The civil war is building to a climactic conclusion.

Pescennius Niger, Emperor Septimius Severus's enemy in the east, is dead, his army slaughtered at the bloody battle of Issus. Severus can now turn to confront his only remaining rival for the throne, Clodius Albinus.

Governor of the distant island of Britannia, Albinus has only three legions at his disposal. But his forces are justifiably feared, hardened and brutal men. Defeating them will be no easy feat.

Severus knows that some in command of his legions of the Danube favour any emperor but him, and he tasks Legatus Scaurus's familia with rooting out all such traitors, and prevent their aiding Albinus's bid for power.

But a larger and more dangerous enemy lurks in the far west, plotting to inflict a stunning defeat on Severus that will end his dynasty, and threaten Marcus and his friends lives with brutal death.

The scene is set for a battle so great that, for one side, it can only end in apocalypse.