Five years after Arminius united the tribes of Germania to push back the invader by destroying three Roman legions and delivering to the Empire one of the greatest and most humiliating defeats in its history, the aftershocks are still being felt in Rome. Augustus is dead, political scheming is in full swing, and the new Imperator is determined to recover the lost Eagles and launch a new campaign in Barbaria. Meanwhile, a bitter and despondent Marcus Falco learns some shocking news that leads to a pivotal decision, Arminius wants to capitalize on his victory by building his own empire, and Orphea is up to her old tricks as Roma marches towards an uncertain future and personal and political motives converge.