This is an ALTERNATE HISTORY novel, set in the MIDDLE AGES.

The empire of Charlemagne is falling apart. The emperor is a child, and ill. Europe is sliding into anarchy. ROME is threatened by PIRATES. In the west, the Empire of Gaul has found itself accidentally independent of the German emperor.

The western empire, poorer and weaker than the East, has for centuries relied on the aviators of the courier service to patrol the frontier and bring warning of invasion.

The empire has survived repeated attacks by the barbarians. But now it faces its biggest threat yet. Viking pirates are attacking Europe’s northern coasts. The ARABS have humiliated the Eastern Empire, conquered North Africa, and invaded Spain. They have made one attempt to invade GAUL. Arab pirates are attacking Provence and ITALY. Their raids threaten the heart of the empire. Can it survive this latest threat?

Kay is the nephew of the most powerful man in Britain. But he wants to protect the empire from the Vikings, not support his uncle’s grab for power. He does not want to see his soldiers killed in an unnecessary war. He is a WARIOR and has a reputation of a brave commander; but he knows that bravery is not enough. He needs to think out the problems that face him. And he needs an advisor he can trust.

Bridget is a princess, cousin to the young emperor. She has been told she will marry Kay. Her kin have told her to hide her intelligence from her slow husband.

But if her cousin dies, and the empire disintegrates, will Kay and his powerful family still want her?

Her family has told her that it is her duty to provide her husband with an heir. This ordeal has killed many women. Is this all that her husband expects of her? She has begun to suspect that her mother-in-law is her greatest enemy.

Bridget is determined to accompany her husband on all her military missions to the frontiers of the empire.

The aviators in their flimsy machines risk their lives to patrol the frontier and deliver all-important despatches. Kay admires them for their audacity and defiance of authority.

Kay knows that bravery is not enough for a successful general; he needs to be a courtier, a diplomat - and a strategist.

This is the fourth in a series about the decline of the Roman Empire and its surprising remnant, the Empire of Gaul.