security block and shoved him in a holding cell, answering none of his questions. Ursus was already inside. At least they weren't fettered.

"Jupiter Optimus Maximus!" Apricus exploded. "Now what?"

Ursus looked at him wearily.

"Best guess is: it's to do with the nighthawks we stopped that time."

"But we have no real idea who any of them were!" "Nor have they, I reckon. It's called thrashing about, Sunshine!"

There was nothing to rest on.

They sat side by side on the floor, backs to a wall, unsleeping, growing stiff and cold. Daylight took an age returning.

They were kept two days, without explanation and on minimal rations.

During the third evening, not given any chance to clean themselves up, they got marched through the late dusk into Headquarters.

The tribunal dais in the cross-hall was full of people in white tunics - some displaying the broad Senatorial stripe. The Legate was there - and the Architectus, fiddling worriedly with scrolls and papers on a table. Ursus nudged Apricus. Behind one shoulder of the person who appeared to be the most prestigious visitor stood Frumentarius Blandus.

A staff officer they didn't know, asking formal permission of the Legate, established their identities, duties, and what he called, snuffily, "your authorship of this report". He held up what Apricus recognized as his set of tablets from the Spring. Apricus almost nodded acceptance before Ursus elbowed him hard in the ribs. The Architectus, clearing his throat, insisted they be allowed to look over the tablets before agreeing. Once this was done, the staff officer ended haughtily: "His Excellency has decided to cross-examine you in person."

The prestigious visitor, who was altogether bony, with a skull-like visage, hooded eyes and yellowed skin, regarded them keenly.

"I am Procurator of this Province," he said, in a voice reminiscent of the dry rustle of dead leaves. "You may know of me: M. Oclatinius Adventus."

Apricus thought, dismayed, "Dea Fortuna... lend me strength!"

In the background, Blandus smiled mirthlessly.

"Which of you was responsible for this report?" Adventus began.

Ursus and Apricus answered simultaneously: "I am . . . sir." "Come now . . ."

Ursus said: "To be exact - the optio wrote it out. He was in charge on the job at the time. But I was present. In view of the strangeness of the incident, and because I was his senior in the field, he asked my advice as to what was best. I recommended a report."

"Very well. What struck you particularly about the first traveller?"

"In what way?" Apricus queried.

"What did he look like . . . how did he seem?"

"A Briton. To look like, he appeared British," Apricus replied. "I have described him, sir . . ." He nodded at the tablets returned to the table. "But as soon as he opened his mouth, you could tell he wasn't - far from it."

"How so?"

"His Latin, Excellency . . . very patrician. Drawled down the nose, just like y . . . just like they do - senators and such." Ursus added: "No Brit could fake that!"

Adventus' gaze moved from one to the other and back again. He blinked expressionlessly, lizard-like.

"And?" he prompted.

"When we argued, he dragged out this Consular seal. I have seen one once before. It was for this reign."

"He might have faked that!"

"He might," conceded Ursus, "but he'd have had to go to great lengths to get it done."

Apricus joined in: "Look, sir - it was night and there was a thick mist. This man came out of nowhere. He insisted he had intelligence for the Governor . . . the Governor-as-was, that is, and that he was being chased because of it. We had nothing else to go on. He said if he reached Ebor, then he'd be all right. And he was followed. It's all in there . . ."

"Ye-es. But he didn't come here, did he? No one has any recollection of him."

"If you say not, sir."

"You handed in your report on return, but you never thought to find that out?"