Assassin and Philosopher

On a campaign against Persia in the late third century A.D. the Praetorian Guard prefect, Mucapor, is summoned by Roman Emperor Aurelian to his tent. He is informed of the emperor's concerns about his private secretary and operative, Mnestheus, who has become violently and murderously out-of-control. Aurelian tells Mucapor to take control of the situation, but does not elaborate on what to do. He is unclear about what he wants done with Mnestheus, much to Mucapor's confusion. Mucapor meets with Mnestheus, who convinces Mucapor that Aurelian plans to have him tortured and killed. With other generals who are also to be eliminated, Mucapor forms a plot to kill Aurelian and save himself. In one swift action, Mucapor and the generals assassinate Aurelian. Although he's saved himself for the moment, there will be consequences. Mnestheus has been false and has made up the threat against Mucapor to save himself. As politics make strange bedfellows, Mucapor becomes involved with Aurelian's widow, the beautiful and haughty but damaged Ulpia Severina. Mnestheus, too, aligns with Mucapor to save himself and Severina, who plots to be restored as empress. Turbulent times result from Mucapor's murder of Aurelian and the three allies struggle to survive and prosper. Mucapor and Severina have children, but the forces against them destroy the family. Mucapor, Severina and Mnestheus go on a journey of revenge to Persia. It is there the novel plays out violently in the midst of war.