I hope you, dear reader, have enjoyed this book. Let me offer you my heartfelt thanks for buying it and taking the time to read it. If you can manage a few extra minutes to leave a review online, or to tweet about it, or sing its praises on Facebook, then I will be eternally grateful.
I would like to express my sincere thanks to the following people for their support and help in the writing of this novel:
Firstly, the test readers who provided great feedback and helped me to hone the final draft: Derek and Jacqui “proof-reader extraordinaire” Surgey, Soelwin Oo, Emmett Carter, Naomi Harffy and Carry Crets.
Shane Smart and Richard Ward for the stimulating conversations about the book. Hearing their thoughts each day on the latest section they’d read made going into work even more fun than usual!
Simon Blunsdon, for being such a great sport and providing excellent suggestions about the structure of the novel.
Special thanks to my dad, Clive Harffy, whose detailed feedback really improved the book. Thanks also to my mum, Angela Harffy, not only for reading it, but for liking it too and putting up with dad spending hours reviewing it for me!
The incredibly talented and generous, Matt Bunker, from the amazing re-enactment group, Wulfheodenas, for the cover photograph.
It has taken years to get this book to the point of publication and many other writers, most of whom I have only “met” online, have provided encouragement, advice and support. There are too many to list them all here, but special mention must go to Steven A. McKay, Justin Hill, Angus Donald, Paul Fraser Collard, Carol McGrath, Manda Scott, Elaine Moxon, Derek Birks and E. M. Powell.
Robin Wade, my agent, for believing in me, giving me a great insight into the workings of the publishing industry, and for the pep talks. We got there in the end!
Thanks to Caroline Ridding and all the great team of professionals at Aria/Head of Zeus for taking what I was already proud of and making it even better.
Extra special thanks to Gareth Jones for the friendship, in-depth discussions and unwavering encouragement.
My great friend, Alex Forbes, who read the first few chapters years ago and told me I had to tell Beobrand’s story. Without his belief in me, there would be no book in your hand.
Finally, to my wife, Maite and our daughters, Elora and Iona, for being there always, understanding and supporting me every step of the way. They make me strive to be a better version of me and I love them completely