Eagle's Edge: CH 6 | A Roman Soldier Sits With What Battle Actually Costs | Boys Historical Fiction Adventure
CORRECTED EPISODE: This is an updated version of Chapter 6. The original
release named the wrong battle — it referred to Marcus's first fight as "the
Sabis," against the Nervii. His actual first battle is the Arar, against the
Helvetii, in 58 BC. The Sabis is a real battle too, but it comes later in
Marcus's story (Chapter 8). We've corrected the chapter and re-recorded it.
Getting the history right matters to us — thanks for your patience.
The blood won't come off. Hours after the slaughter at the Arar, Marcus sits
apart from the celebrating camp, cleaning a sword that's already spotless —
oil, cloth, wipe, inspect, repeat — while Lucius tries everything he knows to
reach him: bread, his mother's lentil stew, stories of Petronius's perfect
thrust. None of it works. Only when Petronius himself sits down in the dark,
saying nothing for a long while, does Marcus hear the five words that
actually help: "It doesn't get easier. You get faster at deciding." Not a
promise that the fear will fade — just the truth that he'll carry it better
next time.
Eagle's Edge is a Roman adventure story for kids 8-14 — a sixteen-year-old
recruit takes the oath, marches into Gaul under Caesar, and learns what war
actually is.
Perfect for kids 8-14 who love history, battles, and adventure. For fans of
Rosemary Sutcliff's The Eagle of the Ninth, the action of Percy Jackson, and
classic stories of ancient Rome.
📚 Grab your copy of Eagle's Edge: The Making of a Soldier (Book 1) —
available now on Amazon: https://us.amazon.com/stores/Reed-Sterling/author/B0H2ZM86WQ
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00:00:00 — Marcus scrubs a spotless sword, four hours after the Arar
00:02:45 — Lucius arrives, talking, while Marcus stays silent
00:06:00 — "You should eat" — Lucius leaves the bread untouched
00:10:00 — Night falls — eight men went into the Arar, eight came back
00:11:45 — Counting chainmail rings until memory breaks through
00:13:45 — The line dissolving — a spear, a shield, Petronius's save
00:14:15 — The boy with the knife, and the hesitation Lucius finished
00:17:30 — True fear: a world with no order, no command, no guidance
00:18:00 — Petronius sits down beside him in silence
00:20:15 — "It doesn't get easier. You get faster at deciding."
00:23:00 — The truth beneath the words — chaos will come again
00:23:30 — Marcus packs away his gear, no longer obsessive but purposeful
00:25:00 — CH 7 — What Comes Next
I am the author of serialized fiction books for kids, teens, tweens and young adults, including:
- Brickhaven: A Bricks Fan Fiction Adventure
- Colony In Danger: A Fire Ant Adventure
- Eagle's Edge: A Story of Rome, Gaul and the Making of a Soldier
- Treasure Island: A Classic Adaptation
- Iron Rails & Ruin: A Novel of Steam, Sorcery and the Lawless Montana Territory
📚 All five books -- are now available on Amazon: https://us.amazon.com/stores/Reed-Sterling/author/B0H2ZM86WQ
📖 Wanna check out all five series for yourself? Get all five Chapter 1s free: https://compass-codex.kit.com/middle-school-reader-group
Thank you for listening! This is Reed Sterling. Remember: Never stop exploring unknown worlds.