The Eagle of the Ninth

As they converse over dinner, the conversation turns to the Ninth Legion, through a reference to the fort at Eburacum, where the Ninth was stationed before they marched northward to suppress the rebellions in the North. Claudius Hieronimianus describes the fort as “still more than a little ghost-ridden by the Ninth-Legion” (87), stressing that evidence of the Hispania is palpable throughout the region. He describes his experiences there, stating “I am not an imaginative man, but I tell you that there have been times, when the mist comes down from the high moors, when I have more than a half expected to see the lost Legion come marching home” (87), a statement that provides an overture for Marcus to inquire after the Ninth, revealing that it was his father’s Legion that disappeared. Claudius Hieronimianus is surprised as he did not know that Aquila’s brother was a member of the Ninth. Claudius Hieronimianus makes mention of a rumor of a reported sighting of the Ninth’s Roman eagle in the North, which indicates that it survives and is in possession of the native tribes.

The three men discuss the multiple theories surrounding the legion’s disappearance. Placidus mentions the legion’s poor reputation. There is some conjecture that a significant portion of the men of the Ninth may have defected and joined the various northern tribes, while others were likely killed in the uprising. Hieronimianus expresses concern that the eagle’s symbolism and spiritual power among Romans and Britons alike has the potential to render it an effective banner under which tribes in the north might be rallied against Rome. Marcus suggests that while it may not be possible to send a contingent of soldiers north to retrieve the eagle, one individual might be successful in tracking it down, if they could remain undetected. Marcus entreats the Legate to confer upon Marcus the duty of venturing into the tribal lands past Hadrian’s Wall to ascertain if the rumors are true.

Marcus believes that Uncle Aquila will object to his plan; when he does not, Marcus realizes that his uncle must understand exactly what it means to his nephew to find out what happened to the Ninth. If Marcus cannot bring back the eagle itself, perhaps Marcus can at least obtain information relative to the fate of the legion. Reminded of the dangers he will inevitably face, Marcus says is unconcerned because he will be with Esca, whose skills as a warrior and hunter and whose knowledge of the tribal customs will be invaluable. Esca’s status as a slave is raised as a possible point of contention, and Marcus realizes that he cannot bring himself to allow Esca to accompany him unless he grants Esca his freedom and Esca decides to participate of his own accord. When he learns that he is free to do as he pleases, Esca does not hesitate to consent to the journey. It is decided that Marcus will travel under the assumed alias of an oculist, or eye doctor, and he receives training from a local man well versed in the practice so that his persona might retain authenticity.

Marcus and Esca reach Hadrian’s Wall prepared to cross into the northern territory of Valentia. Esca does not need to alter his appearance—he is dressed in his own traditional clothing common of the tribes of the North—but Marcus has transformed himself entirely, taking on the garments and rugged, roughened exterior typical of a traveling healer. He will call himself “The Invincible Anodyne of Demetrius of Alexandria” throughout their excursions, claiming Greek heritage to defray questions about his obvious Mediterranean ethnicity and equipped with a box filled with the salves, tinctures, and tools necessary to an oculist’s trade. It is only when Marcus and Esca are passing through the gates to the North that the obvious Roman character of their horses is mentioned. Marcus deflects by engaging in cordial banter with the guard to reassure him that the horses, a gift from Hieronimianus, were not stolen. Marcus and Esca cross into northern territory without further incident, but the exchange reminds them that every facet of their presentations will come under scrutiny as their encroachment into dangerous territory progresses. The open, wild countryside of the North makes an impression upon Marcus, and he feels the vastness of the wilderness acutely. Their plan of action is to make their way northward by traversing the countryside from coast to coast, gradually sweeping upward in search of the eagle.

To bless their mission and ask favor of the god Mithras, to whom he devotes his worship, Marcus builds an altar to the deity. Upon it he places an olivewood bird he carved from the knot in the olive tree at his home in Chiusi. As he burns the olivewood bird in offering, he realizes that he is making a tangible transition, casting aside the remnants of his former life and what he thought it would entail, and accepting the quest that now awaits him.

As they travel, Marcus presents himself at villages and settlements, offering his services, and the pair are well received. Though he had but a brief apprenticeship in preparation for this undertaking, Marcus is adept as an ocular healer, and this legitimacy protects the two from scrutiny. They are offered food and lodging and are frequently escorted to the next settlement when they are ready to depart.

At times, they must travel alone. After proceeding gradually northward in their traversing pattern for some time, Marcus comes to believe that they have missed the trail of the eagle, as no promising leads have emerged. Marcus decides to flip a coin; the toss will determine whether they will continue northward on their trajectory or turn backward to cover regions they have missed. Their fate decided, they proceed south again. One night, traveling without an escort from the previous village, Marcus and Esca take up lodgings in an abandoned Roman fortification. Esca is visibly uneasy, wishing they had pushed on instead of camping there alone, and it occurs to Marcus that Esca has the impression that the location is haunted. He feels some guilt at forcing Esca to stay there and, along with it, admiration for Esca’s courage as he is reminded of the risks Esca is taking in helping him: “Looking at him, Marcus wondered whether he would have had the courage to lie quietly down to sleep on what he believed to be haunted ground” (108).

Awakening in the abandoned fortification, Marcus hears whistling carried on the wind in their direction and recognizes the tune as “The Girl I Kissed at Clusium.” When the whistler comes into view, the man bears all the trappings of one of the Painted People of the North, but Marcus is naturally curious as to how the man came to know the song he whistled, a distinctly Roman song specific to the legions. Marcus considers the possibility that the man may simply have encountered legionnaires, but when he begins to speak with them, Marcus finds that his Latin is especially good. Most significant and revealing to Marcus is the faint scar between his brows, one Marcus himself possesses and has had to conceal these months traveling in the North. It is the mark of the Raven Degree of Mithras, and Marcus is inspired by the first significant indication that he may be on the trail of the eagle.