In the sweep of history, there is no era that can match, for sheer exhilaration and romantic adventure, the Renaissance of Europe. Here is a swashbuckling drama that captures that era with all its pageantry and vivid color. It is the story of Ilarion, a yellow-haired stableboy, whose sword had no peer in all of Europe. He was plucked from poverty by that dark genius, Cesare Borgia, most powerful man on the continent. From that moment Ilarion plunged into life with dizzying speed.

Into court intrigue where whispers behind a cupped hand could mean death in the night for a man…

Into the silken bonds of love and the favors of the Madonna of the Roses, highborn lady of Italy…

Into savage battle beneath the banner of the bull, where rich cities toppled to the lances of Borgia…