The Great Game (60 page)

Before I finish, it would be remiss of me not to throw out my heartfelt thanks to my agent, Sallyanne Sweeney, who donned her editor’s cap and turned this tale from a rambling, broad epic to a tight diamond of a plot. Without her efforts, this book would not be the work it is. And I should also greatly thank one of my favourite Roman authors, Douglas Jackson, who read through an early draft of this book and gave me both constructive advice and the wonderful quote for the cover. If you’ve not read his Valerius Verrens series, go do so.

So is Rufinus’ story over?

Of course not. There are more tales to tell in the reign of Commodus, including some real corkers, and Rufinus has a long journey ahead of him to reach the lofty heights to which he is later attested. And there are still so many snakes and vultures hovering in the Imperial court, after all.

Our loyal Praetorian will return next year in a manhunt upon which the empire’s stability could hang.

Thank you for reading
The Great Game
, and I hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it

Simon Turney, February 2015