“No,” said Hunter.
“Something’s wrong. We left him to meet you and started back for the fort. Then I…got worried.” Jane pointedly tapped her communicator pin.
“I understand,” said Hunter.
“I…turned around and came back, and Marcus was good enough to follow me.” Jane shrugged helplessly.
“She is very strong-willed,” said Marcus. “But I would not let her ride off alone. I must warn all of you, however, that the mood of the Cherusci is hostile. I suggest that we return to the safety of our camp.”
“Thank you for your concern and dedication,” said Hunter. “We are glad that Jane is safe.”
“Her slave was mounted. He may well have found his way back to the camp on his own.”
“Where did you leave him?” Gene asked
“At the riverbank, right behind us just a few yards,” said Jane.
“What about his tracks?” Hunter asked. “He must have left tracks in the mud there.”
“It was too dark to see them when we got here,” said Marcus. “And now we must return to camp.”
Hunter knew that he could not argue very hard with Marcus without behaving unlike a trader from Gaul. On the other hand, he could not ignore Steve’s disappearance. He was certain that Steve must have had a surprise confrontation with some German warriors, or possibly even some Romans. That meant that Hunter could not risk calling him on his communicator, for fear the others would overhear him.
“Thank you, Tribune,” said Hunter. “Please take Jane and Gene back to your camp.”
“You should come, too.” Marcus spoke with the authority of an officer accustomed to obedience.
“I shall be fine,” said Hunter patiently. “We appreciate your concern, Tribune. Please see that Jane and Gene are safe for the night. I fully expect to rejoin all of you with Steve in the morning.”
“How can you search in this darkness?” Marcus demanded. “With these clouds we’ve had all week, no moonlight is going to help you. Searching at night is a waste of time.”
“We deeply appreciate your hospitality,” said Hunter. “I shall be fine.”
“I must insist-”
“Let’s go,” Jane said to Marcus. “Arguing with him is a waste of time. He’ll be all right.”
“You two are much too fond of this slave,” said Marcus, shaking his head. “Come on, then.” He stretched an arm down toward Gene, to help him mount.
Gene took his arm and tried to jump up behind Marcus. Hunter stepped forward and helped lift him all the way up. When Gene was secure, Marcus turned his mount and rode away, with Jane behind him.
Hunter was worried about Steve, but at least he was free to stop his masquerade for the benefit of Vicinius or Marcus. He moved down the trail and magnified his vision to maximum light reception. Enough moonlight showed through the clouds for him to find his way, and he quickly found the tracks where Steve had walked his horse to the river and back. He also identified the spot where Steve had apparently fallen and been dragged into the woods.
From there, the horse’s tracks led downstream. He followed them until they led him into forest. Under the trees, the forest was simply too dark even for Hunter’s considerable light sensitivity. Marcus was right; he could not track Steve here in the darkness.
Hunter considered his options. He could still go to the Roman camp, arriving a little late, but it was clear from the tracks that Steve had not gone in that direction. The next morning he would be starting the search over again.
He could also spend the night where he was and begin the search from his present location at first light. As a robot with ample energy stored, he would be safe, especially under the forest canopy. He could even shut himself down except for his emergency communicator reception.
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.