Correus and Flavius, half brothers and rivals, have won respect in service to the Empire. Correus, esteemed soldier in the Roman Army of Eagles, has been entrusted with the honoured task of running the Emperor's brutal games. Flavius, a centurion at his brother's side, has risen to become the Emperor's most trusted advisor. Now Correus has been given the deadly task of quelling a barbarian German uprising. But while he struggles to negotiate a treaty that could save the lives of thousands, he uncovers a deadly plot against the Emperor that could cast the Empire - and his own family - into ruin.