209 BCE. In Iberia the Roman legions are once again on the march, threatening the very heart of Carthaginian Spain under their youthful but untried commander in chief Publius Cornelius Scipio.

Forced onto the back foot, staring at defeat, the imperial masters of Carthage call upon Gisgo, prince of Numidia and mercenary of Carthage to lead his Numidian cavalry to the rescue.

Thrown into the furious battle for Spain Gisgo must find a way in which to halt the Roman advance while keeping one eye on his arrogant, backstabbing Punic overlords.

Meanwhile, in failing health but determined to carry on regardless, Flavius, father, soldier, spy and now legate of Rome does not want to leave his family farm along Rome's dangerously unstable Gallic frontier. But when news comes of a new and grave threat to the Republic he accepts the desperate diplomatic mission his patron wishes him to undertake.

But Fortuna's favour is fickle, her support uncertain and as time runs out Flavius realises that he is facing catastrophe.