to bluff Artaxes into standing down, however before Artaxes can respond, Longinus arrives with two legions and several auxiliary units. Longinus privately reveals to Cato and Macro that they were never meant to reach Palmyra, and were meant to die in the desert, removing Narcissus' spies that had frustrated his plans. Against the advice of Cato, Longinus leads the legions into the desert, determined to destroy Artaxes and his Parthian allies. During a night attack, Longinus panics, orders a retreat and leaves the army at the mercy of the Parthian horsemen. On the suggestions of Cato, the army manages to trap the Parthians, destroying their army. Balthus orders his brother, Artaxes, killed, leaving him the sole heir to Vabathus' throne. Back in Palmyra, it is revealed Balthus had ordered his slave, Carpex, to murder Amethus. Balthus is arrested to be put to death. With no heir to succeed the king, Sempronius reveals that the empire will annex Palmyra and absorb it into the province of Syria. Macro and Cato are released from Narcissus' employment, ending their posting in the East. Sempronius later gives Cato his consent to marry his daughter, Julia. Main characters Romans Centurion Quintus Lucinius Cato - Temporarily promoted to Acting Prefect of the Second Illyrian Cohort, Macro's adjutant Prefect Lucinius Cornelius Macro - Prefect of the Second Illyrian Cohort Legate Gallus Amatius - Commanding officer of the Tenth legion Centurion Parmenion - Centurion of the Second Illyrian, serves as Cato's adjutant Centurion Castor - Centurion of the Tenth legion, killed in action when the Parthians destroy his fort Centurion Horatius - Centurion of the Tenth legion Centurion Braccus - Centurion of the Tenth legion Centurion Septimus - Centurion of the Tenth legion Centurion Porcius Cimber - Centurion of the Tenth legion Optio Marcus Metellus Crispus - Optio of the Tenth legion, he is put to death for murdering an auxiliary Centurion Metellus - Centurion of the Second Illyrian Centurion Aquila - Centurion of the Second Illyrian, commander of the cohort's cavalry contingent Caius Menathus - Cavalryman of the Second Illyrian Gaius Cassius Longinus - Governor of Syria Lucius Sempronius - Roman ambassador, sent to Palmyra to conclude a treaty Julia Sempronia - Sempronius' daughter-turned-surgeon, who falls in love with Cato Palmyrans King Vabathus - Sovereign of Palmyra Prince Amethus - First son of Vabathus. He is assassinated by Carpex, under orders from Balthus Prince Balthus - Second