Chapters 17-18
form a turning point in Daniel's opinions of his revenge mission and his idealizing of Rosh. In
Chapter 16, he shared a trip and a moment of love with Thacia, and during the time began to
realize that he needs to pick his battles. In Chapter 17, Rosh puts his plan to rob the wealthy
citizens of the village into motion, causing the general opinion to tip against him. At the same
time, Daniel's private band of young boys becomes more brash in their own attacks on Roman
targets. By the end of the chapter, Daniel discovers that the villagers are suffering as the
Romans blamet them for Rosh's raids.
"We have had
enough of his brand of freedom. He's free up there. Free from the taxes that bleed us dry. Free
to play with the Romans while we stand and take the punishment. By the prophets, if you have any
fondness for this savior of yours, warn him now. We have had enough."
(Speare,
, Google Books)
In Chapter 18, Joel
is captured as he tries to spy on the Romans. Daniel entreats Rosh to rescue him, only to
discover that Rosh only cares about his own safety; he views his men as expendable. Furious,
Daniel leaves the bandits forever and hatches his own rescue plan.
These
chapters change Daniel from a follower to a leader, as he comes to terms with the differences
between his own mission and that of Rosh. He discovers that the boys will listen to him and go
by his plans, and that he is also capable of rational response instead of the emotional response
that has governed his life up to this point.
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