11 A.D. The further exciting adventures of Cassius Aprilis take us to Rome, then to Hispania, as Cassius, now appointed quaestor, an official government position, travels there to investigate and resolve the inheritance disputation between two brothers who control gold mines. In spite of the mentioning of their father in his will of their good qualities, one is a crook and the other a monster, with no regard for others, as Cassius finds out; so he must make a Solomonic decision. Also, he has taken a large quantity of gold to pay the governor for a monocerus [rhinoceros] which supposedly the governor has and which Germanicus wants to use in his gladiatorial games. The most important task is to find Flavus, the brother of the traitor Arminius, and to bring back to Rome to stand trial as a possible traitor himself. Flavus has been a centurion in Spain. Cassius is accompanied by his brother-in-law, the lawyer Aulus, and his friend Marcus, from the military in Cassius' Teutoberg days. Also a detachment of Praetorians and a lictor have accompanied them. There are many thrilling sections: the sea journey to Spain, the inspection of the horrendous mines, a journey fraught with danger as a tribeswoman guides Cassius to his friend Marcus, who has been leading Cassius' band of Praetorians, down a wild river. The men are bringing back the monocerus from the South. There is a horrific battle with bandits. There are betrayals, doublecross and treachery. Things [and people] are not always as they seem. Back in Rome, Cassius must defend Flavus before the emperor.

This novel was as good as or better than the author's first novel, Roman Mask. The character development was outstanding. Cassius, besides being a handsome young man with a wicked way with a sword, displayed emotion. The descriptions of his PSTD, which mostly revealed itself in nightmares of his earlier experience in Germany, were excellent. You really hated the villains of the piece.

Highly recommended. ( )