Following the events of The Soldiers of Ares, Maximus and his friends find themselves in Minerva, under the protection of the goddess Athena. But all is not well as they soon learn that the locals are less than happy to host them since they are citizens of Mars - the country Minerva is in war with. A certain turn of events forces Maximus to partake in a city - wide festival that hosts prominent figures from around the world. Meanwhile, outside the city, tensions rise as the war between Mars and Minerva reaches a stalemate. With so many dangerous forces within the city and the threat of war outside it, Maximus and his friends find themselves as pawns in a game played between the Olympian Gods.