The Romans have vanquished the rebel alliance; Calgus Lord of the Northern Tribes is the prisoner of the chieftains he once led. & the Roman leader has an audacious plan to capture Dinpaladyr the barbarians' fortress of spears. Marcus Aquila
- burning for revenge on an enemy that has killed one of his best friends
- rides north with the Petriana cavalry. He believes his disguise as Centurion Corvus of the 2nd Tungrians is still holding. But he is just a few days ahead of two of the emperor's agents sent from Rome to kill him. Pitiless assassins who know his real name & too much about his friends.