Atticus is the captain of the Aquila, the flagship of the attack fleet of the Roman navy. Bound to obey his young, inexperienced commander's rash orders, Atticus sails straight into a trap. A battle follows and only by defying his commander can he pull his men back from the brink of defeat. But Atticus will pay a high price for his defiance, and he's summoned to Rome, realising that he's created a powerful enemy.