After the ambush by the Saracens outside Jerusalem, the allied army invades Mesopotamia, only to find the Shah of Persia built concrete forts that deny normal ballistae. The conquest becomes a slog and the outcome is in doubt when Max shows up with a secret. The death of Emperor Valens makes Sarus the Goth go rogue. Cyrus builds a new capital, upon the ruins of the old. Max confronts Yaz, while old Persia has a new ally: the Gokturks.