It's AD 44, and as Vespasian and the Second Legion forge ahead in their campaign to seize the southwest, Macro and newly appointed centurion Cato are ordered by Vespasian to provide Verica, aged ruler of the Atrebates, with an army. They must train his tribal levies into a force that can protect him, enforce his rule, and take on the increasingly ambitious raids that the enemy is launching.

But in this fourth installment of Simon Scarrow's epic series, open revolt is brewing. Despite the Atrebates' official allegiance to Rome, many are wary of the legions and want to resist the Roman invaders. Macro and Cato must first win the loyalty of the disgruntled levies before tackling the enemy. But can they succeed while surviving a deadly plot to destroy both them and their comrades serving with the eagles? In the midst of this highly volatile situation, Macro and Cato face the greatest test in their army careers. Theirs is a brazen tale of military adventure, political intrigue, and heroism, as only they stand between the destiny of Rome and bloody defeat.