687 AD. Expansive and triumphant, the Caliphate has stripped Egypt and Syria from the Byzantine Empire. Farther and farther back, the formerly hegemonic Empire has been pushed.

All that has saved it from destruction is the invention of Greek Fire. Is it a liquid? Is it a gas? Is it a gift from God or the Devil? Whatever its origin, all know it has broken the Islamic advance and restored Byzantine control of the seas.

But what is all this to old Aelric, now in his nineties, and a refugee in the remote wastes of northern England?

Nothing -- until one band of northern barbarians turns up outside his monastery, and then another. Almost before he can draw breath, Aelric is a prisoner and, headed straight back into the snake pit of Mediterranean rivalries.

Will age have robbed Aelric of his charm, his intelligence, his resourcefulness, or of his talent for cold and homicidal duplicity?

Praise for the Novels of Richard Blake

'Fascinating to read, very well written, an intriguing plot and I enjoyed it very much.' - Derek Jacobi, star of I Claudius and Gladiator

'Vivid characters, devious plotting and buckets of gore are enhanced by his unfamiliar choice of period... Nasty, fun and educational.' - The Daily Telegraph

'He knows how to deliver a fast-paced story and his grasp of the period is impressively detailed.' - The Mail on Sunday

'A rollicking and raunchy read... Anyone who enjoys their history with large dollops of action, sex, intrigue and, above all, fun will absolutely love this novel.' - Historical Novels

'It would be hard to over-praise this extraordinary series, a near-perfect blend of historical detail and atmosphere with the plot of a conspiracy thriller, vivid characters, high philosophy and vulgar comedy.' - The Morning Star

Richard Blake is a pseudonym for Sean Gabb, who is an historian, writer and university lecturer. He lives in Kent with his wife and daughter.

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• Crime, Thriller & MysteryMysteryLGBTQ+
• Literature & FictionClassicsHistorical
• Literature & FictionHistorical FictionMystery, Thriller & Suspense

• Publication Date: November 15, 2021
• Text-to-Speech: Disabled
• Lending: Disabled
• Print Length: 433 Pages
• File Size: 882 KB