The first book in a brand new historical adventure series Frankia 780AD: Sigwulf, a minor Saxon prince, is saved from execution after his family is slaughtered by the ruthless King Offa of Mercia. Sigwulf is exiled to the Frankish court of King Carolus, the future Charlemagne. He gains the friendship of some—Count Hroudland, Carolus's powerful and ambitious nephew but—mysteriously—several attempts are made on Sigwulf’s life. When he obtains a Book of Dreams, a rare text giving understanding to their meaning, he attracts the attention of Carolus himself. But the Book proves to be a slippery guide in a world of treachery and double dealing. Sent into Spain to spy on the Saracens, Sigwulf becomes caught between loyalties; either he honors his debt to new friends among the Saracens, or he serves his patron Count Hroudland in his quest for glory, gold and even the Grail itself. "As always. Severin excels in his palpable sense of history and adventure, rich period detail, thrilling battle sequences and fascinating, larger-than-life characters who strut their hour upon his epic stage . . . a gripping start to what promised to be another all-action historical series."  — Lancashire Evening Post Tim Severin is an explorer, historian, and writer. His books include The Brendan Voyage and the Viking Series. He is noted for his work in retracing the legendary journeys of historical figures, and has been awarded both the Gold Medal of the Royal Geographical Society and the Livingstone Medal of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society.