Mystery in history.
After Rome, before the Middle Ages, Italy belonged to the Ostrogoths. Argolicus has retired from Rome to his home in southern Italy.
A corrupt governor. A young girl. An old man. Argolicus unravels the threads.
He learns that his avuncular friend from youth has been accused of rape, and not just rape, rape of a virgin. In the culture of the time, this accusation is worse than murder.
A reputation for making sound decisions and reverence for his old friend's sense of justice start Argolicus on a journey to set things right.
Accompanied by his tutor and lifelong friend, Nikolaos, he goes straight to the governor's villa where luxury, beautiful horses, and great wine hide an extremely cruel deception.
