“Get down, Marcus,” ordered the governor. “Governor, we need to know what the local villages-”
“Or you may lose your position, Tribune. Dismount!”
Marcus jumped to the ground.
“I have already heard all of your arguments. I will not listen to them again. Prince Arminius will be joining us at any time, with some members of his own party. I suggest you remain at my tent with your guests. Alert me the moment Prince Arminius arrives.” Governor Varus turned and hurried away.
Marcus sighed. At least he was still a tribune. He took the reins of his horse and walked toward the governor’s tent, which had been raised already.
Jane stood silently with Gene as Marcus led his horse past them and handed his reins to a groom. When Marcus had moved out of hearing, she turned to Gene and shrugged. They had heard the entire exchange between the governor and Marcus. Around them, the new camp was slowly going up.
“It was kind of a dirty trick, wasn’t it?” Jane drew her cloak tighter around her.
“We had no choice,” said Gene. “We had to point out Marcus’s intentions to the governor. There was no other way to stop him and he might have discovered tomorrow’s ambush if he had ridden out right now in strength.”
“You’re sure now that it’s coming tomorrow?”
“Yeah.” Gene nodded, looking at her grimly. “The governor said that Prince Arminius is coming tonight. The German entourage feasts with the Romans tonight-that means the attack is tomorrow.”
“Then Hunter had better get back here tonight and get us away from the Romans, as he planned.”
“Exactly. “
Late in the day Hunter and Steve were hidden in the forest outside the village. They had watched MC 3 following Julius around in the village as other warriors came and went. Then Prince Arminius had led a group of warriors out of the village, but Julius, MC 3, and most of the warriors from this village had remained.
When Prince Arminius had left, Hunter had raised his hearing to maximum sensitivity as a safety measure. Immediately after doing so, he had detected the presence of two figures also hidden in the brush nearby. He turned to Steve.
“We are not alone in observing this village. Two others are doing the same, roughly a hundred yards to our left, completely out of sight.”
“Romans?”
“I doubt it. They have been relying on cavalry patrols for this kind of work.”
“Then who is it?”
“I suspect that one is Wayne and the other probably a German warrior whom Wayne has somehow convinced to help him. Judging by their position and their lack of movement, they have not yet noticed our presence.”
“Maybe we should grab Wayne,” whispered Steve. “Get him out of our way once and for all.”
“Doing so now would cause a disturbance,” said Hunter. “It would reveal our presence and thereby our interest in observing this village.”
“Hold it-you mean you’re just going to let Wayne stay right here with his eye on MC 3 and leave him here? Hunter, that’s crazy-even worse, irrational.”
“I disagree. I see no way in which Wayne can rush into the village and grab MC 3. We know that MC 3 is surrounded by too many Germans, all of whom are looking for a fight.”
Steve shook his head in disbelief. “Well, we still have to decide what we’re going to do for the night. It’s getting late now, anyway. If we’re going to find the Roman camp tonight, we have to get moving. It’s a long walk from here.”
“Getting MC 3 now would endanger too many humans,” said Hunter.
“He will resist and they will defend him. With that many opponents, I would not be able to get him away without harming them.”
“At the very least, let’s go sneak up on Wayne and get a good look at him-at least a positive identification. That way we’ll know for sure.”
“Yes, that is wise. I can make this approach more efficiently alone, however. Please remain here.”
“Yeah, okay.”
Hunter started to move when he received a signal on his internal receiver. “Hunter, Jane calling.”
“Yes, Jane,” Hunter radioed.
“The Romans are making camp again for the night,” she said quietly. “We found out that Prince Arminius is bringing a party of Germans here for a feast. Gene says that means the attack will start tomorrow.”
“Are you in danger now?”
“No. We’re fine. But I can’t talk long. We’re in the middle of camp. Gene and I are huddled together pretending to talk to each other.”
“Does Gene anticipate danger tonight?”
“I’m here, Hunter,” said Gene. “No, I don’t. We just wanted to make sure you were kept up-to-date.”
“Hunter?” Steve looked at him. “Something wrong?”
“I have a call from Jane and Gene,” Hunter said aloud. “Please wait.”
“Should we still follow the original plan?” Gene asked. “Are you rejoining us here tonight or should we try to meet you somewhere?”
“Steve is with me now,” said Hunter. “Remain where you are. We shall come back to the Roman camp tonight and reunite the team, as planned. Hunter out.”
Steve was still watching Hunter curiously.
“We shall go to the new Roman camp now,” said Hunter. “The attack will begin tomorrow.”
“Wait a minute.” Steve’s eyes widened. “You mean we’re going to leave MC 3 right here? We almost have him. We could grab him and take him back to our time-then come back for Jane and Gene.”
“I do not dare take the risk,” said Hunter. “I still feel that we are not very close to apprehending MC 3. The fact that we have been able to see him does not imply that we can simply grab him and run.”
“But he’s the entire reason we’re here. Isn’t taking the opportunity worth the risk?”
“I must balance the risk to harm of our future with the danger of harm to the individual warriors and to you. Remember, some of the Germans in the village may play an important role in the battle. If I injure them, I could also alter our future. Nor can I risk harm to you unnecessarily.”
“Well…” Steve shook his head. “I can’t think of an argument against that. But I hate walking away from MC 3 when he’s so close.”
“I believe that Julius will join the attack and that MC 3 will go with him. We will know where to find him.”
“Yeah, all right. I guess.” Steve shrugged.
“In any case, if we get MC 3 in custody while the team is together, we can leave immediately. That is the most desirable plan of action.”
“You’re the boss.”
Hunter listened carefully for signs of movement in the two strangers but heard nothing. The wind had not changed, so they were still upwind of the village dogs. He turned and slipped through the trees once more, with Steve behind him.
Steve was exhausted by the time they reached the new Roman camp. Night had fallen, but the sky over the palisade fence was brightly lighted by the flickering glow of many fires. The sentries saw them coming and when Hunter merely waved, they opened the front gate.