Publisher's Synopsis
Book 1 of the Cassius & Vergilius Series
Where do you draw the line between love and loyalty?
Enrolled in the roman army from youth, Cassius follows the governor Julius Caesar through the Alps to Cisalpine Gaul. They pillage the Gallic villages along the way while hunting the five Gaul tribes, united known as the Helvetii. With a single legion of soldiers he hardly knows and trusts, he casts his gladius in service to Caesar and their centurion, Quintis.
When Caesar realises that he needs more men, he acquired five more legions while leaving the singular legion behind. Old comrades in the new legion quickly have Cassius transferred to continue his journey across the mountains into the valleys. When they find their roman allies under attacked, Caesar quickly turns to them and helps them defeat a Helvetii settlement.
With the army stationery while Caesar and his senior officials meet the allies, Cassius turns to his new duties as second-in-command to the Primus, Marcus. He is tasked to train the two legions that contain the youthful recruits who have very little experience with war. Cassius turns to it with an eager heart, having spied Vergilius among them. The two are quickly attracted to one another, despite the veteran still longing for his wife and children.
As Cassius and Vergilius flirt with the idea of having an affair, strange events start happening around the camp. A treasury of hidden loot from the latest conquest is found, linked to a group calling themselves the Thieves Guild. When Cassius finds their marking on several of the young recruits, he realises that the Guild has been travelling with them since the start and is allied with the Helvetii.
With Cassius intent on discovering the depth of the Guild's involvement, obtaining threats for him to cease his investigation, Vergilius makes his love known for Cassius. Their passion and relationship grow to new heights as the mystery of the Guild unravels further, indicating the connection with some soldiers close to him. He suddenly discovers how much is at stake, and realises that Caesar needs to be told at all costs.
Held back by those attempting to stop him, Cassius must find a way to maintain his new affection for Vergilius, battle ghosts from his past, clear the names of his comrades while staying out of the Guild's grasp. He is forced to choose between a love he never thought he could have and loyalty for an army he's served for decades.
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