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them on their land, not wait for them to march here.
Harriet stifled a yawn and glanced at the sleep pallet that servants had
prepared for her. With the fire nearby, and using the fur lap-robe as a
coverlet, she would be warm here tonight. For now, however,. she
would stay up talking as late as her hostess wished.
Looking at Gwenhwyvaer, Harriet thought to herself that this
teenager could not possibly ever imagine the kind of role she would
play in Arthurian legend, fictional though it would become or across
how many centuries she would be remembered, at least in some form.
Jane found the morning routine at the hut the same as the day before.
Everyone at the hut ate breakfast and Emrys picked out which sheep
he would drive to the village. The only difference, as Emrys drove the
cart behind the small flock again, was that he did not take any more
firewood. Jane guessed that his family had no more wood to spare.
Without the need to load the cart, they left earlier than they had
yesterday.
On the way, Jane watched the main gate of the tor ahead, to see the
troop of riders again. This time, however, the riders did not leave
before Emrys brought his small flock and the cart up to the gate. As
they started up the steep, cobbled road to the village, Jane saw the
riders gather around some sort of storage building and the paddock,
saddling their horses and leading them toward the gate. She could not
see Hunter and Steve in the crowd, so she assumed they were inside
the building.
I want to ask Emrys to stop, Ishihara said suddenly to Wayne. Do I
have your permission?
Of course, said Wayne.
Jane tensed.
Steve stood behind Hunter just inside the tack building, waiting in
line to pick up their saddles and bridles. They had just finished a
bland but plentiful breakfast of hot cereal; Hunter identified wheat
and barley in it. Then they had walked down the slope, where Hunter
had picked up his leather armor from the armorer and laced it on.
Steve s arms and shoulders were sore from the unaccustomed
exercise the previous day.
Hunter, by the time this is over, I ll be in great shape. He grinned
and moved up with the line. Do you think we should stay with the
troop even though MC 6 isn t in it? He lowered his voice. Maybe we
could try for duty in the village, to be nearer the palace.
Hunter turned, looking over Steve s head out the open door behind
them.
What is it?
Silence, please, Hunter said quietly.
Steve waited patiently, though other men continued to talk around
them. Horses snorted and their hooves clopped outside. Steve
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guessed that Hunter was attempting to sort out some other sound, but
he had no idea what it could be.
Come outside with me, said Hunter. He left the line and moved back
toward the door. The men behind him made room for him and Steve
followed closely.
What is it? Steve asked quietly.
I heard the footstep pattern of Wayne Nystrom nearby.
Yeah? Suddenly excited, Steve hurried out the door after him.
Jane must be close.
Hunter stopped abruptly. Steve did, too, when he saw Wayne simply
walking right up to them with a smirk. He seemed to be alone.
Where s Jane? Steve demanded.
Don t worry. You know Ishihara can t allow any harm to come to
her.
Yeah? He s not here to protect you. Angrily, Steve took a step
toward him. Before he took a second step, however, he felt Hunter
take his upper arm from behind and hold him firmly in place.
Stop, Hunter added calmly.
Where is she? Steve demanded again.
Why have you approached us? Hunter asked. Do you have
something to say?
I certainly do. Wayne grinned. Let s negotiate a little.
On what basis?
I ve been here a week. That s given me time to start a routine here, to
get settled. And to make a few friends. I m not desperate here, as I
was in Roman Germany.
You say you ve been here a week, said Steve. Does that mean you
sent Jane and Ishihara somewhere else?
No comment, said Wayne, snickering. But I remind you that
Ishihara follows my instructions. I intend to hold Jane hostage in
return for MC 6, if you should find him before I do. And he must be
untouched and unexamined.
I understand your terms, said Hunter.
You can t just accept that, Steve said hotly, looking up at him.
I cannot endanger Jane, said Hunter. You know that, of course.
I ll give you some time to think about it, said Wayne. But I warn
you not to follow me to find anyone. If we have to jump through time
to get away from you, I may not make an offer like this again.
Acknowledged, said Hunter.
Wayne, still smiling triumphantly, turned and hurried away through
the crowd of men and horses.
11
Grab him, said Steve, pulling against Hunter s unbreakable grip.
We can hold him as a hostage for Jane. You can call Ishihara and tell
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