Spilled Blood — J. Clifton Slater

Spilled Blood, book #2 of Clay Warrior Stories: In the Capital of the Republic, politics and scandal are normal. When a powerful citizen conspires with outside forces, normal becomes treason. Welcome to the world of 266 B.C. Lance Corporal Alerio Sisera is in transit to the southern Legion. When thugs from a protection racket grab his travel bag, Alerio's plan is simple. Locate the gang leader and negotiate with him. Unexpectedly, the hunt leads Alerio to a conspiracy, the murder of two Senators, and a treaty that threatens to destroy the Republic. Resolutions in the Capital take many forms. For Alerio Sisera, it's a gladius and spilled blood.