From the publisher:
In the heart of the early medieval English kingdom of Wessex, where dense forests meet rolling hills and ancient fortresses stand as sentinels of history, a tale of power and peril unfolds. The year is 878 AD, and the land is caught in a delicate balance between burgeoning Christian rule and the lingering pagan traditions of old. Within this landscape, whispers of powerful artifacts, relics of a bygone era, echo through the courts and countrysides, drawing the attention of ambitious lords, enigmatic druids, and cunning outlaws. King Alfred the Great, revered for his wisdom and military prowess, seeks to unite Wessex and repel the ever-looming threat of Viking invaders. His court, a place of strategy and statecraft, becomes the epicentre of a quest for the lost Crown of Brân, a legendary artifact said to bestow unmatched wisdom and invincibility upon its bearer. Alfred believes the Crown could secure the future of his kingdom, ensuring peace and prosperity for generations. Yet, Alfred is not alone in his pursuit. The Order of the Old Faith, a clandestine group of druids dedicated to preserving the ancient ways, also seeks the Crown, believing it to be a sacred relic of their ancestors. Led by the wise and enigmatic druidess Eira, they aim to protect the artifact from falling into the hands of those who might misuse its power. To the north, in the shadowy forests and hidden clearings, the Outlaws of the Greenwood, a band of skilled thieves and mercenaries, see the Crown as a means to challenge the existing power structures and bring about their own brand of justice. They are motivated by a blend of personal ambition and a desire to aid the common folk, often exploited by the nobility. The Crown of Brân holds the potential to change the fate of Wessex, but only if it can be found and wielded wisely.