The Eagle: The Making of a Roman Epic Page #3

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to march north, it was autumn.

Worst weather they had in years.

For weeks we marched,

no sign of them.

Suddenly, they just

appeared out of the mist.

We can hear them, picking the men

off at the back, one by one.

Finally, we just stopped trying to find

open ground, and we turned and faced them.

Those last few days

in the Legion,

I've never been so frightened.

We fought back to back.

No sleep, pissing where we stood.

They came as if like animals.

This is the killing ground.

All the northern tribes were here.

But their worst....

Were the painted warriors

of the Seal People.

They hacked the feet

off the dead.

So their souls couldn't walk

into the afterlife.

They used those stones

as Altars, to kill the officers.

They ripped their hearts off

while they were still alive.

We could hear them

being sacrificed.

And my father?

What happened to him?

The last time, I saw your father,

He was surrounded by

the warriors of the Seal People.

Did he die fighting?

Did he die fighting?

I don't know.

I ran before the end.

A lot of us did.

- You coward.

- No.

You weren't here.

You don't what it was like.

Who has the Eagle?

They say the Seal People

have it.

How do I find them?

He knows.

He's Brigantes.

They fought here.

You always knew that place existed,

didn't you?

We've wasted weeks

searching for it.

And all this time

you could have told me.

Your tribe was there.

And they butchered

my father's men like dogs.

Your father came to kill!

He came to punish us, cause we were

not bowed to the name of Rome.

Yes, I've heard of this place.

To me and to all my people,

- it is the place of heroes.

- How dare you?

You're still my slave!

And you'd be dead in a ditch

without me!

I saved your miserable life!

No! What's happening?

No! Esca?

Esca?

Esca! Esca.

HyugA

Marcus Flavius Aquila.

Marcus... Flavius... Aquila.

Marcus... Flavius... Aquila.

Esca, what's happening?

You're my slave.

I've seen many Romans...

Kneel.

Get on your knees!

Do it!

When I get the chance,

I will kill you.

Marcus!

Marcus!

Marcus!

It's time.

We have to do this now.

It's our only chance while they sleep.

I thought I'd lost you.

Quickly.

There's no time now.

Let's go.

We have to go now!

Where did you get

my father's ring?

What did he say?

We have to go.

Esca.

If he wakes them, we're dead.

And you know it.

- He has no reason to protect us.

- Do you trust me?

He won't betray us.

- How many days to the wall?

- If we ride hard, four, maybe five.

They'll never catch us on foot.

- Have you seen them run?

- Come on...

You're wounded?

- Why didn't you say?

- It's nothing.

It's your bad leg. Sit down.

- We don't have time.

- Just sit down.

In the cave...

The chief.... what did he say?

Come on,

there's no time right now.

They're coming.

Half a day behind.

The wind always lies.

No fires.

It's too risky.

I'm not eating that.

I'm not a savage.

Then die a Roman.

You've lost a lot of blood.

You need to keep

your strength up.

Eat.

It's time to go.

They can take shortcuts

that the horses can't.

Come on, keep going.

Come on!

Come on!

No!

We need to stick to the river.

They'll double back soon enough.

- Rest.

- We can't.

You need to rest!

Marcus!

You need to rest.

Come on.

Come on.

- I can't go on.

- Yes, you can.

You just need to rest.

Take the Eagle.

If you find horses come back.

If not... just keep south!

Make sure this

gets back to Rome.

I'm not leaving you here.

Do not dishonour me.

- Take it.

- I came this far with you,

I won't leave you now.

Esca, I order you.

Take it.

I swore an oath of honour,

Never to abandon you!

If you want me to leave,

Set me free.

Give me my freedom.

You're free my friend.

- Take it.

- No.

I will return.

Legion! Halt!

Your father's Legionaries.

You were wrong.

The dead can live.

My shame would not allow me

to tell you this before,

but I watched your father die.

Whatever anyone tells you,

he was not a coward.

He stood his ground,

to the very end.

I saw it.

The last Roman to hold the Eagle

was your father.

The order, sir.

You've honoured

my father's memory enough.

- You don't have to do this.

- No.

When I ran from your father,

I ran from myself.

Give the order, sir.

Prepare to defend the Eagle!

Esca!

Let us remember the men who fought and die,

in the name of honour.

Romans and Britains.

My father and yours.

Fathers...

Brothers...

Sons...

May peace and honour

follow you.

May you know no more strife.

May your souls take flight...

and soar.

With the Eagle of the Ninth.

For my father.

My dear boy!

I congratulate you,

Rome congratulate you.

Your family's

good name is restored.

The senate will want

to reform the Ninth,

Perhaps they can reward you

with its command.

I don't know

how did you do it.

- With only a slave to help you.

- He's not a slave.

And he knows more about honour

and freedom, than you ever will.

So, what now?

You decide.

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