"The god who hangs the stars in the heavens, who gives wings to Mercury, who makes the moon wane and wax; the god who from an acorn births an oak tree - to that god will I pledge allegiance if ever I can find him." Bold words for a slave, beaten and abused. . . Standing in the very ashes of victims sacrificed to Woden, Theodoric declares his allegiance to a greater, though still unknown god. In the harsh world of northern Britain at the close of the 9th century, Theodoric has suffered a beating so brutal it has distorted his memories. Now, baffled by a past that has given him rare skills, he searches for clues to his origin, to his heritage. + A fabled ring + A growing conflict + Ancient prophecies + Ruthless enemies bent on destruction All challenge Theodoric to the utmost. Brian Austin's poetic prose put life into this excellent novel. I felt myself reeling from the sting of the lash, ducking Pictish arrows, raging at the horror of slavery, and weeping as love spanned impossible gaps. Well done Brian Ray Wiseman, Author & Speaker, winner of the 2009 Leslie K. Tarr Award.
