Chapter 4 The Last Rose Falls Summary

Marcus is not killed, but he is injured. For a week, he lies in a haze of pain. Finally, he awakes to find the garrison Surgeon, Aulus, bending over him. There is a spear gash in Marcus's shoulder, and his right thigh is shattered, a mass of wounds. Finally the Surgeon allows Drusillus to visit his commander.

Marcus learns that the collapse of the first chariot stopped the others. Both Cradoc and the Druid holy man were killed. The patrol was able to rush inside the fortress with only a few casualties. Marcus declares that the Fourth Gaulish is the finest cohort with the Eagles. The village has been punished in the traditional way. The huts destroyed, and the fields are salted so that there will be no harvest for three years. Marcus thinks all...