Chapter Seven

Elsewhere in the woods, Vulcan was in a tent and searching through a map of Italy, trying to find Nero. "Not here, not here, not here either! We've searched every neighbouring village around the city and no sign of Nero. Where is he? What am I overlooking?! Mars! Pull over!"

"Sure thing." Mars, who happens to be carrying the tent on his back, came to a stop and Vulcan stepped out from the tent. He proceeded to walk on his back and his hand. "Ow, that hurt."

Vulcan looked down and saw he's standing in mud. "Perfect." he said. "These were the finest sandals in the country. I hate this forest."

"Pardon me, Vulcan," said Mars, "but I think we could start searching deep in the woods to see if-"

"Mars," interrupted Vulcan, "you're a centurion, so do as you're told and KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT!" Then the same red squirrel Nero met came over offering him an acorn. "Get outta here, ya vermin!"

Scared, the squirrel ran over to Mars and proceeded to chatter to him.

"Yeah. Tell me about it." said Mars, understanding him. The squirrel chattered and he corrected "No, no, it's not your fault. He just has family issues. Trust me."

"Mars?" puzzled Vulcan. "Are you talking to that squirrel?"

"I was a junior chipmunk back in Bacchus Academy. I had to be versed in all the woodland creatures. Please continue."

While the squirrel chattered, Vulcan moaned in sotto "Talking to rodents. Of all the halfwits…."

"Hey," said Mars, "it doesn't always have to be about you. This poor little guy has had it rough. Seems a talking lion gave him a hard time the other day."

Hearing that made Vulcan realized the squirrel saw Nero. Interested, he came over quickly to Mars's side and said "A talking lion? Well, then, how about you ask our little friend more."

"I hate being in the middle. Squeaky, uh…squeak, squeakin'." The squirrel began chattering in response only Mars understood. "Wolves? No kidding? Brutal."

"Then he's dead, right?" assumed Vulcan.

But when the squirrel chattered, Mars denied "No. He had help from a… peasant girl."

Shocked to hear Nero's with someone, Vulcan eagerly viciously "Then ask him which way the talking lion went!"

"Uh, squeakity-squeak, squeakin'." requested Mars.

The squirrel pointed forward, indicated his whereabouts. Believing they know where to find Nero, Vulcan climbed back in his tent with Mars carrying it and running off to track him down.