Rome, 31BC. Civil wars have torn apart the Republic. In this struggle for power, Senator Marcus Rutilius Crispus has thrown in his lot with Octavian, Rome's leading man. The war against Mark Antony and Cleopatra will be decided at Actium. There, Rutilius makes a fateful mistake. To recover favour, he travels the Empire, bloodies his sword and delves into the corrupt world of informants. Love will bring sacrifice. Loyalty will bring hope. Courage will bring reward. But Octavian has a long memory.