“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?”

Jane looked at Gene, shrugging.

“I couldn’t see, either,” said Gene. “But I suppose he is still with them.”