“I think we should send out a series of patrols right now and also at dawn, to find out if larger bodies of Germans have gathered elsewhere in these mountains.”
Governor Varus laughed lightly, shaking his head. “Well, you are dedicated, Marcus; no one has ever doubted that. But I don’t want to wear out a bunch of cavalry patrols on a wild-goose chase, not after those poor animals slogged through knee-deep mud in the road all day.”
“But, sir-”
“I’ll tell you what, Marcus,” said the governor. “if you wish, take out a larger patrol and burn a German village in retaliation for their attack on your patrol.”
“That won’t bring the kind of large-scale information I was talking about, sir.”
“That’s not an order, Tribune. It is merely an option you may wish to exercise. Make your own decision.”
“But, Governor-”
“Excuse me, Tribune. I believe I will mingle with the troops alone. See to your guests, eh?”
“Yes, sir.” Marcus stopped, his fists clenched in frustration as Governor Varus walked away.
Jane remained mounted, at first, when Marcus cantered up to Governor Varus. When the grooms came forward to take their horses, she dismounted and stood with Gene, a polite distance away. When Governor Varus and Marcus began walking away, she and Gene remained where they were.
“How much could you overhear?” Gene asked.
“Only a little. But it sounds like Varus is so close-minded that we don’t have much to worry about.”
“Keep your voice down about that stuff,” said Gene, glancing nervously at some legionaries marching past them. “We can’t afford to sound like security risks.”
“Sorry. Look, Marcus is coming back.”
Marcus’s face was taut as he strode toward them. He was as courteous as usual, however. “The governor’s tent is up. Let’s go sit down.”
Jane and Gene followed him into the tent, where Demetrius had already set up the furniture. He was just lighting the oil lamps to provide some light and heat. Marcus gestured for Jane and Gene to sit and collapsed into a chair himself.
“Wine, Demetrius,” said Marcus roughly.
“Yes, sir. Would you like that heated, sir?”
“Yes, yes, of course.” Marcus sighed, then slammed his fist down on the table angrily.
Jane sat down, loosening her cloak around her, and glanced at Gene, who was warming his hands over the fire.
“He has no idea,” Marcus muttered. “Look, I have every respect for Governor Varus. But I just know he is missing something about these German tribes.”
Jane nodded, afraid to say anything.
Marcus turned to Gene. “In many ways, he is a fine man, but he is taking Roman power for granted.”
“We are merely traders,” said Gene.
Demetrius entered with a tray of bread and mulled wine. He served it to the three of them in silence. Outside the tent, the men working to make camp shouted and called to each other. Marcus waved a hand for Demetrius to leave.
Jane tasted the wine carefully. After a day out in the cold, the warmth was welcome. The bread was not fresh, but it was better than nothing.
“I could burn a village,” said Marcus. “I have the authority to do that.”
“Burn a village?” Jane looked up.
“This is a normal form of retaliation.” Marcus shook his head. “But in this case, it will simply spur greater resistance to us, and tell us nothing.”
Gene joined the other two at the table, saying nothing as he tore apart a piece of bread.
Jane was more uncomfortable than ever.
Marcus looked at Gene. “Maybe you have had a leader who made a mistake at one time or another. How would you tell Hunter, for instance, that he is wrong?”
“Well…Hunter is quite reasonable. He is open to discussion.”
Marcus turned to Jane. “You feel that way, as well? How would you speak to him?”
“Hunter can be persuaded, with enough evidence,” said Jane, over her goblet of wine.
Marcus merely nodded and took another piece of bread. “You are fortunate.”
They ate and drank in silence for a while. When the bread and wine were gone, Marcus brushed away crumbs and stood up. Jane rose too, waiting to see what he would say.
“Would you excuse me? You may remain here, of course, and be comfortable.” Marcus waved to Demetrius, who was standing outside the tent. “Bring them more if they wish.”
“I’m finished,” said Jane.
“Thank you, I’ve had plenty, too.” Gene got up and joined Jane.
“Very well,” said Marcus. “As you wish, of course. Make yourselves comfortable.” He ducked out of the tent and hurried away.
“Let’s take a little walk,” said Jane. She wanted to talk to Gene without Demetrius listening.
“Sure.”
Outside the tent, Roman legionaries surrounded them everywhere, but everyone was occupied. Gene and Jane walked casually, staying out of the way of the troops and the work crews. In turn, they were ignored.
“Do you think we’ve really messed up?” Jane asked, pulling her cloak around her. “Have we caused Marcus to change his behavior significantly?”
“We have no way of knowing,” said Gene, pausing to watch another tent being raised. “I never came across Marcus’s name in my history, at least that I can remember. His actions may never have been written down by any historian.”
“I’m just afraid that the Germans only attacked our patrol because Marcus took us out today. Anything that the Romans or Germans do as a result of that skirmish could mean a significant change.”
Gene nodded. “I know, but look at it the other way. Maybe, even without us, Marcus or some other patrol might have gone out today and been in a skirmish with the Germans. Maybe it would have happened without us.”
“Since MC 3 was with that bunch of Germans, I suppose they were somehow influenced by his presence, too.”
“Sure, it’s possible. But we can’t know for sure. And now we can’t undo it, either.”
“And what if he goes out to burn a village in retaliation after all?”
“It doesn’t sound like he really wants to. But he might have done that without us, too. After all, it’s a standard tactic in Roman intimidation.”
“Jane, Gene!” Hunter’s voice reached them from behind.
Jane turned in surprise. “I’m glad to see you!”
“You are both well, I see.”
“We’re all right,” said Gene. “But we’re both worried about the changes we may have caused.”
“It’s Marcus,” said Jane anxiously. “He’s trying harder than ever to convince Governor Varus that the Germans are up to something.”
“Because of the attack you told me about?” Hunter glanced around the camp.
“Yes.”
“I understand. What more do you know about MC 3? You said he was with the German party?”
“Yes, but he kept trying to interfere with their fighting-to stop them under the First Law. They may not be very happy with him now.”
“Yes, I agree,” said Hunter. “He would have a hard time explaining his actions to them-even if he could speak their language, which I doubt. He remained with them after the combat had ended?”