William Havelock Books in Order

Enslaved to Justin, young Varus joins the Roman army and serves under Belisarius against northern invaders, while questioning his master's secrets.

Belisarius leads an undermanned army against Persia's elite Immortals. Young Herulian freedman Varus joins the desperate defense of the fortress city of Dara.

Justinian plans to seize Carthage from the Vandals while revolt threatens Constantinople. Belisarius and Varus confront enemies beyond the Empire and within its capital.

After conquering Carthage, Belisarius struggles to govern a divided province. Varus travels west to secure Septem, facing hostile warriors and a fractious command.

Belisarius and Varus invade Ostrogothic Italy to reclaim Rome. Hunger, disease, betrayal, and darkened skies threaten an expedition already short of men and supplies.

War drives Belisarius's veterans deeper into Italy as Gothic resistance continues. Meanwhile, plague spreads and Justinian demands further victories from his overstretched forces.

Totila's resurgent Goths threaten the imperial reconquest of Italy. Belisarius and Varus return with inadequate resources, serving an emperor who distrusts his successful general.

Recalled from retirement as Huns threaten Constantinople, Belisarius must assemble a makeshift army from civilians and surviving veterans. Beside him, Varus faces a divided loyalty when the invading leader is the brother he thought he had lost.

In 1567 Plymouth, bilingual Tom Rouse is recruited as a translator for Francis Drake and John Hawkins. An Atlantic voyage draws him between competing empires, where his usefulness carries difficult questions of loyalty and complicity.

Interpreter and gunner Tom Rouse plans a quiet family life, but Francis Drake summons him to sea again. Their 1577 expedition takes him toward the Strait of Magellan and Spain's Pacific empire, testing his loyalties.