Emperor Octavian Augustus hides the truth from the Senate and the people of Rome, who believe that their safety and happiness are protected by Palladium's magical talisman. In fact, only a burnt copy of the relic is kept in the Vesta temple, while the original is owned by Armenia. To force the recalcitrant state to yield, the emperor conducts a secret operation. Spies are sent to Armenia, traitors are recruited, conspiracies are plotted, undesirable . are eliminated Will it be possible to bring a stubborn people to their knees? Risking their lives, the Armenian king Tigran IV and Queen Erato are trying to save the sacred talisman . They will have to reckon with themselves..