In A.D. 176, Renny (Eireneios) became a sailor at the age of 15 aboard a ship of the grain fleet that traveled from Alexandria to Rome. He survived a storm at sea and capture by pirates. Then his older brother Polo, a centurion, recruited him to become a 'friend of Caesar' to help snare the gang of smugglers who were using that ship. But his mission was discovered, and some gladiators who were part of the gang forced him into the equipment of a retiarius, a net-and-trident fighter, and sent him into the arena. Now he must enter into combat against the smugglers' leader, an experienced swordsman and killer.