Chapter LXV

Summary

• The protagonist (the speaker) explains his plan to his companions, Aequa and Callidus. Even though they question the plan, they accept that it’s necessary. The plan entails stealing a tracking plate from the Sextii - they need it to keep track of another group, Iro and Belli.
• Aequa will rejoin Iro and Belli, whilst the protagonist and Callidus will locate safety teams following Iro and Belli. The protagonist will take the risky role of stealing the tracking plate, while Callidus will serve as a distraction.
• The protagonist and Callidus stick with their plan, despite the risks of disqualification and being caught. They believe that it will provide them an advantage in their journey.
• After a challenging trek in the dark, Callidus and protagonist locate the safety team - two men called Borius and Darin - and find the tracking plate. Upon seeing the plate, they split to prepare for their roles; Callidus going around the camp to cause distractions and the protagonist staying to snatch the plate.
• Callidus manages to distract Borius, who briefly leaves the camp to investigate the noise, allowing the protagonist to steal the tracking plate.
• The protagonist’s actions are discovered by Borius who attempts to capture him. However, the protagonist is able to escape using the confusion in the camp as a distraction.
• The protagonist takes a moment to catch his breath and examine the stolen tracking plate but struggles to understand how it works. With no more time left on his hands, he heads westward to carry out the next part of his plan.