Blood and Amber: Return to Barbaricum

AD 55. Britannicus is poisoned in Agrippina's villa; thus sharing the fate of his father, Emperor Claudius. Behind the assassination is the current Emperor, Nero, Agrippina's unfaithful son. Losing her influence, the Empress silently sends an expedition north for amber. The expedition is commanded by Aurelius, who takes along Orsina with the hope to reignite their former love. During their journey it turns out that the purpose of the expedition is to hide Britannicus, the rightful heir, who miraculously survived the assassination. The expedition gets complicated by the conflict between Aurelius and Tiberius, the commander of the garrison of Carnuntum, lying on the border of the Empire and Barbaricum. The expedition turns into an escape, hunted by the Germanic dogs of Tiberius and chased by elite units sent from Rome by Burrus and Vespasian. The cold, hunger and permanent deadlock generate recurring conflicts. Companions become more dangerous than enemies. Reaching the amber beach does not solve the situation of the fugitives. Disappointed, Orsina tells Aurelius that the only thing he can hope for is the support of her sword.