It is late January, 1242 A.D, on the small island Kingdom of Othiria; a remote, windswept land of dense forests, majestic mountains and freezing, near-arctic wastelands. Divided between nine Kings and an assortment of Lords and Barons, Othiria is ruled by the most powerful of them: the High King, Alaric Athelmaere, a gentle, much loved and respected man who uses his authority with great wisdom and compassion.
Following a riding accident the High King dies, leaving behind six sons and a daughter. His cousin Alinor, Queen of a distant island and lover of his champion, Athelstan Penric, stands trial, accused of his murder by Bardric, Alaric’s elder, but illegitimate son, who rules the new king, Ransford, through manipulation and fear for his unborn son.
When Queen Alinor is freed from her dungeon just hours before her execution, brother is turned against brother, friend against friend; trusts broken and old alliances torn apart when new ones are made.
Athelstan meets his former lover, Atalaya, whom he thought long dead, and discovers a son he never knew, who dislikes and mistrusts him. Loyalty, Faith and friendship are tested as the island is plunged into a bloody civil war of murder, intrigue and revenge.
The battle for Othiria has begun.
