Attanasio's The Dragon and the Unicorn began with the Dawn of Time. This equally ambitious and magical epic begins with the Dawn of History.

The demon Lailoken, Merlin to humankind, has groomed Pendragon's son, the eagle of Thor, to lead the doomed Celts against the Saxon, Pict, and Angle conquerors. In defeat will Arthor find his victory, and Camelot its triumph. Their light will shine across the ages, a beacon to humankind.

But Merlin is shocked to discover that his Eagle is a vicious, callow youth whose only joy is killing. With his Roman sword "Short-Life," Arthor will bathe Tintagel in blood, unless another sword offers itself to his gore-slick hand. A sword that must be pulled from the star-stone at Creation's radiant heart...