life. The opening of "The Last of the Legions" introduces us to Pontus, the Roman viceroy of Britain, who faces the dire news of the Emperor's orders to withdraw all legions from the island due to growing threats from barbarian tribes. As he consults with Licinius Crassus, the head of the military, they reflect on the consequences of this abandonment for the Britons, who are left vulnerable to both internal and external strife. The British leaders—Celticus, Caradoc, and Regnus—plead to retain Roman protection, emphasizing their fears about a return to lawlessness. The narrative establishes a tense atmosphere, highlighting the complexity and consequence of the power dynamics at play, setting the stage for dramatic shifts to unfold as the Roman influence wanes. (This is an automatically generated summary.)