EPISODE 11: THE PASSING ## CHAPTER 1: THE LONG DECLINE Marcus had always known how he wanted to die. In battle, surrounded by enemies, defending something that mattered. A soldier's death. A clean death. Instead, he was dying slowly, in a warm bed, surrounded by love. It was, he decided, much better. "Eat something," Aelia urged. "Not hungry." "You're never hungry anymore. That's the problem." He managed a few spoons of broth, more to please her than from any real appetite. His body was betraying him in ways he'd never anticipated—the weakness, the breathlessness, the strange swelling in his ankles. The healers explained it carefully, but all he understood was that his heart was giving out. A soldier's heart, finally tired. "I thought I'd hate this," he admitted. "Lying here, waiting. But it's peaceful." "You've earned peace." "Have I?" He stared at the ceiling. "I killed so many men, Aelia. For Rome, for the wall, for Dormund. I can name only a fraction of them." "You saved more than you killed." "Does it work that way? A balance sheet of lives?" "I don't know." She took his hand. "But I know you tried. Every day, you tried to protect people. That has to count for something." "I hope so. I suppose I'll find out soon enough." --- ## CHAPTER...