The seventh instalment of David Gilman's gripping chronicle of the Hundred Years' War, following Thomas Blackstone, Edward III's Master of War.

Winter, 1364. Sir Thomas Blackstone, Edward III's Master of War, has travelled to France to secure Brittany for England. In the throes of battle, he rescues a Castilian boy, Lazaro, who just witnessed the murder of the young queen. It is suspected that the king – along with Velasquita Alcon de Lugo, the beautiful witch who serves him – assassinated his queen. But Lazaro knows that is not the case.

With the king in hiding and the French army advancing Castile is on its knees. So Blackstone is ordered to Castile, to defend England's ally from the French.

Accompanied only by a small band of his men and a group of Moorish cavalrymen loyal to the king, Blackstone must protect Lazaro if they are to uncover the true assassin. They will face extreme danger, savage battles and a cold and bitter winter on their journey, and Blackstone will find himself the assassin's target. For the Master of War, the shadow of death is always present.

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