Invictus

Prefect Cato and Centurion Macro have returned to Rome from Britannia.  Cato to his new home and son; sadly his wife Julia had died shortly after giving birth to their son, Lucius two years earlier.  Immediately upon their return they are demanded to show themselves to Narcissus.  Narcissus warns them about the state of things in Rome.  He also provides Cato with devastating news about his wife, Julia.

Right Cato and Macro have been rewarded for their part in the capture of Caratacus, they are sent to Hispania under the command of their old nemesis, Vitellius.  Cato will not have a chance to get to know his son.  Once there, Cato and Macro are ordered to immediately march across the peninsula to a mine to prevent it from falling into the hands of rebels.  It is a suicide mission, for on the way to the mine, Cato finds out that he is outnumbered ten to one. It isn't long after that that the rebels are aware of the presence of Cato and his men.

Ambushed by the rebels, the cohort loses several men.  The following day, Cato makes the decision to carry on, sending the wounded back on the carts.  Will the men survive the march along an alternate route through the mountains to the mine?  Fortunately they make it undiscovered, and through stealth and determination take the mine.  They now have to prove it from the rebels before Vitellius' legion arrives.

Shortly after taking back the mine, the one man with knowledge about the mine and its silver is murdered.  Why, and by whom?  Before the answer can be determined, the rebels arrive.  Can the small cohort defend the mine before help arrives or will the rebels destroy them?

Author Simon Scarrow makes you feel as if you are right in the midst of the battles alongside Cato and Macro.  The action is intense and exciting.  A thoroughly enjoyable read, and hard to put down.