The Mediterranean 1571. For hundreds of years the Ottoman Empire has ruled the seas. But the seas are only a gateway to the lands they covet beyond. The armies of the Turk are picking off colonies & small islands & if the Mediterranean falls then finally perhaps the balance of power between crescent & cross will tip... It has been a momentous summer
- armies assembling Cyprus besieged & men flayed alive their bodies displayed as trophies on opposing galleys. Now as the sun rises on one October day history will be written in blood. Five hours will shape history. Countries all over western Europe have sent ships & men. Caught up in it are Hodge & Ingoldsby
- two young English adventurers who have survived the siege of Malta & are already living on borrowed time. Now it seems the debt must be repaid...