Hunter decided to take his final option, and return to the village of Vicinius and Odover. He had stored all of his movements around the forest in his memory, giving him a local map of any area he had seen. In such poor light, finding his way through the forest would be slow and clumsy, but in the village he could at least maintain his rapport with Vicinius. On the way, he would turn up his hearing for any sign of Steve.
He turned to orient himself and began the hike through the forest to the village.
Jane was very cold and tired by the time Marcus led them into the new Roman camp. It was laid out exactly like the previous one. The sound of falling axes she had heard was reflected in the new palisade wall surrounding the camp. The courtyard was lighted by torches placed around the inside of the palisade and she gratefully reined up behind Marcus and Gene at the stable. Her fur cloak had kept most of her dry, but her leggings and boots had been soaked through with rain by midday and her lower legs and feet ached with the cold. She dismounted with relief when the groom came to hold her bridle.
“To the governor’s tent,” Marcus said abruptly. He marched quickly toward it.
Gene grinned at Jane. “It’s been a long day.”
She smiled weakly, nodding.
At the entrance to the governor’s tent, a sentry saluted Marcus and drew the flap open for him. Marcus stepped inside and saluted, while Jane and Gene stopped behind him, still out in the rain.
“Come in, Tribune,” said Governor Varus. “Are your companions with you?”
“Yes, Governor.” Marcus moved out of the way and gestured for them to follow him.
Jane slipped inside first and made room for Gene. The tent was lighted with four standing oil lamps, burning brightly in each corner. Governor Varus, warmly dressed in heavy woolen tunics, sat in a backless chair and sipped from a goblet of wine while Demetrius cleared the dishes from the table.
“This is the coldest, foulest night we’ve had yet this year,” said Governor Varus, gesturing to the oil lamps. “Please warm yourselves. Demetrius, bring their meals.”
Jane eased back her hood and shook out her hair, then held her hands near the flames. Gene joined her. Marcus moved to one of the other lamps to do the same.
“I’m glad you caught up with us again. It wasn’t too difficult, I trust.” Governor Varus looked up at Gene. “This must be your lost friend.”
“No, sir,” said Marcus. “This man is called Gene Titus. He is one of the lady’s party from Gaul. Gene, this is Governor Varus of this province.”
“Pleased to meet you,” said Gene.
“Good evening. Come in and get warm. You are welcome here, of course.”
“Thank you.”
“But where is your slave?” The Governor addressed Jane. “Tending the horses or something of that sort? Yesterday, he hardly left your side.”
“He didn’t come back with us.”
“No? What happened to him?”
“Her slave is now lost in the forest,” said Marcus. “For her sake, I hope he is well.”
“So, Tribune,” said Governor Varus. “Bad fortune in finding your lost friend, eh? The one you started searching for in the first place.”
“Worse than that, sir,” said Marcus, unstrapping his helmet and pulling it off.
“Eh?”
“Late this afternoon we were confronted by a band of Cherusci warriors.”
Governor Varus raised his eyebrows. “Go on.”
“Governor, I am certain that trouble is on the way,” said Marcus.
“Why are you so sure?”
“They had no particular business there by the river and frankly, they had nothing to say.” Marcus set his helmet down at his feet and continued warming his hands. “Foul climate,” he muttered.
“What did they say?”
“Virtually nothing,” said Marcus. “But they made a point of coming out of the trees to be seen.”
Governor Varus chuckled and sipped his wine. “That hardly constitutes a rebellion, Marcus.”
“It was a small show of force to a lone tribune out with a civilian.”
“Or perhaps it was a chance meeting in the forest and nothing more.”
“Some kind of trouble is brewing, sir.”
Demetrius entered with a tray of food and began laying it out on the table.
“Oh, I doubt it. After all, that’s rather routine.” Governor Varus held out his goblet for Demetrius to refill. “Sit down, please, all of you. Marcus, I shall listen to you as all of you warm up and enjoy your dinner.”
13
“Marcus, you simply expect too much from these barbarians,” said Governor Varus.
Jane and Gene took their seats. Marcus sat down last, sighing wearily. Demetrius moved behind Governor Varus and stood patiently.
“Let’s ask our guests.” Governor Varus turned to Jane. “You saw these Germans?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Did they threaten you in any way?”
“No,” Jane said hesitantly. She was aching to warn him, to convince him of the disaster he would fall into very soon. The reason was not that she had a great liking for the Romans as a group, but simply because she was uncomfortable knowing that so many Romans would soon be walking into a trap. Now that she was actually talking to two of them, they no longer seemed like mere historical figures. Of course, she knew she could not say anything that would even hint that Marcus was right. Instead, she would have to remain as neutral as possible, so as not to influence these two Romans.
“No. Were they armed?”
“They had spears,” said Jane. “That’s all I remember.” She picked up her wine goblet, as much to hide behind it as to drink from it.
“That’s often all these barbarians have,” said Governor Varus calmly. He turned to Gene. “How about you? Did you see them?”
“No, Governor. I had not joined them yet.”
“I see. Then let me ask the two of you another question entirely.”
“Of course,” said Gene.
“Perhaps I have been too hard on my tribune,” said Governor Varus. “As I understand it, you have come here from Gaul, which means you passed through much of this province.”
“Yes, sir,” said Gene, watching him carefully.
Jane was glad to let him field the questions. After all, as the historian on the team, he had the best chance to pass as a real trader. She was too nervous to feel hungry, but she forced herself to eat, in order to keep busy.
“So in your travels, how were you received?” Governor Varus asked. “You must have visited many villages of the Cherusci before you got here.”
“We were welcomed,” said Gene. “At that time, we had a few modest gifts to present to the village elders.”
“Ah, yes. They are sometimes like children with new playthings. Did they talk to you about us Romans?”
“Not particularly,” said Gene. He looked at Jane innocently. “Do you recall?”
“No.” She shook her head.
Governor Varus nodded.
“I’m afraid I’m quite ignorant of political matters,” said Jane. She was sure that Romans of this time would accept that readily from a woman.
“German hostility has never died,” said Marcus, looking up from his plate. “They like to buy our goods, but that’s all. I suppose they see you traders as their friends, where we soldiers will always be their enemies.”
“Where were you stationed before you came here?” Jane asked Marcus, hoping to turn the conversation away from the German rebellion.
“In Rome itself,” said Marcus. He caught her eye and grinned at her. “The climate is so much nicer there. Have you ever been to Rome?”
“No.” Jane suppressed a smile. She had been to Rome in her own time, but it was not the Rome Marcus knew.
“Have you seen the emperor?” Gene asked, sounding excited by the prospect.
“Oh, yes,” said Marcus. “My cohort marched past him in review several times. I saw Emperor Augustus standing and watching us from a balcony.”
“Marcus, I believe you may be making a conquest.” Amused, Governor Varus stood up and slipped a heavy cloak over his shoulders. “Please continue your meal at your leisure. I wish to take a walk. Demetrius, remain here and see to them.” He stepped out of the tent.
Jane watched Marcus, trying not to laugh at his embarrassment. To rescue him, she asked, “How about gladiators? Did you watch them fight?”