Description

The HIGH KING series. At one of the most dangerous moments in British history, 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. This is his story, seen through the eyes of the young warrior who becomes his devoted companion.

Book 2: Under The Dragon

Vortigern is High King at last, thanks to the intervention of his loyal companion, Kerin Brightspear. He raises the dragon standard and marches for Hadrian’s Wall, to take on the invaders in the North. But the High King has more than one enemy to face. The breach with his oldest son threatens to become final, as Rufus condemns his father’s decision to employ Saxon mercenary captain Hengist and his band of pagan adventurers. On the eve of battle, jealous rivals are already plotting to topple the king, led by old adversary Eldof of Glevum and Kerin’s nemesis, his kinsman Bertil Redknife. Kerin, now known to all as ‘the king’s right arm’, has secured his position at Vortigern’s side. Mistrustful of Hengist, but desperate to keep Vortigern’s fragile coalition together, he will need all his wits and courage as the Saxons strengthen their hand and Rufus, once his closest friend, gathers fanatical allies to face down his father. Kerin’s devotion to Vortigern is beyond question, but now he has a new force to reckon with – his love for Bertil’s daughter, Gael. He stands to lose everything he has achieved, as battle lines are drawn and the family of the woman he loves make their play for power. But something else is about to happen. An event which even Kerin, with all his powers of foresight and intuition, has not foreseen. It will rock the foundations of his life, and even make him question whose side he is on, as the kingdom slides towards civil war.