Three gripping tales bridging Books VI and VII in the Marius Mules series. I chose to read each tale separately at different times, not to mix them up in my mind. All three stories in one way or another unleash the final cataclysm. Subtitle sums it up.

The first: a Roman Alamo, in which Roman army supply-line is cut at a Roman supply depot, with an O. Henry twist.
The second: violent closure to the Paetus vengeance scenario against Clodius: years in the planning, quickly and savagely executed.
The third: Prefect Priscus, hidden away with a small band of soldiers, watch Vercingetorix take over the Arverni oppidum at Gergovia. The enemy talk of the massacre of the supply depot within their hearing.

I enjoyed all three, which gave me a taste for the next book. The legionary's masquerade in the third story was a note of black humor. ( )