The next day, He and Esca safely escape with the eagle, but the tribe is close behind their their heels. With the help of the former legionnaire, they cross the marsh but are still far from safety. Cleverly tricking the enemy, Marcus and Esca elude capture multiple times and finally arrive, bruised and weary, at a Roman camp.
Marcus's homecoming is bittersweet. Although he is hailed as a hero for retrieving the eagle, much to his disappointment the legion will not be reformed. And although Cub eagerly greets Marcus, Cottia, now a young lady, has changed. Thinking that he will once again leave, she is harsh with him, having missed him terribly.
However, upon receiving compensation from the Senate, Marcus decides to start a new life in Britain, rather than return to his beloved home in Italy. Together he, Esca, and Cottia look forward to a bright future.