Prologue

29th day of September

Feast of Michaelmas

Anno Domini 929

I, Poidevin, write this so that all may know the true story of my master, the Duke of Bohemia, the most noble Václav. Though our enemy is strong, the Most High is stronger still.

God, forgive me! I could not save him from his murderers. But I hope I shall be granted enough time to write the truth, even as my blessed master taught me.

Yet how can I write these words without baring my heart? Even now the emotions of the past eight years fill my thoughts, as if I were living them again.