Book 1 of a 4-book Historical Fiction series entitled HighKing. Set in Britain in the 5th Century - the 'Dark Age' - it is the story of Vortigern, who becomes king at one of the most dangerous moments in the country's history. Abandoned by the Romans and facing slaughter by raiding Picts and Saxons, Britain is leaderless and broken. Vortigern's adopted name means High King, but he is an outsider from the far west, despised by the establishment and opposed by jealous rivals. His greatest ally is young warrior Kerin Brightspear. Bound by oath and love to Vortigern, who saved his life as an abandoned child, Kerin yearns to prove his worth to the man he idolises. But time is running out. Beyond the borders, enemies are growing stronger by the day. Can Kerin seize the chance to repay his debt as Vortigern bids to become all that his name proclaims: lord of the Britons, the High King?