From the burning plains of Syria to the filthy backstreets of Paris & London Brethren is the story of Will Campbell coming of age in a time of conspiracy passion politics & war. Will has been brought up from boyhood in the ways of the all-powerful Order of the Knights Templar. With a tragedy in his past that looms over his future he faces a long hard apprenticeship to the foul-tempered scholar Everard before he can have any chance of becoming a Knight. As he struggles to survive in the harsh discipline of the Temple Will must try to make sense of many things: his own past the dangerous mystery that surrounds Everard & his confused feelings for Elwen the strong-willed young woman whose path seems always to cross his own. Meanwhile a new star is rising in the East. A ruthless fighter & brilliant tactician the former slave Baybars has become one of the greatest generals & rulers of his time. Haunted by his early life he is driven by an unquenchable desire to free his people from the European invaders of his homel&. With page-turning suspense & thrilling action Brethren brilliantly evokes that extraordinary clash of civilizations known in the West as the Crusades. Robyn Young portrays a rich cast of characters reflecting on each side greed ambition & religious fanaticism as well as courage love & faith.