The third in this epic quartet of novels focusing on two giants of European history, Wellington and Napoleon. In the early years of the nineteenth century, Arthur Wellesley (elevated to Viscount Wellington in the course of the novel) and Napoleon Bonaparte are well-established as men of military genius. Wellesley has returned from India, where his skill and bravery made a remarkable impression on his superiors. He faces trials and tribulations on the political scene before becoming embroiled militarily in Copenhagen, then Portugal and finally Spain. Napoleon, established as Emperor, is cementing his control on Europe, intending finally to crush his hated foe across the Channel: Britain. The time is fast approaching when Wellington and Napoleon will come face to face in confrontation and only one man can emerge victorious...

Tras la sangrienta conquista de Camuloduno, durante el crudo invierno del año 44 d.C. el ejérctio romano se prepara para extender la invasión de Britania con un contingente de 20.000 legionarios armados hasta los dientes. El general Aulo Plautio confía en que la llegada de la primavera facilite la campaña, pero, inesperadamente, su familia es raptada por los druidas de la Luna Oscura.

En el verano del año 43 d. C., la invasión romana de Britania se encuentra con un obstáculo inesperado: la desconcertante y salvaje manera que tienen los rudos britanos de enfrentarse a las disciplinadas tropas imperiales. La situación es desesperada, y quizá la inminente llegada del emperador Claudio para ponerse al frente de las tropas en la batalla decisiva sea el revulsivo que unos legionarios aterrados y desmoralizados necesitan.

1565, Malta. A vital outpost between the divided nations of Europe and the relentless expansion of the Ottoman Empire. As a decisive battle rages. a veteran soldier fights for the existence of the Knights of the Order of St John and the Christian world...Faced with ferocious enemy attack, the Knights must summon all their strength if they are to escape annihilation. Amongst those returning to Malta is Sir Thomas Barrett, exiled in disgrace decades before. Loyalty and instinct compel him to put the survival of his men and the Order above all other concerns, yet his allegiance is divided. On Queen Elizabeth’s orders, he must retrieve a hidden scroll concealed on the island, which threatens her reign.As Sir Thomas confronts the past that cost him his honour and a secret that has long lain buried, the Ottoman horde lands and lays siege to the defenders. Vastly outnumbered and with no sign of the help promised by distant kings, the knights and their Maltese allies know- that the future of the Orders faith, and of the western world, hangs in the balance...