The mighty Roman army faces Britain's defiant tribes in the series's powerful fifth book It is late summer AD 44, and the battle-weary Roman legions are in their second year of campaigning against the British tribes. The troop'' commander, General Plautius, is under considerable pressure from the emperor to crush the natives once and for all. Centurions Macro and Cato are with the crack Second Legion under the precarious leadership of Centurion Maximus, and it's their task to hold a ford across the river Tamesis when the natives are forced into a trap. But Maximus's nerve breaks at the critical point, allowing the enemy leader and his men to escape. Outraged by this failure, General Plautius orders the decimation of Macro and Cato's unit. Their choice: die, or escape to become fugitives pursued by soldiers of their own ruthless army. Hiding from their former comrades, as well as the Britons, Cato's small band of fugitives has only one chance to redeem itself before its soldiers are hunted down, like animals. "Perfect for Cornwell addicts who will relish its historical detail and fast-paced action. Storming stuff!"--- The Good Book Guide (UK) "Scarrow's legionary adventures have put guts back into historical writing. His great knowledge of the period is allied to a talent for taking you right into the thick of the action to share the blood, sweat, horror, and exhilaration of battle."--- The Northern Echo "Macro and Cato return in fighting form. A satisfying, bloodthirsty, bawdy romp. Perfect for Cornwell addicts who will relish its historical detail and fast-paced action. Storming stuff!"--- The Good Book Guide Perfect for Cornwell addicts who will relish its historical detail and fast-paced action. Storming stuff! --- The Good Book Guide (UK) The mighty Roman army faces Britain s defiant tribes in the series s powerful fifth book It is late summer AD 44, and the battle-weary Roman legions are in their second year of campaigning against the British tribes. The troop ' commander, General Plautius, is under considerable pressure from the emperor to crush the natives once and for all. Centurions Macro and Cato are with the crack Second Legion under the precarious leadership of Centurion Maximus, and it s their task to hold a ford across the river Tamesis when the natives are forced into a trap. But Maximus s nerve breaks at the critical point, allowing the enemy leader and his men to escape. Outraged by this failure, General Plautius orders the decimation of Macro and Cato s unit. Their choice: die, or escape to become fugitives pursued by soldiers of their own ruthless army. Hiding from their former comrades, as well as the Britons, Cato s small band of fugitives has only one chance to redeem itself before its soldiers are hunted down, like animals. British Praise for The Eagle s Prey : Scarrow s legionary adventures have put guts back into historical writing. His great knowledge of the period is allied to a talent for taking you right into the thick of the action to share the blood, sweat, horror, and exhilaration of battle. --- The Northern Echo Macro and Cato return in fighting form. A satisfying, bloodthirsty, bawdy romp. Perfect for Cornwell addicts who will relish its historical detail and fast-paced action. Storming stuff! --- The Good Book Guide Simon Scarrow teaches at City College in Norwich, England. He has in the past run a Roman History program, taking parties of students to a number of ruins and museums across Britain. He lives in Norfolk, England, and this is his fifth novel featuring Macro and Cato. Eagle's Prey Chapter One'How much further to the camp?' asked the Greek, looking back over his shoulder yet again. 'Will we reach it before dark?'The decurion in charge of the small mounted escort spat out an apple seed and swallowed the sharp-tasting pulp before replying.'We'll make it. Don't you worry, sir. Five or six miles, I reckon. That's all.''Can't we go faster?'The man was still looking over his shoulder and the decurion could no longer resist the temptation also to glance back along the track. But there was nothing to see. The route was clear all the way to the saddle nestling between two densely wooded hills that shimmered in the heat. They were the only people on the road, and had been since leaving the fortified outpost at noon. Since then the decurion, the ten mounted men of the escort he commanded, and the Greek with his two bodyguards, had been following the road towards the massive forward camp of General Plautius. There, three legions and a dozen auxiliary units were concentrated in order to strike a final decisive blow against Caratacus and his army of Britons, drawn from the handful of tribes still openly at war with Rome.Quite what business this Greek had with the general was a source of great curiosity for the decurion. At first light he had been ordered by the prefect of the Tungrian cavalry cohort to turn out the best men from his squadron and e