Delegates from Tripolitania startle Emperor Valentinian with their accusations of imperial corruption and appeals against barbarians destroying their capital, Leptis Magna. But a cabal of courtiers condemn the whistleblowers to lose their tongues-and more-for lying. By 373, Roman Africa faces civil chaos. When General Flavius Theodosius marches to squash a Berber uprising, the Emperor sends along intelligence boss Marcus Numidianus to spy on Theodosius' ambitious and cruel command. Marcus tackles an even more secret mission at the insistence of his disgruntled friend Cassius, his Carthago station chief, to expose the conspiracy against the abused Leptis Magna provincials. Soon Marcus can't escape the deadly web of lies entangling Leptis Magna and his own service with powerful enemies in Valentinian's court. Packed with action and rich detail, the series is winning praise for bringing to life the long-forgotten, dark intrigues of the Valentinian Dynasty of the late 4th century, to delight fans of Bernard Cornwell, Steven Saylor, and Robert Harris.