In 213 B.C., as the forces of both Rome and Hannibal’s army from Carthage are still reeling from the losses at the Battle of Canae, the second Punic War rages on. With more and more of Rome’s Italian allies switching allegiance to Carthage, the stakes continue to increase. When the major Sicilian city of Syracuse defects to Hannibal, Rome sends all that it has to retake the city. Now, outside the nearly impregnable city walls, a vast Roman Army besieges the city. Inside the city, tensions and politics are an even greater threat. Two men―once boyhood friends, through circumstance now find themselves fighting on opposing sides―are about to face each other once again. Caught between them is a woman. All three trapped in one of the most famous and brutal sieges of all time. Ben Kane's Clouds of War is a vivid, exciting, and very human novel about one of the most defining conflicts in history, seen from the very top, where the generals make bold gambits, all the way down to the very bottom, where the people who are caught in the crossfire are trapped. “Gritty, passionate, and violent..a thrilling page-turner.” ―Steven Pressfield, author of Gates of Fire “The rising star of historical fiction!” ―Wilbur Smith “Epic… a gripping blend of history, battles, gore, ancient politics, betrayal, consummate and casual cruelty, and sex… a pleasure for those who like history and great adventure.” ― Library Journal on The Forgotten Legion “Lively...riveting...rich in accurate historical detail. The characterizations are finely drawn and set against a dangerous, cruel, but often thrilling landscape.” ― Booklist on The Forgotten Legion “Kane is a natural storyteller, merging suspense and intrigue with graphic battlefield scenes and historical color into a ripping story that will please series fans and new converts alike.” ― Publishers Weekly on The Road to Rome “This historical yarn from Kane isn't your grandfather's Spartacus.” ― Kirkus Reviews on Spartacus: Rebellion BEN KANE is the bestselling author of The Forgotten Legion trilogy as well as Spartacus: The Gladiator , a top-three bestseller on the London Sunday Times . A lifelong student of military history, Kane has traveled widely, visiting more than sixty countries on seven continents. He currently lives with his family in North Somerset, England. Clouds of War By Ben Kane St. Martin's Press Copyright © 2014 Ben Kane All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-250-00114-6 CHAPTER 1 Two and a half years later ... Apulia, late winter It was a fresh morning. A light, cool breeze carried in from the east, where the sea lay, one hundred stadia away. The worst of the winter weather had gone, for which Hanno was grateful. Over the previous few months, the temperatures had not often been harsh, but he still missed the warmth of Carthage, his home. The sun's heat on his face, and signs that the plants were beginning to grow again, would be welcome. As usual, he found Muttumbaal among the Libyans of his phalanx. If his second-in-command wasn't sleeping, he was with their men. They were his entire world, for he had neither wife nor family, and he was assiduous in their care. No one had ever called Mutt by his full cumbersome name, except perhaps his mother, thought Hanno wryly. To the world, his dour subordinate was just known as Mutt. He was a damn fine officer, and had covered for Hanno on innumerable occasions. Saved his life more than once too. Mutt was drilling the men on the open ground beyond the camp perimeter. It was a habit that Hanno continued to find amusing. They were some of Hannibal's most hard-bitten veterans, who knew their craft inside out. Career soldiers, they had traveled from Carthage to Iberia, from there to Gaul, over the Alps and into Italy. They had fought — and won — more battles for Hannibal than anyone could remember. Yet that didn't stop Mutt from insisting on regular drill and marching sessions. "Let them sit on their asses for too long, sir, and they'll get rusty," he'd said when Hanno had questioned the tactic. Over time, Hanno had had to admit that Mutt's reasoning was sound, given the existence that they had all lived since Cannae. There was still occasional fighting, but much of their routine was to stay in camp. Yes, there were marches to defend a pro-Carthaginian town or city from a Roman army that was threatening it, but their fearsome reputation meant that this tactic usually made the legions withdraw without a fight. Large swathes of southern Italy were now on their side, which meant that combat had become less common. Frustratingly, that didn't mean that the war had been won. Far from it, Hanno thought bitterly. Plenty of Rome's allies remained loyal, even when their territory was surrounded by those friendly with Carthage. Capua was allied to Hannibal, but nearby towns were not. He pictured Quintus' sister Aurelia, how she'd been when he had last seen her near Capua, and his heart squeezed. There had been