The Eagle of the Ninth

Guern already knows that the Epidaii are after Marcus, Esca, and the Eagle. Marcus asks Guern for food and for help creating a false trail, but Guern refuses. Instead, he offers to guide Marcus and Esca along the one route south the tribes won’t guard, given how dangerous it is. He leads them to a quarry last used by the Romans, hides them there, and then continues home with the cow. After dusk, Guern returns with meat and leads Marcus and Esca on once it’s fully dark. At first, Marcus doesn’t understand what’s so different or dangerous about this path, but then he realizes they’re entering a bog. Guern says they must go single file and never stop moving. As they enter the bog, the mist rolls in.

Just before dawn, Guern leads Marcus and Esca out of the bog. This, he explains, is as far as he can take them, but he asks to see the Eagle one last time. Guern marvels that after tonight, he might never see another Roman—but Marcus asks Guern to come with them. His help will save him from execution. But Guern insists that he’s integrated in his tribe now, so they part ways. As Guern salutes Marcus, Marcus can see the Centurion that Guern once was. Hopefully, Marcus thinks, Guern will be able to stay safe. Esca observes aloud that Guern will certainly hear about their fate, while they won’t ever find out if Guern makes it home.

Marcus and Esca hike by night for two days, slowed by the terrain, Marcus’s leg, and the mist. As dawn breaks on that second day, they spot a rider. Esca estimates that they’re about 12 miles from the wall. As they travel that evening, the mist suddenly clears—and a tribesman spots them and runs away before Esca can spear him. Esca and Marcus race down into the woods, hearing the tribesmen shout signal cries at one another behind them. As they run, they realize they must’ve somehow run into a large group of hunters. They drop to their stomachs, and, to Marcus’s shock and relief, the hunters and dogs seem to miss them. They creep forward until they realize that they’re surrounded by hunters they can hear but not see.

There’s an old Roman signaltower ahead, and Marcus and Esca race for it. It’s a poor hiding place, and as they climb to the roof, they startle a raven. It makes lots of noise as it flies off, alerting the hunters to Marcus and Esca’s whereabouts. Exhausted, Marcus takes note of the tarn (a small lake) below. He can always toss the Eagle down. Esca is watching the hunters around them, and they suddenly seem to realize where Esca and Marcus are hiding. Marcus asks Esca what he got out of this trip. Esca says it’s been wonderful to be free and to hunt with his “brother.” Marcus agrees, wondering if Uncle Aquila or Cottia will ever hear about this. Still, he’s content, especially when he notices a flower growing in a crack in the stonework. Just then, three hunters appear below, heading for the tower.