In the follow-up to Defender of Rome, Valerius Verrens is sent on a mission by the deranged Nero against a man he greatly admires Emperor Nero's grip on power is weakening. In every shadow he sees an enemy, and like a cornered animal, he lashes out at every perceived threat. His paranoia settles on the figure of Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo, Rome's greatest general who leads the imperial legions in the East. Is Corbulo preparing...