A Passage from The Sign of the Eagle

Macha noticed the ragged leather and hob-nailed caligae on the scarred-face brigand's feet. Two toes were missing from his left foot. Her gaze shifted to his right hand, and she spied six fingers."I know this sniveling maggot," the tribune said. "He's a deserter from the First Legion Italica's cavalry detachment." Appius grabbed the prisoner's tunic and ripped it to the waist. Tattooed on his right shoulder was a blue eagle with spreading wings grasping the letter I in its claws. The eagle again, Macha thought.

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