Spring 207 BC. Rome and Carthage have been at war for eleven years. Rome has endured the unendurable but as the pulse of the nation beats low, a new call arises that fills every Roman heart with foreboding. An old peril is approaching swiftly from the north to burst in tempest on the wasted fields of Italy. Hasdrubal, son of Hamilcar has crossed the Alps and is intent on joining his brother, Hannibal and deciding the greatest war of the classical age once and for all.

Near Rome, Marcus an ordinary farmer is caught up in a terrible crime that plunges his family into crisis. In his search for justice Marcus slowly begins to realise that his families fate has become entwined with that of the Republic.