Fifth century Britain lies on the edge of darkness, with the High King, Uther Pendragon, holding together the unruly kingdoms of Britain against the Saxon invaders But the Pendragon is failing fast, and he has sent into exile the only other man who could hold the warring kingdoms together - Arthur, Merlin's protege and Uther's illegitimate son One of his spearmen narrates the story of Arthur's return and of his quest for peace