Hundreds of Roman soldiers and traders gone in the space of weeks. No battles. No survivors. No answers.
45 AD. The Amber Road has fallen silent. Trade caravans vanish on the northern routes, and the patrols sent to find them do not return. Days later, search parties make grim discoveries deep in the forests — scenes so disturbing that reports are incomplete, details omitted, and witnesses reluctant to speak of what they saw.
One man survives.
He is found alive, broken and mutilated, his injuries inflicted with deliberate care. He cannot describe what happened to him. He cannot even write it down. Whatever he endured has stripped language from his mind.
Among the nearest tribes, rumours begin to circulate — whispered warnings of shadows that move without sound, of something that hunts and leaves nothing behind. No one will speak openly. No one will explain. Fear closes mouths.
In public, the Senate clamours for war. Voices rise, demands are made, and calls for punitive legions echo through the chamber. But behind closed doors, the emperor is far more cautious. Eastern Germania remains an unknown quantity, a land of forests without roads and enemies who refuse to stand and fight. Even if Rome sends its legions, there is no guarantee they will all return.
Claudius will not gamble thousands of lives on ignorance.
Instead, he sends for the Occultum.
Six men. No insignia. No official existence. Trained to go where legions cannot and uncover what others are meant never to find. Their orders are cross the Danube, enter the forbidden forests, and discover what waits in the dark — before Rome answers whispers with fire.
And whatever stalks the Amber Road is not finished yet.
Excellent read as the Occultum are sent to find out who is killing traders and armies sent to find what is happening . There is always a dangerous mission and the Occultum are ready for the journey ,a very tense journey as they meet with those responsible and given a time to rescue the Trible leaders kidnapped Daughter to save many lives . Very well written and compulsive reading as tensions rise . Brilliant as always and the way the team work soo well together ,highly recommend ,always ready for more .
Well this book is totally different from the usual. The tension the soldiers were under must have been mind numbing, I could almost feel it. Each book in the series is a different story. Buy this book it’s worth the read