Tuscany 1358 Thomas Blackstone has built a formidable reputation in exile fighting as a mercenary amid the ceaseless internecine warring of Italy's City States But success has bred many enemies & when a dying man delivers a message recalling him to England it seems almost certain to be a trap Yet Blackstone cannot disobey
- the summons is at the Queen's demand On his journey Blackstone will brave the terrors of the High Alps in winter face the Black Prince in tournament confront the bloody anarchy of a popular revolt & submit to trial by combat & every step of the way he will be shadowed by a notorious assassin with orders to despatch him to Hell