The King placed his head in his hands wearily. How could Eathelbert do such a thing...The King had known him as a child, had practiced his sword fighting with him, had confided in him-and he had repaid him with a civil war. The King's armies had held valiantly, but the accursed Saxons had taken advantage of the chaos and captured Hwice. The King himself had then led an assault in retaliation, and to boost morale. That didn't bear thinking about. His entire bodyguard and 200 brave Fyrdmen slaughtered by the Saxon Houscarles. The King feared for the future of the kingdom. These were dark times...