Wallia’s Quest (Book 2) – In Roman Service

A Goth’s Fight for Freedom in a Roman World

De: Les Jauron

Narrado por: Virtual Voice

“My name is Wallia, and I am a Goth.” With these words Wallia continues his epic forty-year quest for freedom from Rome and a permanent home for his people. The second book of the series begins after Wallia is betrayed by his nemesis, Eriulf, and is forced to flee for his life from the Goths.
Given refuge by the Romans, Wallia meets Emperor Theodosius and agrees to support the emperor’s plan—to give his people a homeland within the empire in exchange for providing soldiers to serve Rome. Wallia then joins the Scholae Palatinae, the elite cavalry squadron that protects the emperor.
In his position near the center of power, Wallia quickly learns the intricacies of court life and becomes a valued advisor to the emperor. After a short sojourn to Gaul, where he unsuccessfully attempts to save the Western Roman emperor from himself, Wallia returns to Constantinople. Eventually, as a reward for his outstanding service, Wallia is given a Roman estate and marries a Roman woman. She gives Wallia a son and the proud parents decide to raise their child as a Roman.
Then fate intervenes. Wallia is called back into Roman service to help the emperor to defeat a massive barbarian invasion and several Roman usurpers. Through endless marching, intense fighting, constant conflict, shifting loyalties, and incessant intrigues, Wallia learns some hard truths. Things are not always what they seem. Bad decisions lead to immeasurable suffering. The Goths and Romans have different interests. Unity requires leaders to subordinate their goals to those of the tribe. And, most importantly, the emperor does not see the Goths as partners in a shared enterprise—but as a weapon to be used against his enemies.
These hard truths force Wallia to make hard choices. Can he trust his people, even after being betrayed by his enemies in the tribe? Does his loyalty to his own people outweigh his oath to Rome? Or, should he remain faithful to an emperor who is willing to fight to the last Goth to maintain his power?
In the end, Wallia must decide if his future is with Rome—or the Goths.