AD 18, Britannia. Prince Caratacus arrives at the Druid sanctuary in the far west of the island of Britannia, in the mountainous valleys of the Silurians. The prince endures unpleasant initiation rites and proves his mettle in training. What he does not expect to find is an enemy: a bullying fellow scholar, Eboricus.

As the young novices endure a brutal regime of combat training and study, Caratacus quicky realises that he is far from Eboricus's only victim. Caratacus knows he must find a way to confront his tormentor - but a contest of strength against the much older Eboricus is surely beyond him. And even his closest allies in this shadowy sanctuary may not be what they seem . . .