Grouse Thicket quercus

where once he had been alone, germanicus was no longer. he kept himself on course, though at length the former centurion glanced back to spot dots of yellow resting toward his own figure.

"hail," he called in a voice once more rust-hollow from lack of use. 

he said no more, but pressed on into the thicket, slowly enough for the other to follow if it was desired.