Rosemary Sutcliff, The Eagle of the Ninth

"Esca tossed the slender papyrus roll onto the cot, and set his own hands over Marcus's. "I have not served the Centurion because I was his slave," he said, dropping unconsciously into the speech of his own people. "I have served Marcus, and it was not slave-service...my stomach will be glad when we start on this hunting trail."

Rosemary Sutcliff, The Eagle of the Ninth

"And what will they do to you when you have told them this story?' Esca said very simply, 'They will kill me.' 'I am sorry, but I do not think much of that plan.' Marcus said."

Rosemary Sutcliff, The Eagle of the Ninth

"Better to be a laughing-stock than lose the fort for fear of being one."

Rosemary Sutcliff, The Eagle of the Ninth