Book 2 in the HIGH KING series. The 5th Century; the Dark Age. At one of the most dangerous moments in British history, after the Romans abandoned the islands, a man of the West known as Vortigern became King of all the Britons. Centuries later, the legends would call him a villain, but his people called him the High King. At his side is a young warrior who has earned a new name - 'The King's Right Arm'. Kerin Brightspear, the king-maker, Vortigern's greatest ally, has proved himself to the man who saved his life. But as they confront the Picts at Hadrian's Wall, enemies within are already plotting Vortigern's downfall. Mercenary captain Hengist and his Jute warriors have sworn allegiance, but will they betray him too? Amidst chaos and bloodshed, Kerin faces his greatest test as the family of the woman he loves plot to seize Vortigern's power, and the kingdom lurches towards civil war.