Aulus Veridius Scapula, arena fighter, legionary and killer stands on the brink of claiming untold wealth. He has inherited his family's lands but cannot claim them until he has enough money for the legal process. When Marcus Costa, his cousin, kidnaps his wife, Aulus must find her before time runs out. The price of his wife's freedom? The deeds to the inherited lands. When the deal goes down, he must take the fight to his enemy in a desperate tragic fight. Marcus escapes with the legions of Crassus heading for conquest in Parthia, the eastern limit of Roman lands. Aulus follows; he is burned by a desperate need for revenge. In that unforgiving, arid place Aulus comes to terms with a rotten leadership and the biggest military defeat in Roman history since Hannibal crossed the Alps.