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returns, we can muster a total of around two thousand six hundred men.’
    Nerva saw the look of surprise on the governor’s face.
    ‘This outbreak at Gerasa, sir. A third of Modius’s men are laid up. Half his officers too.’
    ‘Auxiliaries?’
    ‘Viridio’s camel-riders are in as good a shape as ever. Strength returns for the other cohorts are adequate.’
    ‘That’s something, I suppose,’ said Calvinus. ‘Now what about the Via Traiana? It’s an obvious target for whoever’s behind the attack. The road
must
stay open. Trade must continue, taxes must be collected and the general staff must be assured of free movement across our territory.’
    Calvinus and Nerva turned to Pontius.
    ‘No incidents reported to me. Clearly, protecting the entire road is a virtual impossibility but we are ready to mount extra patrols and put squads into the way-stations if required.’
    ‘And your report on potential placements for these patrols and squads? Wasn’t it due last week?’
    ‘My apologies, Governor. We are doing our best but where previously the chiefs would have provided us with intelligence, we are now rather in the dark. I must confess I am bemused as to what Officer Corbulo has been doing for the last few weeks.’
    Cassius had been reading the letter for a second time while keeping one ear on the conversation. He lowered the sheet as the three senior men looked at him.
    ‘As you know, my predecessor Verecundus wasn’t the most conscientious of individuals but I have been in contact with a few of the men he employed as informers.’
    ‘And?’ asked Pontius.
    ‘I have obtained nothing that could be described as actionable intelligence,’ admitted Cassius. ‘Some refused to meet me, others claim that the tribesmen are spending less time in the north of the province. None were prepared to cooperate.’
    Pontius snorted.
    ‘How I love the Service,’ scoffed Nerva. ‘About as useful as a candle in a snowstorm.’
    ‘Actually, sir, what I have learned is quite useful, in a way.’
    ‘Knowing nothing is useful?’ countered Pontius. ‘Then you must consider yourself an expert, Corbulo.’
    ‘The fact that Verecundus – by all accounts a lazy, disorganised fellow – was able to gather information, yet I have not, is in itself instructive. It reinforces what Governor Calvinus has already told us. The situation has changed. I would surmise that some or all of the informers are withholding information out of fear. Perhaps because the attitude of the less loyal Saracens towards Rome is now at best unfriendly, at worst hostile.’
    Pontius seemed determined to assert himself. ‘We must get a grip of the situation, sir. Allow me to march the tenth cohort down to Humeima. We shall investigate the Ruwaffa attack and bring those responsible to justice. Once there are a few dozen bodies hanging by the road these bastards might think twice about attacking again.’
    Nerva was nodding. ‘If we can restore order, the chiefs may come back to us.’
    Cassius made a noise, and realised the governor had heard him only when Calvinus looked at him.
    ‘Corbulo? Something to say?’
    ‘Er, well, sir … I’m not sure the situation is as chaotic as it first appears. I’ve been working through the documentation regarding the various incidents as you instructed. The majority may well be due to the reduction in troop numbers and a consequent breakdown in order. But a few – and I wouldn’t be surprised if this attack on Ruwaffa is the latest – share certain common characteristics.’
    ‘Go on.’
    Cassius knew he should have been spending six hours a day on the paperwork Verecundus had left behind. In fact he’d been doing about two hours, but he was most of the way through it and sure of his conclusions.
    ‘Sir, I shall refer only to incidents where our people have been killed. You will recall that a tax collector was murdered outside Aila last March.’
    ‘Hardly a rarity,’ said the governor.
    ‘Usually two or