The Carnelian Phoenix (Quintus Valerius mysteries 2)

AD224

Former Praetorian Guard, Quintus Valerius, travels from Britannia to visit his family in Rome. A skilled swordsman, Valerius has an unerring nose for danger and death.
Valerius is travelling with his optio, Tiro – a lover of brawling and drinking from Londinium – and the woman he loves, Julia.
In Gaul, Valerius receives a mysterious legacy from his long-dead father — a carnelian intaglio ring. On the road they stumble over a platoon of dead soldiers, also travelling to Rome. One of their high-level political prisoners is dead; the other, Cassius Labineus, has escaped.
But the mystery has only just begun.
Soon after, Julia disappears and Valerius is torn between conflicting loyalties. Family secrets are revealed too, involving a conspiracy and plot to unseat Alexander Severus, the boy Emperor.
When Valerius reaches Rome, the soldier discovers that friends have become enemies. But perhaps an enemy could become a friend?
The fate of Valerius – and the Empire – become linked, as he strives to prevent an assassination.
But there will be blood.