Who All Die
Alex Gough
Young Oclatinius
In writing this review, I assume that you have already read at least one of Alex Gough's Imperial Assassin novels. If not, there will be a spoiler. The novella is quite short. The book is 146 pages in kindle, but 62% of that is an excerpt of Emperor's Sword -- Who All Die is only 38% of the book.
Here's the spoiler: Oclatinius will survive. You know this because in the Imperial Assassin novels he is the grizzled veteran who has become the head of the Arcani, Caracalla's assassins and spies, and therefore Silus's boss. That he will survive is not known to Oclatinius himself through most of this novella, nor would it be obvious to a naïve reader from the title Who All Die.
The story takes place in the year CE 165 in Parthia. The legion of which Oclatinius is a member has been rampaging and conquering and sacking. Therefore Rome is not at this moment popular in Parthia. The legion is marching out of Parthia. Soldiers in Oclatinius's century begin falling ill, too ill to march at the legion's pace. [spoiler1]
Sick as they are, Oclatinius's century is effectively left behind to fend for themselves in a hostile Parthia. It's a good story, and the insight into young Oclatinius's character is useful.