Steven Mathison

Arnald Haroldsson Steven Mathison

In the year 534 A. D. Arnald, the sixteen-year-old elder son of Elaine, Queen of Caer Warewic, stumbles blindly into a plot aimed at the ultimate overthrow of his cousin, Arthur, High King of the Celts. Arnald is the least favorite of Elaine's children and the perfect patsy for the gruesome rape and murder of his older sister. But there is a flaw in Elaine's plan. Although naive in the ways of life and poorly trained for battle, Arnald unknowingly possesses the Rage of a berserker. Fleeing Briton and the enormous reward for his capture or death, Arnald seeks shelter in the Danish village of his only friend, Harold Strongarm. The Jarl, or lord, of that village imprisons Arnald, however, chaining him naked to a wall for the amusement of his people and neighboring tribes. Exhausted, hunted by mercenaries seeking reward, despised as a coward by Celt and Dane alike, Arnald swallows his pride. He must survive. He must learn. And above all else, he must return to Briton to defend his innocence. His life is defined by treachery, incest, love, murder and war. Arnald's Rage, both blessing and curse, sets him on a path of conquest he never dreamed possible.