taly, 1326. While the brilliant and wily Cesco is schooled in his new duties at the hand of a hard master, Pietro Alaghieri travels to Avignon, current seat of the Papacy, to fight his excommunication and plead for Cesco's legitimacy. He doesn't know an old foe has been waiting to ruin Pietro's life and seize control of Verona for himself. Back in Verona, separated from everyone he trusts, Cesco must confront his ambitious cousin, a mysterious young killer, and the Holy Roman Emperor himself. A harrowing series of adventures reveal a secret long hidden, one that threatens Cesco's only chance for true happiness. Inspired by Shakespeare, Dante, and Petrarch, this Renaissance novel of intrigue and passion reflects the heights of drama, exploring the capricious whims of lady Fortune, who has her favorites - and her fools. "This is one of the most exciting, and satisfying, reads that I have immersed myself in for a long time. There is a masked rapist, an assassin, political machinations, chases, fights, scandal - and romance. David Blixt is a gem of a writer." - Helen Hollick, author of The Pendragon's Banner trilogy "David Blixt is a man of many talents--an actor, director, author. Not all of you may be lucky enough to watch one of his plays, but you all can read one of his novels, which I recommend that you do as soon as possible. In his hands, history comes to bright, blazing life." - SHARON KAY PENMAN, The Sunne In Splendour and Lionheart