"1087. William the Conqueror's men are devastating the north of England. Ranulph of Erbistock is left orphaned. Brought up by monks, he shows himself to be intelligent, with a love of learning. But he harbours one burning ambition – to be at the head of a great force that will drive the invader from his land. Ranulph runs away to sea. Abused by his captain, he unintentionally causes the man's death. Tormented by guilt he becomes first a sailor, then a mercenary soldier, then a merchant. When a torrid love affair ends in bitterness, Ranulph earns the enmity of Viviana, a Byzantine princess.In Antioch he falls in love with Mariam. Now a wealthy man, he promises to marry her when he returns on his next voyage. But the revenge of Viviana catches up with him. Captured by corsairs, Ranulph is sold to the Emir of Malta as a galley slave. When Malta is conquered by the Norman, Robert of Sicily, Robert offers Ranulph a position as his steward – but can he bear to work for one of the tribe that killed his family? The orphan from England believes a different fate awaits him, involving a call to arms and a call to God."--Publisher.